Liberation struggle veteran and businessman Banda Shilimela says the country’s next battle is economic freedom, arguing that political independence will remain incomplete unless Namibians work harder to build the economy and create jobs.
Shilimela, who was one of the recipients of the Liberation Medal from President Netumbo Nandi- Ndaitwah at Tuesday’s Investiture Ceremony at Independence Stadium in Windhoek, said veterans should continue contributing to the country instead of considering their work finished after independence.
“We have liberated our country, but the struggle has not ended with the liberation. Now, the biggest challenge is the economy. We need to put our country first. We need to work hard,” Shilimela said.
Shilimela said he moved from military service into business and has since created 71 companies that employ about 6 000 Namibians. He also said he established five companies outside Namibia, operating in Mozambique, Zambia, DRC, Kenya and China. According to Shilimela, his company in China employs 389 people.
His journey into the liberation struggle started when he was a child. He said he joined the struggle at the age of 10 and later went into exile after being captured following operations inside the country. At 15, he joined the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia to fight for independence.
After independence, Shilimela said he was among those involved in establishing the Namibian Defence Force. He served in the force for 10 years and participated in several operations, including Operation Atlantic in the DRC.
He said, however, military liberation was only one part of the wider struggle.
Another veteran, Niilo Taapopi, who was also honoured at the ceremony, said the Liberation Medal should not be seen only as personal recognition but also as recognition of those who died before seeing an independent Namibia.
“This award is given to me not just personally as Niilo Taapopi but on behalf of some of those who could not make it,” he said.
Taapopi said the liberation struggle involved more than fighters carrying guns. It also included diplomatic efforts and the mobilisation of international support, including weapons, food and medicine.
He also highlighted the contribution of people who remained inside Namibia and supported the liberation fighters by providing food, shelter and other assistance.
“Without them, during the struggle, they played a great role,” Taapopi said.
He urged veterans to pass their experiences to younger Namibians, saying the history of the struggle must not be lost.
“Most of us are ageing, but we have the responsibility to pass it on to the younger generation, to tell them the history,” he said.
During the liberation struggle, Namibians from different backgrounds joined the liberation struggle against South African apartheid rule, with many facing imprisonment, torture, displacement and separation from their families.
Their sacrifices eventually cont r ibuted to Namibia’s independence on 21 March 1990.
On the day, 804 individuals received the Liberation Medal, recognising those who served during the liberation struggle, including people who took part in resistance activities and those who supported the struggle at great personal risk.
A further 197 people received the Independence Medal, bringing the total listed in the programme to 1 001 recipients. These recipients contributed to the struggle from inside the country and later to Namibia’s socio-economic development.
The National Honours System recognises contributions to Namibia’s liberation and development in areas including political, military, diplomatic, humanitarian, socio-economic development, education, health, media, reconstruction, peace and justice.
*-ljason@nepc.com.na *
The post ‘Political independence meaningless without economic freedom’ appeared first on New Era.
Follow the story
