By: Uakutura Kamaekua

On Tuesday, Swapo President Hage Geingob said that the ruling party’s governance efforts for the past 32 years since independence have ensured the banishment of the spectre of apartheid brutality.

He added that more still needs to be done to ensure that ‘we’ bring about inclusive development and shared prosperity to the citizens.

Geingob made these remarks on the ruling party’s 62nd anniversary. “In this regard, we are currently in a period of intensified implementation of our developmental objectives, aiming to address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and gender inequality,” added Geingob.

He said 19 April 1960 will always be known as one of the most pivotal days in the history of the Namibian people’s struggle for independence. Geingob stated that on this day, Namibian workers, tired of colonial oppression and exploitation, resolved to establish a national movement to wage the struggle for independence.

He said the formation of Swapo took place against the backdrop of a wave of independence on the continent, championed by personalities such as Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Modibo Keïta of Mali, Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania, and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia among others.

“Spurred on by the realisation that African independence was no longer a far-fetched dream but a reality within reach, our gallant sons and daughters of the soil, took a revolutionary decision. They chose to unite under the auspices of one mass movement, as Namibians, led by comrade Sam Nujoma, the founding father of the Namibian Revolution and nation, in order to effect a groundswell of resistance and commitment towards total liberation,” noted Geingob.

The President also stated that due to this history, people could walk tall, with pride and confidence, knowing that Swapo had come of age. He further said the party continues to be a trend-setting movement and has lived up to its commitment to advancing, advocating and promoting unity, liberty and justice.

“As a governing party that has ruled for over three decades, Swapo remains committed to not only leading the people of Namibia but transforming their lives for the better. Our pedigree of leadership is proven. Therefore, in this Year of Reimaging, we continue to champion programs, ideas and policies that inspire hope and confidence in our people,” he said.

“It is for this reason that 62 years after our party’s founding, we take full ownership of the heavy responsibility of ensuring that we continue to improve the quality of Namibian lives through deliberate and decisive interventions in different spheres of our governance architecture,” narrated the President.

The party, according to Geingob, will this year host the upcoming Policy Conference and later the Electoral Congress.

Geingob said that the Swapo party government’s achievements and policy initiatives, such as the Harambee Prosperity Plan, the National Development Plans, the party’s election manifesto and Vision 2030, are a testament to its commitment to tackling transitional developmental challenges head-on.

Geingob urged the party members always to defend Swapo, its leadership, programs and policies against those who seek to weaken them and spread falsehood, especially on social media. “Always go out there with confidence, to amongst others, provide political education by explaining to the people about Swapo’s achievements and the party’s agenda,” he said.

Geingob further reiterated that Swapo would be the party to chart the path towards the achievement of economic independence. “By staying united, focused, and resolute in our principles, we will be able to achieve ultimate victory in the Second Phase of the Struggle for economic emancipation, thereby emulating our resounding victory in the First Phase of the struggle,” he said.