Hertta-Maria Amutenja
President Nangolo Mbumba called on the nation to respect Namibia’s Defence Force, Air Force, and Navy during the Heroes’ Day commemoration in Omuthiya on Monday.
Heroes’ Day, observed annually on August 26, pays tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Namibia.
Mbumba emphasised the importance of taking pride in the military forces, which play a central role in the nation’s defence.
“We must respect them because, in them, we depended on the defence of the motherland. And if you have no defenders, then you have no country,” Mbumba said.
He criticised those who challenge Namibia’s history and authorities, referring to them as “lost kids” who lack understanding of their origins and direction.
“Those who challenge our authorities and history do not know where they come from, and they will never know where they are going. They are lost kids,” Mbumba said.
Mbumba also reflected on the significance of Heroes’ Day, a national holiday that commemorates Namibia’s struggle for independence and honours those who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
“This is the Heroe’s Day for those who gave life, blood, and sweat. It was not a joke,” he said, highlighting the stark contrast between the conditions during the struggle and the conveniences enjoyed today.
“Now we are coming here with cars. You think they had cars?” he asked.
He referred to the historic battle of Omugulugwombashe, which took place 58 years ago and connected it to earlier struggles against colonial oppression led by figures such as Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi and Chief Samuel Maharero. Mbumba urged citizens to honour the memory of those who fought for democracy, workers’ rights, and national unity.
“Our patriotic duty, as free Namibians, is to remember those brave men and women who sacrificed greatly for our freedom,” Mbumba said.
Looking to the future, Mbumba stated that the government’s focus is on creating wealth and job opportunities, particularly for the youth, who make up 70% of the population. He urged the nation to empower itself through education and training to participate in the “Second Struggle for Economic Freedom.”
Mbumba noted progress in developing the green economy, particularly in the export of Green Hydrogen, and highlighted Namibia’s potential to become a major oil and gas producer in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“These developments will unlock many business opportunities for our people,” Mbumba said, referencing the discovery of oil in the Orange Basin and the potential development of the Kudu Gas Fields.
Audrin Mathe, executive director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, provided insights into upcoming national events.
“We await our leaders to give us our orders on where the next event is going to be hosted, which is going to be Independence Day. But I can confidently tell you it is going to be in Windhoek because of the administrative changes where we will be inaugurating the new president on March 21, 2025,” Mathe said.
He added that the new president would likely decide on the next venue, continuing the tradition of rotating the August 26 commemoration’s location.
