Pohamba praises churches for past and present role

By: OSWALD SHIVUTE at ODIBO

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba has commended the churches, especially those who are members of the Council of Churches in Namibia, for the crucial role they played in the struggle for Namibia's freedom.

Addressing a large crowd in St Mary's Anglican Church at Odibo last

Sunday, he praised the churches for continuing to be an important

spiritual and social partner in the process of social and economic

development to improve the living standards of the Namibian people.

Pohamba said the Anglican Church in Namibia was one of the first

local churches to rally behind and actively support the cause of

Namibian Independence.

 

The President singled out the names of Anglican priests such as

Reverend Michael Scott, Reverend Theofelus Hamutumbangela, Bishop

Collin Winter and Reverend Phillip Shilongo for their contribution

to Namibia's Independence struggle.

 

He called on community leaders to revive the practice of Sunday

school, so that young people could get moral education and become

involved in community-based development projects.

 

Pohamba said there was a need for communities to become actively

involved in the fight against HIV-AIDS, which is robbing Namibia of

productive citizens.

 

He also appealed to the youth to become active participants in

the fight against crime and lawlessness, saying they should follow

the good example set by the Youth Against Crime organisations in

some towns.

 

The President called upon regional and local government

officials to work hard for the people who elected them.

 

He said if officials did not carry out their duties, people

should report this to him and he would take action through the

Swapo structures.

 

Pohamba said the Anglican Church in Namibia was one of the first

local churches to rally behind and actively support the cause of

Namibian Independence.The President singled out the names of

Anglican priests such as Reverend Michael Scott, Reverend Theofelus

Hamutumbangela, Bishop Collin Winter and Reverend Phillip Shilongo

for their contribution to Namibia's Independence struggle.He called

on community leaders to revive the practice of Sunday school, so

that young people could get moral education and become involved in

community-based development projects.Pohamba said there was a need

for communities to become actively involved in the fight against

HIV-AIDS, which is robbing Namibia of productive citizens.He also

appealed to the youth to become active participants in the fight

against crime and lawlessness, saying they should follow the good

example set by the Youth Against Crime organisations in some

towns.The President called upon regional and local government

officials to work hard for the people who elected them.He said if

officials did not carry out their duties, people should report this

to him and he would take action through the Swapo structures.

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