President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia still has an unfinished responsibility to honour all those who sacrificed for the country’s freedom, saying the nation must preserve its liberation history and pass it on to future generations. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks on Saturday when she opened the Swapo Party Central Committee meeting in Windhoek, just days after... The post NNN says duty to honour heroes unfinished appeared first on New Era .
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia still has an unfinished responsibility to honour all those who sacrificed for the country’s freedom, saying the nation must preserve its liberation history and pass it on to future generations.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks on Saturday when she opened the Swapo Party Central Committee meeting in Windhoek, just days after Namibia marked the 60th anniversary of Heroes’ Day.
Reflecting on the reburial of liberation struggle heroes, the President said the ceremonies should not only be seen as events to honour the dead, but as a reminder of the country’s continuing responsibility to those who sacrificed for independence.
“The reburial reminds us of the unfinished responsibility to honour all those who sacrificed for our freedom,” she said.
Her remarks come after Namibia recently received the remains of 84 ancestral remains, as well as those of liberation struggle heroes Simon Petrus Niilenge and Festus Nehemia Nehale, who died while serving prison sentences on Robben Island in South Africa.
On 24 August, six liberation struggle heroes were reburied at Heroes’ Acre. They were Immanuel Gottlieb Ndemulungila Nathaniel Maxuilili, Eliaser “Kaxumba Kandola” Tuhadeleni, Immanuel Shifidi, Petrus Niilenge, Festus Nehemia Nehale and Nduuvu Nangolo.
The country also held symbolic burials for Tobias Hainyeko and Brendan Kangongolo Simbwaye, whose remains have not yet been found.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the return of Niilenge and Nehale and their reburial at Heroes’ Acre was “a befitting honour” after many decades in foreign countries.
She commended the families, Government institutions, liberation struggle veterans and the Government of South Africa for making the repatriations possible.
However, she said the significance of the ceremonies went beyond paying tribute to the fallen.
“These ceremonies are not only about the past; they must teach our young people the price that was paid for Namibia’s independence,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She said Namibia must preserve its history and ensure that it is passed to future generations, describing this as a safeguard for the country’s sovereignty, peace and stability.
The President’s call comes as the country continues to recognise people who contributed to the liberation struggle and the development of Namibia.
On 25 August, the Government conferred liberation struggle and independence honours on 1 001 veterans who met the criteria. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the recognition was a demonstration of the nation’s gratitude to those who contributed to the liberation and development of Namibia.
“We must continue to respect our veterans and preserve the history of our struggle,” she said.
She also highlighted the recognition of Kornelius Tulotokela Shimuafeni during the 60th anniversary of Heroes’ Day. Nandi-Ndaitwah described him as the youngest living hero in Namibian history.
According to the President, Shimuafeni saved the lives of nine-month-old twins from drowning after they were thrown into a water pond by their mother.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the developments of the past days, from the repatriation of remains to the reburials and honours, were important moments for both Swapo and the nation.
She said the Central Committee meeting provided an opportunity to assess where the party and Government stood, reflect on Namibia’s history, honour those who made the supreme sacrifice, strengthen unity and renew the determination to serve the Namibian people.
“We are meeting today, well aware of the heavy responsibility entrusted to us by our people and mindful of the sacrifices made by generations of Namibians who fought, suffered, and died so that we could live in a free, sovereign, and independent Namibia,” she said.
She urged the meeting to be guided by history, commitment to the people, collective discipline and unity of purpose.
The President also paid tribute to Cassinga survivor and liberation struggle veteran Monika Shikwambi, who died on 17 August at the age of 84 and was laid to rest on Saturday. She said Shikwambi would be remembered for her courage, sacrifice and loyal commitment to Namibia and for caring for hundreds of Namibian children in Swapo camps in exile and elsewhere.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also paid tribute to Swapo member Joplin Pagley !Gontes, who died on 4 May.
She said this responsibility belongs to the whole nation.
The post NNN says duty to honour heroes unfinished appeared first on New Era.
