Heroes’ Day marked at Opuwo

OPUWO – President Hifikepunye Pohamba has urged Namibians to make sure that that the gains of Independence are not reversed and that the country will never again be a colony.

“We must never forget that during the long and bitter liberation struggle, many sons and daughters of Namibia sacrificed their lives and shed their precious blood in order to bring about Namibia’s freedom, national independence and better future for all our people,” the Head of Stated said at the Heroes’ Day commemoration at Opuwo on Friday. Every year since Independence in 1990, Namibia celebrates Heroes’ Day on 26 August to commemorate the start of the armed struggle in 1966 and the sacrifices made in the quest for independence.”We owe it to the martyrs of our revolution to remain united and with commitment and fortitude, create a strong, united and democratic society for which they have paid with their lives,” Pohamba said.He said Namibians have a historic and national responsibility to ensure that the country should forever remain sovereign and independent.”Namibia shall never be a colony again.We have regained our nationhood and dignity.”The President re-emphasised that since 1990, the Government has embarked on the second phase of the struggle – the struggle for economic independence to eradicate poverty, disease and ignorance and to ensure the social and economic development of all the people.This struggle, he said, requires total commitment and dedication by all people to the cause of nation building.”I am conscious that the peace and stability we enjoy today will have to be accompanied by sustainable economic growth and social development,” he said.He added that the existing disparities in socio-economic development caused by unemployment and poverty should be addressed effectively by growing the national economy in order to accelerate the social and economic development for the benefit of all the people.”It is our collective responsibility, as a people soaked in the sweat and blood of our heroes and heroines, to lay a strong social and economic foundation on which future generations will build a prosperous, stable and peaceful society,” the President said.The commemoration was also attended by founding president Sam Nujoma, Cabinet ministers, diplomats and political party representatives.- NampaEvery year since Independence in 1990, Namibia celebrates Heroes’ Day on 26 August to commemorate the start of the armed struggle in 1966 and the sacrifices made in the quest for independence.”We owe it to the martyrs of our revolution to remain united and with commitment and fortitude, create a strong, united and democratic society for which they have paid with their lives,” Pohamba said.He said Namibians have a historic and national responsibility to ensure that the country should forever remain sovereign and independent.”Namibia shall never be a colony again.We have regained our nationhood and dignity.”The President re-emphasised that since 1990, the Government has embarked on the second phase of the struggle – the struggle for economic independence to eradicate poverty, disease and ignorance and to ensure the social and economic development of all the people.This struggle, he said, requires total commitment and dedication by all people to the cause of nation building.”I am conscious that the peace and stability we enjoy today will have to be accompanied by sustainable economic growth and social development,” he said.He added that the existing disparities in socio-economic development caused by unemployment and poverty should be addressed effectively by growing the national economy in order to accelerate the social and economic development for the benefit of all the people.”It is our collective responsibility, as a people soaked in the sweat and blood of our heroes and heroines, to lay a strong social and economic foundation on which future generations will build a prosperous, stable and peaceful society,” the President said.The commemoration was also attended by founding president Sam Nujoma, Cabinet ministers, diplomats and political party representatives.- Nampa