Thirty-six years after Namibia achieved independence, many people still vividly remember the celebrations on 21st March 1990.

Ananias Abraham, a resident of Windhoek's Ombili residential area, is one of those who were in attendance and reflects on the day's event. 

The 21st of March, 1990, was a day that is still embedded and resonates in the minds of many.

For the thousands who attended the fall of the apartheid regime at the Independence Stadium, it was the beginning of a new era. 

Ananias Abraham, now 58, was only 22 years old then. For him, celebrating his country's freedom and being in attendance are non-negotiable because 36 years later, he still showed up at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

NBC News sat with him in his home, where he reminisced about the moment he heard the news on the radio announcing Namibia's freedom.

He made sure that he got onto the bus on 21st March to witness the hoisting of Namibia's flag in person. 

"There is a big difference between the first independence and when it happens. Like, if you take the late Sam Nujoma, our first president, we used to see him in the newspapers and hear his voice on the radio, but most of us saw him for the first time at the stadium, and we couldn't get close and look at him because he was heavily guarded. But today's one was different; we were sitting in the same tent with our leaders, and it was a pleasure."

Abraham reminded Namibians not to take Independence Day for granted but to honour and give due respect to the fallen heroes and heroines. 

"People did not fight for animals and funny things; people were seriously fighting for freedom for our land so that we live in peace and unity despite your ethnic group, so people should respect one another as they respect themselves."

And 66-year-old Shudeni Hamukwaya is one of those Abraham is referring to. Platforms to share untold stories are sometimes rare for people like him.

As soon as Hamukwaya heard of the presence of our news crew, the freedom fighter rushed to share his story too.

Known by his combat name Kakodi, Hamakwaya was injured during the war and uses crutches. 

"I was injured during the war on February 12, 1987, and then I was sent to the hospital in Oshakati. The country is now independent, and that is the peace we were fighting for. The colonial time was not good, where women and men were beaten. Some of us are disabled, and others never returned from those forests."

He urges the nation to maintain courage and unity in the face of challenges and hardships.

"The nation must fight on and continue the fight as we did. When times get tough, they should keep going with hope; their efforts will pay off, and if they do, it shouldn't discourage them. God is always watching."

Their stories serve as a poignant reminder that Namibia's independence was not an easy feat.