Africa-Press – Namibia. FORMER People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) fighters say it’s their duty to mobilise and campaign for Swapo.
FORMER People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) fighters say it’s their duty to mobilise and campaign for Swapo.
This comes after the former soldiers yesterday announced the founding of the Former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia Combatants Association (FPCA) in Windhoek.
FPCA secretary for information and mobilisation Charles Mubita said the association was created after numerous consultations on promoting the welfare of all former combatants and their families, seeking affiliation to Swapo, and more.
“We are delighted to inform all former combatants and the Namibian people at large that Swapo’s central committee approved the FPCA’s affiliation application.
“It’s our historic duty to rally behind the Swapo party,” he said.
Mubita said the FPCA will defend the independence of Namibia for which the blood of thousands of Namibian martyrs has been shed.
“We will assist in all efforts seeking for the long-term survival of the Swapo party and preserve its legacy as a former liberation movement,” he said.
Mubita said although all former combatants are welcome to join the association, members should have successfully completed their military training and have been deployed.
“A person wishing to become a member of FPCA shall provide their Swapo membership card, and the congress will elect its officials and frame rules for its proceedings,” he said.
Mubita said in an effort to reconnect, they are organising a reunion of all former combatants to take place at Ongwediva from 22 to 25 September.
“We will appreciate any sponsorships, donations and assistance to ensure a successful reunion of former Plan combatants.
“Many former combatants are scattered all over the country, most of whom are either retired or unemployed, and will need any form of support,” he said.
In May, Plan held an 8th Battalion reunion for the first time in more than 40 years.
The reunion took place at Ondingwanyama, a village in the Ohangwena region, where more than 50 former combatants gathered at the homestead of their former commander, brigadier Ernos Hakuna.
The 8th Battalion had about 500 soldiers and operated mainly along the military front of Angola’s Cunene province.
In attendance at the reunion were liberation struggle veterans, such as former Namibian Defence Force chief lieutenant general Epaphras Ndaitwah, and brigadier general Mathias Shiwedha.
“This reunion is aimed at meeting and reuniting with fellow surviving freedom fighters and their commanders. We also remember those who died in the battles as we fought to liberate our country,” said Hakuna.
“This was a very emotional event for me,” former Plan fighter Willbard Hellao said yesterday.
“We have not seen each other in years, so imagine the emotions. We didn’t even recognise each other at first, because it has been years.
“We were very young back then, our features have since changed, but once we recognised one another, everything became emotional.
“But it was good moments because we talked, laughed, and joked around,” he said.
This comes after the former soldiers yesterday announced the founding of the Former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia Combatants Association (FPCA) in Windhoek.
FPCA secretary for information and mobilisation Charles Mubita said the association was created after numerous consultations on promoting the welfare of all former combatants and their families, seeking affiliation to Swapo, and more.
“We are delighted to inform all former combatants and the Namibian people at large that Swapo’s central committee approved the FPCA’s affiliation application.
“It’s our historic duty to rally behind the Swapo party,” he said.
Mubita said the FPCA will defend the independence of Namibia for which the blood of thousands of Namibian martyrs has been shed.
“We will assist in all efforts seeking for the long-term survival of the Swapo party and preserve its legacy as a former liberation movement,” he said.
Mubita said although all former combatants are welcome to join the association, members should have successfully completed their military training and have been deployed.
“A person wishing to become a member of FPCA shall provide their Swapo membership card, and the congress will elect its officials and frame rules for its proceedings,” he said.
Mubita said in an effort to reconnect, they are organising a reunion of all former combatants to take place at Ongwediva from 22 to 25 September.
“We will appreciate any sponsorships, donations and assistance to ensure a successful reunion of former Plan combatants.
“Many former combatants are scattered all over the country, most of whom are either retired or unemployed, and will need any form of support,” he said.
In May, Plan held an 8th Battalion reunion for the first time in more than 40 years.
The reunion took place at Ondingwanyama, a village in the Ohangwena region, where more than 50 former combatants gathered at the homestead of their former commander, brigadier Ernos Hakuna.
The 8th Battalion had about 500 soldiers and operated mainly along the military front of Angola’s Cunene province.
In attendance at the reunion were liberation struggle veterans, such as former Namibian Defence Force chief lieutenant general Epaphras Ndaitwah, and brigadier general Mathias Shiwedha.
“This reunion is aimed at meeting and reuniting with fellow surviving freedom fighters and their commanders. We also remember those who died in the battles as we fought to liberate our country,” said Hakuna.
“This was a very emotional event for me,” former Plan fighter Willbard Hellao said yesterday.
“We have not seen each other in years, so imagine the emotions. We didn’t even recognise each other at first, because it has been years.
“We were very young back then, our features have since changed, but once we recognised one another, everything became emotional.
“But it was good moments because we talked, laughed, and joked around,” he said.
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