The untold story of how Tanzania rescued Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s liberation icon

Born Samuel Daniel Shafiishuna Nujoma, he was the founder of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), a movement that spearheaded Namibia’s long struggle for liberation. His legacy is not only cherished in Namibia but also in Tanzania, where his name is etched in history.

A major road in Dar es Salaam, stretching from Mwenge at the junction with Bagamoyo Road to Ubungo, bears his name—Sam Nujoma Road—a testament to his relentless efforts in freeing Namibia from colonial oppression.

In a dramatic turn of events, Nujoma was once saved by senior officials of the Tanganyika African National Union (Tanu) after a plot to have him arrested by British colonial authorities was uncovered.

After landing in Mbeya from Ndola, Zambia, he learned of an impending arrest. With Tanu officials' help, he managed to escape from a hospital, travelling through Njombe, Iringa, Dodoma and finally reaching Dar es Salaam.

With further assistance from Tanu officials, Nujoma secured an audience with the then-chairman of Tanu, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, who facilitated his acquisition of a travel document, making his freedom-fighting efforts more effective.

Nyerere played a crucial role in Nujoma’s mission, allowing him to use Dar es Salaam as the headquarters for Swapo’s military wing outside Namibia, where liberation fighters received military training.

Additionally, Tanzania served as a transit point for arms shipments from Algeria to Namibia via Egypt, Sudan and Zambia. These arms were ultimately transported to Omugulugwombashe in Ovamboland, the stronghold of Swapo’s military resistance.

Among those trained in Dar es Salaam were Hifikepunye Pohamba who later served as Namibia’s President, alongside notable figures such as Mzee Kaukungwa and Mose Tjitendero. In 1965, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), officially recognised Swapo as the legitimate representative of Namibia’s liberation struggle.

A life of struggles and sacrifices

Before ascending to Namibia’s presidency in Windhoek, Nujoma endured years of hardship, even working as a cleaner for the South African Railways (SAR) before dedicating himself fully to politics.

Though hired as a cleaner, his real objective was to learn English, which he did while attending adult education classes at St Barnabas Anglican School in the evenings.

Early Life

Born on 12 May 1929 in Etunda, Ongandjera village, Nujoma was raised by his mother, Helvi Mpingana Kondombolo, who lived to be 110 years old, passing away in 2008. His father, Daniel Uutoni Nujoma, was a farmer.

As a child, Nujoma tended to his family’s livestock and worked in agriculture, as formal education opportunities for Africans were extremely limited at the time. However, at the age of 10, he was fortunate to attend Okahao Missionary School, completing his primary education up to Standard Six—the highest level an African child could typically attain then.

In 1946, at the age of 17, he moved to Walvis Bay to live with his aunt, securing a job for three years before relocating to Windhoek, where he was employed as a railway cleaner.

Political awakening

Nujoma became politically active in the early 1950s through trade union movements. His exposure to workplace conditions and labour agreements heightened his awareness of the injustices of colonial rule, fuelling his passion for liberation.

By 1957, at 29, he quit his job to fully engage in politics, joining forces with other young Namibians seeking independence.

During a visit to Cape Town, South Africa, he connected with Namibian activists such as Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and Andreas Shipanga. Together, they founded the Ovamboland People’s Congress (OPC).

On 19 April 1959, Nujoma established the Ovamboland People’s Organisation (Opo), becoming its first president. He later returned to Namibia covertly to promote Opo’s policies, collaborating with Swanu, the main nationalist party of the time.

In October 1971, Nujoma made history as the first African liberation leader to address the United Nations Security Council in New York. His speech led to the UN’s recognition of Swapo as the sole representative of the Namibian people’s fight for independence.

After leading Swapo from exile for 29 years, Nujoma returned to Namibia in September 1989, guiding the nation towards full independence.

In November 1989, Namibia held its first democratic elections, with Nujoma emerging victorious as the country’s first President. He was officially inaugurated on 21 March 1990.

His swearing-in ceremony was attended by UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, South African President Frederik de Klerk, and Nelson Mandela, who had been released from prison just days earlier.