By: Mathias Hangala
In a gesture celebrating regional unity and shared history, Namibia has officially renamed Feld Street in Windhoek in honour of Botswana’s founding President, Sir Seretse Khama.
The street renaming ceremony took place yesterday, on the sidelines of the ongoing Botswana-Namibia Bi-National Commission currently being held in the Namibian capital.
The Bi-National Commission is aimed at strengthening diplomatic, trade, social development, and regional security ties between the two Southern African nations. Speaking at the event, City of Windhoek (CoW) Mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja said the ceremony marked more than a mere change in street signage — it signified a powerful act of remembrance, African unity, and solidarity.
“This event goes beyond street renaming,” said Larandja. “It is about honouring a man whose leadership embodied stability, moral clarity, and a relentless pursuit of prosperity for his people,” she noted.
She highlighted the struggles faced by Sir Seretse Khama and his wife Ruth Williams Khama, including their exile, and his subsequent rise to leading Botswana from poverty to one of Africa’s most stable democracies.
Larandja also acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Maharero Traditional Authority (MTA) in advocating for the renaming, pointing to the historical bond between the Maharero and Khama families, as well as Botswana’s support during Namibia’s colonial and liberation struggles.
“The decision to rename this street was not taken lightly,” she stressed. “It followed a deliberate and consultative process guided by our council resolutions and the passionate applications submitted,” she added
She further noted Botswana’s role in sheltering Namibians who fled German colonial atrocities in 1904, and later those who joined the liberation struggle, adding that this gesture honours not just a man, but a shared legacy.
Echoing the mayor’s sentiments, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the renaming of Feld Street is a symbolic act that reflects a new chapter in the shared history between the two countries.
“This renaming extends beyond a mere alteration of nomenclature; it embodies a meaningful transformation. It stands as a powerful statement of remembrance, recognition, and renewal,” she declared.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah described Sir Seretse Khama as an “illustrious son of Africa” whose leadership continues to inspire the continent.
“His enduring legacy of peace, stability, democracy, and prosperity remains a guiding light for us all amidst the ongoing challenges of nation-building in our region,” she added.
She emphasised that this tribute is also a testament to the enduring friendship and brotherhood between Namibia and Botswana, rooted in shared values, geography, and aspirations.
“By situating his name at the heart of our capital city, we reaffirm the unbreakable bonds that tie our two nations. Streets connect people and places, and so does the legacy of Sir Seretse Khama,” stated the President.
In attendance was also former Botswana President Ian Khama, son of Sir Seretse Khama, who expressed deep appreciation for the honour bestowed upon his father.
“This renaming is more than just a name upon a signpost. It is a symbol of the ideals that guided my father’s footsteps — freedom, dignity, unity, and the African spirit of self-determination,” he said.
Khama also recalled Botswana’s similar gesture of naming a street after Namibia’s founding President, the late Sam Nujoma, in recognition of his contributions to the region’s liberation.
“Our founding fathers built the foundations of democracy that we’ve boldly built upon,” he noted. “Sir Seretse Khama was a man who believed that leadership is service, not privilege. He stood for justice, even when it required personal sacrifice,” Khama stated.
“He saw not a neighbour to the north, but a brother. He understood that the destinies of Botswana and Namibia are intertwined — that our futures, like our rivers and deserts, flow together. It is therefore fitting that here, in Windhoek — a city that has witnessed the struggle and triumph of Namibia’s independence — a street now bears his name. It will serve as a reminder to future generations that African unity is not an abstract idea, but a lived truth, forged through friendship and cooperation,” he shared.
Khama concluded by adding that his father never sought greatness for himself, but for his people.
The Bi-National Commision session concludes today with final high-level talks between the leadership of both nations, aimed at paving new routes for their respective citizens to walk together in.
