Allexer Namundjembo
The government will designate symbolic graves at Heroes Acre in remembrance of liberation icons Tobias Hainyeko and Brendan Simbwaye.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the move during the 35th Heroes’ Day commemoration in Katima Mulilo on Tuesday.
She said it was a tribute to the sacrifices of the two leaders and others from the Zambezi region.
Hainyeko was the first commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN). He was killed in Katima Mulilo on 18 May 1967 in an exchange of gunfire at close range. Simbwaye, the former vice president of Swapo, was also killed during the liberation struggle.
Namibia marked Heroes’ Day under the theme “Built on bravery, bound for a prosperous future.”
Katima Mulilo is the birthplace of Simbwaye, Greenwell Matongo, Richard Kabadjani Kapelwa, Fridrick Matongo, and others. It was also the final destination of Hainyeko.
“Their sacrifices remind us to uphold the values of unity, peace, inclusivity and progress,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She stressed that 26 August remains one of Namibia’s most revered days, marking the start of the armed liberation struggle at Omugulugwombashe in 1966.
She said the commemorations honor the bravery of those who confronted colonial forces with limited resources in pursuit of freedom.
“The brave sons and daughters of Namibia rose up and took arms to liberate the motherland, after having pursued all peaceful means to secure peace, freedom and independence for all Namibians,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also paid homage to the first SWALA combatants led by John Ya-Otto Nankudhu, including Simeon Shixungileni, Patrick Iyambo, Victor Mensah, James Angula, and Nelson Kavela.
“This generation ignited the first spark at Omugulugwombashe, followed by many battles, and Zambezi then Caprivi became the main operation area for SWAPO freedom fighters in the early days of our armed struggle,” she said.
She noted progress since independence, citing roads, schools, clinics, water points, and electricity, while acknowledging challenges.
She said the government remains focused on youth empowerment, industrialisation, job creation, and fighting corruption.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged leaders to promote peace, tolerance, and unity, warning that division threatens progress.
“It troubles me deeply that we are too much at each other’s throats in all institutions of our society, be it in families, traditional authorities, religious institutions and politics. We are all one. I urge citizens to resolve our differences with respect, tolerance, and sensitivity by peaceful means and not resort to violence,” she said.
National events overshadowed
Meanwhile, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah questioned Namibia’s obsession with protocol during national events.
He said Heroes’ Day risks losing its meaning when attention shifts to politicians’ arrivals rather than the fallen heroes.
“The whole August 26 program is about the arrival of Honorable this and that. Afrika, and Namibia in particular, where did we get this mentality from? Even decolonisation, as an antithesis, to address it cannot fit in this equation because our colonisers, Germany and apartheid South Africa, did not have such an outlandish protocol culture,” he said.
He added that the practice has spread to funerals and weddings.
“Nowadays it’s even happening at funerals and weddings. I have witnessed that,” Kamwanyah added.
Former member of parliament Hidipo Hamata also reflected on the day, calling for recognition of Namibian mothers.
“Today, on Heroes’ Day, I honor not only the fallen heroes of our motherland but also the fearless mothers whose sacrifices often go unseen,” he said.
Hamata highlighted the struggles of mothers raising children in hardship, enduring violence, and carrying heavy responsibilities without recognition.
“These mothers are heroes in their own right, beloved heroes, who face immense challenges without seeking recognition,” he said, urging Namibians to celebrate such mothers while they are still alive.
