Office of the Omaheke Governor

Pickup points during the Genocide Remembrance and Commemoration Day on the 28th of May 2026.

Message by Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the Occasion of Africa Day Commemoration, 25 May 2026

Today, as Namibia joins the rest of the African continent and the global African family in commemorating Africa Day, we do so with profound pride, reflection, and renewed determination.

Africa Day is not merely a date on the calendar. It is a living reminder of the sacrifices, vision, courage, and solidarity of the men and women who believed that Africa’s destiny could only be secured through unity and collective action.

Long before the African Union became the continental body we know today, the founding fathers of Africa’s liberation movements understood one fundamental truth: that the freedom of one African nation would remain incomplete while others remained under colonial rule and oppression.

When Ghana attained independence in 1957, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah famously declared that Ghana’s independence was meaningless unless it was linked to the total liberation of the African continent. It was this spirit of Pan African solidarity and shared destiny that inspired African leaders and liberation movements to gather in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 25 May 1963, to establish the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union.

They understood that Africa’s challenges could never be defeated in isolation, and that the prosperity of our continent would depend on our ability to stand together as one people with a common purpose.

Today, more than six decades later, that message remains as relevant and urgent as ever.

We commemorate Africa Day at a time when the world is confronted by increasing geopolitical uncertainty, economic disruptions, climate change, public health threats, conflict, and growing pressure on developing economies. These global realities continue to expose the vulnerabilities of nations that remain overly dependent on external systems and external solutions.

In these trying times, Africa is once again reminded that now more than ever, Africa needs Africa.

Our continent possesses immense natural resources, youthful energy, indigenous knowledge, and human potential. Yet our greatest strength remains our unity, our resilience, and our collective determination to shape our own future.

As Africans, we must continue to look within for African solutions to African challenges. We must strengthen regional cooperation, deepen intra African trade, invest in our own institutions, support innovation, and work together to ensure that the wealth and resources of our continent uplift the lives of our people.

The African Continental Free Trade Area further presents our continent with a historic opportunity to deepen economic integration, strengthen intra African trade, improve regional value chains, and reduce overdependence on external markets. Through greater interconnection and cooperation, Africa can unlock shared prosperity and position itself more competitively within the global economy.

The current Ebola outbreak in parts of our continent further serves as a sobering reminder that disease knows no borders. It reinforces the urgent need for stronger public health systems, coordinated continental responses, and greater investment in clean water and sanitation, which remain the foundation of healthy and resilient societies.

It is against this backdrop that this year’s Africa Day theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” becomes both timely and deeply significant.

The theme reminds us that water and sanitation are not merely development goals, but fundamental pillars of human dignity, public health, economic growth, environmental sustainability, peace, and social stability.

Without access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation, there can be no meaningful progress in healthcare, education, food security, industrial development, or the overall wellbeing of our people.

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions an Africa that is prosperous, inclusive, self reliant, and driven by its own citizens. Achieving that vision requires us to invest deliberately in the basic needs that sustain life and empower communities.

In Namibia, Government remains committed to improving access to potable water and sanitation facilities as part of our broader national development agenda under NDP 6.

However, Government alone cannot achieve these goals.

The responsibility to protect and preserve our water resources belongs to all of us. As citizens, communities, businesses, and institutions, we must embrace responsible environmental practices and work together to safeguard one of our continent’s most precious resources for future generations.

As we celebrate Africa Day, let us also challenge ourselves to build the Africa we want: an Africa that is peaceful, prosperous, united, self reliant, and driven by its own people.

Let us draw inspiration from the courage and foresight of those who came before us. Let us strengthen the bonds of solidarity among African nations and recommit ourselves to the ideals of unity, dignity, justice, and shared prosperity.

Namibia remains a proud child of international solidarity, and we equally remain committed to contributing toward a stronger, more resilient, and more self determined African continent.

Together, as Africans, we can overcome the challenges before us and unlock the immense promise of our continent.

Happy Africa Day.

May the African Union continue to prosper.

May the spirit of African unity endure for generations to come.

GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY | On Thursday, 28 May 2026, the Khomas, Omaheke, and Kavango East Regions will co-host the Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration. The event will take place at Ozombuzovindimba, in the Otjinene Constituency (Omaheke Region), a site of significant historical importance.

All roads lead to the Omaheke Region as we reflect on the 1904–1908 genocide and honor the memory of our fallen heroes.

The Right Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Elijah Ngurare will deliver the Keynote Address.

Community members are invited to attend the commemoration in large numbers.

BILATERAL ENGAGEMENT| Earlier today, His Excellency Mr. Sergio Vigoa de la Uz, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Namibia, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of the Omaheke Region.

The visit served as a familiarization engagement and marked the Ambassador’s first official visit to the region.

During the meeting, the Ambassador indicated that additional medical professionals are expected to be deployed to Omaheke in the coming months to complement those currently serving in the region.

The discussions also highlighted several areas of potential collaboration between the two countries.

OPENING OF PUPKEWITZ MEGABUILD GOBABIS| This morning, Pijoo Nganate, Governor of the Omaheke Region, officially opened the Pupkewitz Megabuild Gobabis branch.

In his remarks, the Governor commended the Pupkewitz Group for investing in Gobabis and encouraged employers, particularly within the hardware industry, to empower their employees through savings schemes that support access to dignified housing.

The development represents an investment of N$11 million and has created 19 new employment opportunities for the local community.

The new branch offers customers everything they need under one roof.

Courtesy Call| Earlier today, Honourable Pijoo Nganate, Governor of the Omaheke Region received a courtesy call from the High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Ambassador Frieda Ithete.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss regional development plans, the recently concluded visit to Pretoria by the regional leadership, as well as opportunities for the growth and advancement of the region.

Also in attendance were Mr. Pecka Semba, Chief Regional Officer (not pictured), and Honourable Rocco Nguvauva, Chairperson of the Omaheke Regional Council.