Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has called for the preservation and documenting of Namibia’s liberation history for it to remain accessible for future generations.
Steenkamp made the call in Windhoek on Tuesday during the handover of about 400 coffee table books documenting the life of Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, to schools and public libraries across the country.
The books were donated by New Era Publication Corporation Board chairperson John Sifani and Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping.
The donation coincided with Nujoma’s birthday on 12 May, which is commemorated as Nujoma Day and National Tree Planting Day.
“There are too many untold stories still of those who laid down their lives for our liberation,” Steenkamp said.
She said libraries remain an important source of information for children, youth, researchers and members of the public.
“Our libraries will remain the primary source, and sometimes, sadly, the only source of information for our people,” she said.
Speaking at the event, chairperson of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, Nahas Angula, urged librarians to encourage learners to read the book.
“As this book moves to schools, I hope that it will not go there and collect dust. Social media is competing, and those kids might not even look at it. Tell them to look at it. It is in their own interest,” he said.
On his part, Sifani expressed optimism that the books would be used in schools and displayed in libraries across the country.
Ambassador Weiping said the donation would help ensure that young Namibians have access to the country’s history and its liberation heroes.
The book was officially launched in Windhoek in June 2025 by former president Nangolo Mbumba.
NAMPA
Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has called for the preservation and documenting of Namibia’s liberation history for it to remain accessible for future generations.
Steenkamp made the call in Windhoek on Tuesday during the handover of about 400 coffee table books documenting the life of Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, to schools and public libraries across the country.
The books were donated by New Era Publication Corporation Board chairperson John Sifani and Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping.
The donation coincided with Nujoma’s birthday on 12 May, which is commemorated as Nujoma Day and National Tree Planting Day.
“There are too many untold stories still of those who laid down their lives for our liberation,” Steenkamp said.
She said libraries remain an important source of information for children, youth, researchers and members of the public.
“Our libraries will remain the primary source, and sometimes, sadly, the only source of information for our people,” she said.
Speaking at the event, chairperson of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, Nahas Angula, urged librarians to encourage learners to read the book.
“As this book moves to schools, I hope that it will not go there and collect dust. Social media is competing, and those kids might not even look at it. Tell them to look at it. It is in their own interest,” he said.
On his part, Sifani expressed optimism that the books would be used in schools and displayed in libraries across the country.
Ambassador Weiping said the donation would help ensure that young Namibians have access to the country’s history and its liberation heroes.
The book was officially launched in Windhoek in June 2025 by former president Nangolo Mbumba.
NAMPA
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