President Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah has urged Namibians to fiercely protect the freedom and peace that they enjoy today.
She made these remarks on Southern Africa Liberation Day, commemorated on Sunday.
Speaking to Namibians and the broader SADC community, Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to the sacrifices that paved the way for today’s liberties.
“As Namibians, we should jealously guard our freedom and the peace we enjoy. Our freedom and peace are a result of the sacrifices and the lives of those who paved the way for us,” she said.
She also paid tribute to the courage of liberation forces – FAPLA, the Cuban internationalist forces, PLAN, ZANU-PF, the ANC, FRELIMO and others – who fought against oppression to secure independence for Southern Africa.
She called for regional unity, emphasising that Namibia remains committed to working alongside its SADC partners for shared prosperity. “As a united region, let us forge ahead with renewed determination and commitment,” she urged, reinforcing that the struggle did not end with independence but continues through economic growth, regional integration and development.
The chairperson of SADC, Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa, echoed Nandi-Ndaitwah’s sentiments.
“I urge you all, as independent peoples of SADC, to remain vigilant and be alert to the emerging challenges that threaten our hard-won independence and the general
stability of our region,” the chairperson stated.
He called for solidarity against illegal sanctions, and any actions that undermine the sovereignty of member states.
A key concern raised by Mnangagwa was the ongoing struggle of the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara, who are still fighting for self-determination.
“Africa will not be free until the Western Sahara is liberated, free and independent,” he declared, reinforcing SADC’s commitment to justice beyond its borders.
His speech also turned to the crisis in Eastern DRC. “The time to silence the guns, de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue to secure lasting peace in the DRC is now,” the chairperson added.
Another major challenge addressed was climate change, which has caused severe droughts and floods, threatening food security across the region.
“None but us, the SADC citizens, will build and transform our region,” the Zimbabwean leader stated.