President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah states that the government is committed to empowering the youth, advancing industrialisation, promoting the beneficiation of natural resources, and creating employment opportunities.
Addressing the 35th Heroes Commemoration at Katima Mulilo, Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated that most of those who started the liberation struggle are long gone, and the future lies in the Namibian nation's ability to ensure service delivery.
People from all walks of life converged at Katima Mulilo to commemorate and honour those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of Namibia.
With independence came economic freedom, and President Nandi-Ndaitwa noted that the government has made strides in terms of infrastructure development, which she says must be capitalised on.
She also called for the creation of more job opportunities.
"Development is a process; just imagine that at independence, it was not easy to reach Katima Mulilo. Today, from the border with South Africa to Katima Mulilo, you are on the tar road. The Zambezi Region is today connected with good road networks to our neighbours, Botswana and Zambia. While not all the challenges facing our people are addressed, no doubt there is significant improvement in different social and economic sectors, such as an increase in schools, clinics, water points, electricity and economic infrastructure, and of course, even our town is expanding."
The president called for the implementation of the youth development fund without fail as soon as it is operationalised, calling on would-be applicants to look to realistic projects.
Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed the need to engage the nation and strengthen trust.
"Therefore, we call upon all our leaders at every level across the entire political spectrum – political, religious, community, business, and civil – to renew their commitment to the maintenance of peace, justice, and sustainable development."
The Head of State appealed to Namibians to change their collective mindset—to lift rather than work against one another and to become respectful and tolerant of one another.
She emphasised the need to improve overall living conditions and collectively overcome poverty, hunger, and unemployment, as well as gender-based violence and the abuse of harmful substances.
The President called for peace and unity, saying she was encouraged by the cordiality between the four traditional authorities in the Zambezi Region, where the chiefs were seen attending their contemporaries' festivals.
This, the president said, counts as a success story to be retold for generations to come.