The Cassinga survivors, accompanied by Khomas Regional Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua, laid a wreath at Heroes Acre in Windhoek in honour of those who died in the attack at Cassinga.

Some of the Cassinga survivors described the day's attack as brutal.

One of them, Nekwaya Viliho, says memories of the early morning on that fateful day are still fresh in his mind.

Viliho, who witnessed others being killed, said he survived by burying himself under the dead bodies.

"As Namibia commemorates and remembers the lives lost, people need to hold hands in unity," he said.

Another survivor, Ottilie Shongola, believes it was God who saved her.

"We were very young, and all of us here knew each other when we were about fifteen years old. When we were at that camp, we just saw a South African airplane coming in. We were told to lay on the floor, but they started shooting at us, but I was saved because I ran to the hospital close by, so we stayed there, but they were still shooting at us."

Laying the wreath, Khomas Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua said that "this historic attack is a painful chapter that remains a constant reminder that Namibia's freedom and independence did not come on a silver platter. In remembrance of the 45th anniversary of Cassinga Day, it is our hope that the sacrifices, the dreams, and the aspirations of all those who perished for us to enjoy our freedom were not in vain; their blood watered our freedom."