Keetmanshoop
Grade 7 learners from various schools at Keetmanshoop joined the rest of the country in celebrating the Day of the Namibian Child in style at the WK Rover Hall in Tseiblaagte.
The hall was packed with learners from various primary schools, dressed in traditional attire. The visibly happy and excited children enjoyed their day dancing, singing drama, watching performances and listening to speeches by fellow learners and other motivational speakers.
Speaking to some learners about what is means to be a Namibian child, “proud” was the most used word of the day, as they tried to articulate what it means to grow up in Namibia, with some saying they are very lucky to be born in the Land of the Brave.
Thirteen-year-old Akina Denk from the Keetmanshoop Primary School expressed joy at being a Namibian child, saying she would not trade her place with any child from other parts of the world, because children in Namibia haveaccess to many things that others don’t.
“I’m very privileged to be a Namibian child, because we have so many things that others don’t have at all,” she said.
Her fellow learner, 14-year-old Caroline Coleman, also expressed joy at being a Namibian child, saying she is lucky to have people around her that guide and take care of her. “I feel good and I feel safe, as I have parents and I have friends that I can play with freely,” she said.
Also gracing the event celebrated on Wednesday, was Deputy Minister of Veteran Affairs and Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency Councillor Hilma Nikanor, who delivered a speech on behalf of Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Doreen Sioka.
Nikanor warned the learners of social evils and urged them to refrain from alcohol and drug abuse, while emphasising that the young learners should avoid getting pregnant at an early age and should rather focus on their schoolwork.
“Gone should be the days that we talk of teenage pregnancies. Make a resolution today to give more to Namibia,” she advised.
The day was celebrated under the theme ‘Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting All Children’s Rights in Namibia’.