President Hage Geingob has sent a message of congratulations to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa on the occasion of that country’s Freedom Day celebrations, marked annually on 27 April.
“We witnessed an epoch-making moment in which the people of South Africa ushered in a new era of multiracial/multiparty democracy, crowning South Africa’s hard-fought for liberty,” Geingob said in the letter to Ramaphosa on Tuesday.
The day marks 28 years since the dawn of a new day in South Africa. Freedom Day, as it’s popularly known, commemorates the first democratic elections in the country.
It also signalled the fall of the apartheid government and gave rise to the election of the country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.
Several political parties yesterday marked the day with their supporters as they reflect on South Africa’s journey beyond liberation. Ramaphosa led the national celebration of South Africa’s 28 years of freedom in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
Ramaphosa said “forty-eight years ago, one of Mpumalanga’s most famous sons, Hugh Masekela, first released his famous song about the pain of black men and women in this land of Africa.
“He sang of the coal train that comes from Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland and all the hinterlands of southern and central Africa. He sang of the men conscripted to dig, deep in the belly of the earth for almost no pay, far from their families and the loved ones they may never see again. The lyrics of ‘Stimela’ were about the lives of all the labourers on whose backs this country was built. They resound deeply today. We are confronting a new menace, of violence against our brothers and sisters from other African countries.
We have seen it in many parts of the country in recent weeks, and it is deeply troubling”.
Ramaphosa said his country must work urgently to resolve issues of illegal immigration and its impact on the economy and society, “but there will never be any justification for violence.”
Geingob reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment towards maintaining, solidifying and advancing the excellent relations between the two countries, dating back to the long bitter years of struggle against apartheid.
“The long-lasting friendship, solidarity and common heritage shared between our peoples and countries continue to grow from strength in all spheres. Indeed, I have no doubt that we will continue to consolidate and further strengthen our bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of our people,” he observed.
Geingob said while Freedom Day brings with it fond memories, Namibians remain cognisant of the destruction caused by the devastating floods that have ravaged the KwaZulu-Natal province over the past few weeks.
“We, therefore, extent our sincere condolences to the families of our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives, and pray that the outpouring of grief and messages of solidarity will bring some semblance of solace to the South African people,” he added.