Nandi-Ndaitwah preaches prosperity gospel on Heroes day

STAFF WRITER

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged continued support to youth empowerment , advancing industrialisation, promoting the beneficiation of  natural resources, creating employment opportunities, and  fighting against corruption. 

She was speaking at the Heroes Day Commemorations at Katima Mulilo on Tuesday.

Nandi-Ndaitwah told the gathering that while Namibia has experienced socio-economic challenges in the past the country has made progress in fostering infrastructure development and creating access to health and education for the masses.

“These efforts are the greatest tribute we can offer to those who paid the ultimate price and whom we are honouring for our freedom today.

“As part of youth empowerment, job creation and economic advancement, the Youth Development Fund will be operational soon and I want to appeal to the first beneficiaries not to let the nation down but to ensure the success of the program,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

She called on the government implementing agency and ministries who will drive the National Development Plan 6 which was launched in July that   they must consider projects that make economic sense.

“Today from the border with South Africa to Katima Mulilo you are on a tarred road. Zambezi Region is today connected with a good road network to its neighboring Botswana and Zambia. 

“While not all the challenges facing our people are addressed, no doubt there are significant improvements in different social and economic sectors such as increased schools, clinics, water points, electricity and economic infrastructures among others,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated that Namibia’s independence is not complete before the country achieves economic independence.

“As we look to the future, our resolve must be to protect our hard-won political freedom, while recognising that the battle to gain economic independence and prosperity for all, has not yet been won. The struggle to uplift the living conditions of all our people requires our collective commitment to overcome the vagaries of poverty, hunger, unemployment and gender-based violence, drugs and alcohol abuse,” she said. 

She said there is a need to fight abuse of power, corruption and mismanagement of public resources. 

“With the natural resources at our disposal we must make a commitment to ensure that every Namibian is living a decent life. Towards this end, the government will be on the side of those leading the charge against corruption in all its manifestations that threatens our development,” she said.

She said corruption betrays truth between government and citizens.

“ Let all of us commit to quality service delivery at all levels and all times, be it in public or private sectors and even in our families, the basic unit of our society, as per our National Constitution. I said “we are too few to1be poor” and with one heart and one mind we can make Namibia a best place for all of us,” she said.