RUNDU – NAMIBIA has held its national independence celebrations in the northern KAVANGO EAST Region for the FIRST time since the end of apartheid in MARCH 1990.
State radio, NBC News says thousands of NAMIBIANS flocked to the RUNDU Sports Stadium to commemorate 27 years of freedom.
It says former Presidents SAM NUJOMA and HIFIKEPUNYE POHAMBA have also joined other dignitaries at the event, where President HAGE GEINGOB has addressed delegates.
The Head of State has commended the leadership of the KAVANGO EAST and WEST regions for organising an outstanding event.
President GEINGOB has condemned people who had campaigned for a national boycott of the celebrations, who he accuses of trying to disturb the peace and progress of the SADC State.
He says the principle of HARAMBEE means peace and will continue to promote one-ness of mind and effort amongst the people; and unity will safeguard national sovereignty.
President GEINGOB also says after 27 years of peace and freedom, the overriding feeling all NAMIBIANS should have when celebrating should be of gratitude; and the government has managed to maintain peace and promote unity despite many challenges.
He has quoted MALCOM X, an AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSLIM minister and human rights activist, saying: YOU CANNOT SEPARATE PEACE FROM FREEDOM, BECAUSE NO-ONE CAN BE AT PEACE UNLESS HE HAS HIS FREEDOM”.
President GEINGOB says NAMIBIA was born 27 years ago, into freedom and sovereignty – with the legal right to determine its own destiny; yet some people are keen to boycott their own achievements of national reconciliation, freedom of movement, and of speech.
The Head of State emphasises national unity has been a key contributing factor to the prevailing peace, and the narrative of ONE NAMIBIA, ONE NATION, emphasises the importance of such a desire.