Dr Sam Nujoma, the Founding President of Namibia, on the Land Question and the Liberation Struggle

Dr Sam Nujoma, founding President and Father of the Namibian Revolution, addressed the issue of the war of liberation and land in Okahandja. Dr Sam Nujoma, the founding President of Namibia, passed away at the age of 95 on 8 February 2025, in a Windhoek hospital. Throughout his life and career, including his recent years as the "Father of the Namibian Nation," he remained a vocal advocate for land reform and the historical significance of the war of liberation. Legacy and Final Years Dr Nujoma's lifelong mission was the complete emancipation of Namibia, first through the armed struggle led by the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) from 1966 to 1989, and later through economic reforms. Recent Activity: Even in 2024, Nujoma continued to engage with national issues. He provided a statement to the SWAPO Party Central Committee on 9 March 2024 and shared a tribute for the late President Hage Geingob in February 2024 (both delivered on his behalf by Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila). Passing: He was hospitalised for three weeks before his death due to ill health. His passing was announced by President Nangolo Mbumba, who hailed him as an extraordinary freedom fighter who shaped the country's destiny. Perspectives on Land and the Liberation Struggle Nujoma consistently linked the liberation struggle directly to the issue of land ownership, seeing the return of land to the people as the realisation of the revolution's objectives. State Ownership of Land: Nujoma advocated amending the Namibian Constitution—specifically through a referendum—to ensure that all land belongs to the state. He proposed that land should be administered by the government according to the country's needs. Foreign Ownership and Expropriation: He strongly urged mechanisms to accelerate the expropriation of land from absentee landlords without compensation and called for a ban on foreign ownership of commercial land. Ancient Land Claims: Nujoma held a firm stance against fully restituting ancestral land claims, arguing that Namibia is a unitary state where every citizen should be permitted to resettle anywhere as provided by the Constitution. He believed that recognising ancestral land claims could cause division and that the issue was too complex to redress effectively. Economic Impact: He dismissed claims that expropriating white-owned farmland would cause the economy to collapse, stating such changes would not jeopardise food security or economic growth. Connections to Okahandja While general reports detail his broad national positions, specific local issues in Okahandja have highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding land: Land Disputes: Residents in Okahandja have previously called for investigations into irregular land deals, particularly those involving politicians and the sale of land between 2014 and 2020. The "Troika" Stance: Nujoma, alongside former Presidents Pohamba and Geingob, was often viewed as part of a "troika" united on the principle of land justice, though they also condemned "unruly" attempts by youth groups to seize land outside legal frameworks.