By William J. Mbangula
Helao Nafidi
Prime Minister Nahas Angula has warned the nation against what he termed the third force that is causing confusion among Namibians by trying to divide and weaken the Swapo leadership.
Speaking at Helao Nafidi in the Ohangwena Region at the 17th independence anniversary celebrations here on Wednesday, the Prime Minister told his audience that the defeated forces of the former colonial power and their supporters are still among the people trying to reverse the achievements of freedom.
Some of them, he noted, are writing letters under pseudonyms such as Jonathan Cobra and Annanias Nghifitikeko aimed at creating mistrust among the leaders of the ruling party.
He said: “The goals and objectives of the third force, some of them writing such dangerous letters, is to divide the nation with a clear purpose to advance their agenda. It is therefore of critical importance that Swapo leaders return to their old values of sacrifice and selflessness which sustained the liberation struggle. Our freedom and national independence are built on sacrifices.”
According to the Prime Minister, Namibia is a country of diversities in terms of culture, status, class and gender, some of which can be exploited by the divisive forces currently trying to create disunity in society.
He noted that the present challenges facing the leaders of the country include finding ways of managing such diversities in order to build a just society. Such social justice should aim to find ways on how each and every Namibian can share in the wealth of the country.
The Premier further cautioned that leaders should avoid the danger of sidelining and ignoring others but follow the ideals of sharing and listening to different views. Other challenges which need urgent attention are the HIV pandemic and poverty.
Noted the Premier: “We must guard against becoming victims of the forces of division and disunity. If we allow division to set in, we will betray all those brave sons and daughters of this country whose blood waters our freedom through their personal sacrifices. We must have principles of tolerance. The spirit of give and take should be the cornerstone of our operational methods and activities in order to achieve our goals and objectives as set out in Vision 2030.”
In his view, a hero or heroine is someone who has made supreme sacrifice, among them Tobias Hainyeko, Jason Ndadi, Peter Nanyemba, Homateni Kalwenya, Greenwell Matongo, Helao Nafidi and many others.
He also lauded those who were still alive and present at Ohangwena’s independence celebrations but who’ve made significant contributions such as former Police Commissioner Elisa Haulyondjaba, Hadino Hishongwa, Swapo Central Committee member, Shapwa Kaukungwa, former ambassador and the only woman who was at the battlefront before 1975, Kuku Auguste Mukwahepo.
The Premier also paid tribute to past and current leaders of Swapo and the government such as Founding President Dr Sam Nujoma and President Hifikepunye Pohamba for having managed successfully the transition of power in a peaceful and democratic manner.
He paid homage to the international community, more specifically to the Angolan government whom he praised for having stood firm under constant destruction of their property and loss of lives by the then colonial forces.
This happened during the struggle that culminated in the final defeat of the enemy during the decisive battle at Cuito Cuanavale.
The occasion was also attended by Angolan government officials.