The resilience of the Rehoboth Basters reminds us that while history may be marked by struggle, it also provides inspiration to build a future anchored in reconciliation and shared prosperity.
That message from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah formed part of the 111th commemoration of the Battle of Sam !Khubis, outside Rehoboth.
The Baster community gathered to honour the vow made to God by their ancestors after surviving a fierce confrontation with German colonial forces in 1915.
The rugged hills of Sam !Khubis once again became a place of remembrance and prayer and remains central to the identity and spiritual heritage of the Baster community.
On 8 May 1915, between 700 and 800 Baster fighters defended their mountain stronghold against advancing German colonial forces, armed with superior weaponry.
Historical accounts tell of fierce attacks that pushed the Baster defenders to the brink of defeat as ammunition supplies ran dangerously low in the wee hours.
Faced with what appeared to be total extermination, the community turned to prayer and made a vow to God that if their lives were spared, future generations would forever commemorate the day in gratitude.
By sunset, German forces unexpectedly withdrew after receiving orders to retreat, an event many Basters continue to regard as divine intervention.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's message, delivered by Vice-President Lucia Witbooi, linked the battle to Namibia's broader history of resistance against colonial rule.
"Across Namibia, these early acts of resistance against colonial oppression planted the seeds of a broader national consciousness that would later inspire the liberation struggle from the 1960s onwards and ultimately contribute to the independence we attained in 1990. The history of the Rehoboth Basters is marked by resilience in the face of adversity."
The President said the courage shown at Sam !Khubis must be preserved, not with the intent to reopen wounds, but for a purpose.
"As we stand on this historic ground, we must honour the past not as a distant memory, but as a living guide that challenges us to rise above division, strengthen our national identity, and work collectively toward a Namibia where the promise of a new tomorrow is realised for every citizen."
This year's commemoration also reflected a renewed sense of optimism within the community, with newly recognised Kaptein Jacky Britz labelling it as a new dawn.
Britz also welcomed improving relations between the government and the Rehoboth Baster community, including the return of the Kaptein's official residence.
More than a century later, the site is also home to the graves of those fighters, including women, to whom the Vice-President and the community paid homage.