The ceremony was held at Heroes Acre in Windhoek as part of Namibia's Heroes Day commemoration, which, in the Khomas Region, was postponed from August 26 to allow Nujoma to return from his foreign travels.

Nujoma arrived at the multi-million dollar Heroes' Acre in an open Jeep accompanied by the Commander of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), Lieutenant General Solomon 'Jesus' Hawala.

Nujoma wore a dark brown and green uniform with no buttons to indicate rank.

As President he is commander-in-chief of the military.

An organiser of the event said nothing should be read into Nujoma's decision to appear in military uniform.

"It was just a ceremonial thing and should not be interpreted that we are turning into a military regime.

He is not a General," said the organiser.

It was the first time many people had seen Nujoma in uniform since Independence in 1990.

One of the organisers of the Heroes Day event remarked that Nujoma felt it was right to put on a uniform because he was part of Swapo's military wing that launched the armed struggle on August 26 1966.

Hundreds of civilians turned up for the celebrations.

Three NDF units - the airforce, the army and the navy - were on display.

Two fighter planes flew over the site, causing the crowd to go wild.

The gun salutes made some of those attending shriek with fear.

One man remarked that it reminded him of the days when northern Namibia was a war zone.

After delivering a speech on the importance of remembering history and laying wreaths in memory of those who died for the freedom of Namibia, Nujoma began to bestow the medals.

Two foreign nationals received awards.

Jorge Risquet Valdes Saldana from Cuba received the Order of the Eagle Second Class and Nigerian Margaret Oluwabunni Adeniji was awarded with the Order of Namibia Second Class, both for their roles in helping Namibian attain Independence.

After that people were selected from each region of Namibia to receive medals.

Deputy Minister of Labour Rosalia Nghidinwa got one of two top awards, Order of the Eagle Second Class, for treating Swapo soldiers and supplying medicine when she was a nursing sister in charge of the Nkurenkuru Lutheran hospital in Kavango.

Other awards were: one medal for the Order of the Eagle Third Class, one Order of Namibia 1st Class, five Order of Namibia 2nd Class, eight Omugulu-Gombashe Medal, 19 Order of Namibia 3rd Class, three Order of Namibia 4th Class, three Order of Namibia 5th Class and 26 Liberation Medals.

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