By Tinotenda Hove

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to attend the funeral and burial of the late Namibian President, Dr. Sam Nujoma, on Saturday, marking a significant event in the African political landscape.

A source in Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party said:
“H.E. President @edmnangagwa will be in Namibia to attend the funeral and burial of the African Liberation Icon, Cde Sam Nujoma.”

Nujoma, who served as Namibia’s first president from 1990 to 2005, is celebrated as a pivotal figure in the country’s liberation from apartheid rule, as well as an enduring symbol of Pan-African unity.

On Thursday, the solemnity of the occasion was further underscored as the casket bearing the remains of the Namibian founding father was mounted on a gun carriage in Windhoek. The final journey through the streets of the Namibian capital marked the beginning of a farewell for the man who led his country to independence and served as its president for more than a decade.

Dr. Nujoma’s legacy as a liberation hero, not only for Namibia but for Africa as a whole, will be honored by leaders from across the continent. His leadership and contributions to the African independence movement resonate deeply with the liberation struggles of several African nations.

While the attendance of African leaders at such funerals is not unusual, Mnangagwa’s involvement has sparked considerable attention. The Zimbabwean President has been a controversial figure both at home and abroad, with critics often describing him as a shrewd and calculating leader. Analysts have consistently described Mnangagwa as a highly cunning figure, pointing to his long political career and association with the former president Robert Mugabe’s controversial regime. His attendance at Nujoma’s burial is thus seen through various lenses — as an act of solidarity, a diplomatic gesture, or even as a calculated political move to bolster Zimbabwe’s standing on the African continent.

As Zimbabwe continues to navigate its own political and economic challenges, Mnangagwa’s presence in Namibia is also an important reminder of the regional alliances and the historical ties that continue to shape Southern Africa’s political landscape. These alliances, often born out of shared struggles for independence, remain key to understanding the dynamics of contemporary African politics.

The funeral of Sam Nujoma is more than just a national event for Namibia; it is a reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom across the continent and a testament to the enduring spirit of African unity.