Zambias former President Kaunda honored in Namibia with a street name and Mansion... Etse?! Kaunda preaches unity as he gets a second street in Windhoek Shinovene Immanuel “AS it was with the house, with this road, I hear people in Namibia saying to me, Namibia is your home too.” Those were the words of former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda when he accepted the second street named after him in Windhoek. The renaming of the 2,3 kilometre street after the 89-year-old Kaunda follows the handing over of a N$4,2 million house as a token of appreciation to the former Zambian leader last Friday. Kaunda entertained his audience at the street renaming occasion by jogging towards the podium as the crowd, including former President Sam Nujoma, cheered his athleticism. “This is another touching moment for me,” Kaunda said, adding that the gesture by the Namibian government is “another deep expression of love of the people of Namibia towards a fellow human being”. The new “Dr Kenneth David Kaunda Street”, formerly Uhland Street, starts from Independence Avenue and meets Berg Street in Klein Windhoek. The other street named after him is in Freedom Square, Katutura. Kaunda, who jokingly told the audience that he promised to behave as a new resident of Windhoek, said the street should be remind people and future generations of the relationship between Namibia and Zambia. “May this road be a pathway to the people working together in love and unity. For Namibia, for Africa and for the whole world,” he said. Kaunda also reminded his audience that “may we continue to remember to love our neighbour as we love ourselves,” adding that the two countries have come a long way together and have shared hardship and victories. Windhoek mayor Agnes Kafula lauded Kaunda as an icon of African renaissance. “His bravery remains unquestionable, as he stands solid by the ideals of human dignity and freedom for all.” Kafula, one of many Namibians who studied in Zambia before Namibia’s independence, said: “This gesture is further a token of recognition and appreciation for the sacrifices the Zambian people made during Namibia’s struggle for independence.” The mayor believes people will feel a sense of pride when more national and African heroes appear on street names. “This means, when they walk or drive through the city, it won’t feel like they are in someone else’s country or continent, but they will feel at home,” she added. City of Windhoek chief executive officer Niilo Taapopi said the street in Katutura will retain its name until the municipality decides otherwise. Permanent Secretary to the President Samuel /Goagoseb yesterday said the house given to Dr Kaunda is worth about N$4,2 million and not N$13 million as reported earlier. /Goagoseb said it was not about the value of the house but its symbolic value. “With this Namibia is saying, look, [Your Excellency] Namibia is your home away from home.” The house that was previously used as accommodation for judges and expatriate senior public prosecutors has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a big lounge and a dining room on the upper level with a self-contained lower level that also has a lounge, bedroom and a bathroom. It also has a swimming pool. The municipality of Windhoek decided three years ago that Uhland Street be renamed to Dr Kenneth David Kaunda Street. Source: The Namibian
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 01:43:19 +0000
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