President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says while Namibia has secured its political freedom and sovereignty, the country's focus must now shift to economic emancipation. 

Speaking at the 60th Heroes' Day commemoration, the President said the current generation's struggle is to harness Namibia's human and natural resources to improve the wellbeing of its people.

Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah said as the nation honours the past, which was built on the sacrifice of others, it must take cognisance that Namibia as a nation cannot sustain itself on past glory alone. 

"The enemies before us may no longer wear military uniforms, but they are no less real. They are poverty. They are unemployed, particularly among our young people. They are inequality. They are corruption and institutional inefficiency. They are hunger and homelessness. They are hopelessness wherever it takes root among our people. Those 14 are the battles that demand the courage of the current generation.'

She says the Sixth National Development Plan is therefore not merely an administrative programme but a national assignment where natural resource beneficiation, value addition, youth empowerment and the seven priority areas supported by the country's economic enablers must build an economy capable of improving the conditions of Namibians.

"Human capital remains central to this mission. We must deliver an efficient public service. We must support our farmers. We must create opportunities for entrepreneurs. We must attract productive investment. We must advance research, technology and innovation. And above all, we must ensure that the resources and opportunities of this country translate into dignity and improved livelihoods for our people."

Nandi-Ndaitwah says as the nation concludes the 60th commemoration of Heroes Day, she urged Namibians to have clarity of purpose. 

"The heroes and heroines of our past fulfilled the assignment history set before them. They delivered freedom. They delivered sovereignty. They delivered Namibia into our hands. The question history will one day ask of us is simple: What did we do with it? When future generations gather here, may they say we were worthy custodians of the freedom we inherited. May they say that when confronted with poverty, we fought it. When confronted with inequality, we reduced it. When confronted with corruption, we rejected it." 

She therefore urged Namibians to safeguard peace, uphold integrity and responsibility, and ensure that prosperity becomes a reality for households across the country.