From 05 - 07 November 2012, President Hifikepunye Pohamba and the Ministers of Trade and Industry, Education, Finance, Environment and Tourism, Mines and Energy, Works and Transport, Defence as well as the Presidential Affairs Ministers and eight Permanent Secretaries travelled to Cape Town for a three-day state visit.
The state visit was aimed at consolidating the political and economic relations between the two countries. Three memoranda of understanding in the areas of a bi-national commission, public works and infrastructure development as well as meteorology were signed during the visit. (see Government's web-site and NBC)
President Pohamba addressed a joint session of the South African Parliament and visited Robben Island, the infamous prison where SWAPO veterans, including the founder of SWAPO, Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, and Fillemon Shitilifa, Lazarus Sakaria and Hidipo Haufiku to name but a few were imprisoned.
visit to Robben Island; photos left to right: (1) Entering Section D where all the Namibian prisoners on Robben Island were kept; (2) President Hifikepunye Pohamba and delegation entering D section; (3) in the cell where the Namibian High Commissioner to South Africa, Marten Nenkete Kapewasha, was kept; (4) now an exhibition hall for former Namibian prisoners; (5) poster quoting Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo:"We are Namibians and not South Africans; we do not now, and will not in the future recognise your right to govern us; to make laws for us in which we had no say; to treat our country as if it were your property and as if you were our masters. We have always regarded South Africa as an intruder in our country."
(6) President Pohamba and First Lady, Penehupifo Pohamba, and delegation; photographer: Luyanda Mpahlwa; click on the photos to enlarge pictures.
(6) President Pohamba and First Lady, Penehupifo Pohamba, and delegation; photographer: Luyanda Mpahlwa; click on the photos to enlarge pictures.
On Tuesday, 06 November 2012, South African President Jacob Zuma received President Pohamba and his delegation at an official ceremony. In his address, President Zuma, also recalled the joint struggle against Apartheid and for self-determination and liberation. (more photos here....)