Deputy Mayor Skinny Hilundwa said, in a speech at the 25th birthday celebration of The Namibian in Oshakati yesterday, that he remembers the day, 25 years ago, when he saw the first edition of The Namibian.

Hilundwa took a consignment of newspapers to the north in 1985, where they were distributed for the first time. "The Namibian became our weekly diet," he said.

"People travelled long distances to come to Oshakati and Ondangwa to collect their copies."

Hilundwa paid tribute to the "iron lady", as he called Gwen Lister, and said she deserves to be awarded the highest medal available in Namibia for "her enormous contribution to our freedom and independence."

Hilundwa said he believes that The Namibian became "enemy number two, if not enemy number one, and not just a 'thorn in the flesh' of apartheid, but a sword in it's heart."

He concluded by saying "Thank you Gwen, for what you did for this nation" and paid special tribute to reporter Chris Shipanga and photographer John Liebenberg who captured, in word and picture, the story of Namibia before Independence.

Former Oshakati Mayor, Engelbert Ashipala reminisced about the days in which he lent his bakkie to longstanding voice of the north, The Namibian reporter, Oswald Shivute, before Shivute had any other means of transport.

"Not for a day, not for a month, for years," he joked.