Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s Founding President, established a national reconciliation policy at the country’s independence, a legacy that has garnered international acclaim.

During a memorial service in Washington, D.C., Agriculture Minister Carl Schlettwein and other speakers emphasized this impact.

Under Nujoma’s leadership, the Swapo Party’s national reconciliation policy received widespread approval, promoting conciliation and forgiveness among former adversaries.

Schlettwein, a senior Swapo Party member and Cabinet Minister, reflected on Nujoma’s commitment to liberation for all.

He joined the struggle in the mid-1980s, a decision that surprised many close to him but brought joy to the majority of Namibians. Nujoma’s influence was transformative; he embraced Schlettwein and others from the white community, offering them trust and empathy. He regarded them as comrades, demonstrating his commitment to reconciliation by entrusting Schlettwein with significant ministries, including youth, labor, finance, and now agriculture, water, and land.

The late Nujoma’s dedication to building a non-racial society continues to inspire, as Ambassador Margareth Mensah-Williams affirmed. She stated, “Beyond politics, Dr. Nujoma was a mentor, a teacher, and an unwavering source of inspiration. Even after stepping down from leadership, he remained a guiding force, imparting wisdom and fostering national development. His life exemplified dedication to his people. As we bid farewell, we do not only mourn; we celebrate a life well lived and stand on the shoulders of the sacrifices he made.”

Other speakers at the memorial service praised Nujoma’s stance against all forms of oppression.

U.S. Congressman Jonathan Jackson remarked, “President Nujoma was a king who did not need to wear a crown. He had a throne but did not require it to be royal. He never attempted to do anything that he could not achieve with his name; he was a gentle giant and a drum major for justice.”

Cuba’s Ambassador to the USA, Lianys Torres Rivera, stated, “Our commander in chief, Fidel Castro, saw in Nujoma a brother in the fight against apartheid and injustice. Nujoma dismantled the barriers of oppression, and today, as we bid him farewell, we should mourn his loss while celebrating a legacy that transcends borders.”

South Africa’s Ambassador to the USA, Ebrahim Rasool, noted, “Sam Nujoma was in the same league as Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo. Tambo and Nujoma traversed Africa advocating for liberation, then came to the West to awaken their conscience.”