The head of state landed on Namibian soil this Friday. "The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, has already landed in Windhoek, for the final acts of homage to the first President of the Republic of Namibia, Sam Nujoma, who will be buried tomorrow, March 1st", informs the Presidency of the Republic, in a note to which VerAngola had access.
Upon arrival, João Lourenço was received by senior Namibian government officials, as well as by the Angolan ambassador to Namibia, Juvelina Imperial.
Before travelling, upon departure, which took place "in the early hours of this Friday morning", João Lourenço received, at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport, greetings from the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, and other members of the Executive.
The last tribute to Sam Nujoma – considered the 'Founding Father of the Republic of Namibia' and who died on February 8 at the age of 95 – will take place this Friday and Saturday.
"In Windhoek, the funeral will take place today [Friday] and tomorrow [Saturday], consisting of a massive ceremony at the National Stadium on Friday and the burial at the Heroes' Memorial the following day", the Presidency of the Republic reported in a statement to which VerAngola had access.
The President of the Republic will take part in the funeral, delivering a speech this Friday.
This Friday, "at the stadium, President João Lourenço will address the crowd, in his capacity as President of the Republic of Angola and President of the African Union", says the Presidency of the Republic.
According to Angop, before the wake, which will be held at the stadium, a procession through the streets is also planned for this Friday, which will start at the Parliament Gardens, while on Saturday the procession will start at the stadium towards the Memorial dos Heróis, which will have its gates opened early for citizens to pay a last tribute to Nujoma.
In addition to João Lourenço, several other heads of state will be at the ceremony. The highlight will be the laying of the urn in the memorial tomb, while 21 cannon salutes will be fired, among other things.
At the time of Sam Nujoma's death, João Lourenço mourned the death of the former Namibian president, having highlighted his contribution to the construction of a "strong and democratic" nation.
Sam Nujoma was born on May 12, 1929 and was an important figure in the fight for Namibian independence, having been the first President of independent Namibia.
