Allexer Namundjembo
Swapo unveiled a statue of founding President Sam Nujoma and named a square after him at the party’s headquarters on Thursday.
The new Nujoma statue was revealed during a brief stop by the procession carrying his body.
There are three other statues of Nujoma in Windhoek: One on top of the Swapo headquarters, one at the Genocide Memorial, and another at the Independence Memorial Museum.
At the Independence Memorial Museum, Nujoma’s bronze statue faces the capital city, holding a copy of the Namibian Constitution.
Swapo’s Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the new statue honours Nujoma as the founding president.
She explained that Nujoma initiated the construction of the headquarters in 1993.
In 2005, under his leadership, Swapo launched an aggressive fundraising campaign.
“Since then, the headquarters account was opened and Swapo members started contributing funds for the construction. Donations started coming in, which led to the commencement of the construction in 2019, which is now near completion,” Nandi-Ndeitwah said.
The Sam Nujoma Square, where the statue is located, includes the conference centre.
Nandi-Ndaitwah added that the statue symbolizes Swapo’s commitment to Nujoma’s legacy of inspiration, prosperity, unity, and a bright future.
She expressed sadness that Nujoma would not be able to witness the inauguration of the office.
She also announced plans for a museum dedicated to the founding father.
“There was an office dedicated to the founding father. Now that he has departed, we will transform it into a Sam Nujoma Museum. We will keep his valuable items in the museum, such as his notebooks and diaries. I, therefore, call upon everyone from inside the country and abroad to donate all valuable items to the party,” Netumbo urged.
Swapo’s Secretary-General, Sofia Shaningwa described Nujoma as a born leader.
She said the gathering of party members at the headquarters demonstrated the strength of his leadership.
Shaningwa added that the statue will serve as a reminder of Nujoma’s contributions to the country and the party.
“It must be noted that the construction of the Swapo headquarters was one of Nujoma’s ideas, which came to pass. Therefore, even though our leader is no longer with us, the statue is a testament enough that his legacy and his revolutionary spirit will never die, until the end of time. The generations to come will forever remember him,” Shaningwa said.
