Windhoek — Swapo Party Secretary-General, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, has called on Namibians and Swapo members in particular, to travel down memory lane going back 52 years and remember the principles underlining the formation of Swapo that fought and defeated the racist, minority regime.

Iivula-Ithana spoke in the National Assembly this week as the Swapo Party marked its 52nd anniversary of existence (19 April).

In celebrating the anniversary, Swapo Party MPs were adorned in their party colours in the National Assembly.

She said the 52nd anniversary of the former liberation movement - Swapo - symbo-lises the significant hallmark in the annals of the historical heritage. Such heritage, she added, includes, among others, the waging of the protracted armed liberation struggle for the independence of Namibia from the yoke of apartheid colonialism, the establishment of a democratic government of the state, the deepening and consolidation of the gains of independence and the furtherance of the democratization of governance in the country.

"Today, we not only ce-lebrate the birth of our party, but also taking stock of how far we have come and the challenges of the future of our nation," Iivula-Ithana said.

She admitted that Swapo Party at 52 years was well aware of the challenges facing the country - that of poverty and unemployment.

"However, we should remain confident that under the able leadership of this party, our future is in good hands as programmes and projects to address these challenges and the concomitant resources have already been put in place," the Swapo Party SG explained.

According to her, the nation owed it to the "visionary leaders", the founding fathers and mothers of Swapo Party movement - such as Dr Sam Nujoma, Herman Toivo ya Toivo, Rosa Kakurukaze Muganda, and Mzee Simon Kaukungwa, among many other liberation struggle stalwarts.

"Allow me to take this opportunity on behalf of Comrade Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Swapo Party, and the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the party to wish all Swapo Party members, rank and file, a happy 52nd birthday of our party," she said.