The National Democratic Front of the Philippines renders its highest honors to President Sam Nujoma, the first President of Namibia.
Sam Nujoma was a revolutionary and anti-apartheid leader who served three terms as Namibia’s first President from 1990 to 2005. He was a founding member and the first President of the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO), established in 1960 to fight for Namibia’s independence and the liberation of its people.
Born on May 12, 1929, President Nujoma passed away on February 6, 2025, leaving a legacy as one of Africa’s foremost anti-imperialist leaders. His leadership in SWAPO and his vision for a liberated, self-sufficient Namibia resonate with the ongoing struggles of the Filipino people for national and social liberation.
SWAPO’s partnership with Cuban and Angolan fighters during the battles of Cuito Cuanavale in 1988 dealt a decisive blow to the South African apartheid army. This victory not only led to the downfall of the apartheid regime but also paved the way for the independence of Namibia and the liberation of Angola. As Fidel Castro and Commander Jorge Risquet stated, the battle marked a turning point in Africa’s history—an event known as the “before and after Cuito Cuanavale.”
In a similar vein, the Filipino people continue to strive for their own liberation from US imperialism that perpetuates economic dependency and underdevelopment. President Nujoma’s commitment to economic self-sufficiency, industrialization, and agrarian reform is a model for the Philippine revolution, where national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform are urgent necessities for achieving true independence and addressing the deep socio-economic inequalities that persist.
Much like Nujoma’s work in Namibia, the struggle for industrialization and agrarian reform in the Philippines remains essential to the country’s social and economic transformation. The fight for land reform, industrial growth, and energy security, which Nujoma championed, is also central to the aspirations of the Filipino people. These struggles are not only about national development but also about ensuring that resources and opportunities are accessible to the broad masses, empowering the people to determine their own future.
President Nujoma’s leadership in fostering stability, reconciliation, and sustainable development in Namibia offers valuable lessons for the national democratic revolution in the Philippines. His legacy of fostering cooperation with other African states and their peoples underscores the importance of solidarity among oppressed peoples worldwide, as we collectively confront the challenges of imperialist domination.
As we honor the life and legacy of President Sam Nujoma, we reaffirm our commitment to the Filipino people’s struggle for national industrialization, agrarian reform, and the liberation of our land and resources from US imperialist domination and control.
Signed:
