Allexer Namundjembo
As Namibia prepares to mark another year of independence, debates have emerged over who will take the stage at this year’s celebrations across the country.
This year’s Independence Day commemorations will take place simultaneously in all 14 regions for the first time.
The decentralised format aims to allow communities to celebrate within their own constituencies rather than gathering in a single location.
However, the lineup of keynote speakers has drawn criticism from opposition politicians and analysts who say the programme appears dominated by members of the ruling Swapo.
Posters circulated ahead of the celebrations list current and former government officials affiliated with Swapo as speakers at regional events.
These include former prime minister Nahas Angula and former defence minister and former Oshikoto governor Penda ya Ndakolo as well as former Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) McHenry Venaani said the arrangement gives the impression that the celebrations are being used for party political purposes.
Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday, Venaani said the events resemble a Swapo campaign platform rather than a national commemoration.
Venaani said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has shown partisanship in the selection of speakers.
He questioned why prominent figures from other political parties were not included in the programme.
“Why are other prominent leaders from other parties not invited to participate in this gesture of nationalism? Nationalism is beyond partisanship. This event is very, very political and very low. Some of us have consistently attended independence celebrations even while singing their Ndilimani songs until the late President Hage Geingob said that the country is changing and we can no longer do independence celebrations and be partisans; we must be national,” he said.
Venaani said it was disappointing that the majority of speakers were drawn from the ruling party.
“Even junior members of parliament that have no clue about keeping the country together are probably given a task to address, so it is a Swapo campaign rather than a national campaign for the country,” he said.
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) member of parliament George said Independence Day should reflect national unity rather than party affiliation.
“Independence Day is a national occasion that belongs to all Namibians, regardless of political affiliation. It commemorates the collective sacrifices made by many Namibians in the struggle for freedom and the birth of our Republic,” he said.
Kambala said the current approach raises questions about inclusivity.
“However, the current approach in which the majority of keynote speakers at Independence Day celebrations across constituencies appear to be drawn predominantly from Swapo raises legitimate concerns about inclusivity and the spirit of national unity that such a day ought to embody. Independence is not the property of one political party; it is a shared national heritage.”
He said national events should reflect the diversity of Namibia’s democratic system.
“The selection of speakers for such commemorations should ideally reflect the diversity of Namibia’s democratic landscape. In a multi-party constitutional democracy like ours, national celebrations present an important opportunity to reinforce unity, mutual respect, and the recognition that many voices contribute to the ongoing project of nation-building,” he said.
Kambala added that excluding opposition leaders could create the perception that national platforms are used for partisan purposes.
“Independence Day should remind us that while we may differ politically, we remain one nation with a shared destiny. Going forward, it would be constructive for organisers to ensure that national commemorations reflect this spirit by creating space for broader representation across the political spectrum,” he said.
Political implications of speaker lineup
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said decentralising the celebrations can increase public participation.
He said the idea is positive if the event remains national in character.
“Decentralising the Independence Day celebration is, in principle, a good idea because it allows more citizens across the country to participate in a national event,” he said.
Kamwanyah said the celebration should not become a party event.
“If the programme is dominated by Swapo politicians as keynote speakers, it risks creating the perception that the event is being used for party political purposes, including introducing or promoting party figures to the public. That would undermine the national character of the day,” he said.
He added that some programmes resemble party political events rather than national commemorations.
“What we are unfortunately seeing from some of the northern regions does not reflect the standards expected of a national celebration but rather the tone of party politics,” he said.
Kamwanyah said the practice should be discouraged to maintain the national character of the day.
He also noted that holding celebrations in multiple constituencies could increase government spending.
“From a fiscal perspective, hosting events in multiple constituencies could also increase government expenditure compared to a single central celebration, depending on the scale of logistics, security, and coordination required in each location,” he said.
Public policy analyst Marius Kudumo said decentralising the celebrations could reduce travel expenses and allow more citizens to participate.
He said national events should go beyond party politics.
“State or government events should be raised beyond party political interests, as the state and government are not parties. Diversity of speakers beyond politics should be a consideration. Why are Frankie Fredericks or young people or ordinary people from the communities not speakers, for example, and what would be the impact if these were speakers?” he asked.
Kudumo said nation-building requires different approaches over time.
Policy analyst Lazarus Kwedhi said decentralising the celebrations could help bring national events closer to communities.
“However, handing the microphone to Swapo members as guest speakers turns a national commemoration into a Swapo party showcase, whereby public funds are used to cover the single party-political activities. The financial cost itself is inevitable to national events’ celebrations, but the bigger issue is the president’s state funds being used to amplify one party’s lens on independence celebration day,” he said.
Kwedhi said national celebrations should avoid partisan divisions.
He warned that using such events for party political messaging could weaken national unity in a multi-party democracy.
The 2026 Independence celebrations will take place under the theme “Beyond 35 for a Prosperous Future”, marking Namibia’s journey beyond its 36th year of independence.
The celebrations will include flag-raising ceremonies, parades, cultural performances and official speeches organised in each region.
Regional governors, supported by the national preparatory committee coordinated by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, will oversee the events.
