The close bond between Dr. Sam Nujoma, leader of SWAPO, and Oliver Tambo, leader of the ANC, during their exile years in the 1960s, established a solid foundation for relations between Namibia and South Africa liberation movements, strengthened by the mutual respect and trust they shared.
During an interview, ANC war veteran Mavuso Msimang, who was in Windhoek to attend the funeral of Founding President Sam Nujoma, highlighted that the shared goals of liberation between Sam Nujoma and Oliver Tambo forged a strong bond of solidarity during the struggle.
ANC war veteran Mavuso Msimang, while reflecting on his first meeting with the late Dr. Sam Nujoma in 1965 as a youth, emphasised that the legacy of the relationship between Nujoma and the ANC is evident today in the strong diplomatic ties between Namibia and South Africa.
These ties are deeply rooted in the unity and solidarity forged during their shared struggle for liberation.
SWAPO and ANC leaders engaged in extensive diplomatic interactions during their liberation struggles, as both fought against the common enemy of South African apartheid and colonial rule.
Although the two leaders shared a common enemy in South Africa's apartheid regime, they did not fight from the same trenches due to geographical separation.
Namibia's liberation struggle required crossing multiple borders, which made it unnecessary for South African forces to operate directly on Namibian soil and avoid arrests.
Both leaders coordinated efforts to resist oppression and sought international support for their causes.
"But SWAPO, ANC, MPLA, FRELIMO, PIGC, and ZAPU always went together to the Organisation of African Unity then to present their case for support, so these groups of liberation movements were, by that definition, acting in some form of alliance arising from the understanding of a common enemy and a good relationship between the leaders."
Msimang recalled how Sam Nujoma and Namibia warmly welcomed Oliver Tambo upon his return to South Africa after 30 years in exile, symbolising the shared journey toward liberation.
He noted that Namibia and South Africa even share common anniversaries, such as 21 March, which is Namibia's Independence Day and South Africa's Human Rights Day, reflecting their intertwined histories.
Msimang emphasised that the strong relationship between the two nations has endured since then but expressed hope for closer collaboration as both countries face similar political challenges in the post-liberation era.
The ANC war veteran, who came to pay his last respects to the late Dr. Sam Nujoma, described him as an authentic and courageous leader, deeply committed to the liberation struggle and willing to take significant risks in pursuit of freedom for Namibia and the African continent.
"We grieve with you, we mourn with you, but we also celebrate with you too, the achievements of Namibia since 1990, which is not a very long time, which have been recognised nationally and internationally. This is a nation where genocide took place. Farewell, Dr. Sam Nujoma, you have walked like a giant on this earth, and we should allow him to rest in peace, join the younger Hage Geingob and others who have gone before him."
The passing of the late founding President has prompted many to reflect on his legacy and aspire to continue his work, hoping to emulate his impact as a liberator and a formidable leader, though acknowledging that filling even half his shoes will be a difficult task.