Pohamba does naval hat-trick

NAMIBIA’S naval base, naval jetty and new naval vessel were officially inaugurated by President Hifikepunye Pohamba in Walvis Bay last Friday.

The base was completed in 2004.The base will now be known as Naval Base PN. Sacharia, named after the late Captain Phestus N. Sacharia, Namibia’s first Maritime Wing Commander, who died in 2002.A bust of Sacharia was unveiled at the naval base as part of a naval memorial for naval officers and sailors who died while serving the Namibian Navy.Sacharia was instrumental in the establishment of the Namibian Defence Force’s maritime wing – of which he later became the commander. He was also key to the setting up of the maritime wing headquarters and the Walvis Bay naval base.As part of the official opening of the base, Pohamba, Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma, Defence Minister Charles Namoloh, and Sacharia’s widow, Elina Naanda Amukoto, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of Sacharia and other navy officers and sailors who have died in the service.Following the opening of the base, Pohamba also opened the new naval jetty that was completed last month. The ocean floor had to be lowered by seven metres to allow unrestricted access by large naval vessels. Further developments foreseen for the jetty include the construction of fuel and water reservoirs, a filling station, a booster pump station and a jetty service station. Once these are completed, the jetty will be fully operational.To complete the naval hat-trick, Pohamba – also the Commander-in-Chief of the Namibian Defence Force – officially commissioned Namibia’s new multi-purpose naval vessel, the Elephant.Pohamba said, Namibia needs the capacity to protect its exclusive economic zone, but also to respond to unforeseen events in its territorial waters.Besides the Elephant, Namibia has another naval vessel, the Brendan Simbwaye, and two harbour patrol boats, namely the Möwe Bay and Terrace Bay.’Together, these ships and the men and women who sail in them constitute the frontline in the protection of our nation’s maritime interests, which form part of our sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ the president said. The Elephant can be used for the transportation of cargo and troops, offshore patrols, search-and-rescue missions, research and training of sailors.’All these ceremonies represent an important milestone in the development of our maritime defence capabilities, while the acquisition of these strategic assets is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening our national institutions,’ Pohamba said.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.