Swapo Party Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa has highlighted that challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality continue to persist in Namibia. 

The Party must therefore continue to address the challenges with sustainable solutions to pay a befitting tribute to the country's heroes and heroines. 

Shaningwa made the remarks during the belated Heroes' Day commemorations at Rundu's Ndama South location over the weekend. 

She said people from the Kavango Regions played a crucial and integral role in the liberation of Namibia. 

"Brave sons and daughters from this region fought valiantly to bring about the independence of our country. Their courage, endurance and contribution form an indelible part of our national history. We honour them today alongside all other heroes and heroines from every corner of our motherland," she said. "The armed liberation is now over, and political independence has been achieved. The younger generation is therefore expected to wage and spearhead the second phase of the struggle, which is the economic independence of Namibia and its people." 

Former PLAN combatants from the Kavango regions also spoke at the belated Heroes' Day commemoration. 

Theophilus Kamberuka, representing the group, expressed, "Today serves as a memorial for one of our comrades who was instrumental during the times of exile, Comrade Helao Shityuwete and others. The comrade we are mourning today was captured here in Kavango, yet this did not deter us; Aluta Continua. We persevered until we fired the first bullet on 26 August. This is why we commemorate this day—it holds significant importance in our history."

The party also welcomed back new members, including former IPC Councillor in the Rundu Town Council, Rosalia Nanghuti. 

"I was born in the Swapo family," said Nanghuti. She added that "There is a group I campaigned with from 2020, when I became a local authority councillor in 2024 and also last year. I will make sure that I bring all of them to Swapo. I will bring them home."