Grootfontein: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday joined members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) in commemorating the force’s 35th anniversary at the Grootfontein Military Base. Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is Commander-in-Chief of the NDF which comprises the army, navy, and air force, highlighted the force’s establishment on 02 June 1990 by Founding President Sam Nujoma. This included the integration of combatants from the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and its former adversaries from the South-West Africa Territory Force (SWATF).
According to Namibia Press Agency,Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the integration formed the NDF after years of battles between the two warring forces. The president emphasised that from its beginnings, the NDF has evolved into a professional force prepared to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. She stated that Monday’s celebrations served as a reflection on the NDF’s successes and challenges and symbolised national unity.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged NDF members to maintain their pride and unity in defending the motherland. She noted that accepting membership in the force means forfeiting some rights on behalf of the nation, with a commitment to duty 24 hours a day and throughout the year. She stressed that becoming a member signifies dedication, which includes operating under difficult circumstances and potentially making the ultimate sacrifice for the country and its people.
Furthermore, the president cautioned NDF members to uphold professional conduct, warning against actions that could compromise national security. She advised them to channel any issues through established lines of command and structures. Nandi-Ndaitwah also commended the NDF members for their assistance to civilians during national disasters and their contributions to international peacekeeping missions.
The ceremony concluded with the president conferring medals upon 14 military star generals, recognising their conduct in duty. The event featured aerial performances by fighter jets and demonstrations of specialised military equipment and ballistic missile launchers.