Katima mulilo: Members of the Former PLAN Combatants Association in the Zambezi Region on Friday officially welcomed the new regional Governor, Dorothy Kabula, at the regional Swapo Party office in Katima Mulilo.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Georgina Mwiya, the regional coordinator of the Former PLAN Combatants Association in Zambezi, expressed their collective enthusiasm and pride for the appointment. She congratulated Her Excellency comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for appointing a woman as the Governor of the Zambezi Region, highlighting it as a significant step forward for women's emancipation in Namibia.
Mwiya assured Governor Kabula that the association supports her appointment and trusts that the concerns of the former combatants, particularly regarding veterans' health and welfare, will be communicated effectively to relevant ministers and the president. She emphasized the urgent need to upgrade the Katima Mulilo State Hospital, noting the challenges posed by its referral system to the Rundu Intermediate Hospital, over 500 kilometers away, which has resulted in patients dying en route.
Mwiya also urged the new governor to ensure the full implementation of Cabinet decisions, including the construction of a shrine at Oshatotwa and the opportunity for people to visit it. She further encouraged efforts to establish symbolic graves at Heroes' Acre in honor of Brendan Simbwaye and Tobias Hainyeko. In her address, Mwiya also thanked former Governor Lawrence Sampofu for his efforts in combating tribalism in the region.
Governor Kabula, in response, committed to leading with integrity, humility, and dedication to the values upheld by the former combatants, in alignment with the Swapo Party manifesto. She acknowledged the legacy of the former PLAN combatants, which encompasses struggle, triumph, vision, and justice, and expressed her intention to uphold these values in her role. Kabula indicated that her priorities would include enhancing food production and combating poverty through agricultural initiatives, among other key objectives.