Eulogy for President Sam Nujoma

We at Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) honor and remember a truly remarkable leader, President Sam Nujoma, whose legacy transcended national borders and touched the lives of people and wildlife alike. His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma was the first President of Namibia and he was also the International Patron of CCF for our first 25 years.

Under his leadership, Namibia became the first country in the world to enshrine environmental protection in its constitution. This groundbreaking step signaled a profound commitment to conservation, ensuring that Namibia’s rich biodiversity, including its iconic cheetahs, would be safeguarded for future generations. His vision helped to set Namibia apart as a global leader in conservation, reinforcing the idea that protecting the environment is not just a national duty but a moral obligation.

As a lifelong advocate for the environment, Dr. Nujoma understood that the survival of Namibia’s cheetahs was intrinsically linked to the health of the country’s ecosystem. Under his leadership, CCF with other NGOs and partners, helped to ensure that conservation became part of Namibia’s national identity.

Dr. Nujoma understood conservation was a global responsibility. With his support during CCF’s first two decades, we made significant strides in understanding cheetah populations, providing much needed knowledge to researchers around the world. His support was instrumental in the development of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) programs, ensuring that conservation efforts also benefited local people and created sustainable solutions for both wildlife and communities. Namibia’s conservancy system, pioneered during his tenure, has served as an inspiration across Africa, demonstrating the power of community-led conservation. Today, this model is being stewarded by CCF in the Horn of Africa, where local communities are embracing the same principles to protect their own unique biodiversity. This enduring impact is a lasting testament to Dr. Nujoma’s visionary leadership.

Dr. Nujoma’s commitment was not just in words but in action. As CCF’s first International Patron, he officially dedicated the CCF Research, Conservation, and Education Centre in July 2000 on farm Elandsvreugde. The facilities now consist of a research clinic and genetics laboratory, education centre, office complex, a Model Farm with Livestock Guarding Dog (LGD) and small stock yards, a dairy and Dancing Goat creamery, and a visitor centre, Cheetah Museum and an area for hosting conferences. The main centre also includes a Biomass Technology Demonstration Centre (BTDC). Our biomass energy projects were of great interest to the Founding President. The centre contains veterinary and research facilities and animal enclosures for orphaned and injured cheetahs. By dedicating CCF’s centre Dr. Nujoma reinforced his commitment to advancing science and education as pillars of Namibia’s conservation future.

In April 2001, President Nujoma helped expand conservation efforts by presenting 10 young cheetahs as a gift from the people of Namibia to the people of the United States, in recognition of U.S. support for cheetah conservation in Namibia. This historic gesture marked the first time in nearly 30 years that the laws of both the United States and Namibia permitted wild-caught cheetahs to be exported from Namibia to the United States. All 10 cheetahs bred and have contributed to the species’ conservation.

Four of these cheetahs were placed at the Cincinnati Zoological Gardens in Ohio, while the remaining six were housed at the White Oak Conservation Centre in Florida, a facility specializing in breeding rare and endangered species. These 10 cubs, orphaned when their mothers were shot on commercial farmlands, found their way to CCF through the concern of local farmers and swift intervention from neighbors. Selected for export as non-releasable animals, they became part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative breeding program managed by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

On 23 September 2004, I had the privilege of presenting Mr. Nujoma with the Life Conservation Award at the Explorers Club in New York City. This distinguished honor was awarded during a luncheon event that brought together over 80 “Friends of the Cheetah” from throughout the United States. The gathering included a cross-section of businesspeople, scientists, and media representatives, most of whom had visited Namibia. It was a moment of immense satisfaction for me to formally recognize him as a leader who truly understood the deep connection between nature and humanity.

Today, as we reflect on the life of Dr. Nujoma, Founding Father of the Namibian Nation, we remember a man who was a beacon of hope for wildlife and the world. His contributions to the fight for cheetah conservation will continue to echo through the actions of all who were inspired by his legacy. Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit remains alive in the work that continues on the ground and in our hearts.

May we honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately championed. And may the cheetahs and all creatures of the earth continue to thrive, as a living tribute to the tireless work of a great man.

Rest in peace, His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma. Your legacy will never be forgotten.