Yesterday, the 16th of June, we celebrated African history, commemorating the Day of the African Child under the theme: ‘Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting All Children’s Rights’.
We are the children of Namibia and we are the children of Africa. It is our strong belief that children’s rights will be best protected in an atmosphere of building strong family values and enhancing support to African parents, in order for them to raise productive children in each African country.
On our part, as the Swapo Party Pioneers Movement, we continue to salute Namibia’s founding president Tatekulu Dr Sam Nujoma, for he and his contemporary leaders paved our way towards freedom, and today he stands proudly on the annals of Namibia’s landscape as a symbol of nationality, sovereignty and national independence and education.
As a torchbearer of the liberation struggle, Tatekulu’s simple and honest life has inspired and continues to inspire many Namibians, especially us, the children of Namibia.
Alongside him we also salute other illustrious leaders of Africa, such as Julius Nyerere, Augustino Neto, Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe, Samora Machel, Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba. Thus, whatever we do today (young or old), we must be mindful not to betray their legacies.
The Swapo Party Pioneer Movement salutes parents and grandparents of Namibian children. You are the reason for our existence and we pray for your good health and long life. We salute our teachers, we salute the leadership of Swapo Party and of the Republic of Namibia.
In particular we salute Dr Elijah Ngurare for his dedication to revive the Swapo Party Pioneers Movement, for grooming us to be unwavering, principled, patriotic and educated young leaders. Most warmly, we thank you for the good leadership and role you played as a radical stalwart, footsoldier of the Namibian youth.
It is the work of people of your calibre, Comrade Ngurare, that history should store in its archives and it is through you that the Swapo Party Pioneers Movement believes in solidarity with the downtrodden, freedom for the oppressed and social justice for the disadvantaged.
Lastly, we would like to the Swapo Party Youth League national executive committee under the leadership of Comrade Ngurare for their hard work in implementing the resolution towards the Road to Okalongo. Now in a free and independent Namibia, children have a role to play in our country’s development and economic growth.
On this Day of the African Child, let us the natives and inhabitants take pride in our future, because the little children carry the future. Children of Namibia, regardless of your tribe, race or economic status, let us keep our pace, continuing forward though adversity. Let us hold on tight to our culture and heritage.
Let us keep our heads held up high, proudly proclaiming our uniqueness, for we are the African children and the children of God. Education is our anchor. With discipline and courage, we shall never betray the Namibian Revolution. Pioneers, be prepared for the patriotic and victorious journey forward.
On behalf of the Swapo Party Pioneers Movement,
Iyaloo Shiimi, Secretary of the Swapo Party Pioneers Movement