Africa-Press – Angola. Former soldiers of the Namibian Armed Forces (PLAN) belonging to the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) paid tribute Saturday, to the sovereigns of Oukwanhama, through visits to the kings’ cemetery and the respective large Ombala.
The Namibian delegation, which has been on a tourist visit to Cunene province since Wednesday, laid a wreath of Omufiati leaves at the landmark of the Omuulu Wa Naakulunhu cemetery, where 11 of the 18 kings who guided the destinies of the Kwanhama people are buried.
On the occasion, the head of the delegation, brigadier commissioner for reform, Shiti Shombe, said that the visit to the kingdom has great significance that reflects respect and appreciation for culture and recognition of the determination of the Oukwanhama reign in resistance against colonial occupation.
According to the brigadier commissioner, the action served to be aware of the history of the Both people, respecting the traditional entities that govern the culture of African peoples.
He highlighted that the delegation took the opportunity to review old combat positions, maintain interaction with former FAPLAS soldiers and local communities, who were fundamental in the struggle that culminated in Namibia’s independence.
“This is not a visit from the government or the Swapo party, but rather from military personnel and former combatants who were on different battle fronts in Angola”, he highlighted.
For his part, the King of Ombala de Oukwanhama, Jerônimo Haleinge, said that the act cements unity between the Angolan and Namibian people who, despite the geographical division, remain linked in bonds of brotherhood, consanguinity and history.
He argued that the people of Cuanhama (Angola) and northern Namibia have the same habits and customs, with the previous reign of Oukwanhama consisting of a vast territory that went from Angola to the northern region of the Republic of Namibia.
Meanwhile, the director of the office of former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, Eugénio Ndamenapossi, praised the initiative of the former Namibian guerrillas that will allow them to interact with their former colleagues, in a sign of solidarity and unity between the two peoples.
He recalled that the province of Cunene constitutes a stronghold in the history of Namibian independence, due to circumstances of territorial and military strategic location. The PLAN and FAPLA had to fight together against the forces of the apartheid regime, in force at the time in South Africa.
For the head of the Department of Tourism in Cunene, Fernando Hisenhati, the journey of the Namibian delegation highlights war tourism, where Cunene is conducive to these practices, through annual visits by South African troops and their descendants in this region.
Taking part in the tourist journey, which ends on the 12th of this month, are more than 60 ex-soldiers from various regions of Namibia, particularly Windhoek, Oshakati, Rundu, Cunene region, Caprivi, Oshana and Owanguena.
During the tour to Cunene, the delegation visited the memorial of King Mandume, the large Ombala from the reign of Owkwanhama, the cemeteries of Mupa, Evale and the town of Oshietekela.
The province of Cunene shares a 460-kilometer border with the northern region of Namibia.
The republics of Angola and Namibia cooperate in the sectors of Defense and Security, Transport, Energy and Water, Health, Oil, Tourism, Fisheries, Agriculture, Finance, Geology and Mining, among others.
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