The 21 Motorised Infantry Brigade welcomed Brigadier General Johannes Shimweetheleni, who took over command from Brigadier General Martin Shikomba last week.
The Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, appointed Brigadier General Shimwetheleni as the new General Officer Commanding the 21 Motorised Infantry Brigade.
Following the appointment of Brigadier General Shimwetheleni, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Pinehas, presided over a change of command between the outgoing GOC and incoming GOC at Tobias Hainyeko Garrison.
Brigadier Shimwetheleni took over the symbols of authority from Brigadier Shikomba, whose military career ends this month.
The appointment carries a significant mandate of defending central command operations, which translates to the specified tasks of defending the state house, protecting the head of state, safeguarding the key installations, and performing ceremonial duties.
The incoming GOC laid down his conceptual mantras, vowing to promote transformation at all levels of command through utilising the power of innovation and technology, which he believed would enhance the soldiers' combat readiness.
The outgoing General Officer Commanding, Brigadier Shikomba, is retiring from military life after 41 years of active service.
Brigadier Shikomba is a soldier of note, a certified freedom fighter, whose military career started after joining the liberation struggle in 1979.
He was inducted into the Namibian Defence Force in 1991 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
In recognition of his contribution to the liberation struggle, the late President Dr. Hage Geingob honoured General Shikomba with the award of Grand Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Namibia, First Class.
The award was accorded to him for having displayed notable courage and determination when he commanded PLAN fighters to face enemy mobility forces at Onamhoolo Village, in the Oshikoto Region.
He served the Namibian Defence Force in various capacities, including peacekeeping missions and as Commander of the Special Forces and General Officer Commanding at 21 Mot Infa Bde.
As he bid farewell, Shikomba thanked all who played a role in shaping his military career.