Windhoek
11 February 2025
To His Excellency, Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, president of the Republic of Namibia, bereaved
family members and friends of Dr. Sam Nujoma, and the entire Namibian nation that mourns
the passing on of the beloved Father of our Nation.
It is with profound sentiments of sadness and grief that the Namibian Catholic Church, extends
our heartfelt condolences and prayers to you all, on the passing on of Dr. Sam Nujoma, the
esteemed founding father of Namibia and its first president. His contributions to our nation and to
the cause of freedom are etched in our hearts and history. Throughout his life, Dr. Sam Nujoma
has exemplified the virtues of courage and dedication and his resolute leadership during the
struggle for independence opened the doors to freedom for our country. He acknowledged the
power of unity and the need to heal the wounds of our past, by calling for peaceful coexistence
and community-building reflecting the teaching of the Bible. As the founding father of Namibia,
Dr. Nujoma’s tireless commitment to justice, equality, and peace has inspired many. His tireless
efforts in the struggle for independence transformed Namibia into a nation where dignity and
human rights are cherished values. He embodied the spirit of sacrifice and resilience that
resonates deeply with the Church teachings of love and service to humanity. His message of
peace reminds us of our responsibility to continue building bridges among our communities and
to work toward a future where everyone can live together in harmony. His departure leaves a
significant void in our nation and in the hearts of all those who were inspired by his unwavering
commitment to justice, peace, and freedom.
St. Paul says: “you may not grieve as others do, who have no hope. For since we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen
asleep,” (1 Thes 4:13-14). As a nation that believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, though we mourn his
passing, we also celebrate his remarkable life and the indelible impact he had on our nation and
its people and we firmly believe that the good Lord will reward his servant accordingly. Our faith
helps us, in these trying times, to take solace in the words of Jesus, who is the “resurrection and
life,” (Jn 14:15) and to glory in the legacy he leaves behind, a legacy rooted in faith, unity and
reconciliation.
As we keep you all in our prayers, we ask the Lord to grant you comfort and strength during this
difficult time. May the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, be with you and may
he grant the departed soul of our Founding Father, eternal life.
Once again with deepest sentiments of condolence,
+Archbp. Liborius N. Nashenda OMI
President
Namibian Catholic Bishops’ Conference
