Sam Nujoma

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Nujoma, Samuel Daniel ( ‘Sam’, Nujoma) (b. 12 Mar. 1929). President of Namibia 1990–  Born in Ongandjera of the most populous people of Namibia, the Ovambo. An early opponent of apartheid and South African rule, he founded the socialist South-West African People's Organization (SWAPO) in 1959, which was carried largely by Ovambo support. Operating from Zambia and Angola (since 1975), its support from the Angolan government and Cuban troops guaranteed its survival against the South African army, which at times penetrated deep into Angolan territory. Following a successful Cuban offensive against South African troops in early 1988, P. W. Botha decided that South Africa could never win the guerrilla war, and accepted Namibian independence. In the parliamentary elections of 7–11 November 1989, SWAPO gained 57 per cent of the vote. Nujoma became President on Independence Day, 21 March 1990. In the presidential and parliamentary elections of 7–8 December 1994, he was confirmed in office with 72.7 per cent, which ensured a two-thirds majority for SWAPO, enabling it to change the Constitution. In the 1999 elections SWAPO even increased its majority, to 55 out of 72 seats. Nujoma was concerned to withstand pressure to expropriate white farmers, but struggled to maintain national unity as he was faced with public discontent in the outlying Caprivi region.

Sam Nujoma (Samuel Daniel Shafiishuna Nujoma) , 1929-, Namibian political leader. A railway worker in what was then the South African mandate of South West Africa, Nujoma became the head of the Owambo People's Organization in 1959, which opposed South African rule and its extension of apartheid to the territory. The following year the organization was renamed the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), and Nujoma went into exile. He led SWAPO forces from exile, securing international recognition and ultimately South West Africa's independence. He returned in 1989 and became Namibia's first president (1990). Generally a moderate leader who has emphasized economic development, he was reelected in 1994 but was criticized for having the constitution changed so that he could be elected to a third term in 1999. He also has been accused by some former compatriots of being intolerant of dissent within SWAPO. After he stepped down as president in 2005 Nujoma continued as party leader until 2007.

Nujoma, Sam (1929– ) Namibian statesman, president (1990– ). A founder and leader of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) from 1959, Nujoma was exiled by the South African government to Tanzania in 1960. Forced to resort to armed conflict from 1966, Nujoma controlled an army of highly effective SWAPO guerrillas. After negotiating Namibian independence through the auspices of the United Nations, he returned in 1989 to contest successfully its first free elections. He was re-elected in 1994 and 1999.