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Sam Nujoma, the first president of independent Namibia and a key figure in its fight for liberation from South Africa, has died at the age of 95 in Windhoek, according to an announcement from the country's current leader. Nujoma, who founded Namibia's liberation movement Swapo in the 1960s, led the country from 1990 to 2005.
Nujoma had been hospitalized over the past three weeks with an illness from which he "could not recover", Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba said in a statement announcing the death with "utmost sorrow and sadness". He "inspired us to rise to our feet and to become masters of this vast land of our ancestors," President Mbumba said.
He added: "Our founding father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country."
Nujoma retired as head of state in 2005, but continued to lead the party before stepping down in 2007 as president of the ruling Swapo party after 47 years at the helm.
Many Namibians have reacted to his death with sadness, fondly remembering him as "father of the nation".
A teary-eyed Mbumba visited Nujoma's home to offer condolences to his family, including his wife Kovambo Theopoldine Katjimune, 91.
Nujoma is widely credited for ensuring peace and stability after independence from South Africa, which was then under white-minority rule, in 1990. Nujoma's policy of national reconciliation encouraged the country's white community to remain, and they still play a major role in farming and other sectors of the economy.
He also championed the rights of women and children, including making fathers pay for the maintenance of children born out of wedlock.
Namibia's Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is due to be inaugurated as president in March after leading Swapo to victory in elections, said his "visionary leadership and dedication to liberation and nation-building laid the foundation for our free, united nation".
African leaders have joined in paying tribute. Funeral details have not yet been announced.
