Grootfontein: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday called on members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) to maintain high levels of discipline and professionalism. Speaking during the 35th anniversary celebrations of the NDF at the Grootfontein Military Base, the president said high levels of discipline and professionalism can be achieved if the NDF adopts a culture of continuous military training through short, medium, and long-term strategies.

According to Namibia Press Agency,these initiatives are essential for the modernisation and professionalisation of the military. Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed that such strategic undertakings must be tailor-made to enable the NDF to effectively manage contemporary missions, adding that ‘discipline is key, as it is the artery of the force and it must be maintained to a measurable and professional level.’

Nandi-Ndaitwah further said she wants to see the welfare of soldiers improved, advising that the well-being of service members be enhanced and maintained without compromise. ‘Training, monitoring, evaluation and validation of training must propel our motto of train hard and fight easy,’ she said.

The president also called for the adoption of the latest technology in the military, emphasising that digital learning and technology are crucial for keeping the force current in a rapidly evolving world. As the NDF Commander-In-Chief, she also directed the recruitment department to proactively rejuvenate the force, ensuring there are no age, skill, or professional gaps. This, she noted, is vital to ensure that the contemporary fighting capabilities of the Army, Air Force, and Navy remain at a high standard.

Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded her address by urging all Namibians to unite and continue building upon the strong foundation laid by the NDF’s founding members.