NUJOMA Sam (Nujoma Sam)

(p. 1929)
Born May 12, 1929 in the Ovambo, the area in northern Namibia. He was educated in missionary schools. In 1949-1959 worked as a servant, first in the Namibian branch of the South African railways, then in the trading system and the various institutions of the capital. In 1960 took part in founding the People's Organization South-West Africa (SWAPO) and became its chairman. From 1966 and until 1988 headed by SWAPO Nujoma periodically attacked the strong points of South Africa in Namibia, working from the refugee camps in Zambia, and after 1975 - from Angola. At the same time, seeking support in the struggle for the independence of Namibia, Nujoma was active in his headquarters in Lusaka (Zambia) and other capitals, including Moscow and Havana. In 1973 the UN General Assembly recognized SWAPO sole legitimate representative of the Namibian people, and in 1978 adopted a resolution? 435. The plan called for the cessation of hostilities, a phased withdrawal of troops from Namibia, South Africa, the holding of free elections under UN supervision, and was eventually adopted by South Africa in 1988. September 14, 1989 Nujoma returned to the country. In the elections on Nov. 6, 1989 to the Legislative Assembly of SWAPO won 57% votes and 41 seats in Parliament (out of 72). March 21, 1990, the first day of independence of Namibia, Nujoma was sworn in as first president.
Nujoma was reelected overwhelmingly in 1994. In 1998, SWAPO won a majority of votes in local elections. In the presidential election of 1999, after a change in the constitution to allow it to run for a third term, Nujoma, won another victory.