President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged members of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) not to put the country's security at risk, calling for the highest level of discipline and professionalism.

Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah, as Commander-in-Chief, addressed the 35th anniversary parade of the NDF at the Lieutenant-General Dimo Hamaambo Garrison at Grootfontein. 

The parade marked the NDF's storied existence, highlighting its achievements and ongoing commitment to national and regional security.

The Commander-in-Chief further urged members of the force to adopt short-, medium, and long-term strategies, which, among others, would continue to enhance modernisation and professionalisation.
Strategic undertakings, Nandi-Ndaitwah said, must be tailored and interpreted to enable the NDF to cope with contemporary missions for action.

"It is critical to emphasise that, as members of a professional force, all your activities and behaviours must always remain within the boundaries of your profession. As your Commander-in-Chief, I am making it clear that I do not want members under my command to put the country's security at risk. It is why I am saying that whatever you say can be used by opponents. As members responsible for the defence of our motherland, who are well-trained for the mission and disciplined military personnel, you are therefore obliged to always communicate through your established lines of command and structures."

The President also issued directives to the Force, with discipline being key among these, followed by welfare. 

"The welfare of our servicemen and women should be enhanced and maintained at a higher standard. 3.⁠ ⁠Training: Training, re-training, monitoring, evaluation, and validation of training must propel our motto of "train hard and fight easy". 4.⁠ ⁠Technology: Digital learning and technology must be key factors aiming at keeping the Force current in a fast-changing world. 5.⁠ ⁠Recruitment: Rejuvenate the Force to ensure that there are no age, skill and professional gaps. 6.⁠ ⁠Fighting Capability: There is a need to ensure contemporary fighting capability for both the Army, the Air Force and the Navy. I want to see the Force focused on these 6 areas."

While acknowledging the progress made by the force in various areas since its establishment, President Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded the nation of the NDF being borne out of the Policy of National Reconciliation. 

The Policy of National Reconciliation, adopted at the dawn of independence under the leadership of Founding President Sam Nujoma, brought former opposing forces, the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF), integrated into a unified single command of today's NDF.

"The successful implementation of the Policy of National Reconciliation within the NDF epitomises the late Founding President's vision of a brighter inclusive future for Namibia, as articulated in one of his famous statements when he once said, "A people united, striving to achieve a common good for all the members of society, will always emerge victorious." 

The Commander-in-Chief also conferred national and NDF honours to the senior command of the Force, while commendation medals were also awarded to various members of the Force.