By Kundai Marunya
THE last Frontline States icon is no more!
Few African leaders have played as crucial a role in the continent’s liberation struggles as the late Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding father and its first president.
A committed pan-Africanist, Nujoma was not only instrumental in Namibia’s independence but also a steadfast ally in the fight against colonial rule in Zimbabwe and beyond.
His efforts in diplomacy and advocacy helped to dismantle white minority rule in Southern Africa, making him a key figure in the region’s decolonisation.
As Zimbabwe celebrates its independence in April, it is essential to recognise the role played by revolutionary figures like Nujoma, whose contributions extended beyond his home country.
Samuel Shafiishuna Nujoma was born on May 12 1929, in Ongandjera, in the north of what was then known as South West Africa (now Namibia).
Raised in a humble environment, he was the eldest of 11 children in a rural farming family.
His early exposure to the injustices of colonial rule, particularly under South African administration, shaped his political consciousness.
Despite the limited educational opportunities available to black Namibians under apartheid rule, Nujoma pursued his studies with determination.
After completing his primary education, he moved to the capital, Windhoek, where he worked for the South African Railways.
It was during this time that he became politically active, joining labour movements and organising against the oppressive policies of the South African regime.
By the early 1950s, Nujoma had become a vocal critic of apartheid rule in Namibia.
He joined the Ovamboland People’s Congress in 1957, which later evolved into the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in 1960.
As SWAPO’s first president, Nujoma led the organisation in its fight for Namibia’s independence, both militarily and diplomatically.
Nujoma’s leadership in SWAPO placed him at the forefront of Namibia’s struggle for independence.
Under his direction, SWAPO took up arms against the South African regime in 1966, launching a guerrilla war that lasted for over two decades.
With support from fellow liberation movements, including the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), SWAPO established military training camps in Angola, Zambia and Tanzania.
Nujoma became an influential figure in the broader anti-colonial movement, working closely with leaders like Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, among others.
While SWAPO’s fight was focused on Namibia, Nujoma understood that Namibia’s freedom was tied to the liberation of the entire Southern African region.
He strongly supported the independence movements in Zimbabwe, Angola and South Africa, recognizing that as long as colonial and apartheid rule existed in any part of the region, true freedom remained elusive.
Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia, was under the control of a white minority government led by Ian Smith.
The country’s black majority, represented by liberation movements like ZANU and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), waged a long and brutal guerrilla war against the Rhodesian government.
As an influential revolutionary figure whose reach went as far as the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations, he lobbied for sanctions against the Smith regime and called for international pressure to force Rhodesia into negotiations.
His efforts, alongside those of other African leaders, as well as the concerted hammering of the Rhodesian army on the battlefield eventually led to the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979, which paved the way for Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980.
When Zimbabwe finally gained independence on April 18 1980, Nujoma was among the first African leaders to celebrate the achievement.
He viewed Zimbabwe’s victory as a stepping stone for Namibia’s own struggle, proving that colonial rule could be defeated through unity and resilience.
The newly independent Zimbabwe, under Robert Mugabe, became one of SWAPO’s key allies, offering military and diplomatic support to Namibia’s liberation movement.
Zimbabwe provided a rear base for SWAPO fighters and played a crucial role in pressuring South Africa to grant Namibia independence, which was finally achieved in 1990.
After Namibia’s independence, he continued to advocate for economic cooperation among African nations, believing that true emancipation could only be achieved through economic self-reliance and development.
Nujoma retired from active politics in 2005, but his legacy as a liberation hero will be immortalised beyond the grave.
His role in fighting colonial rule and apartheid placed him among Africa’s greatest freedom fighters.
His contributions to Zimbabwe’s independence and his unwavering support for the liberation movements in Southern Africa earned him respect across the continent.
Even in retirement, Nujoma has continued to speak out on issues affecting Africa, urging young leaders to safeguard the hard-won freedoms of their nations.
He was a vocal advocate for pan-Africanism, calling for stronger economic ties among African nations to ensure the continent’s long-term stability and prosperity.
As Zimbabwe reflects on its journey to independence, it is essential to acknowledge the contributions of regional allies like Nujoma.
Nujoma’s life story is testament to the power of perseverance, solidarity and the shared struggle for African freedom.
His contributions to black emancipation extend beyond Namibia, making him a true giant of Africa’s liberation history.
As Namibia, Zimbabwe and the broader continent continue their journey toward socio-economic transformation, the legacy of Sam Nujoma serves as an enduring source of inspiration.
As one walks down Harare’s Sam Nujoma Street, formerly known as Second Street, he/she ought to remember the revolutionary not only for the honour bestowed on the road in his mermory but also for his stellar contribution to black emancipation.
Nujoma was the last man standing among his peers in the Frontline States. That whole crop of revolutionaries who defied colonialism and apartheid and stood resolute in the struggle.
