Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) paid homage to the late Founding President, Sam Nujoma, in a solemn memorial ceremony held in Walvis Bay on Friday.
Speaking at the event, Namport’s chief executive officer, Andrew Kanime, reflected on Nujoma’s enduring legacy, describing him as a visionary leader whose sacrifices paved the way for Namibia’s independence and economic growth.
Kanime opened his tribute by acknowledging Nujoma’s profound impact on Namibia and said that the gathering was a testament to the influence Nujoma had on all Namibians, regardless of whether they were born before or after independence.
Reflecting on Nujoma’s journey from humble beginnings in Etunda village in the Omusati Region to leading Namibia’s struggle for freedom, Kanime highlighted his relentless dedication to the liberation cause.
“In the 1950s and still in his youthful days, he already became involved in the resistance against white minority colonial rule. Following several clashes with the colonial regime, he left the country on the 29th of February 1960 to go into exile, making great strides in developing SWAPO into a globally recognised organisation,” he said.
Kanime recounted the key role Nujoma played in the establishment of Namibia’s armed resistance, recalling how he oversaw the formation of SWAPO’s military wing, the South West African Liberation Army (SWALA), later renamed the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN).
“On the 26th of August 1966, the first gun toward the independence of Namibia took place at Omugulugwombashe. True to his formidable character, Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma procured the first weapons used in this heroic battle,” he said.
Upon Namibia’s independence in 1990, Nujoma prioritised national reconciliation, seeking to unite a nation long divided by colonial rule.
“Upon assuming the presidency, Dr Nujoma proclaimed a policy of national reconciliation to unite the nation, races, and tribes which had for decades been pitted against each other,” he said.
Among Nujoma’s key contributions was his unwavering commitment to ensuring Walvis Bay was reintegrated into Namibia. “
Recognising its crucial role in the economic development of Namibia, Dr Nujoma persevered with the push for the return of Walvis Bay to Namibia after independence. The Treaty on Walvis Bay, transferring control from South Africa to Namibia, came into effect on the 1st of March 1994, ensuring that this critical port city was seamlessly integrated into our sovereign territory,” he said.
Kanime acknowledged Nujoma’s foresight in recognising the strategic importance of Namibia’s ports.
“Our ports are the gateways to our nation’s prosperity. They are the bridges that connect us to the world and the anchors that stabilise our economy,” he quoted Nujoma as saying.
According to Kanime, the Founding President strongly advocated that Namibia’s ports should serve not only the nation but the entire African continent, a vision that continues to guide Namport’s operations today.
Kanime also shared personal anecdotes, including his first encounter with Nujoma as a high school student in 1989, attending a SWAPO rally in Ondangwa.
He recalled Nujoma’s deep interest in port operations, recounting how he would personally visit Walvis Bay’s port facilities, sometimes requiring persuasion from his security detail to proceed with his itinerary.
“His interest and admiration were profound, and this was evident in his positive comments, inquisitive nature, and the fact that he did not want to leave,” Kanime said of Nujoma’s visit to the port in November 2021.
Kanime likened Nujoma’s legacy to a lighthouse guiding a ship through stormy waters.
“Just as a lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope and direction, Dr Nujoma steered us through the rough seas of anti-colonial rule to independence, bringing freedom to all Namibians. Just like an anchor, his steadfast spirit rooted the struggle, and just like a compass, his foresight guided us to a nation reconciled, united, and jointly working for economic prosperity,” he said
Kanime urged Namibians to uphold the values he embodied.
“Although he is no more, he has left us a rich and everlasting legacy which is forever engraved in the very fabric of our nation and may his legacy continue to inspire us all,” he said.
