Namibia is indebted to Zambia – Geingob
Close bond 'rests on Pan-Africanism'
The president attended Zambia's 58th Independence Day celebrations, calling the nation his 'second home'.
President Hage Geingob yesterday wished Zambia a happy 58th independence, adding that Namibia will forever be indebted to it.
The head of state spoke during that country's official independence celebrations in Lusaka, and highlighted that it was Zambia that opened its doors for the opening of the United Nations Institute for Namibia, of which Geingob was the director.
"This was an institute that opened the doors to so many peerless administrators who have formed the core of our governance architecture for over three decades," he said.
He added that Zambia also became home to close to 5 000 Namibians at the Swapo-initiated Nyango Health and Education Centre outside Lusaka.
Nyango was one of the first settlements for Namibian refugees in the 1960s and housed mostly women and children.
Geingob said the close bond between Namibia and Zambia rests heavily on the foundations of Pan-Africanism and is "buttressed by the pillars of freedom, justice and equality".
‘My second home’
"It is in the spirit of Pan-Africanism that I have travelled to Lusaka, my second home, to join in celebrating a momentous occasion in the history of Zambia.
“Our memories of this beautiful city stretch back to days of struggle and turmoil," Geingob said.
Zambia celebrated its 58th independent year under the country's seventh president, Hakainde Hichilema, who took over in August last year.
Geingob commended the neighbouring country for its resilience throughout the fight for freedom and said southern African countries should be inspired by this.
"It is my sincere hope that as we come together to commemorate this historic day, we can be inspired to embody the ideals and values that the brave people of Zambia displayed during the darkest period of our region's history.”
During the celebrations, Geingob and Hichilema laid wreaths at Zambia's presidential burial site, Embassy Park.
The second struggle
The president further drew attention to a second battle and said the fight for freedom is far from over. Economic freedom is its second phase, he said.
"We must pick up the baton and embark upon the second phase of the struggle - the struggle for socio-economic transformation - as we strive to improve the standard of living of our people and bring about total economic independence.”
The head of state spoke during that country's official independence celebrations in Lusaka, and highlighted that it was Zambia that opened its doors for the opening of the United Nations Institute for Namibia, of which Geingob was the director.
"This was an institute that opened the doors to so many peerless administrators who have formed the core of our governance architecture for over three decades," he said.
He added that Zambia also became home to close to 5 000 Namibians at the Swapo-initiated Nyango Health and Education Centre outside Lusaka.
Nyango was one of the first settlements for Namibian refugees in the 1960s and housed mostly women and children.
Geingob said the close bond between Namibia and Zambia rests heavily on the foundations of Pan-Africanism and is "buttressed by the pillars of freedom, justice and equality".
‘My second home’
"It is in the spirit of Pan-Africanism that I have travelled to Lusaka, my second home, to join in celebrating a momentous occasion in the history of Zambia.
“Our memories of this beautiful city stretch back to days of struggle and turmoil," Geingob said.
Zambia celebrated its 58th independent year under the country's seventh president, Hakainde Hichilema, who took over in August last year.
Geingob commended the neighbouring country for its resilience throughout the fight for freedom and said southern African countries should be inspired by this.
"It is my sincere hope that as we come together to commemorate this historic day, we can be inspired to embody the ideals and values that the brave people of Zambia displayed during the darkest period of our region's history.”
During the celebrations, Geingob and Hichilema laid wreaths at Zambia's presidential burial site, Embassy Park.
The second struggle
The president further drew attention to a second battle and said the fight for freedom is far from over. Economic freedom is its second phase, he said.
"We must pick up the baton and embark upon the second phase of the struggle - the struggle for socio-economic transformation - as we strive to improve the standard of living of our people and bring about total economic independence.”
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