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President Hifikepunye Pohamba inaugurated the new State House in Auasblick, Windhoek, during Namibia’s
18th Independence anniversary on 21 March 2008
heartening events of that historic day, better future are The peace and political stability that our
when we hoisted our flag of freedom country has enjoyed over the years is one
and sovereignty for the first time. We reinforced when of the major achievements of our country
recall how we celebrated the lowering of and fitting tribute to the fallen heroes and
the apartheid flag of oppression, in the we look at the heroines of our revolution whose blood
knowledge that it would never again fly waters our freedom.
as a symbol of authority over our country.
flourishing youth,
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The events of that historic day are still
vivid in our memories.
a new generation In this climate of stability and peace, we
have been able to implement policies and
of the “born-frees”, programmes aimed at improving the living
We can look back with pride at the many conditions of our people. In the face
successes that were achieved after Namibians who of numerous challenges and backlogs,
independence in many areas of social and progress has been made in many areas
economic development. We are proud, were born into a of social and economic development to
and rightly so, of the peace and stability expand service delivery and access to
that our country has enjoyed since that
society free from public amenities.
joyful day of 21 March 1990.
war, victimisation,
Freedom and independence has in many Access to education has been expanded
ways unleashed the potential of our intimidation, racial in all parts of the country. Literacy and
people who have taken advantage of their numeracy levels have increased. More
liberty to make tangible contributions to discrimination and Namibians have access to health care as
the development of our country. Many of the number of clinics, hospitals and health
those who were denied opportunities by oppression. centres have grown. Housing projects
Government Information Bulletin Special Edition
have been implemented in our urban foundation that has already been laid with regard to valuable experiences
centres as well as rural settlements. The under your leadership. and skills that Namibian workers gained
national electricity grid has been extended during the construction of a project of this
to cater for the growth of our towns and We will work tirelessly for the economic and magnitude.
cities. Rural electrification has changed social well-being of all Namibians. To many
the face of many rural communities across Namibians, you will go down in the history I would like to take this opportunity to
Namibia. of our country as one of the great sons commend all the people who have been
of Namibia who contributed immensely to involved in the completion of this project
Moreover, physical and communication the liberation of our Motherland. For this, for their hard-work, dedication, sharp
infrastructures have reached even the we say, once again, thank you very much skills and professionalism.
remote parts of the country. New roads for what you have done for the Namibian
have been built to facilitate economic people. May God continue to bless you. Your hard work has gone a long way in
activities and trade as well as to ensure enhancing our sovereignty and nationhood.
safer movement of people and goods. Few years ago, a decision was taken to I know that a conscious decision was made
Our railway network has been expanded construct a new seat for the Namibian that as far as possible, local construction
by more than 300 kilometers. The Presidency. The construction site was materials and decorations should be used
rehabilitation of roads and railways has handed over to the Mansudae Overseas to give the building a truly Namibian
enjoyed ongoing attention of our SWAPO Project Group from the Democratic character. As a result, local materials such
PARTY Government. People’s Republic of Korea in 2002. This as wood, granite and steel have been used
marked the beginning of the construction extensively.
Telephone connectivity has grown with both of the complex. During the construction
fixed lines and cellular communications. period, about forty (40) local companies Our guests will, therefore, be pleased to
Increasing numbers of Namibians are were engaged as sub-constructors. see how these local materials have been
joining the digital age through the use of blended together to create an aesthetically
the internet and related technologies. I The sub-contractors were assigned work pleasing atmosphere, incorporating many
can, therefore, proudly say that, despite such as electrical installations and air- representations of our country’s wide
the challenges, Namibians have many conditioning among others. Plant and natural and cultural diversity.
reasons to be proud on this occasion of equipment were also hired from local
the 18th Anniversary of our country’s suppliers and hundreds of jobs were There have been some concerns raised
freedom and independence. created. Thus, local companies and about the timing or even the need for this
workers have benefited greatly, not only project. In this regard, I wish to say that
This year, our Independence Anniversary in terms of financial earnings, but also this is a national asset which belong to no
celebration is coinciding with the
inauguration of the new State House,
a symbol of our nationhood and
sovereignty.
The banquet hall with a massive painting of a Welwitschia Mirabilis. On the opposite
side is a stage from where cultural groups and other artists can entertain guests
An outside view of the g
Left the media briefing premises
room, right the room
where the president
receives credentials,
below right the
conference room for
meetings with foreign
delegations. Below left
Mr. Abisai Shaningwa in
the new resource centre
with elements from Namibia’s A painting of some of the members of Namibia’s Constituency Assembly,
mbols in front of State House under the chairpersonship of Dr. Hage Geingob can be seen in the
entrance hall to the State House
one else but the people of Namibia. It is a tarred road of more than 300 kilometres. of many people have been destroyed.
a project that had to be completed as part This road will enable safer movement Our Government is monitoring the flood
of our institution building strategy for our of people and goods in that part of situation closely and continuously. We
country. our country. It will promote trade and have already started to implement rescue
commerce, thereby enabling our people operations to take the affected people
For those who are not aware, the office who engage in income generating projects to safety and to provide them with food,
space in the existing State House, from to reach markets. medicines and water purification tablets.
where Namibian Presidents have operated
since independence, is very inadequate. Director of Ceremonies, The impact of the flood is going to be
As a result, officials are crammed into devasting for our country, especially in
small offices, while others are forced to As we celebrate this joyful occasion of terms of the destruction of infrastructures
share these small spaces. Surely, such our 18th Independence Anniversary, our such as houses, schools, clinics, businesses
a situation is not conducive for effective thoughts are with the thousands of our and roads. A few weeks ago, I declared
execution of important duties that these the flood situation in our country a national
officials are charged with. disaster. We are going to work tirelessly
There have been to ameliorate the impact of the floods.
I wish to stress that as a Government, we
are fully aware of what our priorities are. some concerns raised It is important that we work with resolve
It is for this reason that this project was
started many years after Cabinet declared
about the timing or and dedication so that our people can
rebuild their lives after the floods. At
top four priorities of our Government, even the need for this juncture, I would like to express
namely, education, health, agriculture and sincere thanks to the Namibian business
housing. This is borne out by the forward- this project. In this community, NGOs, individual citizen and
looking policies and budgetary allocations our development cooperation partners for
we have consistently made to these priority regard, I wish to say the financial and material assistance that
areas in order to improve service delivery, they have rendered to this flood victims.
expand access so that all Namibians can
that this is a national
enjoy the fruits of independence.
asset which belong to Director of Ceremonies,
The completion of this project adds to the no one else but the Namibia is honoured to receive and
list of other capital projects that have been host His Excellency Comrade Kim Yong
successfully implemented by our SWAPO people of Namibia. It Nam, President of the Presidium of
PARTY Government. the Supreme People’s Assembly of the
is a project that had Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,
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These include the construction of new
roads in different parts of our country, the
to be completed as during this auspicious occasion of our
18th Independence Anniversary and the
rehabilitation of roads and railway lines, the
part of our institution Inauguration of the New State House.
completion of Phase One of the Northern
Railway Extension Project, the building of building strategy for Your presence here, Your Excellency,
Regional and Constituency Offices across is a re-affirmation of the strong bonds
Namibia, the expansion of water pipelines, our country. of friendship and co-operation that so
the building of new schools and clinics and happily exist between our two countries
many other projects. The list is endless. and peoples. These bonds have stood
compatriots who have been displaced by the test of time as they date back to the
We will continue to implement projects and the floods in the north and north east of years of Namibia’s struggle for national
programmes to facilitate economic growth our country. The floods have devasted liberation and independence under the
and improve the living conditions of our many communities and destroyed valuable leadership of SWAPO.
people. This year, the construction of the properties and assets.
Rundu-Elundu Road, via Nkurenkuru will Your country provided the Namibian people
start. This will lead to the construction of The livelihoods and sources of income with valuable political and material support
Government Information Bulletin Special Edition