Namibians are used to seeing the late Namibian leader in many postures, from a tough exterior commanding PLAN combatants on the Eastern Front to pleading with the UN to give the former South West Africa its independence or giving his many speeches in his capacity as Swapo Party leader or Founding President.

But there is one rare sight that he has hardly been shown. Him shedding tears.

It was during a visit seven years ago by Namibian students, who studied in Cuba during the liberation struggles, to Nujoma's Etunda Farm on the outskirts of Otavi where a few words turned on his waterworks.

The aim of the visit was to show their appreciation and thank Nujoma, under whose leadership as Swapo leader, they were sent to Cuba from the exile camps in Angola and Zambia to study.

The group, comprising a mixture of professionals, put together an amount of N$41,000 in support of Nujoma's legacy project, the Etunda School and Clinic.

During the visit, they also cleaned the premises housing the two facilities.

The group, after cleaning and handing over an appreciation cheque, read him a poem.

It was during the poem recited by Saima Shaanika that Founding President Sam Nujoma took out his handkerchief and wiped away a rarely seen tear.

Shaanika, a teacher by profession, recounted the moment when she noticed this occurrence.

"I also became emotional and decided not to look at him, as it's not easy to see an elder in that particular mood". 

The poem was crafted by retired Natural Science teacher Saara Simeon.

She narrated how she came about crafting the seven-minute Oshiwambo poem, titled: Wa Pandula ino Yaka, loosely translated as 'If you have no sense of gratitude, you will steal one day.".

Simeon said she has a flair for writing poetry and was honoured to have composed the verse.

The group after that April 2018 visit was invited by Nujoma to be his special guests at his 89th birthday at Etunda Village in the Omusati Region.

In her tribute to late Nujoma, whom she described as a father/mother figure, Shaanika said the late Nujoma was a mentor who served as her inspiration, adding that he was a brave man.

Simeon, the poet, is grateful to the late Nujoma for the opportunity to study in a foreign country and be able to return and plough back to society.

This excerpt was produced from a 2018 NAMPA documentary.