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.