By Wezi Tjaronda
WINDHOEK
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) President of the Supreme Peoples Assembly (parliament), Kim Yong Nam, will join President Hifikepunye Pohamba for the inauguration of the new State House and independence celebrations on Friday.
Nam will be accompanied by a 23-member delegation, including the DPRK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pak Ui Chum, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Ri Ryong Nam, the Minister of Public Health, Choe Chang Sik and the counsellor of the Department of External Relations of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Ko Song Sun.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or North Korea was one of the staunch supporters of Swapo during the liberation struggle.
This year’s independence celebrations coincide with the inauguration of the administrative block of the new State House, from where President Pohamba and his personnel will start working after March 21.
The new State House in Auasblick, built and furnished at a cost of about N$400 million, was mainly constructed by DPRK builders, hence Nam’s invitation to witness the inauguration of the building on Friday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a press release.
During his stay in Namibia, Nam will hold official talks with representatives of the Namibian Government. It is expected that a number of agreements would be signed during the visit. After the official banquet tomorrow, President Pohamba is also scheduled to confer some honours on DPRK leaders.
The official programme of the inauguration was not available at the time of going to press, however, it was confirmed that activities to mark the inauguration and independence celebrations at the new State House will start at 09h30 on Friday.
Unlike other years when there are national celebrations, the 18th anniversary of Namibia’s independence will be celebrated at regional, and in some cases, constituency level.
Celebrations in the Khomas Region will be held on Saturday at Sam Nujoma Stadium, said Dr Ben Mulongeni, who is a member of the national preparatory committee of the celebrations.
He told New Era last week that the region organised the celebrations at the stadium to allow for broader participation considering that many people would not make it to the new State House.
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