By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Namibians and indeed the rest of the Southern African region has been plunged into mourning following the death of founding President Sam Nujoma over the weekend.
The former President has been unwell for sometime and passed on in Namibia’s capital Windhoek where he was hospitalized. He was 95
His death was announced by Current President Nangolo Mbumba.
Nujoma led the long fight for independence from South Africa in 1990 after helping found Namibia’s liberation movement known as the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) in the 1960s.
Nujoma was able to serve as the country’s first president from 1990 and retired as head of the state in 2005 but he continued to lead the party before stepping down in 2007 as president of the ruling SWAPO party after 47 years in charge.
The elections and selection of a new president in Namibia after Nujoma’s term is a notable example of a peaceful transfer of power.Even after the death of Hage Gottfried Geingob who served as the third President, the foundation he left led to a smooth leadership change.
Condolence messages have been pouring in from Namibians and leaders around the world as they mourn one of the frontline leaders of Southern Africa who led their countries to independence.