Namibian Presidency.Info

Namibian Presidency.Info

5/28/2025, 1:10:21 PM

I encourage the affected communities and Namibians at large to embrace Genocide Remembrance Day in the full knowledge that it builds on the foundation we have laid to find new common ground on the Joint Declaration with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. We should find a degree of comfort in the fact that the German Government has agreed that German troops committed a genocide against the Nama and Ovaherero people of our land. We should also find a degree of comfort in the fact that the German Government has agreed to offer an apology to the affected communities and the Namibian people in general. We may not agree on the final quantum, but that is part of the complex negotiations we have been engaged in with the German Government since 2013. We must remain committed that as a nation, we shall soldier until the ultimate conclusion is reached. Three days ago, to be specific on the 25th of May 2025, we celebrated the 62nd Anniversary for the Founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) which is African Union (AU) today, under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”. This theme is talking to the engagement between the two governments of Namibia and Germany to conclude the negotiations on Genocide, Apology and Reparations. This theme is talking to the engagement between the two governments of Namibia and Germany to conclude the negotiations on Genocide, Apology and Reparations. This should be in a manner that will be satisfactory, particularly for the directly affected communities. Genocide Remembrance Day is a day for the unity of the Namibian people. It must be our duty and responsibility that the work of the late Member of Parliament and Ovaherero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako (may his soul rest in peace) is not in vain. He is the one who introduced the motion on genocide in Parliament in September 2006, which was unanimously adopted by Parliament. I also wish to thank the late Dr. Zedekia Ngavirue (may his soul rest in peace), Namibia’s first Special Envoy, who led the negotiations with the German Government on this matter with assertiveness and perseverance. We will continue to build on their stellar work as we commemorate this day, now and in the future. Director of Ceremonies, Fellow Namibians, I will have to emphasize that Genocide Remembrance Day enters our calendar of public holidays to symbolize unity of purpose, inclusivity, and nation building. This Day of memory brings hope, not only to the affected communities, but also to all Namibians who seek to build a future that is grounded in the shared understanding and appreciation of our collective history, including our ongoing efforts in reconciliation and nation-building. I want to assure the nation that, the 8th Administration of the Government of the Republic of Namibia is dedicated to advance the ideals of unity advocated by our national heroes, Samuel Maharero, Mandume ya Ndemufayo, Hendrik Witbooi, Hosea Kutako, Sam Nujoma and many others. We should therefore, reaffirm our patriotic duty and commitment to fostering an inclusive Namibia, where all citizens regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, or social class are valued. Let us stand together as a united nation in remembrance and in paying tribute to the gallant sons and daughters of the Namibian soil who perished during the 1904-1908 Genocide. In conclusion, as we commemorate this Inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day as Namibians, we should reflect on this journey and we should continue crafting a future together. As a united nation, we should remember the victims and honour the resilience of the affected communities, and we must acknowledge the significant steps taken to address with “One Heart and One Mind” the historical injustices that were visited upon the people of our land. Let their legacy of sacrifice and resilience guide us now and in future. One Namibia, One Nation I thank you for your attention.

Namibian Presidency.Info

5/21/2025, 1:42:34 PM

Youth Empowerment and Agricultural Value-Chains: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and President Samia Suluhu Hassan concluded bilateral talks with a strong focus on sharing lessons in the agricultural sector and promoting value chains for youth empowerment and sustainable. Other identified areas of cooperation include mining, tourism and port management.

Namibian Presidency.Info

5/28/2025, 9:06:06 AM

ARRIVAL: H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, arrives at Parliament Gardens to lead the nation in commemorating the Inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day—a solemn national observance dedicated to honouring the memory of the victims of the 1904–1908 genocide perpetrated against the OvaHerero, Nama and Damara communities during the period of German colonial rule. The commemoration takes place on 28 May, a historical date that commemorates the German colonial administration's 1907 order to close concentration camps.

Namibian Presidency.Info

5/25/2025, 1:48:00 PM

Message by Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the Occasion of Africa Day Commemoration, 25 May 2025. May 25 is an important day that allows Africans across the continent and around the world to celebrate the liberation of their homeland. On this day, 62 years ago, African leaders of independent countries were joined by leaders of liberation movements in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and established the Organization of the African Unity (OAU), which was later transformed into the African Union (AU). The main purpose of the OAU was to enable Africans to join hands in the fight for the total liberation of the continent and charter the best way for transforming Africa in the best interests of Africans. Today, we should feel a sense of pride, joy, and satisfaction in celebrating this momentous day, as most parts of the continent are independent and free from foreign colonial rule. It is, therefore, important that as we are gathered here today, we can join other African people to commemorate and celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Africa Day. This day reminds us of the African heroes and heroines, the likes of Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Sam Nujoma, and many others who were in the room when the OAU was established. Therefore, the passing of Namibia's Founding President, Dr. Sam Nujoma, on 8 February 2025, marked the end of a significant chapter in Southern Africa's liberation history and Africa as a whole. This iconic freedom fighter now joins other revered leaders in resting in eternity. Together, they kept the flame of freedom burning with pride, passing it to the current leaders with its rays. President Nujoma played a pivotal role in Namibia's struggle for independence and freedom. As a Pan-Africanist and hero of the liberation movement, he inspired countless Africans through his deeds and actions. His remarkable faith in the unity of Africa was evident in his advocacy for Namibia to hoist the AU flag alongside its national flag and sing the AU national anthem in harmony with the Namibian anthem. These sentiments reflected his belief that our vision for Africa must be grounded in the visionary aspirations of our forebears and anchored in the principles of African unity. Founding President Nujoma strongly believed in the ideology of Pan-Africanism. His vision was in line with the overarching goals of the Pan-African movement, which strives for decolonization and promotes African harmony. Now that he has passed on, it is our duty to honor and preserve his legacy and that of our forefathers across the continent, recognizing the sacrifices they made to achieve and preserve our freedom. The theme for this year, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” is particularly fitting and relevant as we pursue our dignity, destiny, economic freedom, and independence. The AU has actively supported initiatives aimed at advancing justice and facilitating the payment of reparations, as well as the restitution of cultural artifacts and heritage that were pillaged during colonization and enslavement. It is important to note that in 2001, the African Union (AU) participated in the United Nations (UN) World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance, where the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was adopted. The Declaration acknowledged the horrific tragedies of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. In Namibia, we continue our discussions and negotiations with Germany in the pursuit of reparations and reparatory justice for the genocide committed in Namibia from 1904 to 1908. These negotiations are ongoing and we aim to achieve a comprehensive resolution that adequately addresses Namibia’s rightful claim for reparations and meets the needs of the affected communities. Today is not only about justice for Africans and reparations. May 25 also serves as a day for us, as Africans, to reflect on our priorities and, most importantly, to rededicate our efforts towards achieving Africa’s ambitions for socio-economic advancement. The adoption of Africa’s development blueprint, Agenda 2063, is very significant and led to the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with the aim of creating a single market for the African Continent. The African Continental Free Trade Area also aims to enable the free flow of goods and services across Africa,boosting intra-Africa trade and strengthening Africa’s position in the global economy. Thus, opportunities have been presented by Africa’s integrated market, which Member States, and in particular the business community should explore fully.