The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha, described the loss of Namibia's Founding President, Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, as a heavy blow to the nation.

He made these remarks at a candle-lighting ceremony held in honour of Dr. Nujoma, the first President of Namibia and the Father of the Nation, at the National Council.

Muha shared that Nujoma's leadership was especially tested during the intense struggles of 1960 to 1989, a time when the fight for freedom was fierce. 

He says that those who lived through this period are unlike any other person who participated in the struggle.

"His leadership was again tested or put on the scale in the early days of 1990 more particularly when the presentation was made to him after the first draft constitution was presented to him. He had to accept the new constitution because when SWAPO was formed, the ideology was different from the ideology that appeared in the constitution."

Muha also mentioned that the late Founding President encouraged the Namibian people to see themselves first as Africans before identifying as Namibians, and then as Namibians before identifying with specific ethnic groups such as Herero, Kavango, Damara and others.

He described Dr. Nujoma as a great Pan-Africanist.

The Vice Chairperson of the National Council, Victoria Kauma, shared her memories of working with the late Dr. Sam Nujoma.

"I remember the project of the railway, where all of us could go and volunteer on the railway. All the regions, he would invite everyone to say, 'All of us, this is our country. All people must volunteer for us to construct the railway."

National Council MPs shared their thoughts on the impact Nujoma had on Namibia.