Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first president, dies at 95

Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first democratically elected president after the country’s independence from South Africa, is dead.

The Namibian presidency said in a statement on Sunday that Nujoma died on Saturday at the age of 95.

The presidency said over the past three weeks, Nujoma was hospitalised for medical treatment and observation due to ill health.

“Unfortunately, this time, the most gallant son of our land could not recover from his illness. The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken,” the statement reads.

“It is therefore with utmost sorrow and sadness that I announce this morning of the 9th of February 2025 to the Namibian people, our African brothers and sisters and the world at large, about the passing of our revered freedom fighter and revolutionary leader, H.E. Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.

“President Nujoma passed on at the age of 95 on the 8th of February at 23h45 in Windhoek, Namibia.

“Our Founding Father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country. Our Founding Father heroically marshalled the Namibian people during the darkest hours of our liberation struggle until the attainment of freedom and independence on the 21st of March 1990.

“As Founding President, His Excellency, Dr. Sam Nujoma provided maximum leadership to our nation and spared no effort to motivate each and every Namibian to build a country that would stand tall and proud among the nations of the world.”

The presidency said Nujoma did not only blaze the trail to freedom, but he also inspired the people of Namibia.

“During this period of national mourning, we should be comforted by the unmatched leadership and extraordinary contributions of President Nujoma to the liberation struggle, the development and unity of the Namibian people,” the statement reads.

The Namibian government said it will announce a period of national mourning and burial arrangements.

The activist and guerrilla leader became president on March 21, 1990, and was formally recognised as ‘Founding Father of the Namibian Nation’ through a 2005 act of parliament.

Nujoma was a close ally of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean president, backing his controversial land seizures from white farmers.