Young people should jealously guard the legacy of Namibia's liberation struggle and remember the sacrifices made to secure the country's independence.

Those were the words of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba during the inauguration of an education centre named after him at Okanghudi in the Ohangwena Region.

The centre features three components, bringing together education, heritage and culture. 

Among its historical features is a tree under which a meeting was held in 1963 to strategise about Namibia's liberation struggle.

He recalled that the struggle was not easy, noting that he was at one point ordered to be punished with palm branches by traditional leaders of the time.

"What we have to do is to go and fight so that the people of the United Nations are there for our country. We delegated three young men; one became the president of this country, and Hidipo Hamutenya, and they did very well in the meantime we put up the fight."

He paid tribute to leaders and fellow freedom fighters, including Ben Amathila, for their commitment and sacrifices during the liberation struggle. 

Pohamba said Amathila was once tasked with travelling by bicycle to Walvis Bay to assess the movement and location of ships as part of efforts to gather information that could support the liberation struggle.

"Maxuilili was urging this man to go to the sea and contact the ships, and travelling by bicycle alone in those hills, it was difficult for him; he had to come back without anything. But what impresses me is that stamina; I had to travel alone on a bicycle that was from 1963."

The centre also features a monument with a statue depicting former President Pohamba, further commemorating his contribution to Namibia's liberation history.