FLIPSIDE — Chris Jacobie
THE 36th Namibian Independence Day celebrations countrywide confirms that under the Ndaitwah-presidency it is not business as usual – the 2026 celebrations are unusual. Nobody and no region are left out.
Moreover, the region-wide commemoration is a significant turning point against factionalism and tribalism that only reveals itself in the politically bankrupt.
The 2026 celebrations in every region are a real shift into higher gear towards nationhood, unity and dignity for all. In a way, it recognises and rewards the fabric of everyday Namibians in all corners of the country who have kept democracy safe and stable by registering and voting in regular elections. However, the attendance to celebrate in some regions should embarrass politicians who believe they represent the people. The reality is that by far, more people will turn up for celebrations than voters, because it is for every man, women and child.
Off course, more people from a specific region will attend in their own region, but so will those who, after independence, chose to work and live where they believe the opportunities are and because it’s their right earned through Namibian sovereignty.
Namibia is a nation of movers and wanderers from earliest of times and the 36 celebrations and generations have travelled themselves free to explore the horizons and settle in the valleys and next to the rivers wherever they flow.
There is celebrations where there were no towns 36 years ago. Footpaths became highways since, and next to the very same roads, small businesses have mushroomed and opportunities came in various forms.
People from Kavango are growing grapes at the Orange River, people from Kunene are working in newly developed mines and small traders from the frontier moved to bigger centres to sell food, crafts and offer their services as labourers wherever hard work is needed.
There is no clearer sign of Namibian sovereignty and leadership than for President Ndaitwah to deliver her Independence Celebration speech at one minute past twelve – in honouring 21 March 1990. That was the minute when a nation shook off the shackles of being ruled to be responsible for their own fate and faced the unknown with the faith that Namibians will trust and rely each other as the newest nation born. Her one-minute-past midnight speech honours history profoundly and is a lasting commitment to sovereignty and nationhood.
It shows the resilience of President Ndaitwah to remind Namibians of tested values and the determination to keep Namibia on the path of reconciliation, peace, unity and development for all that started on 21 March 1990 and she intends to follow diligently and unwavering.
The decision of the government to arrange celebrations in all of Namibia’s regions must be seized upon as the most national unifying opportunity in a long time where toxic party politics can be exposed and rejected as the abuse of tribalism and faction that it is.
Independence is a Namibia wherever people’s feet take them and where they can rest in the shade of any tree on their journey to prosperity.
Only Namibians can, and therefore, must give fellow citizens hope, inspire each other, and in difficult times, support each other in order to sustain the nation.
Namibians only have each other and threefold hold the collective destiny in their own hands.
For richer and poorer, a free Namibia is the only Namibia worth the name.
