President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the African Liberation Heritage Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during her two-day working visit to the country.
The Heritage Centre, which includes a museum, library, and archives, celebrates the spirit of solidarity among Africa’s liberation movements. From 1963 to 1994, the building served as the headquarters of the Organisation of African Unity’s Liberation Committee. Today, it stands as a tribute to the continent’s journey to independence and Tanzania’s key role in that history.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah was accompanied by First Gentleman, retired Lt Gen. Epaphras Ndaitwah. Dar es Salaam holds special meaning for the couple – they got married there in 1983. Between 1980 and 1986, she served as SWAPO’s representative to East Africa, tirelessly lobbying for Namibia’s independence. Her efforts earned her the affectionate title “Mama wa SWAPO,” given by Tanzania’s founding president, Julius Nyerere.
At the centre, the President toured a collection of over 3,000 photographs and 600 audio recordings. She also viewed historic items like Founding President Sam Nujoma’s first passport, issued under the name Sam Mwatangale – a Tanzanian identity he used to evade colonial authorities.
Earlier this year, Namibia’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Lebbius Tobias, honoured three fallen Namibian freedom fighters – Hellena Amshira, Gabriel Shipa, and Ismael Haindongo – by unveiling tombstones at their burial sites in Kongwa, a settlement once offered to Namibians by Nyerere during the struggle.
“Our people lived in Kongwa,” said Tobias. “During that difficult time, some of our freedom fighters died and were buried there. The Namibian mission saw the importance of honouring them, and today we are proud to say their graves now have proper tombstones.”
President Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded her visit by signing a display featuring a photo of Peter Mweshihange, SWAPO’s former Foreign Relations Secretary, addressing the press, with a young Nandi-Ndaitwah beside him, a powerful reminder of her journey and contribution to Namibia’s freedom.