From the battlefront to the honours list. 

Namibians who took part in the fight for freedom have now received the country's salute ahead of the Heroes Day commemoration on Wednesday. 

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred liberation and independence medals on more than 1200 Namibians who endured and supported the long road to freedom.

Freedom was not handed to Namibia on a silver platter.

It was fought for on the frontlines, carried through exile and sustained by those who remained inside the country under the daily weight of colonial rule.

Now, nearly 1000 veterans who actively took part and carried various duties on the frontlines of the liberation struggle have received Liberation Medals.

Among the notable names on the honours list are Minister in the Presidency Dr. Charles Mubita, former Cabinet Minister Erastus Uutoni, former Oshana Regional Police Commander Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa and technocrat Penny Uukunde, daughter of Swapo stalwart Nathaniel Maxwilili.

At the helm of the National Honours System is President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, its Grand Master, with the authority to confer the nation's highest recognition on those whose service and sacrifice have left a mark on Namibia's history.

But the fight for freedom was not confined to the battlefield.

More than 200 Independence Medals have gone to Namibians who remained inside the country, the 'inxiles', whose lives bore the daily scars of colonialism and whose support helped sustain the liberation fighters.

The service to Namibia did not end with the attainment of independence for the honourees.

They went on to serve in various fields in both public and private sector clusters, extending commitment to defend the new nation.

The medals were conferred on the recommendation of the National Honours Committee, demonstrating that decades after the guns fell silent, gratitude is still being extended to the hands that helped raise the Namibian flag.

The investiture ceremony is one of the events in the three-day programme dedicated in remembrance of the sacrifices that paved the road to freedom.