The Governor of Kavango East Region, Bonifatius Wakudumo, has joined the nation in mourning the death of Namibia’s first president, Dr. Sam Nujoma, describing him as a selfless leader who dedicated his life to the country’s freedom and development.
Wakudumo urged young Namibians to learn from Nujoma’s leadership, emphasising the importance of self-sacrifice and collective effort for the nation’s progress.
“Remember, this icon was very young when he began mobilising the masses within the country. When the struggle intensified, he sacrificed his youth to lead the Swapo revolution abroad until we gained independence. This spirit of selflessness is something our youth today should embrace. For our country to develop, we cannot rely solely on the government. What can we, as Namibians, do for our government and our country? That’s the lesson we must take from our late founding president,” Wakudumo said.
Reflecting on Nujoma’s leadership, Wakudumo recalled the challenging times when UNITA bandits terrorised the Kavango regions. He highlighted how Nujoma’s decisive actions protected the people and their livelihoods.
“Under his leadership, the Namibian government allowed Angolan forces to operate from Namibian soil to fight UNITA, as it was logistically difficult for them to operate within Angola. This angered UNITA’s leader, who sent bandits to terrorise our communities, stealing cattle, goats, and other belongings. When Nujoma visited the region and saw the suffering, he vowed to destroy UNITA. True to his word, he deployed soldiers to seal the border from Omega to Katwitwi, forcing UNITA to retreat deep into Angola. His hands-on leadership ensured the safety and security of our people,” Wakudumo explained.
The governor also shared a personal memory of his first encounter with Nujoma during the 1989 Swapo star rally in Rundu, where he had the honour of directing the event.
“The rally took place at the site of what is now the Rundu Sports Stadium. As a young and energetic man, I was one of the directors of the ceremony. It was my first time being close to him, and it remains one of the most joyful and memorable days of my life. Back then, it wasn’t easy to get close to him due to security, but that day, I had the privilege of shaking his hand,” Wakudumo recalled.