Troubled Nandi-Ndaitwah urges unity and tolerance
‘We are all one’
The president yesterday urged Namibians to set aside their grievances against each other and to instead lift each other up to ensure a prosperous future for all.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has issued a stark warning that Namibia risks embarking on “a crusade for self-destruction” if its people continue fighting among themselves instead of uniting to build the country together.
Speaking during the 35th commemoration of Heroes Day in Katima Mulilo, Zambezi region, yesterday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said she is deeply concerned about the divisions visible across nearly all sectors of society – within families and traditional authorities to religious institutions and political organisations.
“As a nation we are on a crusade for self-destruction if we do not change,” she said. “We are failing to lift each other up and push forward together for the common good for all in society."
The president admitted: "It troubles me deeply that we are too much at each other’s throats in all institutions of our society, be it in families, traditional authorities, religious institutions or politics."
“We are all one," she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Namibians to resolve their differences with respect, tolerance and sensitivity, warning that violence can never provide lasting solutions.
She reminded the nation that the liberty, peace and justice it enjoys today were won at great cost through blood, pain and sacrifice during the liberation struggle.
“War is the worst situation to live in,” she cautioned. “It mostly negatively affects innocent victims in society, particularly women and children. As a nation, we must preserve our peace at all costs.”
Pointing to the suffering inflicted by current conflicts around the world, she urged Namibians to jealously guard the peace the country has maintained since independence.
Collective commitment
Turning to the economy, Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed that while Namibia’s political freedom was secured on 21 March 1990, the struggle for economic emancipation is far from over.
She highlighted challenges of poverty, unemployment, hunger, gender-based violence and drug and alcohol abuse, as well as corruption, saying they threaten to undermine the gains of independence.
“The struggle to uplift the living conditions of all our people requires our collective commitment,” she said.
“We must fight the evils of abuse of power, corruption and mismanagement of public resources. With the natural resources at our disposal, we must make a commitment to ensure that every Namibian is living a decent life.”
Corruption is betrayal
Reiterating her strong stance against corruption, the president vowed that government will always be on the side of those who expose and fight corruption in all its forms.
“I have said it before and will say it again – corruption is the betrayal of trust, as it takes away resources meant for the people. Corruption must therefore be treated as treason,” she emphasised.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged both the public and private sectors to adopt quality service delivery and accountability at all levels, including within families, which she described as the fundamental unit of society.
Her remarks also touched on the importance of unity among traditional leaders.
She praised the four traditional authorities in the Zambezi region for setting an example of leadership by attending each other’s events.
“If our leaders are united, why not us, their subjects?” she asked, encouraging citizens to follow such positive examples of cooperation and solidarity.
She underscored the importance of celebrating not only past heroes of the liberation struggle but recognising new heroes and heroines in science, innovation, education and other fields of national development.
Everyday heroes
Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed that heroism is not confined to the battlefield but is equally reflected in everyday contributions to the country’s development.
The president used the occasion to announce that Namibia is mourning the recent passing of Lieutenant General Solomon Dumeni Hawala, describing him as a liberation stalwart who will be laid to rest on 6 September as a national hero.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Namibia, I send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and comrades. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” she said.
Concluding her address, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged Namibians to renew their commitment to the vision of those who fought for the country’s freedom.
“Together, we must nurture the dreams of those who fought for our freedom, ensuring that liberty, justice and independence endure for future generations as their blood waters our freedom. No doubt, unity is the key to success,” she said.
“As we mark Heroes Day, let us renew our commitment to building a Namibia that reflects their dreams of inclusivity, equity and prosperity for all," the president said.
Speaking during the 35th commemoration of Heroes Day in Katima Mulilo, Zambezi region, yesterday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said she is deeply concerned about the divisions visible across nearly all sectors of society – within families and traditional authorities to religious institutions and political organisations.
“As a nation we are on a crusade for self-destruction if we do not change,” she said. “We are failing to lift each other up and push forward together for the common good for all in society."
The president admitted: "It troubles me deeply that we are too much at each other’s throats in all institutions of our society, be it in families, traditional authorities, religious institutions or politics."
“We are all one," she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Namibians to resolve their differences with respect, tolerance and sensitivity, warning that violence can never provide lasting solutions.
She reminded the nation that the liberty, peace and justice it enjoys today were won at great cost through blood, pain and sacrifice during the liberation struggle.
“War is the worst situation to live in,” she cautioned. “It mostly negatively affects innocent victims in society, particularly women and children. As a nation, we must preserve our peace at all costs.”
Pointing to the suffering inflicted by current conflicts around the world, she urged Namibians to jealously guard the peace the country has maintained since independence.
Collective commitment
Turning to the economy, Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed that while Namibia’s political freedom was secured on 21 March 1990, the struggle for economic emancipation is far from over.
She highlighted challenges of poverty, unemployment, hunger, gender-based violence and drug and alcohol abuse, as well as corruption, saying they threaten to undermine the gains of independence.
“The struggle to uplift the living conditions of all our people requires our collective commitment,” she said.
“We must fight the evils of abuse of power, corruption and mismanagement of public resources. With the natural resources at our disposal, we must make a commitment to ensure that every Namibian is living a decent life.”
Corruption is betrayal
Reiterating her strong stance against corruption, the president vowed that government will always be on the side of those who expose and fight corruption in all its forms.
“I have said it before and will say it again – corruption is the betrayal of trust, as it takes away resources meant for the people. Corruption must therefore be treated as treason,” she emphasised.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged both the public and private sectors to adopt quality service delivery and accountability at all levels, including within families, which she described as the fundamental unit of society.
Her remarks also touched on the importance of unity among traditional leaders.
She praised the four traditional authorities in the Zambezi region for setting an example of leadership by attending each other’s events.
“If our leaders are united, why not us, their subjects?” she asked, encouraging citizens to follow such positive examples of cooperation and solidarity.
She underscored the importance of celebrating not only past heroes of the liberation struggle but recognising new heroes and heroines in science, innovation, education and other fields of national development.
Everyday heroes
Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed that heroism is not confined to the battlefield but is equally reflected in everyday contributions to the country’s development.
The president used the occasion to announce that Namibia is mourning the recent passing of Lieutenant General Solomon Dumeni Hawala, describing him as a liberation stalwart who will be laid to rest on 6 September as a national hero.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Namibia, I send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and comrades. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” she said.
Concluding her address, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged Namibians to renew their commitment to the vision of those who fought for the country’s freedom.
“Together, we must nurture the dreams of those who fought for our freedom, ensuring that liberty, justice and independence endure for future generations as their blood waters our freedom. No doubt, unity is the key to success,” she said.
“As we mark Heroes Day, let us renew our commitment to building a Namibia that reflects their dreams of inclusivity, equity and prosperity for all," the president said.
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