Niël Terblanché
Newly qualified sailors graduated from the sixth intake of the Basic Seamanship Training Course in the Namibian Navy at Walvis Bay.
The course, which began in September 2023, and ended on 12 April, saw 37 seamen undergo extensive training designed to enhance their military skills in alignment with the strategic needs of the Namibian Navy.
Commander Naval Operations (CNO), Rear Admiral Erastus Lazarus, presided over the ceremony and commended the graduates on their achievements.
Lazarus emphasized the importance of training in preparing sailors for both peacetime and hostile environments.
“The objective of this course is to develop and enhance the military skills and knowledge that is in line with our mandate, and to deepen the interpretation of the immediate Commander’s intent,” he said.
Lazarus also took the opportunity to urge the new seamen to uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism.
“I want to urge the graduates to display a high standard of discipline, and professionalism, and to abide by the laid rules and regulations of the Namibian Defence Force,” he said.
According to Lazarus, the training course, with its comprehensive curriculum, was supported by both Namibian and Brazilian instructors.
“The success of the training reflects the strength of the ongoing partnership between the navies of the two countries that enhances the training quality and effectiveness,” he added.
Lazarus expressed his gratitude towards the instructors and other stakeholders for their dedication, hard work, and support in ensuring the success of the program.
He said the graduation ceremony marks the culmination of months of hard work for the graduates as well as the ongoing commitment of the Namibian Navy to strengthening its operational capabilities through structured training and international cooperation.
“As these new seamen join the ranks, they carry with them the responsibility and skills necessary to serve their country and contribute to regional maritime security,” he said.
Graduate able seaman, Johannes Ndeulinda shared his experience from the training.
“As a graduate of the Namibian Defence Force training, we thought we knew it all but only to come to the navy and find out that the navy is truly an arm of service which requires different forms of knowledge from its personnel,” he said.
He added that they learned new techniques as personnel as well as the leadership and organisation processes.
Ndeulinda said as trainees they conquered and overcame their fears.
“This is all thanks to the moral, discipline and good teamwork we carried out,” he said.
The six months of training covered subjects such as navigation, basic electricity, naval communication as well as being the lookout when on duty.
