Africa-Press – Namibia. PRESIDENT Hage Geingob in a fully packed 32nd Heroes day celebration held in Mariental encouraged Namibians to tap into the mentalities of their fallen forefathers against prevailing current socio-economic challenges, adding that Liberation heroes like the late Hendrik Witbooi was unwavering in liberating his people from oppressive circumstances.
Speaking at the event which was attended by many Namibians from a variety of Southern towns and further afield, as well as high level members of Cabinet, Geingob said as Namibians are commemorating their heroes and heroines in the historic town of Mariental, they remember their departed legendary leaders who hail from the great Hardap and //Kharas regions such as the late Reverend, Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi, traditionally known as !Nanseb /Gabemab, the great-grandson of the legendary Hendrik Witbooi, the early resistance leader who valiantly fought against German colonialism.
“Namibia has a history filled with tragedy, struggle and triumph. The tragedy was colonialism and from the day Germany colonized Namibia in 1884, our people were subject to the brutality of imperialistic subjugation. The barbaric treatment of the indigenous peoples of this country culminated in one of the greatest tragedies in our history, the Herero and Nama genocide of 1904 to 1908. Despite various uprisings by gallant Namibian anti-colonial luminaries, the Namibian people continued to toil under the yoke of colonialism and after the German defeat in World War One, our people were transferred from one system of brutality to another, when Apartheid South Africa commenced its illegal administration of Namibia in 1915,” Geingob summarized the history of the country.
He added that this suffering continued for over half a century under the Apartheid Regime before reaching a turning point on August 26, 1966, for as the revolutionary African leader Gamal Abdel Nasser once said, “What was taken by force can only be restored by force.”
“Indeed, on this day 56 years ago, brave young Namibians decided that no longer shall the Namibian people stand back and suffer under the brutality of Apartheid. They decided that what was taken from the Namibian people by force will be returned by force. Thus, when a small group of fighters from the Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) were attacked by South African soldiers, they engaged them in battle, marking the beginning of the national armed struggle for Namibia’s independence” the president recalled.
The President further stressed that Namibia’s independence and subsequent liberty, unity and justice are not cheap. Therefore, Geingob said, it should not be taken for granted as it is easier to destroy then to rebuild.
“The democracy we enjoy today was secured at a high cost. It was paid for in blood, the blood of fearless compatriots who left an indelible mark on the sovereign soil of our nation. It is for this reason that we say that their blood waters our freedom.
It is not a catchphrase or slogan but a poignant reminder that the freedom we enjoy today came at the expense of thousands of lives” Geingob said.
As a result, the president stated that the onus lies with Namibians to continue the march where liberation heroes left off, and to fulfill the ideals, which spurred them to patriotic action.
“We must realize that it is only the Namibian people who can usher in the dawn of economic liberation.” Geingob said.
The presidency further sympathized that over the past several years, the nation has faced many challenges which includes independent intervening variables such as the global commodity crisis, currency fluctuations, and recurrent droughts that were amongst the worst in recent history.
He noted that all these factors have played a role in placing our economy under enormous pressure.
Furthermore, at a time that things seemed to be on the mend, we were visited by Covid-19, an unwelcome and devastating guest Geingob shared, adding that many of the remaining liberation struggle heroes and heroines were wiped out by this pandemic.
“Today, as we face economic challenges, let us not despair and give into a sense of hopelessness. More than ever, this is the time to redouble our efforts to tangibly tackle these challenges head on, until we are able to free our nation from the grip of economic oppression.
The struggle for the economic emancipation of Namibians requires new heroes and heroines, and this is the time for them to step forward to the challenge.
Just as the Liberation Struggle was long and bitter, the Economic Struggle will also be long and bitter, but victory is certain” Geingob concluded.
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