WALVIS BAY – President Hage Geingob has questioned some Namibians who feel that the apartheid South African government was better than post-independent Namibia, despite the fact that Namibia progressed so far.

Geingob was speaking at the 32nd Independence Day celebration that took place yesterday at the Vineta sports stadium where he addressed a handful of invited Namibians and foreign dignitaries in a short programme, due to the Covid-19 regulations. “It’s 32 years ago that the flag of an apartheid South Africa was lowered for the very last time, never to be flown again over our liberated land. 

The world witnessed the birth of a nation as labour pains. The long and bitter struggle for independence and the sacrifices paid in blood – were replaced by the ululation of people freed from the shackles of colonial oppression, racism, and war. Indeed, today we celebrate democracy, peace, stability and unity. It is the unity that drove this nation’s gallant sons and daughters to bravely fight for our freedom,” a proud Geingob told the gathering. The President, who also paid homage to the Founding President Sam Nujoma during the occasion, said over the past 32 years, Namibia has transitioned from a poorly governed occupied territory to a stable and peaceful country.

Geingob said government’s primary focus has been to improve the welfare of all Namibians by developing processes and systems to strengthen governance architecture.

According to Geingob, government maintains approximately one million Namibians annually through the expenditure of N$7 billion on social safety nets.

“These one million Namibians have borne the brunt of past exclusionary socio-economic practices of a system designed to limit the upward mobility of black Namibians. As a caring government, social safety nets are not just nice to have; they are a post-colonial must,” he said.

Geingob told the guests it is, therefore, understandable that Namibians want more because they have seen how far the country has come and rightfully believe that this nation can go further.

“However, what is not understandable is the unreasonable assertion by some that the days of racist apartheid South West Africa were better than those of post independent Namibia. It is also incomprehensible and deplorable for some Namibians to claim that nothing has been achieved for the past 32 years and, therefore, Namibians have no reason to celebrate independence,” Geingob stressed.

He explained that such mindsets are not only unpatriotic but insulting to those who made immense sacrifices in the quest for freedom. The President stated that Independence Day is sacred and should be above personal feelings and politics of the day.

The President said it is the unity that kept Namibia together, adding that Namibians can pride themselves on the fact that we are united in diversity. 

Also speaking at the same event, Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also said the future of Namibia is bright and that all Namibians should rally behind government to develop the country.

“We must be guided that we have access to basic services, which is what we should explore to achieve economic independence. We must have a deep sense of nationalism and pride,” Nandi-Ndaitwah appealed.

Come through

Meanwhile, several Namibians at the coast expressed their joy and thanked government for allowing them to be part of the independence celebration.

Initially, the celebration was by invite only and Namibians were urged to follow the proceedings on the national broadcaster.

However, this message failed to reach the masses and saw some residents flocking to the gates of the stadium to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.

However, officials allowed the crowd mainly consisting of children to join the commemoration with the invited guests.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, on behalf of government, apologised to the crowd, saying it was unfortunate that government could not celebrate an all-inclusive independence commemoration for the past three years due to Covid-19. “However, you are part of the celebrations and should not feel left out, Ndaitwah said shortly before the residents were allowed to join the celebration.

This year’s commemoration consisted of very few activities, speakers and entertainment due to the Covid-19 regulations.