Namibia @36: speaker of the national assembly joins independence celebrations in nkurenkuru
- Andreas Sheya
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, joined the residents of Nkurenkuru in commemorating Namibia’s 36th Independence Anniversary—an occasion marked by reflection, unity, and renewed national commitment to pursuing the ideals of people-centred development and ensuring that every citizen enjoys the fruits of the independence of our country.
The Speaker attended the celebrations at the invitation of the Kavango West Regional Governor, Honourable Verna Sinimbo, who served as host and introduced her as the keynote speaker. The event brought together current and former Members of Parliament, government officials, traditional leaders, and community members to reflect on Namibia’s journey since attaining independence on 21 March 1990, after a protracted struggle for self-determination.
Honourable Verna Sinimbo underscored the bravery and courage of Namibians, particularly the people of Kavango, for their steadfastness and unwavering resistance against oppression. She highlighted how the geographical setup of the region was deliberately exploited by colonial powers as a tool to divide and control local communities. She paid tribute to the fearless leadership of Hompa Kandjimi Hauwanga, who resolutely resisted colonial domination until his eventual abduction and subsequent killing by the oppressors. She further acknowledged other trailblazers, including Hompa Sitentu Mpasi, and the many gallant sons and daughters of the soil whose courage and sacrifices in support of the liberation struggle will forever be remembered.
Reflecting on Namibia’s journey, Honourable Sinimbo emphasized the importance of balancing remembrance with the celebration of progress. “From the ashes of colonial oppression, Namibia has emerged as a peaceful and stable democracy, governed by the rule of law and constitutional order, and committed to unity, reconciliation, and inclusivity. Our country stands today as a beacon of peace and stability on the continent, a success story built on resilience, discipline, and visionary leadership,” she stated.
In her introductory remarks, Honourable Sinimbo highlighted the Speaker’s distinguished leadership and pioneering role in Namibia’s governance landscape. She described her as a trailblazer in advancing gender equality and women’s representation, noting her historic leadership positions, including serving as Namibia’s first female Prime Minister and now as Speaker of the National Assembly.
Delivering her keynote address, Honourable Dr. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila reflected on the deep historical significance of Independence Day, emphasizing that Namibia’s freedom was achieved through immense sacrifice by liberation heroes and heroines. She called on Namibians to honour this legacy through continued dedication to nation-building, unity, and inclusive development. She further implored young people to take an interest in learning the history of their country and how the independence they celebrate came about. She emphasized that, “A person who does not know where they come from cannot know where they are going.”
The Speaker also paid tribute to the country’s founding leadership, including the late Sam Nujoma and former President Hage Geingob, acknowledging their enduring contributions to Namibia’s democracy and stability. While celebrating progress made over the past 36 years, she stressed that political independence must be accompanied by economic empowerment and social justice. She underscored the importance of accelerating socio-economic transformation, reducing inequality, and improving the quality of life for all Namibians, particularly in rural regions. “The next 36 years must be about inclusive prosperity. It must be about ensuring that the child born today in a village in Kavango West has the same chance in life as the child born in Windhoek West.”
The Speaker further highlighted key development priorities, including youth empowerment, agricultural transformation, infrastructure development, and support for small and medium enterprises. She pointed to ongoing initiatives in Kavango West, such as green schemes, improved water access, and expanding digital connectivity, while acknowledging that more work remains to be done. In line with the national development agenda, the Speaker encouraged citizens to actively contribute toward achieving the goals of Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), stressing that development is a shared responsibility among government, the private sector, and communities.
Addressing social challenges, she called for stronger action against gender-based violence and emphasized the need to protect the rights and dignity of women and children. She urged all sectors of society to work collectively in building a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous nation.
Concluding her statement, the Speaker delivered a powerful message, underscoring that the challenges of the Kavango region and Namibia as a whole are central to the business of the legislature:
“As your Speaker, I ensure that your elected representatives in Parliament have the space to speak on your behalf.
To the women: You are the backbone. You raise the children, you till the land, you keep the home. We see you. We will continue to pass and implement laws that protect you from gender-based violence and give you access to land, credit, and all other opportunities available to other citizens.
To the traditional leaders: You are the custodians of our customs and traditions. Work with the government to ensure land is allocated fairly, that our communities and investors respect our customs, and that our communities remain cohesive.
To our veterans: We owe you a debt we can never fully repay. We must ensure that those who fought for this freedom live out their days in dignity.
As we develop, we must safeguard our safety and security. There is no investment without security. There is no tourism without safety. I call on the community to work with the Namibian Police. Report crime. Let us look out for each other in our neighbourhoods.
Let us resolve disputes through our traditional courts where possible, and through the formal justice system where necessary. A peaceful country is a prosperous country.”
As Namibia marks 36 years of independence, the message from Nkurenkuru was clear and echoed in unison with chants nationwide: the journey toward prosperity and equality continues. The need for sustained progress depends on unity, resilience, and a collective commitment to building a nation where no one is left behind, empowering every citizen to play an active role in building the Namibia We Want!
