Namibia's former ambassador to Libya, Nicky Nashandi, shared his journey in the liberation struggle as Swapo Party representative appointed by the late Sam Nujoma.

He was also tasked with mobilising resources from the Libyan Defence Force.

Nashandi's political journey started in 1959, when he attended a rally in Tsumeb at the tender age of 14.

Soon thereafter he had travelled to Windhoek after hearing that Dr. Nujoma and former President Hifikepunye Pohamba would be arriving there; unfortunately, that did not happen.

In 1974 he went into exile in Zambia and was sent to a refugee camp, where he worked the land for food.

He was soon relocated to Lusaka, where he met Dr. Sam Nujoma for the first time when he addressed the 8th anniversary of the Swapo Armed Struggle.

Nashandi and many others were selected for training in the Soviet Union.

After completing military training, he returned to the operational zone, where he spent two years and was appointed to represent Swapo in Libya during the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

Nashandi says he also had the honour of meeting liberation fighters from other countries in Libya, including Robert Mugabe and Oliver Tambo.

In 1982, about 360 Swapo military personnel had completed their military training in Libya and were given a ship to travel to Luanda.

Years later, in 1990, after its long battle during the liberation struggle, Namibia gained independence under the leadership of the Founding President and Father of the Namibian nation, Dr. Sam Nujoma.