Namibia celebrated its independence in 1990, for which its people waited for decades following a protracted war against the colonial South African occupation.

Samuel Shafiishuna Nujoma, who led the liberation struggle, was sworn in as the country's first president on 21st March 1990, and immediately in his inaugural speech, there were clear signs of a man who wanted to create a united and inclusive nation.

The Moses of Namibia, as some refer to Nujoma, was a man of action, in whose vocabulary the words fear and limitation did not exist.

The launch of the armed guerrilla war against the apartheid government of South Africa in 1966 at Omugulugwombashe was the seminal moment of what would eventually lead to the liberation of Namibia from the colonial yoke.

This was with the support of the international community and bodies, such as the Frontline States, as well as the sons and daughters of Namibia, who took up arms fighting from the foreign soils of Zambia and Angola.

The liberation fighters persevered and came back to an independent Namibia—even though not everybody returned home. 

The determined Nujoma won the 1989 United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG)-supervised elections in November of 1989 after a bitter and prolonged struggle launched in 1966 fought simultaneously on military, political, and diplomatic fronts.

As President-elect, Nujoma sat at the high table, waiting for that historic moment to be sworn in. One could, from a distance, observe how this bright smile of Daniel, his middle name, grew brighter.

He finally signed on the dotted line and took the oath of office, sending South African President Frederik de Klerk at the time, who sat next to him with no smile, packing as he watched his apartheid occupation flag being lowered.

Nujoma assured the South African government that oppression in Namibia has forever been confined to the dustbin of history.

His speech was characterised by oneness or "ours"—a" possessive pronoun meant to bring everyone on board irrespective of who they were.

Kapembe's, as some call him, inaugural speech of slightly two pages made no reference to the possessive pronoun "yours" but "ours," which appeared 29 times.

The word spoke to how long Namibians have been waiting for freedom, appreciation to the forebears, the long-term vision for Namibians, the hard-won liberty, emphasis on a link between the collective security and unity of purpose, the destiny that lies in the hands of the owners, gratitude to the international community, and the fallen heroes and heroines whose blood waters our freedom.

When he addressed the opening of parliament the same year, and as it was on other occasions, the Founding President used the possessive pronoun "my government," which appeared more than ten times.

The possessive pronoun was not autocratic, but it was a commitment from the Commander-in-Chief of PLAN, now a Head of State, emphasising direct accountability.

These commitments included affirmation to finalise the budget to establish a new government, solicit funds for development, urgency in response to crises, reaching out to potential investors and creating jobs for Namibians, dealing with guns in the possession of ordinary citizens, commitment to create an environment favourable for investment, and non-tolerance to lawlessness.

The first term of the safari-clad man was based on reconstruction, building institutions, and doing away with segregation.

Samuel Nujoma governed for 15 years, and through his leadership, the Swapo Party adopted the Policy of National Reconciliation under the motto One Namibia, One Nation for a peaceful, tolerant, and democratic society governed by the rule of law.

At his death, Namibians in their thousands, Africa, and the international community mourned the former railway worker, who turned statesman, the one who brought liberty and championed the development and well-being of his people. 

The philanthropist, the hero, the tactical Daniel was mourned for 21 days, a period equal to the 21 days of March, in which Namibians celebrate their freedom.

He did his part and joined other liberation movement leaders who died before him, and his burial was befitting of a statesman and icon of the liberation struggle.