MIB Bulletin Special Edition 2009 - Namibian Government

8/7/2019 MIB Bulletin Special Edition 2009 - Namibian Government

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Government Information B lletin Special Edition

Rep blic of Namibia

Government Information

B lletinSpecial Edition 2009

IN ThIS ISSuE Ina g ration

Statement

Page 2

More State ho sepict res

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Special Edition onNew State ho se by

pop lar demand

F

REE

New State ho se ina g rated

President Hi kepunye Pohamba inaugurated the new State House in Auasblick, Windhoek, during Namibias18 th Independence anniversary on 21 March 2008


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ADDRESS BY h.E. hIFIKEPuNYE POhAMBA,PRESIDENT OF ThE REPuBLIC OF NAMIBIA, O

ThE OCCASION OF ThE 18Th INDEPENDENCEANNIVERSARY AND INAuGRATION

OF ThE NEW STATE hOuSE21 MARCh 2008, WINDhOEK

At the very outset, I would like to kindlyrequest you to rise, so that we can allobserve a minute of silence in honour of the late Comrade John Alfons Pandeni whopassed away in a tragic vehicle accidenton 14 March 2008. (I thank you, you maybe seated).

Today, we celebrate the 18th Anniversaryof the attainment of our nationhood.As we gather here today, we recall theheartening events of that historic day,when we hoisted our ag of freedomand sovereignty for the rst time. Werecall how we celebrated the lowering of the apartheid ag of oppression, in theknowledge that it would never again yas a symbol of authority over our country.The events of that historic day are still

vivid in our memories.

We can look back with pride at the manysuccesses that were achieved afterindependence in many areas of social andeconomic development. We are proud,and rightly so, of the peace and stabilitythat our country has enjoyed since thatjoyful day of 21 March 1990.Freedom and independence has in manyways unleashed the potential of ourpeople who have taken advantage of theirliberty to make tangible contributions tothe development of our country. Many of those who were denied opportunities by

apartheid tyranny are today contributingmeaningfully in shaping a brighter futurefor the Land of the Brave.

Our hopes for a better future are reinforcedwhen we look at the ourishing youth,a new generation of the born-frees,Namibians who were born into a society

free from war, victimisation, intimidation,racial discrimination and oppression.These blossoming youth represent anew generation, the torch-bearers of ourdemocratic traditions and our countrysfuture. As we sing that our democracy ismaturing, the born-frees will, as from thisyear for the rst time be able to exercise

their democratic right of participating inelections at different levels.

The peace and political stability that ourcountry has enjoyed over the years is oneof the major achievements of our countryand tting tribute to the fallen heroes andheroines of our revolution whose bloodwaters our freedom.

In this climate of stability and peace, we

have been able to implement policies andprogrammes aimed at improving the livingconditions of our people. In the faceof numerous challenges and backlogs,progress has been made in many areasof social and economic development toexpand service delivery and access topublic amenities.

Access to education has been expandedin all parts of the country. Literacy andnumeracy levels have increased. MoreNamibians have access to health care asthe number of clinics, hospitals and healthcentres have grown. Housing projects

Our hopes for abetter future arereinforced whenwe look at theourishing youth,

a new generationof the born-frees,Namibians who

were born into asociety free fromwar, victimisation,

intimidation, racialdiscrimination andoppression.


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have been implemented in our urbancentres as well as rural settlements. Thenational electricity grid has been extendedto cater for the growth of our towns andcities. Rural electri cation has changedthe face of many rural communities across

Namibia.

Moreover, physical and communicationinfrastructures have reached even theremote parts of the country. New roadshave been built to facilitate economicactivities and trade as well as to ensuresafer movement of people and goods.Our railway network has been expandedby more than 300 kilometers. Therehabilitation of roads and railways has

enjoyed ongoing attention of our SWAPOPARTY Government.

Telephone connectivity has grown with bothxed lines and cellular communications.

Increasing numbers of Namibians arejoining the digital age through the use of the internet and related technologies. Ican, therefore, proudly say that, despitethe challenges, Namibians have manyreasons to be proud on this occasion of the 18th Anniversary of our countrysfreedom and independence.

This year, our Independence Anniversarycelebration is coinciding with theinauguration of the new State House,a symbol of our nationhood andsovereignty.

I wish, at this juncture, to thank His

Excellency Comrade Sam Nujoma, Fatherof the Namibian Nation, for his vision andconceptualisation of this project. This isone of the projects that were initiatedduring your tenure of of ce as Presidentof the Republic of Namibia.

Your devotion to nation building andinfrastructure development is admiredby all patriotic Namibians. It serves asan inspiration to all peace-loving andpatriotic citizens of our Republic. I wantto assure you that the present leadershipof our SWAPO PARTY Governmentwill continue to build on the strong

foundation that has already been laidunder your leadership.

We will work tirelessly for the economic andsocial well-being of all Namibians. To manyNamibians, you will go down in the history

of our country as one of the great sonsof Namibia who contributed immensely tothe liberation of our Motherland. For this,we say, once again, thank you very muchfor what you have done for the Namibianpeople. May God continue to bless you.

Few years ago, a decision was taken toconstruct a new seat for the NamibianPresidency. The construction site washanded over to the Mansudae Overseas

Project Group from the DemocraticPeoples Republic of Korea in 2002. Thismarked the beginning of the constructionof the complex. During the constructionperiod, about forty (40) local companieswere engaged as sub-constructors.

The sub-contractors were assigned work such as electrical installations and air-conditioning among others. Plant andequipment were also hired from localsuppliers and hundreds of jobs werecreated. Thus, local companies andworkers have bene ted greatly, not onlyin terms of nancial earnings, but also

with regard to valuable experiencesand skills that Namibian workers gainedduring the construction of a project of thismagnitude.

I would like to take this opportunity to

commend all the people who have beeninvolved in the completion of this projectfor their hard-work, dedication, sharpskills and professionalism.

Your hard work has gone a long way inenhancing our sovereignty and nationhood.I know that a conscious decision was madethat as far as possible, local constructionmaterials and decorations should be usedto give the building a truly Namibian

character. As a result, local materials suchas wood, granite and steel have been usedextensively.

Our guests will, therefore, be pleased tosee how these local materials have beenblended together to create an aestheticallypleasing atmosphere, incorporating manyrepresentations of our countrys widenatural and cultural diversity.

There have been some concerns raisedabout the timing or even the need for thisproject. In this regard, I wish to say thatthis is a national asset which belong to no

A scene at the inauguration of the New State House on21 March 2008

Contin es on page 6


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Above left a view of theCabinet Chambers with apainting of the Namibian

ag on the wall.On the right the impressive

chandelier in the dome of theCabinet Chamber. On the left the

Presidents chair in the Cabinet Chamber underneath theCoat of Arms

A fountainnational sy

Touch-sensitive escalators leading to theCabinet Chambers

The banquet hall with a massive painting of a Welwitschia Mirabilis. On the oppositeside is a stage from where cultural groups and other artists can entertain guests

An outside view of the gpremisesLeft the media brie ng

room, right the roomwhere the president receives credentials,

below right theconference room for

meetings with foreigndelegations. Below left

Mr. Abisai Shaningwa inthe new resource centre

Above and right-the

water fountain next the restaurant comelife to the tunes of tyNamibian music

State ho s

Photos by Joseph Nekaya, Immanuel Thomas and Wilma Deetlefs


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elements from Namibiasls in front of State House

t house on the State House

al

Oryx at the fountain at themain entrance to State House

A painting of some of the members of Namibias Constituency Assembly, under the chairpersonship of Dr. Hage Geingob can be seen in the

entrance hall to the State House

A painting of Namibias liberation struggle

The statues onthe right adorn

different corners inState House whilethe painting of the

Ruacana Falls greetsone on entering theVIP section of thebuilding. Below ahomestead scene

A mural depicting Namibianwomen dancing

n pict res


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one else but the people of Namibia. It isa project that had to be completed as partof our institution building strategy for our

country.

For those who are not aware, the of cespace in the existing State House, fromwhere Namibian Presidents have operatedsince independence, is very inadequate.As a result, of cials are crammed intosmall of ces, while others are forced toshare these small spaces. Surely, sucha situation is not conducive for effectiveexecution of important duties that theseof cials are charged with.

I wish to stress that as a Government, weare fully aware of what our priorities are.It is for this reason that this project wasstarted many years after Cabinet declaredtop four priorities of our Government,namely, education, health, agriculture andhousing. This is borne out by the forward-looking policies and budgetary allocations

we have consistently made to these priorityareas in order to improve service delivery,expand access so that all Namibians canenjoy the fruits of independence.

The completion of this project adds to thelist of other capital projects that have beensuccessfully implemented by our SWAPOPARTY Government.

These include the construction of new

roads in different parts of our country, therehabilitation of roads and railway lines, thecompletion of Phase One of the NorthernRailway Extension Project, the building of Regional and Constituency Of ces acrossNamibia, the expansion of water pipelines,the building of new schools and clinics andmany other projects. The list is endless.

We will continue to implement projects andprogrammes to facilitate economic growthand improve the living conditions of ourpeople. This year, the construction of theRundu-Elundu Road, via Nkurenkuru willstart. This will lead to the construction of

a tarred road of more than 300 kilometres.This road will enable safer movementof people and goods in that part of

our country. It will promote trade andcommerce, thereby enabling our peoplewho engage in income generating projectsto reach markets.

Director of Ceremonies,

As we celebrate this joyful occasion of our 18th Independence Anniversary, ourthoughts are with the thousands of our

compatriots who have been displaced bythe oods in the north and north east of our country. The oods have devastedmany communities and destroyed valuableproperties and assets.

The livelihoods and sources of income

of many people have been destroyed.Our Government is monitoring the oodsituation closely and continuously. We

have already started to implement rescueoperations to take the affected peopleto safety and to provide them with food,medicines and water puri cation tablets.

The impact of the ood is going to bedevasting for our country, especially interms of the destruction of infrastructuressuch as houses, schools, clinics, businessesand roads. A few weeks ago, I declaredthe ood situation in our country a nationaldisaster. We are going to work tirelesslyto ameliorate the impact of the oods.

It is important that we work with resolveand dedication so that our people canrebuild their lives after the oods. Atthis juncture, I would like to expresssincere thanks to the Namibian businesscommunity, NGOs, individual citizen andour development cooperation partners for

the nancial and material assistance thatthey have rendered to this ood victims.

Director of Ceremonies,

Namibia is honoured to receive andhost His Excellency Comrade Kim YongNam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme Peoples Assembly of theDemocratic Peoples Republic of Korea,during this auspicious occasion of our

18th Independence Anniversary and theInauguration of the New State House.

Your presence here, Your Excellency,is a re-af rmation of the strong bondsof friendship and co-operation that sohappily exist between our two countriesand peoples. These bonds have stoodthe test of time as they date back to theyears of Namibias struggle for nationalliberation and independence under theleadership of SWAPO.

Your country provided the Namibian peoplewith valuable political and material support

Contin es from page 3INAuGRATION OF ThE NEW STATE hOuSE

There have beensome concerns raised

about the timing oreven the need for

this project. In this

regard, I wish to saythat this is a nationalasset which belong to

no one else but thepeople of Namibia. Itis a project that had

to be completed aspart of our institutionbuilding strategy for

our country.


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that enabled us to wage a successfulstruggle and to dislodge the apartheidcolonial machinery from our country.

Co-operation between our two countrieshas been growing over the years and oneaspect of this has been the participationof Korean citizens in the construction of this building.

I feel it is tting and we are honouredindeed that you could join us on thisoccasion.

I am happy and proud that, this newState House, the peoples house, hasbeen completed. It will provide the staff members of the Of ce of the Presidentwith improved working facilities. Thiswill enable the Of ce of the Presidentto carry out its work and its mandatemore effectively in line with our nationaldevelopment plans and Vision 2030.

The new facilities will indeed provide anappropriate environment as the Of cestrives for excellence in service delivery andeffectiveness. This inauguration paves theway for the relocation of staff members to

the new building in the coming weeks andmonths. I wish to take this opportunityto commend all the people who were

involved in this project for a job well-done.The High Level Technical Committee,architects, the engineers, the artisans,the contractors, the sub-contractors andothers who have worked here for the pastfew years. We thank you wholeheartedlyfor your toil and your sweat.

You have built the peoples house thatstands as a symbol of the tenacity of thepeople of Namibia.

Civil servants who will work within thesewalls should, at all times, serve the interestof the Namibian people. They shouldpursue national development agenda in alltheir of cial actions. This State House wasbuilt to facilitate and enable the Of ce of the President to accomplish its mandate.

The people of Namibia expect the Of ce

of the President, the highest of ce inthe land, to lead by example, to be theepitome of ef ciency and effectivenessin-service delivery. I trust that with thisnew facility, the Of ce of the President

will live up to that noble expectation. Icall upon all Namibian citizens to continueto maintain and promote peace, security

and stability. We should cherish andcontinue to promote the policy of NationalReconciliation.

We should continue to promote nationalunity and shun the vices of tribalism,regionalism, ethnicity, racial discrimination,sexism and corruption. We shouldcontinue to pay tribute to our fallen heroesand heroines whose blood waters ourfreedom. Let us keep Namibia a winningnation among the community of nations.

On this occasion of our 18th IndependenceAnniversary and in the presence of all thosewho have come to witness this historicoccasion, it is my distinct honour andprivilege to declare, the peoples house,the new State House of the Republic of Namibia, of cially open, and to wish allour citizens a Happy 18th Independence

Anniversary.

Long Live the Republic of Namibia!

I Thank You

Traditional dancers performing at the inauguration of the New State House


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State ho se: General InformationThe State House administrative block, whichwas inaugurated at the 18 th anniversary of Namibias independence on 21 March 2008,is a picture of splendor and good tasteand all Namibians should be proud of thissymbol that is to become one of the nationalheritage sites of independent Namibia .

The State House administration block coversa massive 18 000 square metres of built-uparea and with its solid construction, the newState House in Auasblick, Windhoek caneasily outlive the next few generations if properly maintained in years to come.

Built and furnished at a cost of just underN$400 million, the marble-clad pillars,

granite and wooden oors, touch-sensitiveescalators, limestone tiles and a waterfountain that performs to the tune of Namibian music, is awe-inspiring.

No wonder that project manager MasoudFani proudly says that the new State Houseis unique in Africa, especially with referenceto its size, the quality of the work, furnishingsand wealth of artwork that represents thedifferent cultures, animal life and paintingsof typical Namibian scenes and naturalwonders known to draw tourists to the Land

of the Brave.

According to Mr. Fani, the many negativerumours that were going around about thenew State House dont hold water. Namibianever had a State House. Now there isone that is ready to take its place amongthe national heritage sites in the country.The construction of the new State Housewas not a waste of taxpayers money, heinsisted. Construction costs are continuouslyescalating and if the government hadpostponed the construction of a state house

inde nitely, the cost would have gone wellbeyond the current amount that was spent.

The foundation of the new State House waslaid in September 2002 and the building wascompleted in ve and a half years. Mr. Faniis convinced that any other contractor wouldhave taken between seven to nine years tocomplete the new State House and the costwould have been considerably more thanthe almost N$400 million spent.

The main contractor on the site was aforeigner and the Koreans initially workedfor 18 hours per day and seven days perweek to ensure the completion and timelydelivery of the building to the NamibianGovernment. Towards the end, the buildersstarted working six days per week, takingSundays off to rest.

Contrary to beliefs that only Koreans workedon the site, Mr. Fani said that more than40 local contractors were involved in theconstruction of the new State House. Theywere involved in providing wood and othermaterial. However, due to the size of StateHouse, Namibian contractors were not alwaysable to deliver the required quantities, which

forced the main contractor to source marble,limestone, granite and other items fromdifferent countries abroad.

According to Mr. Fani, the contractorssourced quality material, but always keptthe price factor in mind. For instance, solidwooden doors with copper handles are usedthroughout the administrative block. Eachset of doors weigh 190 kg.

Mr. Fani speaks highly of the of cials fromthe Department of Works in the Ministry of

Works and Transport with whom he workedon this project. The team work was excellentand the two parties supported each otherthroughout the construction of State House.

With the new State House magni centlyoverlooking the Namibian capital, Windhoek,the challenges faced during the constructionperiod have somewhat faded. Yes, agreedMr. Fani, they had challenges - with theconstruction, with different governmentinstitutions, with the Windhoek Municipalityand with nances. And the exceptionally

good rainy season of 2006 brought its ownproblems.

Financial constraints resulted in only oneguest house being built, while the householdquarters also had to be scaled down to ensurethat expenses stay within the budget.

State House boasts with a collection of paintings done by Namibian artists, as wellas paintings done by Korean artists who had

travelled the country to photograph naturescene and to then capture these scenes oncanvas. Besides the paintings that depictthe majestic Fish River Canyon, the RuacanaFalls, the Spitzkoppe, the big ve, culturescenes and the liberation struggle, severalwood carvings, murals and statues depictingthe variety of cultures in Namibia adorn thewalls and corners of the new State House.

From the ceilings of the different halls,including the Cabinet Chamber hangchandeliers that were imported from differentcountries around the world. In the differentconference rooms, lights that remind one of Moroccan lights immediately attract attentionwhen you enter the rooms. The oors are

covered with beautiful loose Persian rugs,leaving large areas of granite, marble orwood to compete with the splendor of thecarpets.

Conference rooms both big and small arefurnished with heavy wooden tables aroundwhich numerous comfortable leather chairsare arranged. The rest of the halls andwaiting areas also boast leather furniture some in black, others in brown and in thewaiting room adjacent to the conferenceroom where the Head of State engages

in of cial talks with his counterparts, thestunning white leather furniture take yourbreath away.

The banquet hall in State House has Namibiasnational plant, the Welwitschia Mirabilis painted on a whole wall and opposite thepainted wall is a stage from where culturalgroups, choirs and musicians will entertainguests during of cial events.

While President Hi kepunye Pohamba andhis personnel will start working from the new

State House soon after its inauguration on21 March 2008, the President will have towait a few more months before his of cialresidence will be habitable.

Construction on the 3 500 square metreresidence started on 19 November 2007. Theresidence is being built with a grant madeavailable by the Chinese government. It isexpected that President Pohamba would beable to move into the State House residencein the not too distant future.

Built and furnished at a cost of just under N$400 million, themarble-clad pillars, granite and wooden foors, touch-sensitive

escalators, limestone tiles and a water fountain that performs tothe tune of Namibian music, is awe-inspiring.

Documents

MIB Bulletin Special Edition 2009 - Namibian Government