By Levi Upula
As SWAPO Party celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend, Namibians across the country stood and reflected on the achievements of a former liberation movement that has come on Namibia’s political stage and shaped Namibia’s destiny.Thousands of people converged at the Multipurpose Youth Center in Windhoek for the main rally last Sunday, which was addressed by SWAPO Party President and President of the country, Cde Hifikepunye Pohamba.
The event was also graced by the presence of Founding President Dr Sam Nujoma, who, as President of SWAPO party from its inception, spearheaded Namibia’s liberation struggle during some of the most difficult periods in the country’s history.
President Pohamba was right when he said that just as the history of Namibia could not be told without mentioning SWAPO Party, the history of SWAPO Party, too, could not be told without mentioning the name and the extensive contributions of Cde Nujoma.
“For close to five decades,” said President Pohamba, “he led our organization with fortitude and dedication, with a sense of destiny and with an unwavering spirit of determination to achieve our historic mission of dislodging apartheid colonialism from our motherland.
“Not only did he lead SWAPO successfully until the defeat and banishment of apartheid from Namibia on 21st March 1990, he also laid a strong foundation for the future of our country as the Founding President of our Republic, which he led for 15 years.”
SWAPO was formed on April 19, 1960 to fight for Namibia’s independence. It initially championed for Namibia’s independence through peaceful means, but such efforts never yielded results.
The Party saw no other option but to launch the armed struggle on August 26, 1966, as the only way to force South Africa to relinquish its hold over Namibia, thus forcing the apartheid regime to the negotiating table.
“I pay homage to the gallant cadres of PLAN (People’s Liberation Army of Namibia) for their bravery and unwavering determination in the fight for freedom of their motherland,” said President Pohamba.
“Many of them shed their precious blood and sacrificed their lives for the liberation of our country. We honour these martyrs of our struggle for their bravery and patriotism.”
The rally was attended by thousands of people. Sister parties such as ANC in South Africa, MPLA in Angola and others also sent their birthday messages. Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front), ZANU (PF) sent its Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Rugare Gumbo, who said that the time had come for Africa to consolidate its political independence by embarking on economic emancipation.
“The road is not easy,” he said, “but we should not hesitate to implement the economic policies that will result in uplifting the living standards of our people. Lest we fool ourselves, the elements of illegal regime change are within us. They are now in our fold.”
Liberation led governments are experiencing similar problems and challenges in the wake of counter revolutionary forces bent on reversing the socio-economic and political gains made by liberation parties.
“The enemy has resurfaced and wants to diminish the influence and dominance of our liberation parties in Africa, particularly in this Southern Africa Region. Some comrades have abandoned ship and this makes it an opportune time for us to strengthen our relations. We should never allow ourselves to be divided.”
President Pohamba said that unity was very important in forging a coherent front to face current enemies, adding that it was only through unity that former liberation parties could remain in power.
“Our SWAPO Party travelled a rough journey,” he said. “A journey that was full of challenges. Those who wanted to destroy the Party tried to cause division among us during the 70s and 80s. The SWAPO Party emerged ever stronger.
“The same attempt was made during the 90s and more than two and a half years ago, the SWAPO Party emerged stronger. We survived because of our motto of ‘One Namibia One Nation’ because of our rejection of tribalism, regionalism, racism, sexism and nepotism. Today, these are still our non-negotiable principles.”
