Erasmus Shalihaxwwe
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to continue honouring the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the fight against apartheid and for the freedom and peace the region enjoys today.
Southern Africa Liberation Day is observed on 23 March each year to mark the end of one of the fiercest conventional battles at Cuito Cuanavale in Angola’s Cuando Cubango Province.
The battle marked a turning point for Angola and laid the foundation for peace and development, placing the country at the centre of the SADC integration agenda.
“As the SADC Region commemorates the Southern Africa Liberation Day, we must honour the brave men and women whose blood sustains our freedom and the peace we enjoy today,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She said the country must remember the courage of the People’s Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA), Cuban internationalist forces, and the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) under SWAPO, as well as ZANU-PF, the ANC, FRELIMO, and others who contributed to the liberation of Namibia, South Africa, and the wider region.
She urged Namibians to protect the freedom and peace gained through the sacrifices of those who fought for independence.
“Namibia reaffirms its commitment to working alongside fellow SADC countries to advance our shared developmental aspirations for the benefit of current and future generations. As a united region, let us forge ahead with renewed determination and commitment to advocate for the mutual developmental interest of the region and its people. On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of Namibia, I wish the SADC family a happy Southern Africa Liberation Day,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
