Zebaldt Ngaruka 

The  Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Martin Kambulu Pinehas said the  Namibian Defence Force (NDF) acknowledges Zambia’s support during Namibia’s liberation struggle. 

Speaking during a recent visit to Zambia, Pinehas highlighted the strong bond between the two countries, adding that his visit is also aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the two countries’ defence forces.

Pinehas paid a courtesy call on Zambia Army commander, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Zyeele at the army headquarters in Lusaka.

He thanked the Zambia Air Force (ZAR) commander, Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni, for the continued assistance and collaboration that exists between the ZAR and Namibia Air Force. 

The NDF head visited several places in Zambia, and laid a wreath at the tombs of all the late presidents of Zambia at Embassy Park in Lusaka.

Pinehas said personnel from the Namibia Air Force have been trained with the Zambia Air Force, and vice versa. 

On his part, Zyeele expressed delight that the two defence forces have continued to share ideas and collaborate through different platforms, including through a Joint Permanent Commission. 

Zyeele commended the defence forces in the Southern African Development Community for their efforts during the successful ceasefire negotiations in the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Nyoni congratulated the people of Namibia for holding a successful election and consequently swearing in the new president in Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who first met her husband Retired General Denga Ndaitwah in Zambia at the height of Namibia’s war against liberation.

Pinehas’ tour to Zambia was necessitated by the invitation extended to him in 2024 during the Namibia-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Swakopmund. 

-zngaruka@yahoo.com