Sam Nujoma, who fought against apartheid and for Namibian independence and was known officially as the country’s “founding father”, has died in Windhoek aged 95. His death brings to an end the life of one of the last remaining liberation heroes in southern Africa after the death of others including South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe.

Revered as "father of the nation" and the icon of Namibia's liberation struggle, Sam Nujoma lived up to these expectations in more ways than one. His warm, broad smile and easy-going manner made him likeable and accessible.

Sam Nujoma helped Namibia gain independence in 1990 and he won the first democratic election that same year. He presided for three terms.