Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday conferred national honours on 1,001 Namibians in recognition of their contributions to the country's liberation struggle, independence, and national development. President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, conferred liberation medals and certificates on 804 individuals during an investiture ceremony held at Independence Stadium.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the recipients are among the 'brave sons and daughters' who made sacrifices for Namibia's liberation, enduring imprisonment, torture, displacement, and separation from their families, both inside the country and in exile. The recipients, which include Charles Mubita, the Minister in the Presidency, were recognised for their contributions to the liberation of Namibia and the country's development.
The recipients have now been inducted into the Namibian national honours system as holders of the Liberation Medal. In addition, 197 individuals were conferred with independence medals and certificates in recognition of their contributions to Namibia's independence and national development. Among the independence medal recipients is former Namibian ambassador to China, George Elia Kaiyamo.
The recipients of the independence medals have similarly joined the Namibian national honours system in recognition of their service to the country. The honours were conferred in terms of Article 32(3)(h) of the Namibian Constitution, which empowers the president to confer honours on individuals who have made significant contributions to the liberation of Namibia and its development.
The recognised contributions span various fields, including political and military service, diplomacy, humanitarian work, socio-economic development, education, health, media, reconstruction, and the promotion of peace and justice. The investiture forms part of Namibia's efforts to recognise and honour individuals whose sacrifices and contributions have shaped the country's liberation, independence, and subsequent national development.