N$550 000 budgeted for Heroes Day commemoration – Windhoek Observer

Hertta-Maria Amutenja

Executive Director in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Audrin Mathe, has revealed that Government has availed N$550 000 towards Heroes Day commemoration in Windhoek.

Mathe made the revelation in an exclusive interview with the Windhoek Observer yesterday and confirmed that it is all systems go for Saturday’s event meant to remember and celebrate heroes and heroines who contributed to the liberation struggle of Namibia.

The 33rd Heroes Day commemoration, which was to be held in Omuthiya in the Oshikoto region was moved to the capital city last week.

Mathe, last week announced that the change of venue was necessitated by the state visit of Cuban President Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel y Bermúdez on the invitation of President Hage Geingob.

However, the change of venue from Omuthiya to Windhoek has left some residents disappointed, citing financial losses already spent in preparation for the day.

Omuthiya Town Council Spokesperson, Ottilie Shingenge, last week told this publication that the decision to shift the event from its originally designated location has ignited fears of trust issues between the Town Council and residents.

She said some residents might mistakenly perceive the change of venue as a cancellation of the event, and Town Council might lose finances it was supposed to get from residents through rates and tax payments.

“The residents who own businesses were going to generate money to pay off some of their debts with the council. Now we are not likely to generate any extra income, she said.

Even though the venue was changed, Oshikoto Region Governor, Penda Ya Ndakola, expressed appreciation to the Government for initially considering the region as the host for this year’s event and said their time will come.

“We were very happy and looking forward to hosting Heroes Day. Although preparations were already in full swing, we just have to accept that it was not a problem at all because of the guest of honour,” he said,

He added that the decision to shift the event to Windhoek was prompted by logistical challenges related to the arrival of the esteemed guest of honour of the Cuban.