Windhoek — Venezuelan nationals in Namibia paid homage to Latin American revolutionary icon Simón Bolívar, by laying a wreath at his bust in the garden of the University of Namibia in Windhoek yesterday.

The embassies of Brazil and Cuba and the Namibian Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined the Embassy of Venezuela in Namibia in laying the wreath in honour of the 182nd anniversary of the death of Bolívar.

Bolivar was an important figure that transformed the Spanish colonies of South America through a struggle for national liberation. Almost two centuries after his death, Bolívar continues to represent the spirit of freedom not only in Venezuela but the whole of Latin America.

Bolívar's death brought to an end an impressive military and political career that saw the independence of six Latin American countries from Spanish rule. These are Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panamá, Perú and his motherland Venezuela.

"From his homeland in Venezuela to the whole of South America, Simon Bolívar is the towering figure in the fight for freedom and independence. He espoused many progressive policies, from the emancipation of slaves to an understanding that equality and justice are the basis of any political programme.

"He also stressed the importance of education and was well aware of the brutality and discrimination against the indigenous inhabitants," reads a statement from the Venezuelan Embassy.

The embassy described Bolivar as "a truly inspiring figure. What we are seeing in Latin America today, from Venezuela to Bolivia, is a wave of popular liberation struggles inspired by Bolívar that aim to take political power from the traditional elite and to put it into the hands of the people themselves."