Maria David
Windhoek on Friday witnessed the renaming of Otjomuise Street and Monte Christo Road in a tribute to two fallen heroes who played an important role in the struggle for independence.
The streets were respectively renamed after the late liberation icon Eneas Peter Nanyemba and the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela during a joint ceremony by the City of Windhoek and Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation. Vice-president Nangolo Mbumba officially renamed the streets.
Mbumba on behalf of President Hage Geingob said they are writing a piece of their own history, which is a history of glory and dignity, encapsulated by two heroic luminaries whose legendary feats will reverberate throughout the ages.
Geingob said the renaming is not only to honour the liberation struggle’s fallen heroes, but serves as a reminder to Namibians of their exploits which have contributed to the birth of the Republic of Namibia and the emergence of a liberated democratic Republic of South Africa.
“The late Comrade Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is a liberation icon who was a symbol of hope, not only to the struggling masses of South Africa but also to the oppressed people of Namibia during the dark and bitter days of our struggle against Apartheid colonialism,” he said.
Geingob noted that the late Madikizela-Mandela’s meritorious service to the people of South Africa and Africa at large has cemented her legacy on the continent as a symbol of African pride, strength and independence.
In addition, the late Nanyemba, a highly venerated icon of the Namibian liberation struggle was a SWAPO diplomat and later the commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), who was also elected as the party’s Secretary of Defence.
Geingob said the late Nanyemba played an instrumental role in organizing PLAN at the early stages of the war of independence.
“Indeed, the rivers of blood engulfed many of our heroes and heroines. Many of them, like Comrade Nanyemba, never had the privilege of setting foot on the soil of an independent Namibia,” he noted.
Geingob stated that when young people inquire about who these streets are named after, they will be told of two icons who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their countries and people.
“These were two ordinary individuals who in their lifetimes managed to achieve extraordinary feats,” he added.
“As we strive to bring about economic emancipation in the Second Phase of the Struggle, we ask for the same steadfastness from our young leaders who must walk in the footsteps of these esteemed patriots in order to lead Namibia and South Africa towards prosperity.”
Geingob indicated that throughout their lives, Madikizela-Mandela and Nanyemba demonstrated the highest measure of patriotism and selflessness.
“We honour them for their service to their people. We honour them for their innate bravery and unflinching determination. We honour them for their admirable legacy which has cemented their status as national and African heroes.”
In 2019, 16 streets were renamed in Windhoek.
