Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said there are only eight years to achieve Vision 2030 and if Namibians do not pull up their socks and work hard, history will not forget them. 

She made these remarks at the belated commemoration of Heroes’ Day at Oilyateko village in the Ohangwena region on Saturday.

More than 400 people from different regions across the country attended the commemoration.

“Although we are still facing some challenges and difficulties that need to be worked on, we shall not be misled. Our government is working,” said Ndaitwah.

She said Namibian children are no longer walking long distances to get education and remote places now have proper roads.

Ndaitwah further said the country’s heroes want transparency and honesty from their leaders. 

“They want a nation that can work on their own to put bread on the table, free of GBV and for their children to get a good education,” she added.

She urged entrepreneurs to also work hard as they will grow the economy and put an end to poverty.

Former health minister Bernard Haufiku, when approached for comment at the event said Nandi-Ndaitwah should be re-elected as vice president as that has been a tradition of Swapo.

“She has values that we all know,” he said.

Haufiku said he is not portraying her as a clean angel, but given a chance he knows she will take the country forward.

He further noted that a leader must be a person who brings people together and be able to bring change.

“I see these qualities in Nandi-Ndaitwah. Our country needs a leader who can take this country away from the current economic and social situation,” said Haufiku.

He said age has never been an issue.

“We have young people in jail because of corruption and other crimes,” he said.

Swapo parliamentarian Lucia Witbooi who is contesting for the position of deputy secretary general, said she will win.

“I enter the game to win, not lose, so I am confident and sure that I will win.” 

Witbooi said she is happy with the campaign structure the party implemented.

She said as from now till the last week before the congress, the candidates will be going together to present themselves to the delegates.

National Assembly member and SPYL secretary Ephraim Nekongo said they have been speaking of a legacy to be continued.

“There might be no changes on our principles of the legacy to continue as we did already with President Hage Geingob. We will continue to say the legacy must continue and should remain as such,” he noted.

Nekongo also said they cannot go invent new ways while they know what they want.

- vkaapanda@nepc.com.na