Senior diplomatic corps members, politicians and citizens of both Namibia and South Africa recently attended a memorial service for the late Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, the legendary leader of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) and founding President of Namibia.

Nujoma was a Namibian revolutionary, anti-apartheid activist and politician who served three terms as the first president of Namibia, from 1990 to 2005. Nujoma was a founding member and the first president of SWAPO in 1960.

Performing spiritual songs, the Tshwane Gospel Choir set the solemn yet uplifting tone of the memorial service

Watch the SABC News recording of the memorial service 

A massive tree has fallen

In her opening message, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), shared highlights from Nujoma’s storied life. She continued: "I do not think that we, as South Africans, devote enough attention to the linkages between apartheid South Africa and its ill-fated project to colonise the people of the then South West Africa, but also the people of the region as a whole." The VC said that the black majority of Namibia and South Africa faced the same struggle to free themselves from white minority rule.

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor

"We share yet again in the grief of the Namibian people during this difficult time of bereavement after the passing of Dr Nujoma," she concluded. "A massive tree has fallen. The Akan people of Ghana have a proverb that says 'Death, for all its power, cannot carry water from the river with a sieve'. This means that whilst death may take people and their bodies, their work, their soul, their advocacy for freedom, for dignity, for emancipation, will not go unnoticed. It is therefore our responsibility as youth and young adults in the continent, as seniors in the continent, as children in the continent, to learn from the legacies of people such as Dr Sam Nujoma, and to continue the quest for freedom, the quest for dignity, for the fullness of life, for our society."

Remembered with respect and affection

Senior members of the diplomatic corps based in South Africa and representatives of organisations such as the SADC and United Nations eloquently shared their recollections of the great man and his pivotal role in setting free the sub-continent with the audience. Speaking also were South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka, and the First Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congress, Nomvula Mokonyane.

From left: South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka; the First Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congress, Nomvula Mokonyane; and Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Dr Somadoda Fikeni, who eloquently directed proceedings

A nation in mourning

Joined on stage by clearly emotional staff from the Namibian High Commission, High Commissioner Veiccoh Nghiwete spoke next. In a tribute, read on his behalf by a colleague, he recounted the brutal system of colonial apartheid rule under South Africa under which Nujoma grew up. "From a young age he recognised the deep injustice faced by his people and resolved to fight for their freedom," the message continued. The High Commissioner went on to give an overview of Nujoma’s massive liberation role, also in support of the struggle of the black majority on South Africa, both in his country and while in exile abroad.

Namibian High Commissioner Veiccoh Nghiwete

"Through his visionary leadership, President Sam Nujoma helped to shape the course of history, ensuring that Namibia emerged as an independent and democratic nation on the 21^st of March 1990," the High Commissioner stated. "We offer our heartfelt condolences to the Nujoma family and the entire Namibian nation."

The message continued: "Through his own pursuit of lifelong learning, even in his eighties, he inspired young people to embrace knowledge, develop their skills, and take charge of their own destiny by becoming engineers and scientists."

Concluding poignantly, the High Commissioner said that though Nujoma’s physical presence may have departed, his spirit remains woven into the fabric of Namibia’s history. He continued: "His voice echoes in the halls of freedom. His footprints remain on the path of justice. His legacy will continue to guide generations to come. As we bid farewell to our beloved leader, we are not left without hope because his revolutionary spirit will forever continue to guide us."

A leader for all

Speaking next was Unisa Chancellor and former President of South Africa, Dr Thabo Mbeki. "We meet to celebrate our leader," he said. "Sam Nujoma was a leader of the peoples of this region. He was a leader of the peoples of Africa and the African diaspora."

Unisa Chancellor and former President of South Africa, Dr Thabo Mbeki

The Chancellor said that one of the outstanding contributions made by Nujoma was to lead Africa and, indeed, the world, in the final defeat of the global system of colonialism. He then recounted the fascinating history of the joint struggle of close allies SWAPO and the ANC, both under colonial rule and thereafter, and the key part played by Nujoma.

In conclusion, the Chancellor said: "Today, as we say farewell to this outstanding leader of the people of Africa, we ask: are there others like him who are ready to stand up to help our African continent and the diaspora to achieve our joint objectives? We will hope that out of this sad passing will emerge a commitment by the African people to say ‘It is indeed our obligation to honour Sam Nujoma, and to pay tribute to him by doing the right things about the future of our continent’."

* By Philip van der Merwe, Editor, Department of Institutional Advancement

** Images: SABC News