Staff Reporter
RISTO Ashikoto has penned a tribute to Founding President Sam Nujoma, narrating his memorable encounters with him as member of the Namibian Defence Force’s presidential guard.
Ashikoto had the distinct privilege of being in close proximity to the Founding President as a member of the Presidential Guard.
“Today, I take a moment to reflect on my journey with the late President Dr. Sam Shafishuna Nujoma, the first president and founding father of our beautiful country, Namibia,” said Ashikoto.
Growing up in northern Namibia, Ashikoto said he used to see President Nujoma’s image in newspapers and hear “his inspiring words” on the radio, yet meeting him in person remained elusive—until he joined the Namibian Defence Force (NDF).
After undergoing a rigorous nine-month training program at the Okahandja Military School, he was selected to serve at the Suiderhof Military Base, where he became part of the first team of freshly trained soldiers assigned to guard the President.
Ashikoto said, “I vividly remember one particular day when we visited his farm just outside Windhoek. That day, President Nujoma decided that we should not rely on the base rations. Instead, he arranged for fresh supplies and entrusted me, as the youngest member of the team, with preparing the meal. While I was at work, he took a moment to share his perspective with me: he expressed concern that Africans were too often dependent on government provisions, contrasting this with Western nations that invest in self-sufficiency. He cited the abundance of mopane leaves in our country as an untapped resource, capable of inspiring innovative products if only we had the will to research and develop them.”
He continued: “Another cherished memory comes from December 2004, when I was selected to accompany the President on a holiday to his favourite coastal destination, Terrace Bay, during the Christmas and New Year period. Each morning during that trip, I had the opportunity to learn from him directly. He stressed the importance of empowering young soldiers by placing them in leadership roles and providing them with further education—an essential strategy for building a forward-thinking military force.”
Ashikoto said that it was unfortunate that people closest to President Nujoma did not always embrace his vision, often favouring appointments based on personal connections rather than merit.
According to him, such practices are the undoing of many African nations today.
Ashikoto said that President Nujoma envisioned a Namibia where talent and hard work are nurtured and recognized.
He said he eventually resigned from the NDF in 2012 because, contrary to the Founding President’s vision, corruption became so pervasive that it stifled progress and robbed the nation of its brightest minds.
“As we mourn the loss of our great leader,” he said, “I urge those in positions of power to reflect on the opportunities denied to many deserving individuals because of favouritism. Such practices undermine the very vision that President Nujoma held dear—a vision of a Namibia that thrives on innovation, merit, and the empowerment of its youth. Let us work together to build a future that honours the legacy of our founding father by fostering self-reliance and sustainable development across our beloved continent.
Rest in eternal peace, my hero.”
