Also known as: founding president Sam Nujoma · father of the Namibian nation · founding president Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma · founding president Nujoma · Dr Sam Shafishuna Nujoma · Dr. Sam Shafishuna Nujoma · former president Sam Nujoma · first president of Namibia · founding father Nujoma · tatekulu Nujoma · Our founding father Nujoma · late H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma · Tatekulu Sam Nujoma · His Excellency Tatekulu Sam Nujoma · the late Sam Nujoma · Founding Father Sam Nujoma · founding president of Namibia · the first president of Namibia · late founding president Sam Nujoma · The eldest son of late founding president Sam Nujoma · late Nujoma · Dr. Nujoma · the late, great Sam Nujoma · comrade Sam Nujoma · tate Sam Nujoma · the late founding president Sam Nujoma · Sam Safiishuna Nujoma · Former president Nujoma · the late Namibian founding president · founding father and former president Sam Nujoma · our founding president, Sam Nujoma · His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma · Founding President · Founding President Dr Sam Nujoma · Our Founding President · former president
Founding President of Namibia whose independence legacy and Pan-African vision continue to guide the nation decades after his 1990 liberation leadership.
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August 2026
New Era
Sam NujomawasFounding President, replaced by Pohamba
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“Pohamba later became the country's second president, replacing Founding President Sam Nujoma, and Nandi-Ndaitwah said his leadership was grounded in humility, reconciliation, national unity and respect for the rule of law.”
Sam Nujomawas welcomed byChief Munjuku II in Botswana during exile
Source
“Nguvauva said his father's contributions included welcoming founding president Sam Nujoma in Botswana when he went into exile to liberate the country.”
Late Founding President Sam Nujomainitiatedsister-city partnership between Okahandja and Maqiao in 1996
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“The two towns signed the memorandum of understanding on friendly exchange and cooperation in 1998, following an initiative by the late Founding President Sam Nujoma in 1996.”
Dr Sam Nujomaconsistently argued thatthe struggle for economic emancipation would ultimately determine Namibian prosperity and self-determination
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“He consistently argued that the struggle for economic emancipation would ultimately determine whether Namibia could achieve genuine prosperity and self-determination.”
Founding President Sam Nujomawarned againstincomplete liberation
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“When reflecting on Namibia's present realities, it becomes impossible to ignore the remarkable convergence between the warnings of our iconic leaders Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo and Founding President Sam Nujoma. Both men emerged from the liberation struggle with a profound understanding of the forces that could either strengthen or weaken the nation after independence. Ya Toivo warned against tribalism and Nujoma warned against incomplete liberation.”
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged the current generation to convert Namibia's political freedom into economic independence, saying today's leaders must create opportunities for young people and reduce inequality to ensure independence gains are felt in daily Namibian lives. She made the call in a message marking former president Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba's 91st birthday, noting that his generation secured political freedom while the current generation bears responsibility for advancing economic independence.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged the current generation to convert Namibia's political freedom into economic independence, saying today's leaders must create opportunities for young people and reduce inequality to ensure independence gains are felt in daily Namibian lives. She made the call in a message marking former president Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba's 91st birthday, noting that his generation secured political freedom while the current generation bears responsibility for advancing economic independence.
The Namibian editorial commends President Nandi-Ndaitwah for opposing seabed phosphate mining but criticizes the lack of clear policy, after environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti granted Namibian Marine Phosphate an environmental clearance certificate despite more than a decade of unresolved controversy.
Prime Minister Tjitunga Ngurare, speaking at a colloquium marking Fidel Castro's centenary, delivered a statement from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasizing Namibia's historical ties to Cuba and its recent support for ending the economic blockade, noting that Namibia was among 136 nations that called for the blockade's end.
The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair will run 21–29 August under the theme "A Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy," while the Olufuko Cultural Festival takes place 24 August to 1 September in Outapi under "Our Culture, Our Pride, Our Heritage." The two flagship Northern events will run almost concurrently this year, with Olufuko dates moved up to align with the school calendar.
The government unveiled the Chief Munjuku II Nguvauva Military Base in Gobabis, renaming the 126 Battalion in honour of the late Ovambanderu chief for his role during the colonial period and in Namibia's independence struggle.
Okahandja and Maqiao town in Shanghai, China have revived their 1998 sister-city partnership, expanding cooperation to include road infrastructure, sanitation, waste management, and agriculture. Okahandja's leadership cited the need for upgrades to the town's sewerage system and road infrastructure to improve residents' living conditions.
Namibia's agriculture minister has implemented a Cabinet decision to increase the penalty levy on bycatch from 15% to 50%, citing alarming increases in bycatch volumes and threats to marine biodiversity. The ministry convened stakeholder consultations in response to some fisheries recording increases of more than 200% in bycatch over the past decades.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations to discuss the fishing sector's future, emphasizing that Namibia cannot remain a leading fish-producing nation while citizens struggle to buy fish and that sustainable management of marine resources must remain a priority. The industry warned that growing policy uncertainty is beginning to undermine investor confidence and threaten long-term sustainability.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah met with the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations to discuss sustainability, sector challenges, and economic contribution to job creation and foreign exchange earnings. The CNFA raised concerns over policy contradictions and regulatory uncertainties, and highlighted declining fish stocks as a threat to the industry's future.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah travelled to Ghana to present the Ovaherero and Nama genocide at a High-Level Consultative Conference on slavery and colonial injustices, where Namibia advocated for a comprehensive framework to address colonial dispossession and genocide committed between 1904 and 1908.
A Windhoek Observer opinion piece argues that Namibian public discourse focuses too heavily on criticism and negativity, and calls for recognition of accomplishments such as Nasan Energies Namibia's contributions to petroleum product supply security, framing such successes as victories for the nation rather than individual companies.
An opinion piece reflects on Andimba Herman Toivo ya Toivo's warnings against tribalism, arguing that while Namibia's public discourse focuses on economic growth and investment, the country must also confront growing tribalism, poverty, and inequality that are neglected from national discourse.
More than three decades after Namibia's independence in 1990, Founding Father Sam Nujoma's call for responsibility, unity, and self-determination continues to resonate as a lesson for Africa's future. The article examines how Nujoma's declaration that "the destiny of this country is now fully in our own hands" challenged the nation and continent to embrace the responsibilities accompanying self-determination and nation-building.
The Sam Nujoma Foundation is completing final arrangements for its new office building in Windhoek to support its work of preserving and promoting the legacy of Namibia's first president. The foundation, established in 2004 and officially registered as a non-profit in 2005, aims to promote Nujoma's vision, ideals and contributions to the country's development.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah did not attend Genocide Remembrance Day events held at Shark Island and in six regions, drawing criticism from political and community leaders, though the vice president attended events in Ohangwena. The president's absence came despite an active public schedule that included attending agricultural and cultural festivals and other state events.
The Chinese Embassy in Namibia and New Era Publication Corporation donated 400 pictorial coffee table books valued at N$200,000 to the Ministry of Education to honour the legacy of Founding President Sam Nujoma and promote literacy and historical preservation.
The Omagongo Cultural Festival, themed "Roots of Our Unity, Seeds for Our Future," will be held on 23 May at the traditional homestead of Chief Herman Iipumbu in the Omusati Region. The festival celebrates marula wine and culture, and has been held annually since 2001, rotating among eight Ovawambo traditional authorities.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has paid tribute to Namibia's Founding President Sam Nujoma on what would have been his 97th birthday, describing him as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, unity, and Namibia's liberation struggle. She reflected on his journey from Etunda village to becoming one of Africa's respected liberation leaders and noted his advocacy for Namibia's independence at the United Nations and international platforms.
An opinion piece celebrates Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma's role as founding father and his transformation of SWAPO into a national liberation movement against apartheid colonialism, noting his personal sacrifices including years in exile and political persecution.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has paid tribute to former Botswana president Festus Mogae, who died on Friday at age 86, describing him as a distinguished statesman and principled leader whose contributions to regional unity and development will be remembered across Africa.
Prominent businessman Josua Haimbodi, who recently obtained a Specialised Diploma in Political Science from Bircham International University in Madrid, Spain, has called on young Namibians to embrace education and hard work, sharing his journey from a barefoot village boy to a university graduate as evidence that anything is possible with faith and determination.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the best way to honour fallen liberation heroes is for Namibians to work together in unity for socio-economic development, speaking at the Cassinga Day commemoration in Omusati Region. The commemoration marked the 4 May 1978 attack on the Cassinga refugee camp in Angola, where more than 600 people reportedly died.
Swapo Party President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged members to uphold the party's founding values and principles during the party's 66th anniversary celebrations in Katutura on Sunday, which also saw the official inauguration of the new Swapo Party headquarters.
A group of former refugees repatriated in 1989 protested at Swapo's national headquarters inauguration in Windhoek, demanding access to alleged UN-linked funds and unpaid benefits. The group, camped at the premises since October, says they are considering legal action against Swapo.
Former President Nangolo Mbumba has paid tribute to the late Dr. Mose Penaani Tjitendero, describing him as a visionary leader whose legacy continues to shape Namibia's governance, education and national identity 20 years after his passing. Mbumba honoured Tjitendero's role in the country's liberation struggle, post-independence development, and work through the United Nations Institute for Namibia.
Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah defended the ruling party's construction of a multimillion-dollar headquarters near Katutura Intermediate Hospital, saying party member contributions for the project cannot be redirected to government facilities, and that members' taxes already support such state purposes.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah commemorated SWAPO's 66th anniversary on 19 April 2026, calling for renewed commitment to service delivery, economic transformation, and unity, while paying tribute to liberation heroes. She announced that planned anniversary celebrations and the party's national headquarters inauguration have been postponed to 26 April following the death of MP James Uerikua and his son.
Tigers Sport Club, founded in 1927, is mathematically unable to escape the Namibia Premier Football League drop zone following a 3–2 defeat to Eleven Arrows, marking the club's first-ever relegation in its 99th year. The club's fall reflects a broader decline of traditional powerhouses in Namibian football, attributed by analysts to failure to adapt to modern football demands and compounded by recruitment, discipline, and administrative issues.
The MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy will host the Tribute to Founding President Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma Boxing Bonanza on 9 May, featuring title defences by Fillipus Energy Nghitumbwa and Mateus Heita, alongside other top Namibian fighters. The event aims to celebrate Nujoma's legacy in sport development and position local fighters for world title opportunities.
Ongenga constituency councillor Josef Stalin Nenghwanya has said that Founding President Sam Nujoma and his generation laid a foundation for a peaceful, united and prosperous nation, with his legacy continuing through his presidential successors. Nenghwanya also thanked his own predecessors for establishing the foundation upon which he is now building.