Revered globally as the ultimate revolutionary, whose fight for the liberation of his homeland transcended borders and impacted positively on lives across the region, it goes without saying that Sam Nujoma’s life is the stuff of legends. 

And while he may have been loved by many and loathed by some, with almost the same intensity, his aura, says those who got to rub shoulders with him, was not easy to ignore. As such, having to be the vessel through which his narrative is told, according to film producer and actor, Joel Haikali (JH), was no mean feat. 

Haikali portrayed a young Sam Nujoma in the movie, “Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation,” which was bankrolled by the Namibian government and released in 2007.  

In the wake of the founding father’s demise, Haikali reminisces about his time on the film’s set in a conversation with Confidente’s Jeremiah Ndjoze (JN).

JN:     Why were you interested in being a part of this movie, and what was your role?

JH: Sam Nujoma was not just a charismatic leader but a symbol of Namibia’s liberation struggle. When the opportunity arose to portray a young Sam Nujoma, I put my heart into the audition, knowing what an honor it would be to contribute to telling this story on screen.

JN:     How did it feel to tell the story of a man of Nujoma’s magnitude?

JH: Portraying young Sam Nujoma in Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation was a privilege. It allowed me to step into his formative years—his journey from a young boy herding cattle to a man whose convictions shaped the course of our nation's history. His story is one of courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication, and I felt the weight of that responsibility every step of the way.

JN:     Did you collaborate with the Founding Father on how you would portray him? If yes, what were those engagements like? If not, how did you channel his energy without having met him?

JH: Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet the Founding Father while preparing for the role. Instead, I immersed myself in recordings, writings, and historical accounts to capture his essence, his speech, and his spirit as authentically as possible. While our experiences differed, I could relate to aspects of his rural upbringing and the values instilled in him.

JN:    How would you describe the prevailing theme of Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation?

JH: This film was the first to comprehensively show Namibia’s liberation struggle on screen. In the spirit of Pan-Africanism, it brought together an incredible cast and crew from across the continent and the diaspora—talented individuals from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the USA, including Danny Glover, Charles Burnett,  and Carl Lumbly. It was a true collaboration in honoring our shared history.

JN:     What was it like working alongside industry legends like Carl Lumbly and Danny Glover?

JH: Both Charles Burnett, the director, and Danny Glover were incredible mentors. I had the privilege of learning from their vast experience, both on and off set. Carl Lumbly, who portrayed the older Nujoma, and I were not on set at the same time, but sharing a project of such significance with actors and filmmakers of that caliber was an honor.

JN:     Since your life is quite different from Nujoma’s, what aspects of his life did you relate to the most while on set?

JH: One scene that resonated deeply with me was when young Sam witnessed a brutally beaten boy from his village. It was a turning point at least as far as it was in the film—where, through a conversation with his father, he resolved to dedicate his life to fighting oppression. While I was born after the armed struggle had begun, I could relate to that defining moment of awareness, where one understands that their life must be about something greater than themselves.

JN:     How did your involvement in this powerful storytelling experience impact your life? What was your biggest takeaway?

JH: This film was a monumental moment for the Namibian film industry—not just for me, but for the hundreds of Namibians who contributed both in front of and behind the camera. It provided an opportunity to collaborate with creatives from around the world and was a learning experience in managing large-scale productions. On a personal level, attending the Hollywood premiere and meeting industry legends like Sidney Poitier was a surreal and humbling experience. More than anything, this journey affirmed my passion for storytelling—not just as an actor but as a filmmaker dedicated to creating opportunities for others. While I began in front of the camera, my path led me to where I truly belong: behind it, ensuring that Namibian stories continue to be told for generations to come.