Speech by President Dr Hage Geingob on the occasion of the 27th Independence Day Celebration

Rundu, Tuesday, March 21, 2017

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What is independence and why do we celebrate it? Why are we gathered here today in such large numbers?

Independence stems from an innate desire for people to exercise their free will in order to pursue their aspirations and determine their own destiny. In other words, people become independent when they are able to form a sovereign nation that is legally able to make its own decisions on domestic and foreign policy. Independence means the ability for people, the sovereigns, to elect into office, representatives that will form a sovereign government able to exercise the full range of powers a state possesses under international law.

27 years ago, on the 21st March 1990, Namibia was born; born into freedom and sovereignty; born with the legal right to determine its own destiny and that of its people. That is what our forefathers bled and died for. So we have a right to recognize this day, we have a right to celebrate this day, because never again shall the sovereign people of Namibia be restricted by the wicked chains of colonialism; never again shall the sovereign people of Namibia be engulfed by the hateful flames of Apartheid.

For 27 years, we have been a free nation and have a right to celebrate our independence. We have a right to acknowledge this momentous day and will continue to do so for years to come, through good times and bad times.

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