The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has called on Namibians to protect their independence.

Theofelus made the call during the Independence Day celebration at Mariental.

Brimming with excitement and national pride, residents of the Hardap Region, many of them clad in their traditional attire, gathered at the Mariental Showgrounds to join the rest of the Namibians in celebrating the country's 36th independence anniversary. 

"Let us protect the unity for which our heroes and heroines fought. Let's honour our elders, not by speaking in their names to divide the country but by defending the Republic. Because Namibia's independence is not a regional story, it is not a factional story. It is a national story of unity, sacrifice, endurance, and shared destiny. And the greatest way to honour those who came before us is that every generation continues the work they began," said Theofelus.

Theofelus said Namibia has made significant strides in socio-economic development. 

"We have earned this as a peaceful and democratic nation. These are not small achievements. They are the fruits of a people determined to build from the ashes of oppression. We are determined to build a well-functioning republic based on dignity and hope. And yet, even as we celebrate progress, we must also speak to the fact that there is so much more to do. We face poverty, young people face unemployment, and households wrestle with inequality and limited opportunities. Communities await development in full measure. Independence, therefore, cannot only be a matter of memory; it is also a memory of delivery."

Hardap Governor Riaan McNab said the country's 36th anniversary national celebration is a reminder of the courage and unity of purpose that defined Namibia's liberation and gave birth to a free and sovereign nation. 

"So as we celebrate this milestone under the theme 'Beyond 35 for a Prosperous Future', we are called not only to reflect how far we have come but, more importantly, to reimagine and recommit ourselves to the future we want to build."

The Independence Day celebration was also marked by poetry, traditional dances, and musical performances.