Nujoma

Nujoma is a surname of Namibian origin. The most prominent bearer is Sam Nujoma (born 12 May 1929), a Namibian politician and anti-colonial leader who played a central role in the country's struggle for independence and served as its first president.

Sam Nujoma was born in northern Namibia and became a key organizer of the Namibian independence movement in the 1950s. In 1960 he helped found the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), which led the struggle against South African rule. He headed SWAPO's armed wing, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), and spent years in exile, coordinating international support for Namibian self-determination.

Following UN-supervised negotiations and a transition to independence, Namibia held elections in 1989-1990. Nujoma led SWAPO as the party's candidate and became the country's first president on independence, serving from March 1990 to March 2005. His presidency established Namibia's multi-party system, maintained national unity, and oversaw constitutional and economic reforms while guiding the early development of its institutions.

After stepping down in 2005, Nujoma remained an influential elder statesman within SWAPO and Namibian politics. He has been honored for his role in national liberation and received various domestic and international recognitions. The surname Nujoma is most closely associated with his legacy as a founding figure in Namibia's modern history.