A high-level delegation from the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), led by its president, Tokely Justin, an MP from Madagascar, is visiting Namibia as part of the forum's efforts to strengthen regional ties and honour Namibia's leaders who have passed on.
The executive committee of the SADC PF, comprising eight Speakers of Parliament with their delegations from across the SADC region, visited the Heroes' Acre, where they laid wreaths at the gravesites of Namibia's Founding President Sam Nujoma and the late President Hage Geingob.
Speaking to nbc News, Justin expressed admiration for Namibia's legacy, describing it as a "patriotic country" that continues to inspire regional solidarity and unity.
"First of all, the SADC Parliamentary Forum is honoured, and we thank the host speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia for welcoming us. Today's visit has taught us something: the history of Namibia. This also taught us because we are now aware that Namibia is actually an extremely patriotic country. It's a country with a very interesting history, and it is a country in development."
Joining the delegation was the Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, Saara Kuugongwela-Amadhila, who welcomed the visitors and highlighted the significance of fostering deeper parliamentary cooperation and enhancing bilateral relations within the SADC framework.
"We have an added honour that the delegates, prior to the forum's meeting, decided to pay a visit to the resting place of our leaders, and that assures us that they, as fellow Africans, recognise that Namibia is not only for their meeting but a country for their brothers and sisters. A people with whom they share a relationship, a people with whom they share a common history. Many or all of their countries actually did support the struggle of these heroes who have died fighting, and it is an honour for us that they actually thought about it, coming here to pay a visit."
The visit will continue throughout the week, with the delegation expected to engage with various Namibian leaders and institutions.