The president of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) Justin Tokely has described Namibia as a patriotic nation with a fascinating history. 

The SADC-PF delegation is in Windhoek for the forum’s executive meeting. 

Tokely was impressed by the Heroes’ Acre, the burial site for the country’s heroes and heroines. 

“Today’s visit has allowed us to know something about the history of Namibia. This also honours us because it has taught us that we are now aware that Namibia is an extremely patriotic country. It is a country that has an interesting history. 

It is also a country that is developing. It is a country in development – in frank development,” said Tokely, who is the Speaker of parliament of Madagascar. 

Accompanied by Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, he laid wreaths at the mausoleums of founding President Sam Nujoma and late president Hage Geingob. 

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, the host, said the delegation, which consists of eight parliamentary Speakers, requested to visit the national shrine. 

“We have an added honour that the delegates to the forum meeting decided to pay a visit to the resting place of our leaders. That assures us that, as fellow Africans, they recognise Namibia is not only a venue for their meeting, but a country of their brothers and sisters – a people with whom they share kinship and common history,” she said. 

“It is an honour for us that they actually thought about coming here to pay a visit. It was their idea. So, we are very honoured. We are inspired that we will collectively continue to be inspired by the work of heroes, some of whom are laid here, towards building a united, prosperous Africa through our parliaments,” she added. 

The executive committee, which is the management board of the SADC-PF, oversees policy implementation and any other issues related to the management of the forum. 

– Nampa