All is set for the Hardap Region to celebrate the country's 36th Independence Day anniversary on Saturday. Mariental will host the regional celebrations this year.

Brimming with excitement, the residents of Mariental, accompanied by Hardap Governor Riaan McNab and members of the uniformed forces, paraded through the streets of the town. This event aimed to create anticipation and raise awareness in the lead-up to the Independence Day celebrations.

"Let us come up in numbers; let us share in our history. Let us share in our pride because we are so proud of Namibia for what we have achieved. Let us celebrate our forebearers and the sacrifices that they have made for us. And let us be proud as Namibians. Unity in diversity is what makes us strong," said Governor McNab.

McNab highlighted a series of celebratory activities planned to build up to the main Independence Day celebrations on Saturday.

"Tomorrow we have a full-day programme where we, as Namibians and residents of Hardap, will come together at the Youth Sports Stadium. There will be a fully packed programme. We open at eight o'clock in the morning. We invite all community members, especially our youth, to come and have fun with us in the morning. At two o'clock in the afternoon, we have a drama programme followed by cultural performances, and then later in the evening we will be having musical performances as the highlight for the evening up until twelve o'clock midnight, where Her Excellency our President of the Republic of Namibia Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, will deliver the independence message across the 14 regions of our beautiful country."

The Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Emma Theofelus, will address the community, and there will also be performances by members of the Namibian Defence Force.

Transport will be arranged from all constituencies in the region to enable residents to attend the Independence Day celebrations.