Renowned veteran journalist Menesia Muinjo, now serving as Chief of News and Programming at the nbc, was one of Dr. Sam Nujoma’s assigned reporters during his presidency.

Reflecting on her years covering the Founding President, Muinjo shared insights into his leadership, offering a glimpse into the man behind the public persona during Namibia’s early years of independence.

“He was a visionary leader. He always seemed to see beyond what others could not grasp,”

Muinjo recalled, adding, “He talked about how Namibia needed to study its rich mineral resources and train our own doctors, long before these ideas became mainstream. He had an almost fatherly way of planting seeds for the future, even if not everyone understood him at the time."

Nujoma’s influence, Muinjo said, was not confined to Namibia’s borders.

“I watched him on international stages—SADC summits, Commonwealth meetings, state visits. He wasn’t just representing Namibia. He was fighting for Africa’s place in the world, and his presence commanded attention wherever he went.”

Accompanying him on numerous trade and diplomatic missions to places like China, Malaysia, and Spain, Muinjo witnessed his relentless drive. “He never got tired of telling Namibia’s story. He believed in our country’s potential, and he wanted the world to see it too.”
 

Covering Nujoma was both a privilege and a test of endurance.

“He worked tirelessly, and as reporters, we had to match his pace. There were late-night meetings, early-morning flights, and endless bilateral talks. Sometimes there was barely time to eat or even file stories. But those moments taught me resilience and persistence,” she reflected.

One of Muinjo’s most vivid memories was Nujoma’s respect for the media.

“He believed in media freedom. He even allowed us on the presidential jet, sacrificing space meant for officials so we could keep Namibians informed.
 

That trust meant everything to me." Muinjo covered Nujoma for 14 years.