Namibia's founding President Sam Nujoma, who led the country to freedom from apartheid in South Africa, was buried at the country's Heroes Acre cemetery yesterday.

In attendance were his widow, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as African leaders past and present.

They described Nujoma as an African icon and a man of principle who defended the African continent against colonial systems.

"On these sacred grounds, the final resting place of Namibia's heroes and heroines to rest. A most distinguished son of the soil. A giant among leaders and a revolutionary icon," said Acting President Nangolo Mbumba, quoted by Africannews.

Africannews, quoted by "O País", writes that people from all corners of the country gathered from early morning at Heroes Acre in the capital, Windhoek, to pay their respects to Nujoma, who died two weeks ago at the age of 95.

Described as Namibia's "founding father", he went from herding cattle as a boy to leading the country's independence struggle against apartheid South Africa.

He was seen as the last of a generation of leaders who led anti-colonial movements and fought for freedom across the continent.

"He is an epitome of the struggle for liberation of an African person. The African person in this context, Namibia, is one of the few who stood up in the 1950s to fight against apartheid, racial discrimination," said Pendukeni Ithana, vice president of the Sam Nujoma Foundation.

Nujoma, who served three terms as president from 1990 to 2005, was widely recognized for bringing peace and stability to Namibia.

Namibia observed a 21-day mourning period, with flags flying at half-mast. Nujoma's body was honored with a national farewell, while his remains were taken to seven regions, including his Etunda homestead in Okahao.

When his coffin, wrapped in the Namibian flag, was lowered, there was a 21-gun salute and a flyover by the Namibian Air Force.