Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s Founding President and Anti-Apartheid Icon, Dies at 95

Nujoma, a key figure in Namibia’s liberation from South African rule, led the nation as its first president and championed reconciliation and democracy.

Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first president and leader of its independence movement, passed away on February 8, 2025, at the age of 95 after a period of illness.
Nujoma co-founded the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) and led its decades-long fight against apartheid and South African rule, spending nearly 30 years in exile.
He became Namibia’s first president in 1990, serving three terms and overseeing the country’s transition to democracy and stability after its independence.
Nujoma emphasized national reconciliation, urging the white population to remain in Namibia and involving them in the nation’s post-independence economy and governance.
While praised for his leadership and pragmatism, Nujoma occasionally drew criticism for controversial remarks on issues such as homosexuality and AIDS, as well as his ties to authoritarian regimes.