REMEMBERING SAM NUJOMA: A VISIONARY LEADER AND MENTOR

Having grown up in Grootfontein, which housed the biggest army bastion at the time, we were sometimes escorted to school by soldiers. That experience awakened our political awareness as kids. Back then, politics was synonymous with SWAPO, and SWAPO was Sam Nujoma.

I met the president several times when I was working for Namibia Wildlife Resorts as a regional manager. We used to host him at Terrace Bay, his favorite retreat. He often invited us for meals and pep talks. He was a captivating storyteller who could recall dates, days, and names in great detail. As young people at the time, he encouraged us to see and explore the abundance of opportunities around us. I remember him pointing to the ocean and asking, “Do you see any opportunity in there?” We remained silent, unsure of how to respond. He then started telling us how seaweed could be processed into food for both people and cattle, explaining how the Chinese were already doing it. Being in his presence was electrifying, but he had a way of making those around him feel at ease. He made people feel important and valued.

The president was highly disciplined and followed his training regimen religiously. At Terrace Bay, he would wake up very early, around four or five in the morning, and disappear into the nearby mountains for training. He was incredibly fit at the time—even his soldiers struggled to keep up with him, and he would sometimes vanish unnoticed. He was also mindful of what he ate. As a disciplined person, he often spoke about the importance of self-discipline.

Dr. Nujoma inspired me greatly when it came to visionary leadership—seeing possibilities beyond the ordinary, believing in a vision, and working to make it a reality instead of merely dreaming about it. He was a discerning listener when it came to ideas, but also decisive and firm, which made him an extraordinary leader—values I treasure and continue to hone.

I am sure everyone can see the many projects he dreamed of and initiated: the railway to the north, the green schemes, the development of Cape Fria as a harbor (still a dream), the transformation of the Polytechnic into the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), and his strong emphasis on mathematics and science education, among many others. It was through his leadership and political will that Namibia was transformed into what it is today.

He heeded his calling, completed his work, and when the Almighty called, he said, “Yes.”

May his soul rest in peace.