Staff Writer
The ministry of information, communication and technology together with the National Youth Service (NYS) provided training to 400 NYS recruits on nationhood and national pride principles.
The training was provided for three days and concluded on Thursday.
The Nationhood and National Pride Programme (NNP) aims to inspire Namibians to be patriotic and respectful to realise a unified and prosperous nation.
Speaking at the training, NYS executive, Elia Nashandi welcomed the ministry’s representatives at the Rietfontein training centre and said that the recruits are the best fit for the project.
“We have realised that you are the best fit to get this training on the importance of being patriotic and loyal to your country. And the importance of understanding national pride,” said Nashandi.
In November 2020, the ministry launched its National Strategic Framework and five-year Implementation plan of the Nationhood and National Pride Campaign Programme second phase.
The launch was witnessed by founding President Sam Nujoma and former President Hifikepuny Pohamba in Windhoek.
The framework aims to chart a path for the execution of all national endeavours with a bearing on nation-building and national pride.
At that time, vice president Nangolo Mbumba in his address on behalf of, President Hage Geingob said after independence, it was necessary to develop a narrative of nationhood to unite a country whose social fabric had been fractured by apartheid and today the nationhood narrative has gone beyond reconciliation.
The five-year plan is implemented through 12 strategic pillars and objectives which are, amongst others, to strengthen the national identity of Namibia, accelerate research and innovation efforts on nationhood and national pride as well as to intensify the fight against all forms of crime and violence in the country.
In September 2015, the NNP campaign hosted a two-day workshop, which was attended by about 30 people from different ministries, state-owned enterprises, and youth groups, and established a new NNP regional forum.
At that time, Shasimana Uugulu, the ministry’s campaign manager said the aim of the workshop was to set up a forum that will be responsible for organising NNP activities.
