25 November 2024 

Fellow Namibians, 

For the past 34 years of our independence, peaceful, fair and free elections have become part of our cherished culture of constitutional democracy. Our independence and our right to vote to determine our own destiny as a nation was a result of a long and bitter National struggle for freedom. It is a right we do not and should not take for granted . Once again, the Namibian people will go to the polls on the 27th of November 2024 to exercise their hard-won right to elect the 5th president and members of the 8th National Assembly of the Republic of Namibia. Ahead of this important date in the journey of our nation, I want to share with you, my fellow citizens and compatriots a few observations. 

We are going to the 8th Presidential and National Assembly Elections in a year that has been difficult following the most unfortunate passing on of our beloved 3rd president of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Hage G. Geingob. May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace. Our nation, its processes, systems and our institutions remained firm in honour of the legacy of president Geingob – a leader who throughout his life played a vital role in the consolidation of our Governance Architecture and a culture of free, fair and peaceful elections. As we approach the final and critical phase of voting, we should continue with our culture and tradition of peaceful democratic elections. We owe it to the founders of our republic, Sam Nujoma, Hifikepunye Pohamba – we owe it to the memory of president Geingob , and other courageous Namibians who contributed immensely to nation-building and the strengthening of a culture of tolerance and peace, including during national elections. 

Fellow Namibians, 

I am pleased with the manner in which leaders of political parties and Namibians at large conducted themselves during the campaign period throughout our country. Your conduct and the climate in which you campaigned freely and expressed your views in favour of your political parties is once again a demonstration of the strength of the foundations of our democracy. I therefore wish to thank all political parties, their leaders, their rank and file, and all the relevant stakeholders, including el ec t i on obse r vat i on missions in the country for the successful conclusion of all the electoral activities ahead of national voting day. I wish to thank our law enforcement institutions for guaranteeing the security and safety of Namibians and visitors during the campaign period. 

The 8th Presidential and National Assembly Elections are less than 48 hours away and our country will be the subject of intense scrutiny on the day of voting and in the days thereafter. I appeal to you, my fellow citizens to uphold the democratic traditions we have entrenched by turning out in large numbers to vote for the leaders to whom you want to entrust the 8th Government of the Republic of Namibia. On national voting day, I invite you, my dear compatriots, to exercise your right to vote. Your participation in the 8th Presidential and National Assembly will be your individual contribution to the stability of our country, the consolidation of our democracy and the development of our motherland. I appeal to you to do so in a climate that is calm, peaceful and respectful of one another, the relevant authorities and the laws of the Republic of Namibia. 

As head of State of the Republic of Namibia, I wish to assure the Electoral Commission of Namibia of my total support for it to carry out its mission as mandated by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its amendments. I also wish to assure the Electoral Commission of the Republic of Namibia of the support of all the relevant institutions of the State in the execution of the 8th Presidential and National Assembly Elections. 

I encourage the Commission, the Commissioners and all staff members to carry out their work with diligence and fairness in order to uphold the stellar democratic traditions of the Republic of Namibia. 

Our Republic is young. Our nation is young. Our democracy is young. But, with each free and fair democratic election that we conclude successfully, our democracy matures and grows deeper roots. Equally, our Republic and our national unity develop deeper and solid foundations. The beginning of our election period has been good. Consistent with the democratic traditions of our Republic, I am equally confident that the end of our electoral cycle will be good and so equally are our democratic traditions in the Land of the Brave. 

I wish all Namibians peaceful and successful elections. 

Long Live the People of Namibia. 

Long live Democracy in Namibia. 

Long Live the Republic of Namibia.