Uncle Sam was our leader – Mbeki

Former South Africa president Thabo Mbeki says founding president Sam Nujoma was not only the leader of Namibia but a leader of the African continent.

Mbeki was speaking at Nujoma’s memorial service held in Pretoria on Wednesday afternoon, organised by the Namibia High Commission in South Africa, in collaboration with the University of South Africa.

“He was a leader of the African diaspora. We are united today to pay tribute to someone with immense contribution to the continent. Uncle Sam was our leader too and not only for the Namibian people,” said Mbeki.

He urged Africa to honour Nujoma’s legacy by doing the right things for the benefit of the African people.

Mbeki described Nujoma as a man of principles and a leader who defended the African continent against colonial systems. His death must be celebrated for his contribution, and belief that we will never be forgotten.

“As we say our farewell to uncle Sam. I want to bring your attention to something. This region proved stubborn in the colonial era which began in 1945 to 1960 when this region fought colonial oppression and Nujoma was a part of that stubbornness,” Mbeki stated.

He added that while other African countries gained their independence in the early 1960s, the southern region, especially for some countries, took 20 years to get freedom. However, the colonial system was constantly fought on both fronts.

“The question now remains. Where are all our leaders? It is now up to us who are alive to carry on the legacy of our leaders and commit to those obligations and do the right things for our people and bring about poverty eradication among others,” he said.

He stressed that for the continent to defeat a cunning enemy, its leaders had to be strong and brave, and encouraged this should be the spirit that all Africans should emulate.

According to Mbeki, when the United Nations (UN) Resolution 435 of 1978 was adopted to free Namibia, many were afraid that it would negatively impact or influence the negotiations. The UN was a group of western colonial countries, however, the objective was achieved and there were no interference, granting Namibia powers to rule itself.

He added that Swapo and the African National Congress (ANC) have been working alongside each other to liberate their countries and such partnership continues to this day.

Mbeki first encountered Nujoma in the early 1970s after returning to the ANC headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia.
He said Nujoma was not just the leader of Swapo, but a key figure in the broader fight against oppression in southern Africa.