Placido Hilukilua
THE national celebratory event of Namibia’s 33rd independence anniversary took place at Outapi, Omusati Region, on 21 March, but that was just the beginning. Low profile celebrations are now taking place at constituency level countrywide.
One such event took place in the Oshapwa village in the Engela constituency of the Ohangwena Region this weekend.
Retired police commissioner Isai Hainghumbi was the keynote speaker.
The well attended gathering was also addressed by the Engela constituency councilor Elkan Hainghumbi.
Speakers placed much emphasis on the “palpable development” registered in the constituency during the past 33 years.
There is access road to almost every school in the constituency, and electricity and water are widely distributed.
Councilor Hainghumbi enumerated other post independence achievements such as the adjustment of old age and disabilities benefits that now include a funeral cover.
According to him the challenges that have to be tackled now include the scourge of domestic violence, youth unemployment and hunger.
“To fight hunger we need to boost and modernize the farming sector,” he said.
About the current drought, Hainghumbi said that village headmen are already busy identifying and registering the households whose fields were negatively affected either by the floodwater or by the prolonged dry spell.
The head of the Ohaingu district of Oukwanyama, Senior Traditional Councilor Nghidinihamba Ndilula, who is a veteran of the liberation struggle, was among the attendees.
“I do not miss independence day celebrations. They rekindle in my memories of the bitter struggle and the joy of now living in an independent Namibia. This is also an opportunity to meet old comrades and to encourage one another to press ahead as a nation despite the numerous difficulties we face,” he said.
He lamented the widespread indifference among the youth when it comes to national events.
