A former bodyguard of the late Founding President, says he learnt invaluable lessons from the late Dr Sam Nujoma, whom he described as a remarkable leader. 

Nepando Amupanda served Nujoma from 1982, before Namibia’s independence, and remained by his side until his retirement in 2005. 

Many do not know him by name but have all seen him as he shadowed Nujoma, especially at official functions, serving as his aide-de-camp.

An aide-de-camp is a military officer who serves as a personal assistant to a person of high rank.

73-year-old Amupanda worked with the late Dr. Sam Nujoma long before independence, but his crowning moment was when he witnessed at close quarters the day the late Nujoma took the oath as Namibia’s founding president on 21 March 1990.

He became a well-known shadow until 2005 when the founding President stepped down.

Following that, Amupanda went back to the military and served until his retirement in 2012.

Throughout his tenure, Amupanda became aware of various plots aimed at assassinating Nujoma, including an incident during Nujoma’s arrival in Namibia in 1989, as he travelled from Luanda to the Hosea Kutako International Airport ahead of the elections.

“The death of Tatekulu has hurt me so much; he was very close to me, and he respected my position and promoted a notion that I should not fear him but respect him during the decades transitioning from the bushes where we were fighting for independence and after independence. I am glad I and others managed to protect him with no scratch on his body. I will miss him so much and our exercise sessions in the morning as well as us singing together.”

Amupanda said being a presidential bodyguard requires vigilance and a commitment to confidentiality, but his military background served him well, enabling him to carry out his duties diligently.

After his retirement, though, he alleged to have faced restrictions from security personnel, preventing him from meeting Nujoma, even when the Founding President expressed a desire to see him.

“He used to call me until he grew too old so I could go visit him; however, his new security personnel never let me in. I remember incidents at Oshakati State House, and whenever he was around, he called me, but they denied me access, saying he was sleeping or in a meeting. I wish I had been accorded the opportunity. I want him to go to heaven for his bravery while remaining fearless, especially of death.”

He considers it a privilege to have served the Founding President, noting that he learnt invaluable lessons from him, which he will cherish and uphold for the rest of his life.