Permanent shrine for struggle heroes

PEOPLE from across Namibia and from neighbouring Angola gathered at Omugulugombashe in the North on Thursday to commemorate the day on which the first shots were fired in Namibia’s liberation struggle – on August 26 1966.

President Sam Nujoma, who was the main speaker, also presented liberation medals to some of those who had contributed to the struggle. They included Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab and the late Paulina Witbooi, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Hendrik Witbooi.”The journey to the Battle of Omugulugombashe took many years and thousands of miles, starting with the founding of Swapo on April 19 1960,” President Nujoma told the crowd.That battle against South African forces was commanded by John Otto Nankudhu.He praised the Omugulugombashe soldiers who are still alive like the King of Oukwanyama Kornelius Mwetupunga Shelungu, Simion Shixungileni, Wellem Shinima Nailenge , Phillemo Kakwalindishi Shitilifa, Justus Heita, Lot Nathanael Homateni, Gaus Shikomba, Joseph Hipangelwa, Lameck Iithete and Isack Shoome.The President also called on the gathering to pay tribute to two soldiers, Akapeke Hinjangelwa and Jason Okahenge, who died in the 1966 battle.Eight soldiers were captured by their South African adversaries in that encounter and many, many others in subsequent battles.In 1989, President Nujoma and South Africa’s then prime minister PW Botha signed a ceasefire leading to the implementation of the United Nations Resolution 435, the plan for Namibian Independence which came into effect in 1990, preceded by free and fair elections The President called on Namibians to unite and work together for a prosperous and stable society.He also unveiled a memorial shrine declaring the site a national monument in honour of the heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle.They included Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab and the late Paulina Witbooi, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Hendrik Witbooi.”The journey to the Battle of Omugulugombashe took many years and thousands of miles, starting with the founding of Swapo on April 19 1960,” President Nujoma told the crowd.That battle against South African forces was commanded by John Otto Nankudhu.He praised the Omugulugombashe soldiers who are still alive like the King of Oukwanyama Kornelius Mwetupunga Shelungu, Simion Shixungileni, Wellem Shinima Nailenge , Phillemo Kakwalindishi Shitilifa, Justus Heita, Lot Nathanael Homateni, Gaus Shikomba, Joseph Hipangelwa, Lameck Iithete and Isack Shoome.The President also called on the gathering to pay tribute to two soldiers, Akapeke Hinjangelwa and Jason Okahenge, who died in the 1966 battle.Eight soldiers were captured by their South African adversaries in that encounter and many, many others in subsequent battles.In 1989, President Nujoma and South Africa’s then prime minister PW Botha signed a ceasefire leading to the implementation of the United Nations Resolution 435, the plan for Namibian Independence which came into effect in 1990, preceded by free and fair elections The President called on Namibians to unite and work together for a prosperous and stable society.He also unveiled a memorial shrine declaring the site a national monument in honour of the heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle.