President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Lusaka, Zambia, May 16, 2025
On Monday, May 12, 2025, the people and government of the Republic of Namibia commemorated what was supposed to be the founder and leader of Sam Shafishna ‘Njoma, the founder and leader of the Namibian Revolution. The governments of the Republic of Namibia and the Samnujoma Foundation have chosen to honor the founding president by celebrating it as a tree planting day under the theme of May 12th.
Recognizing the historical role of our founders in leading Namibia to freedom, national construction and development, Namibian people took part in the planting ceremony in large numbers. We have shown that we are the roots of our fathers who were raised and resurrected like a baobab tree.
Five days later, my delegation and I are pleased to join this famous city of Lusaka for this exceptional occasion.
We were in Lusaka and recall the rich legacy of our founding father, who sadly passed away on February 8th, 2025.
It is widely known that Sam Nujoma spent many years at Lusaka as a freedom warrior and president of Swapo during his march to freedom. His brotherhood with Dr. Kenneth Kaunda is well known to all of us. As one of the forefront states, Zambia under President Kaunda provided safe shelter by Dr. Nujoma and Spapo to mobilize and successfully operate the liberation struggle against the illegal occupation of Namibia by apartheid South Africa. Certainly, here, the comrade Njoma lives and prepares the Namibians for the liberation struggle.
Our founder father interacted, planned and discussed the future of Namibia here in Lusaka with his brother, his graceful and courageous host, the late President Kenneth Kaunda. These brave decisions by President Kaunda to host Swapo have harmed Zambia, particularly the capital Lusaka. The city was a military target of the racist South African apartheid regime. It reminds me of the bombing of the Liberation Centre in the heart of Lusaka and the South African military planes flying through the UN Institute in Namibia harassing students and Lusaka citizens. The people of Namibia must sincerely say that they will always cherish the support they received from the people of Zambia during the difficult times of the liberation struggle.
At this moment we are on this historic opportunity after the Zambian government and the city of Lusaka and Lusaka chose to honor President Sam Nujoma by renaming Kasama Road after the revolutionary leader of the people of Namibia. I am humbled to learn that Lusaka city has unanimously adopted the decision to rename Casama Road after his founding father. It is an honor that we are grateful for, and it is a testament to the brotherhood between the people of Namibia and Zambian people – a relationship based on the cornerstones and strong foundations created by our true Pan African leaders, Presidents Nujoma and President Kaunda.
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I am extremely happy as our two governments and people commemorate our founding president and remain a lasting feature of our cooperation is clearly a testimony that our two governments and people continue to follow the path of friendship and cooperation. Also considering that Namibian capital Windhoek is hosting a street to honor Zambia’s first president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.
In conclusion, I would like to once again thank President Hakain Hichilema, Lusaka City Council and Zambians for paying tribute to our founders with the exceptional gift of the city, a constant reminder of friendship between our two countries.
We live long lives of the brotherly bonds of friendship between our two countries.
Thank you Zikomo Kwambiri.
Statement-by-President-netumbo-nandi-ndaitwah-on-the-the-casion-a-after-founding-founding-father-dr. -sam-nujoma-16-myay-2025download
