Political analyst wants national honours to be extended beyond liberation struggle

By: Josia Shigwedha

Political analyst, Marias Kudumo, says Namibia needs to broaden the scope of its national honours to recognise individual contributions beyond the liberation struggle, such as in academia, business and innovation.

His remarks come on the back of the conferment ceremony of 804 liberation medals and 197 Independence medals on Namibians in recognition of their contributions to the country, on Tuesday, at Independence Stadium, in Windhoek.

The medals were conferred by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and forms part of this year’s Heroes’ Day commemorations, which is scheduled for the Heroes’ Acre, in Windhoek on Wednesday.

“The Namibia Veterans Act, Act No. 2 of the 2008. I think we need to review that Act, look at its provisions, look where we want to go to, and broaden the scope of national honours. So, we can’t be stuck with the liberation struggle contribution, which was important.

“It is critical, but we need to move on and broaden the scope of national honours so that the academia, the media, the literature, the business, the innovation are also included. Because you are looking into the future. History is not only about past human activities.

“History is about understanding past human activities so that we better understand our presence and so that we plan for a better future for all,” said Kudumo.

Kudumo added that national honours are not only about recognising people for their contributions, but also about preserving history and motivating others to make selfless contributions to society.

“It serves as a motivation for us to address our challenges. Because national honours are about selfless contributions.

“You can’t buy it. You can’t compare it with anything. Therefore, when I say there must not be questions, it means that everyone must say it is true that person deserves it because they have sacrificed beyond personal interests,” said Kudumo.

This year’s Heroes Day event will be officiated by the President when she will amongst others confer national hero status on 16-year-old Cornelius Shimwaafeni, in honour and recognition of his bravery.

Shimwaafeni made headlines earlier this year after saving twin-two-month-old children from drowning.

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