WINDHOEK, Namibia (BG) — Sam Nujoma, the revered leader who guided Namibia to independence and served as its first president, has died at age 95, President Nangolo Mbumba announced.

“A united people, striving to achieve a common good for all members of the society, will always emerge victorious.” These words, spoken by Nujoma, encapsulate the spirit of resilience and unity that defined his leadership.

Namibia’s founding president, who led the nation from colonial rule to independence, passed away on Feb. 8 at 11:45 p.m. in a Windhoek hospital after battling illness for three weeks, Mbumba announced.

“The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken,” Mbumba said, calling Nujoma “the father of our nation” and honoring his “unmatched leadership and extraordinary contributions” to the country’s liberation, development and unity.

Born on May 12, 1929, in Etunda village, Nujoma became a driving force in Namibia’s fight against South African rule.

In 1960, he founded the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) and led the movement through decades of struggle, culminating in Namibia’s independence on March 21, 1990.

As Namibia’s first president from 1990 to 2005, Nujoma spearheaded efforts toward national reconciliation, economic stability and social justice.

His vision for a “One Namibia, One Nation” policy sought to bridge the country’s racial and ethnic divides, laying the foundation for a more inclusive society.

Beyond Namibia’s borders, Nujoma was a respected statesman and a steadfast ally of African liberation leaders, including Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.

His advocacy for global decolonization and human rights earned him numerous accolades, including the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 1990.

“Dr. Nujoma did not only blaze the trail to freedom – but he also inspired us to rise to our feet and to become masters of this vast land of our ancestors,” Mbumba said.

Even in his passing, Nujoma’s legacy endures — a towering figure in Namibia’s history, a beacon of hope and an unwavering champion of unity.