The Namibia Command and Staff College in Okahandja graduated 28 senior officers from the Namibia Defence Force (NDF), including two allied students from Zambia.

The senior officials graduated from the Senior Command and Staff Course, the highest qualification currently being offered by the college.

The 45-week course, designed for the rank of Major or equivalent and Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent, is predominantly in the field of military aspects and geo-political studies.

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the President, told the graduates that being in the military requires both brains and brawn.

"Modern conflicts do not require physical strength alone but also mind-based power.  Therefore, I urge commanders and staff officers to be critical thinkers, rational in their decision-making, and understand the complexity of military, economic, political, and diplomatic environments. I firmly believe that these efforts will transform the college into one of the most reputable military training institutions in the SADC region."

Course Senior from the Senior Command and Staff Course, Colonel Abraham Enghono, says the highlight of the course was the joint conventional warfare package, which enhanced the students' understanding of the practical employment of various concepts during different phases of war.

"Staff duties, Command and Control, National and International Affairs, Intelligence and Security, Joint Conventional Warfare, Logistics, Low Intensity Conflict Operations, Law of Armed Conflict, Peace Support Operations, and Disaster Management, to mention a few," he elaborated on some of the disciplines.

It was also the first time that the Namibia Command and Staff College graduated senior officers from Zambia.

The Senior Command and Staff Course will be used as a benchmark for the development of a diploma in defence and security studies to be offered in collaboration with the University of Namibia.