Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, who steered the country to freedom from apartheid South Africa, was laid to rest in the country’s Heroes Acre cemetery at the weekend.

It was attended by his widow, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and African leaders past and present, who all described Nujoma as an African icon, and a man of principles who defended the African continent against colonial systems.

Nujoma who served three terms as president from 1990 to 2005 died two weeks ago at the age of 95, but was widely credited with bringing peace and stability to Namibia.

Namibia had observed a 21-day mourning period, with flags at half-staff. As his casket, draped in the Namibian flag, was lowered, there was a 21-gun salute and a flypast by the Namibian Air Force.