President Duma Boko has hailed the Namibian government for recognising and celebrating its political heroes while still alive.

Boko made this acknowledgement over the weekend when addressing mourners who had gathered from far and near to pay their last respects to the late former President Festus Mogae in Gaborone.

In reference to the naming of a street after former President Nangolo Mbumba in the Municipality of Walvis Bay, Boko said it is always good to give people their flowers while they can still smell them.

"Namibians recognise you while you are still alive. They do not wait for you to depart this earth."

According to Boko, this development is a commendable move for those who have worked tirelessly to develop their respective countries, and he says that other nations must emulate Namibia.

Mbumba was the leader of the Walvis Bay Joint Administrative Authority in 1992 and led the complex negotiations with South Africa to oversee the peaceful transition and historic reintegration of Walvis Bay into Namibia in 1994.