President Hage Geingob
Today, I am a very proud Namibian. Over the past long weekend, I saw a nation of optimistic and brave people. Namibians from all walks of life were able to hold hands and demonstrated their ingenuity through acts of patriotism by successfully holding the Heroes’ Day commemoration and the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair.
As we progressively return to normal activity after almost three difficult years of the invisible enemy of Covid-19, these two events executed timeously and brilliantly, brought us closer to one another as Namibians and as a winning nation.
On Friday, 26 August 2022, citizens of our country gathered in the historic city of Mariental in the Hardap region to commemorate Heroes’ Day, an occasion on which we honoured our martyrs who valiantly fought for the peace, stability and democracy we enjoy today. Therefore, I wish to thank the organisers of this important national event for executing a beautiful ceremony that lived up to our expectations and served as a fitting tribute to the heroes and heroines of the Namibian struggle for independence. I am aware that the organising team did so under difficult circumstances and they deserve special praise for their courage and tenacity. I also wish to thank the residents of the Hardap region who turned out in big numbers and for valuing the inclusive commemoration, in the knowledge that Heroes’ Day has always been and shall always be about the unity of the Namibian people and the sacrifices made by heroes and heroines of the Namibian struggle for freedom. I wish to thank the Namibian Defence Force for the impressive military parade and for providing valuable services before and during the event.
The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair in the Oshana region has become a significant event on our national calendar.
The disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic since 2020 have denied our small and medium businesses from showcasing their products at the trade fair. Therefore, I welcome the full return of the trade fair, with the 20th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, which was held on 28 August 2022, attracting exhibitors from different parts of our country and the African continent. The excellent opening ceremony filled me with happiness, with all aspects of the event timeously executed and statements that were to the point, including the keynote remarks delivered by the Vice President, comrade Nangolo Mbumba on my behalf.
On a lighter note, I must say that the choir during the opening ceremony of the fair performed well. However, the base was missing and I am confident that I could have added value there.
I wish to express my gratitude to the media, and in particular, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation for the inclusive live broadcasts during the Heroes’ Day commemoration and the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair.
Moreover, I wish to thank NBC for an inclusive Gospel Sunday programme following the opening ceremony of the
fair.
Finally, I sincerely thank our intelligence services, our men and women in uniform, specifically the Namibian Police under the leadership of lieutenant general Sebastian Ndeitunga for ensuring safety, law and order during the events and the long weekend in general.
To those of you who are still returning from the long weekend, drive safely.
Fellow citizens, I wish to thank you.
Indeed, I am a proud Namibian.