President Nangolo Mbumba joined Namibians in remembering Cassinga Day on Saturday.
He said the massacre will forever stand out in Namibian history as a stark reminder of the brutality inflicted on Namibians by apartheid South Africa during the country’s long and protracted struggle for independence.
Cassinga Day is commemorated annually on 4 May.
Saturday marks 46 years since the atrocious attack by apartheid South Africa’s troops on innocent Namibians, mainly women and children, who were sheltered at the Cassinga Refugee Camp in Angola.
President Mbumba in a statement on Saturday said the lasting trauma and scars endured by survivors and their descendants continue to affect individuals and communities, reminding the country of the importance of healing, memory, reconciliation and nation-building.
“The darkness and the scars of Cassinga on survivors and Namibians in general are with us. Indeed, they will continue to serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of the Namibian people in their fight for their inalienable right to freedom. Cassinga Day reminds us that we are a nation forged in the fires of adversity, tempered by the trials of history,” Mbumba noted.
He further said as Namibia reflects on this history-altering ordeal, the country must reaffirm its commitment to standing in solidarity with all those around the world who are still fighting for freedom, justice and dignity.
“The support and solidarity we received from our comrades from the Republic of Cuba, the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Zambia, the Republic of Zimbabwe, Republic of Tanzania and beyond during our darkest hours serve as a testament to the power of unity in the face of oppression.”
He said Namibia lends its voice in support of those who are still oppressed in Palestine and Western Sahara.
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