Independence Day at the coast

POLITICIANS, ambassadors, soldiers and people from all walks of life gathered under a cloudy sky at Swakopmund yesterday to celebrate Namibia’s 17th birthday.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba was accompanied by guest of honour, Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa and his wife, Maureen. President Pohamba welcomed his Zambian counterpart, saying that his presence demonstrated the excellent relations between the two African states.”These ties are cemented in our common struggle against colonialism and apartheid for the total liberation of our continent.In the spirit of Pan-Africanism, the people of Zambia gave practical support to their Namibian brothers and sisters as well as to other liberation movements across Africa.”With Independence achieved, relations between Namibia and Zambia had entered a new phase with objectives of addressing common challenges and advancing peace, democracy, socio-economic development and prosperity, said the President.”As leaders, we have a duty to ensure that peace prevails in our countries for the benefit of our future generations.”Mwanawasa opened his keynote address by saying: “Seventeen years ago today, the indigenous people of Namibia reclaimed this immense and beautiful land from the illegal annexation by the white minority regime of South Africa.”The Swapo Party emerged victorious in a liberation war spanning more than two decades.Namibia was born, and Namibians were free at last.It is befitting that we pay glorious tribute to those Namibian women and men who paid the highest price of their lives to bring about sweet freedom to Namibia.” “However,” President Mwanawasa warned, “the people of Namibia cannot succeed if they have virtually no access to the basic factors of production.They cannot succeed if land remains alienated from them.There cannot be true freedom if the indigenous people cannot own the land they fought for.Freedom without land can be likened to a tree without roots.”President Mwanawasa said he admired the political, social and economic development Namibia had achieved during the past 17 years.These accomplishments could not have been realised if not for the peace and stability within the country’s borders, excellent relations with neighbouring states and favourable rapport with the international community, according to the Zambian president.He predicted that the further development of Namibia would positively impact on both the SADC region and the whole of Africa.”Namibia’s economic achievements are likely to have a ripple effect in the sub-region and the African continent.My government and the people of Zambia are disposed to closely collaborate with Namibia.”President Pohamba welcomed his Zambian counterpart, saying that his presence demonstrated the excellent relations between the two African states.”These ties are cemented in our common struggle against colonialism and apartheid for the total liberation of our continent.In the spirit of Pan-Africanism, the people of Zambia gave practical support to their Namibian brothers and sisters as well as to other liberation movements across Africa.”With Independence achieved, relations between Namibia and Zambia had entered a new phase with objectives of addressing common challenges and advancing peace, democracy, socio-economic development and prosperity, said the President.”As leaders, we have a duty to ensure that peace prevails in our countries for the benefit of our future generations.”Mwanawasa opened his keynote address by saying: “Seventeen years ago today, the indigenous people of Namibia reclaimed this immense and beautiful land from the illegal annexation by the white minority regime of South Africa.”The Swapo Party emerged victorious in a liberation war spanning more than two decades.Namibia was born, and Namibians were free at last.It is befitting that we pay glorious tribute to those Namibian women and men who paid the highest price of their lives to bring about sweet freedom to Namibia.” “However,” President Mwanawasa warned, “the people of Namibia cannot succeed if they have virtually no access to the basic factors of production.They cannot succeed if land remains alienated from them.There cannot be true freedom if the indigenous people cannot own the land they fought for.Freedom without land can be likened to a tree without roots.”President Mwanawasa said he admired the political, social and economic development Namibia had achieved during the past 17 years.These accomplishments could not have been realised if not for the peace and stability within the country’s borders, excellent relations with neighbouring states and favourable rapport with the international community, according to the Zambian president.He predicted that the further development of Namibia would positively impact on both the SADC region and the whole of Africa.”Namibia’s economic achievements are likely to have a ripple effect in the sub-region and the African continent.My government and the people of Zambia are disposed to closely collaborate with Namibia.”