RIBUTE TO COMRADE DR. SAM SHAFIISHUNA NUJOMA

RIBUTE TO COMRADE DR. SAM SHAFIISHUNA NUJOMA,
A TOWERING FIGURE IN AFRICA’S LIBERATION
BY BOOKER OMOLE, GENERAL SECRETARY,
COMMUNIST PARTY (MARXIST) KENYA
FEBRUARY 9TH, 2024

Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma; a titan of African liberation, a visionary unifier, and the founding father of Namibia, who has transitioned, Nujoma will live for many years after his physical disappearance. More than a statesman, Nujoma was a living embodiment of resistance, a beacon of hope who defied the darkness of apartheid to carve a sovereign future for his nation. His passing marks the close of an era, yet his luminous contributions to Namibia, Africa, and the global struggle against oppression will resonate across generations.

Born on May 12, 1929, in the sun-scorched village of Etunda, Ongandjera, Nujoma’s early years were steeped in the harsh realities of colonial subjugation. A herdsboy turned revolutionary, he bore witness to the systemic violence and racial inequities of South Africa’s occupation, igniting in him an unquenchable fire for justice. Though formal education eluded him, Nujoma became a scholar of resilience, mastering the art of resistance through lived experience. In 1960, with revolutionary fervour, he co-founded the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), transforming it into both a political vanguard and a rallying cry for a nation yearning to breathe free.

Nujoma’s leadership was forged in the crucible of struggle. As commander of SWAPO’s armed wing, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), he orchestrated a daring guerrilla campaign against one of Africa’s most brutal regimes. His strategic genius lay not only in military tactics but in galvanizing international solidarity, from the halls of the United Nations to the frontlines of allied African nations. For 30 years, he navigated exile, imprisonment, and diplomatic battlegrounds, turning Namibia’s plight into a global cause célèbre. The world watched in awe as his relentless pursuit of freedom culminated in Namibia’s hard-won independence on March 21, 1990; a triumph that reverberated across a continent still shackled by colonialism.

As Namibia’s inaugural president (1990–2005), Nujoma faced the Herculean task of mending a nation fractured by decades of apartheid. With the wisdom of a reconciler, he championed national unity, urging forgiveness over retribution, and inclusivity over division. His government prioritized land reform, education, and healthcare, dismantling apartheid’s structural scars while nurturing a new national identity. Under his stewardship, Namibia emerged as a bastion of stability in a region often beset by turmoil; a testament to his mantra: “One Namibia, One Nation.”

Beyond borders, Nujoma stood as a colossus of Pan-Africanism, his voice thunderous in denouncing imperialism and neocolonial exploitation. He forged alliances with liberation movements in Angola, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, recognizing that Africa’s freedom was collective. At the 2010 3rd African Solidarity Meeting with Cuba, where I was present together with the Kenyan delegation, he hailed internationalism as a weapon against oppression, declaring, “Our solidarity is not charity; it is armour in the fight for dignity.” His advocacy extended to global platforms, where he demanded reparative justice and equitable trade for the Global South. It is in this meeting that our great party had a first-hand experience with Nuyoma, the towering anti-imperialist beacon in Africa.

As we bid farewell to this icon, we celebrate a journey that mirrors Africa’s own odyssey; from the clutches of colonialism to the pinnacle of self-determination. From herdsboy to commander, exile to president, Nujoma’s life reminds us that liberation is not gifted; it is seized, nurtured, and defended. His spirit lives in Namibia’s windswept plains, in its vibrant democracy, and in every child, who inherits a nation born of his sacrifice.

Rest in eternal power, Comrade Nujoma. Your name is etched not only in Namibia’s soil but in the hearts of all who dare to dream of a world unchained. May your legacy ignite flames of courage in those who continue the march toward justice.

Lalani ngenxeba, Mwalimu.

A united Africa under the banner of socialism is much stronger and peaceful.
Afrika Moja!
Afrika Huru!
Afrika ya Kijamaa!