OSHIKOTO, JAN 31 – President Hage Geingob and Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo of the Ondonga Traditional Authority on Saturday paid homage to the late King Nehale LyeMpingana and his Warriors through the unveiling of the King Nehale Warrior’s Memorial and Commemoration of the 118 Memorial Monument.
The Battle of Amutuni LyoManengwe occurred on 28 January 1904, when valiant warriors under the leadership of King Nehale LyeMpingana chose death over subjugation at the hands of Germain colonialists.
“We are marking, through the Official Unveiling of the King Nehale Warrior’s Memorial, yet another momentous event in the history of our nation when gallant sons of our soil under their leader King Nehale Lya Mpingana chose death over subjugation at the hands of the brutal German colonial regime,” said Geingob.
He emphasized that the diverse presence at the site of the memorial showed that the country was taking another important step in honoring and celebrating the past in order to consolidate the project of nation-building that began at independence in 1990.
“Moreover, we are here to reconcile our history with our new nation in order to ensure continuity for our Republic, its processes, its systems and its institutions, for the benefit of current and future generations. In doing so, we should constantly remind ourselves that nation-building is not an event – it is a process that calls for continuous work and deliberate actions on the part of each one of us, including Traditional Authorities.”
The honouring of King Nehale by unveiling the King Nehale Memorial Park is testament to a leader whose bravery and that of his warriors is inscribed in Namibian history. When the Heroes Acre was inaugurated on 26 August 2002, King Nehale was commemorated as one of the nine national heroes of our country, with a grave and tombstone symbolically built in his honor.
“In this Year of Reimaging, we should be inspired by the deeds of our heroes by upholding a positive outlook through positive actions in our communities. Through the unveiling of the King Nehale Warrior’s Memorial, the commemoration of the Battle of Amutuni, which we are gracing today, we are poignantly reminded about the importance of hard work and personal sacrifice for the broader interests of our communities and our country.”
While commemorating heroes who were prepared to pay the ultimate price in defense of their land, Geingob also took time to recognize the presence of Founding Father, Comrade Sam Nujoma “who led with remarkable courage our fight for freedom until our final victory when we gained independence in 1990.”
He also commended Omukwaniilwa Shuumbwa Nangolo for extending invitations to Traditional Leaders of all countries in a symbol of national unity.
“I should commend you for that act because it clearly demonstrates your commitment to social cohesion and nation-building in the Namibian House. I was pleased when Traditional Councilor Frans Enkali, the Secretary of the Ondonga Traditional Authority recently encouraged respect and unity among Namibians in the interests of development. More important, during that stakeholder meeting of the Ondonga Traditional Authority Stakeholder Consultations, he said: ‘If Namibians do not foster unity and solidarity as well as mutual respect, then nation-building will be impossible. Consequently, they will keep relying on other countries.’ The words and advise from Councilor Enkali are of profound importance and timely. Therefore, at all times, united in our diversity, let us hold hands in order to build our country.”
There are many examples of sacrifices made by men and women who fought against the genocidal and brutal German regime and later the racist South African Apartheid regime and Geingob said this should serve as inspiration to do more for communities and the country in general.
“The blood of our fallen heroes, which is scattered all over our country, from the Battlefields of Hornkranz, Hamakari, Shatotwa and Amutuni to Omugulogwombashe and Cassinga among others, should motivate us as citizens to redouble our efforts in the Second Struggle for Economic Emancipation. At this hour, just like the courageous warriors of King Nehale who perished and triumphed here in the plains during the Battle of Amutuni over a century ago, we must draw inspiration and renew our determination to fight, in words and in deeds, and with all our might for the unity and development of our country.”
He added that just like those who came before regardless of diversity, there is a need to recommit to carry the torch of solidarity and justice for each and every Namibian to enjoy the fruits of our freedom. – musa@namibiadailynews.info
