“It is profoundly painful to know of the pass away of Cuba's great friend, Sam Nujoma, Founding Father and first President of Namibia, who led his people in the fight for independence and against Apartheid. Heartfelt condolences to the brother Namibian people, to family and friends”, President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez published on his X account.
The independence leader of this African nation died in Windhoek in the early hours of this Sunday, according to the current president, Dr. Nangolo Mbumba.
“It is with deep regret and sadness that I must announce to the Namibian people and African brothers and sisters, as well as the entire world, the death of the first president of Namibia and father of our nation, freedom fighter and revolutionary leader, Sam Nujoma”, the president said in his statement.
In the hours following the speech, messages of condolence and solidarity arrived from Cuba, among them that of the president of the National Assembly and the Council of State, Esteban Lazo Hernández, who published on his account "a symbol in the fight against apartheid, a worthy son of Africa and an extraordinary friend of Cuba".
Along with many other expressions of solidarity from Cubans and Namibians, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, expressed on his Twitter account: “One of the great African leaders, Sam Nujoma, a dear friend of Cuba, has passed away. He guided the Namibian people in their fight against Apartheid and for independence. Heartfelt condolences to the people of Namibia, which we extend to family and friends”.
Samuel Daniel Shafiishuna ("Sam") Nujoma was born on 12 May 1929 in Etunda-Village, Ongandjera District, Namibia.
His political career began in the late 1950s, when he and other comrades in arms demanded that South West Africa (Namibia) be included in the United Nations Trusteeship System.
When SWAPO was founded on 19 April 1960, he was elected Chairman of the Movement in absentia. In June of that year, he submitted a petition to the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly, demanding an end to South African colonial administration of South West Africa.
In 1977 and 1978, he participated in the negotiations between the Contact Group of the Five Western Countries and South Africa on the one hand and the Front Line States, Nigeria and SWAPO on the other, which culminated in the adoption of Security Council Resolution 435.
He was elected a member of the Constituent Assembly after the victory of SWAPO in the November 1989 elections. On January 16 of the following year he was unanimously elected as the first President of the Republic of Namibia by the members of the Constituent Assembly. On March 21, 1990, he was sworn in as the first President of the Republic of Namibia.
In the general elections of December 1994 he was re-elected President of the Republic and on March 21, 1995 he was sworn into office again.
The Father of the Independence of Namibia made many visits to Cuba and held exchanges with the historical leaders of our Revolution. In March 1991, during a visit to Havana, invited by the Commander in Chief, he was awarded the José Martí Order.
Due to the death of Cuba's dear friend, His Excellency. Mr. Dr. Sam Nujoma, Founding Father and first president of the sister Republic of Namibia, Official Mourning is declared from 6:00 a.m. from February 10 until 12:00 at night on February 11, 2025, and National Mourning on February 12, 2025, from 6:00 a.m. until 12 at night.