Nujoma honoured for apartheid fight
30 April 2018 | Local News
President Hage Geingob has described former head of state Sam Nujoma as a pan-African par excellence following an announcement that the octogenarian would be accorded the Order of the Companion of Oliver Reginald Tambo. Nujoma received the award this weekend.
This South African order is awarded to foreign nationals such as statesmen and other leading dignitaries in three categories: gold, silver and bronze.
In his address, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said the national orders were a recognition of the many outstanding individuals who defied great odds to make an immense contribution in various spheres of life.
“Our freedom opened windows of opportunity for many to chase their dreams, to excel, to succeed, and in so doing to inspire others to reach beyond what they imagined possible.”
The honour according to Ramaphosa was in recognition of the sacrifices made by Nujoma.
"In doing so, we express our sincere and eternal gratitude to them for joining a struggle that was not theirs, in a land far from their own, and for giving so much, for so long, to so many," he said.
Congratulating Nujoma, President Hage Geingob described the octogenarian as the embodiment of Namibia’s independence.
“Comrade Nujoma, an indomitable pan-Africanist and revolutionary par excellence, is an emblem of our liberation struggle and his contributions to the freedom of the oppressed beyond our borders.”
The award was a great honour for Namibians, Geingob added.
The only other Namibian to be bestowed the honour is a former Robben Island prisoner, the late Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo.
Nujoma will be honoured for his opposition to the then apartheid government and for leading forces that fought alongside South African freedom fighters and posed a formidable challenge to the oppressive regimes in the region.
STAFF REPORTER
This South African order is awarded to foreign nationals such as statesmen and other leading dignitaries in three categories: gold, silver and bronze.
In his address, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said the national orders were a recognition of the many outstanding individuals who defied great odds to make an immense contribution in various spheres of life.
“Our freedom opened windows of opportunity for many to chase their dreams, to excel, to succeed, and in so doing to inspire others to reach beyond what they imagined possible.”
The honour according to Ramaphosa was in recognition of the sacrifices made by Nujoma.
"In doing so, we express our sincere and eternal gratitude to them for joining a struggle that was not theirs, in a land far from their own, and for giving so much, for so long, to so many," he said.
Congratulating Nujoma, President Hage Geingob described the octogenarian as the embodiment of Namibia’s independence.
“Comrade Nujoma, an indomitable pan-Africanist and revolutionary par excellence, is an emblem of our liberation struggle and his contributions to the freedom of the oppressed beyond our borders.”
The award was a great honour for Namibians, Geingob added.
The only other Namibian to be bestowed the honour is a former Robben Island prisoner, the late Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo.
Nujoma will be honoured for his opposition to the then apartheid government and for leading forces that fought alongside South African freedom fighters and posed a formidable challenge to the oppressive regimes in the region.
STAFF REPORTER
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