HICHILEMA CRITICIZED FOR MISSING DR SAM NUJOMA’S FUNERAL
….his absence is a display of political insensitivity and a lack of Pan-African consciousness says Luzendi
Lusaka… Sunday March 2, 2025
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has come under fire for his decision not to attend the burial of Namibia’s founding father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, on March 1st, 2025.
Critics, including members of the Socialist Party (SP), have accused the president of disregarding the legacy of the Pan-African icon and failing to uphold Zambia’s historical role in supporting liberation movements.
In a statement, SP member and Activist Thompson Luzendi condemned President Hichilema’s absence, describing it as a display of “political insensitivity and a lack of Pan-African consciousness.”
Mr Luzendi noted that while leaders from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) gathered to honor Dr. Nujoma’s contributions to Africa’s liberation, the Zambian leader chose instead to attend the coronation of Patricia Scotland as headwoman in Bweengwa.
Mr Luzendi argued that by prioritizing a local traditional event over a significant Pan-African occasion, President Hichilema sent a troubling message about his administration’s commitment to regional solidarity.
He stated that Zambia, once a pillar of African liberation under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, had undermined its historical role through this decision.
Reflecting on Zambia’s past, Luzendi recalled how Dr. Kaunda had stood alongside figures such as Nujoma, Oliver Tambo, Robert Mugabe, and Julius Nyerere in the fight against colonial rule and apartheid.
He suggested that Hichilema’s absence at the funeral represented a shift away from the country’s strong Pan-African foundations.
Furthermore, Luzendi criticized what he described as a failure to recognize the importance of Pan-African unity.
He argued that true Pan-Africanism requires more than just rhetoric; it demands active recognition of those who fought for the continent’s freedom.
He warned that by choosing to miss Nujoma’s burial, the Zambian leader risked diminishing the nation’s reputation as a supporter of African liberation.
The statement also questioned the contradiction between Hichilema’s advocacy for economic liberation and his decision to forgo an opportunity to reinforce historical ties with fellow African leaders.
Mr Luzendi urged the President to reflect on his choice and to ensure that future actions align with the principles of Pan-African unity, respect, and historical continuity.
Dr. Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first President and a revered figure in Africa’s liberation history, passed away on February 8th, 2025.
His funeral was attended by several African heads of state who paid tribute to his role in the continent’s fight for independence.
Mr Luzendi concluded by emphasizing that history would remember both those who uphold the ideals of justice and unity—and those who neglect them.