2007-03-23Staff Report 2 "By Chrispin Inambao SWAKOPMUND Visiting Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa told his host, President Hifikepunye Pohamba, and thousands of Namibians gathered at Vineta Sportsfield in Swakopmund that freedom without land can be likened to a tree without roots. Speaking on Wednesday at the event to mark the official celebrations for the 17th anniversary of Namibia's independence, the Zambian President, who was the guest of honour and who is in the country on a four-day State visit, reflected: ""The fallen Namibian men and women whom we are remembering as part of the independence celebrations on this day, sacrificed their lives in the fight for freedom and land. ""Freedom without land can be likened to a tree without roots,"" Mwanawasa told the gathering that included struggle icon Dr Sam Nujoma, the two countries' First Ladies Maureen Mwanawasa and Penehupifo Pohamba, Cabinet ministers and diplomats. He was referring to land forcefully taken from indigenous people by colonial forces who, after dispossessing blacks, resettled them in lesser productive areas, an issue that fuelled and became a rallying point during the independence struggle. ""The people of Namibia cannot succeed if they have virtually no access to the basic factors of production. They cannot succeed if land remains alienated from them,"" said the visiting president, whose country housed Swapo and other liberation movements. Mwanawasa also felt there can be ""no true freedom if the indigenous people cannot own the land for which they fought."" ""Namibia is not an abstract concept, a utopian goal or an unattainable ideal but a reality embedded in the Namibian land mass,"" Mwanawasa said at the sportsfield. He also said freedom is laden with great responsibilities and obligations and that Namibians are now free to engage in any productive activity or trade in any service that will contribute to the economic development of Namibia. ""Namibian men and women are free to ensure peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness with other nations; they are free to actively participate in international affairs. In a nutshell, they are free to determine their own destiny,"" he stated. Mwanawasa, who requested a moment of silence in remembrance of the thousands of people who sacrificed their lives, noted that it was due to a combination of their patriotism, bravery, determination and sacrifice that Namibia had gained independence. ""It is a fitting tribute to them that Namibia is known as the Land of the Brave,"" he stated. His host, President Pohamba, who together with Nujoma were exiled in Zambia, paid homage to the Zambian people for their hospitality and the selfless sacrifices they had made, not only for Namibians but also for other liberation movements from South Africa and Zimbabwe. ""It is a well-known fact that Zambia was a second home to thousands of Namibians. The Zambian people made many selfless sacrifices for our freedom and independence,"" said President Pohamba, while Education Minister Nangolo Mbumba, who served as the master of ceremonies, jokingly said he ""migrated"" from Zambia to Namibia to become a minister. ""We will never forget that many Zambians lost their precious lives, others were injured and valuable properties were destroyed by the forces of apartheid. Despite these barbaric actions by the enemy, the people of Zambia stood firm in supporting our just cause for the national liberation of our country,"" the President reminisced. After independence on March 21, 1990, the relations between Namibia and Zambia entered a new phase as the two countries bilaterally advocate for the advancement of peace, democracy, socio-economic development and strive for the prosperity of their people. ""We also have a duty to advance the spirit of Pan-Africanism and continental unity towards a more peaceful and stable continent of Africa,"" said the President, who also used the occasion to commend the Zambian people for the steadfast support rendered. ""We are very happy to have you with us here today. We believe our victory is your victory too,"" Pohamba informed his guest who is accompanied by several ministers. On top of the flowery praise for his country, Mwanawasa and his wife again experienced Namibian hospitality when groups of women, attired in pink dresses, presented them with clay pots, woven baskets and other traditional gifts as they did upon their arrival. The events at Vineta were characterized by military pomp and fanfare with splendidly uniformed members of the Namibian Navy, the Namibian Police, and the NDF Brass Band executing impeccable, picture-perfect march-past military parades. While the day's events were also cherished by several service chiefs in their military finery who were on hand to witness the spectacle, among them were Air Force Commander Brigadier General Martin Pinehas, Police Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, Commissioner of Prisons Evaristus Shikongo, and Colonel George Kalomho the Commander: 12th Brigade that encompasses units from Windhoek to the south. Members of the Ndilimani Cultural Group that gave cultural inspiration to Swapo during the liberation struggle, were on hand to entertain the thousands of celebrants. " 2007-03-23Staff Report 2
