PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA MOURNS PASSING OF NAMIBIAN FOUNDING PRESIDENT SAM NUJOMA

• President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his deep condolences to the government and people of Namibia on the passing of founding president, Sam Nujoma.

• President Nujoma died on Saturday, 8 February 2025, at the age of 95.

• The path of Nujoma, who was the leader of the Namibian revolution, was inseparable from South Africa’s own history of struggle and liberation, President Ramaphosa said.

South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has offered his deep condolences to the government and people of Namibia on the passing of founding president, Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.

President Nujoma died on Saturday, 8 February 2025 at the age of 95.

President Ramaphosa extended his sympathies to the founding First Lady of Namibia, Kovambo Nujoma, and the broader Nujoma and Kondombolo family.

His thoughts are with Namibian president, Dr Nangolo Mbumba and the government of South Africa’s north western neighbour, who are experiencing this loss 12 months following the passing of President Hage Geingob.

“As neighbours and compatriots, South Africa is united in grief with Namibians who have lost the leader of the Namibian revolution who is inseparable from our own history of struggle and liberation,” President Ramaphosa said.

“Dr Sam Nujoma was an extraordinary freedom fighter who divided his revolutionary programme between Namibia’s own struggle against South African colonialism and the liberation of South Africa from apartheid.

“In exile and on home soil, he led the Ovambo People’s Organisation, the South West Africa People’s Organisation and the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia against the seemingly unshakeable might of colonial and apartheid authorities and forces.”

President Ramaphosa said: “Sam Nujoma inspired the Namibian people to pride and resistance that belied the size of the population.

“Namibia’s attainment of independence from South Africa in 1990 ignited in us the inevitability of our own liberation.

“President Nujoma’s leadership of a free Namibia laid the foundation for the solidarity and partnership our two countries share today – a partnership we will continue to deepen as neighbours and friends.

“We are grateful for the extended lifetime with which Dr Sam Nujoma was blessed, and we are grateful for the manner in which he dedicated the many decades of his life to serving his nation.

“May his soul rest in peace and may our neighbours find healing in his legacy.”