Flight Captain William Ekandjo and former air hostess Foibe Lukas shared their experiences traveling with the late former President during his presidency.

Lukas served as a VIP air hostess for Dr. Sam Nujoma in the early 90s, accompanying him on numerous flights. She observed that Nujoma’s dedication extended beyond the ground, as he often worked on Namibia’s development while airborne.

“In addition to my duties, I would witness how he operated on board. Before reaching his destination, he frequently attended to his responsibilities, which kept me alert and allowed me to learn a great deal. Beyond being a safety officer and serving, I learned much from him. He often asked me to pass him his briefcase, which was always secured behind him,” Lukas recounted.

Captain William Ekandjo, who flew Nujoma on various occasions, recalled his efforts to prevent the closure of Air Namibia. 

He emphasized that Nujoma foresaw the negative impact this would have on the tourism sector and the potential loss of jobs for many Namibians.

Ekandjo noted, “There was no one, not even those with extensive flying experience, who had more knowledge than him. He was exceptionally well-prepared and understood many aspects of aviation. Some of this knowledge stemmed from his struggles. For instance, regarding the last airplane he brought in, he mentioned, ‘No, I have already discussed this with the Brazilians.’ He had spoken to them long ago during our struggle to secure that aircraft.”

He further stated that Nujoma was highly professional in every aspect.