20th May 2009


HOTEL HYATT REGENCY – THE CHURCHILL,
LONDON

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fellow compatriots

Allow me first and foremost to take this opportunity to welcome and thank you most sincerely for joining us today at this auspicious occasion marking our national day. Tomorrow, 21 March, Namibians across the globe will be celebrating the 19th anniversary of their hard-won independence from the yoke of apartheid colonialism. It will be an occasion to commemorate by paying tribute to the fallen and gallant heroes and heroines of our revolution, whose blood waters our freedom. In the same vein, it is befitting to highlight that independence would not have come about without the moral, material, diplomatic and political support rendered by peace loving peoples and nations towards our just cause for freedom and social justice. For your solidarity and support, we continue to remain grateful.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests

As we look back at the 19 years of independence after many decades of oppression, we take pride in the many successes that the SWAPO-Party government has achieved in its commitment towards the maintenance of peace and stability, democracy and socio-economic development, all with a view to improving the quality of life of our people. However, despite the successes recorded, we still face numerous challenges that must be addressed such as countering the HIV/AIDS pandemic, education and training, job creation and the alleviation of poverty.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests
At the bilateral level, relations between Namibia and UK are strong and developing. Britain continues to be an important partner to Namibia and its development aspirations. We are grateful for the development assistance we continue to receive through the British Council, the Department of International Development and through the European Development Fund in various sectors such as education and training, defence, health and environment amongst others.
In the same vein, economic relations between Namibia and the UK have continued to gain in strength over the years. The United Kingdom is among the top five largest markets for Namibian exports. Moreover, it is not only our economic ties that continue to be strong. I am gratified to note that people-to-people exchanges have become more frequent as our relations continue to grow in strength and diversity. To many Britons, Namibia has become a popular tourist destination. I wish to take this opportunity to urge you all to visit and experience its beauty as you plan for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. We are hopeful that these important developments will add new dimensions and give strong impetus to the relations existing between our two countries.
Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Fellow compatriots
As we celebrate this joyful occasion of our 19th independence Anniversary, our thoughts are with our compatriots who have been displaced by recent flooding in the north and northeast areas of our country. For the second year running, this week, His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba declared a State of Emergency as the floods have now caused large-scale destruction to homes, schools, health facilities, maize fields, businesses and economic infrastructure, particularly the road and power network. So far, the floods have claimed more than 92 lives.
The flood situation, worse than last year, has caused a serious setback in our drive to ensure food security for our people. We call on the international community to assist the efforts of our Government in its attempts to rehabilitate those affected and in rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed as a consequence of the natural disaster.
In conclusion, I wish to reiterate our commitment to further strengthening the cordial bilateral relations existing between Namibia and the UK.

May I now ask you all to join me as I propose a toast to the continued good health of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to lasting friendship between our two countries and peoples. 

To her Majesty’s health
To President Pohamba’s health

I thank you.