The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) will celebrate its 35th anniversary on Monday at the Grootfontein Military Base.

This was confirmed by Major General Petrus Nathinge, Deputy Executive Director for Strategy, Policy, Plans and Coordination in the Ministry of Defence.

The event will feature a parade and the recognition of several officers for their service.

Major General Nathinge reflected on the NDF’s role since independence.

"Defence also involves protecting civilians' properties and supporting especially the police in the maintenance of law and order, and also other civil communities and civil ministries in every way possible," he said. "Now, when you look back from where we came from in 1990 to where we are today… most of the operations that the Namibian Defence Force was involved in, whether in terms of defending the country against the insurrections… our northern border really was affected by the spiral effects of the civil war in Angola, and we… had to be deployed there upon assisting the police to fight crimes."

He also addressed the challenges the NDF has faced.

"Maybe we have to look at those challenges that we faced, particularly in the area of defence and security. Like I said earlier, we had issues in the northern borders… I remember in 1994 there was already some sort of curfew that was declared… But then coming to 1998, the situation aggravated because of the many atrocities that were being committed against our civilian population… As a result of that, the decision was taken to deploy troops… we were also authorised to pursue the assailants back into Angola."

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as Commander-in-Chief of the NDF, will officiate at the event.