FORMER president Sam Nujoma travelled to Angola over the weekend, and among others visited the country’s former president, José Eduardo dos Santos.
Nujoma also met with the Angolan head of state, João Lourenço.
Part of Namibia’s delegation included former Namibian prime minister Nahas Angula, who is involved with the Nujoma Foundation, and businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun.
Nujoma and his delegation travelled to Angola on Friday and returned to Windhoek yesterday.
Speaking to the media after the meeting with Lourenço, Nujoma said the visit was a courtesy call to Namibia’s northern neighbours and its president.
He thanked Angola for its role in helping Namibia attain independence from apartheid South Africa.
“Without Angola’s support, I think Namibia up to now would be under colonial oppression. So we have come to pay our respects and gratitude to the president and the Angolan people,” Nujoma said.
Namundjebo-Tilahun yesterday said the trip was productive.
She said the two leaders symbolise the Welwitschia mirabilis plant, which is found in both countries.
She said their leadership is “principled, unwavering, caring, and has the tenacity and audacity for uncompromising victory against colonialism and imperialism”.
Angula said the trip was fruitful.
“Angola hosted the largest number of Namibians during the struggle. We went to renew our revolutionaries’ comradeship. It was great. We were very well received.
“There has been massive urban renewal. Luanda now looks like a modern town. We renewed our spirits, which is more important.”
Namibia’s first president also met Dos Santos, who returned to Angola last month after more than two years in Barcelona.
Dos Santos, who ruled Angola for 38 years, returned ahead of the congress of the ruling party, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola, in December this year.
His regime was marred by allegations of corruption, which were investigated by Lourenço.
Lourenço’s administration unearthed alleged corruption which implicated Dos Santos’ children, including Isabel and José Filomeno.
The two are implicated in corruption deals worth billions of dollars.
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