Sister’s visit, lasting bonds

DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT of Namibia, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah arrived in the country yesterday for a two-day working visit that is expected to strengthen political, economic and social ties.

The Namibian Head of State landed at Julius Nyerere International Airport at around 5pm. She was received by Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mohamed Thabit Kombo.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah was later received by President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House in Dar es Salaam where the two leaders held bilateral talks.

Speaking shortly after their meeting, President Samia narrated their related journey to presidency that started way back in 1995 when they met in Beijing to champion for the rights of women.

Elaborating, she said both of them once again met in The Netherlands, when they were separately Ministers for Tourism and at different times also, they became Vice-Presidents of their countries and currently the chairpersons of their ruling parties and Heads of State.

In the course, she pointed out that the coming of the Namibian’s president will improve economic relations, citing that currently trade between the two countries stands at 20bn/- in 2023 up from 17bn/- in 2019, adding that still, there is an opportunity to enhance trade between the duo.

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President Samia, hence, invited traders and investors to exploit business opportunities in Tanzania and vice versa in Namibia.

“For example, focusing on livestock, fishing and tourism, these are the areas Tanzanians and Namibians can work together and advance a lot. Namibia is renowned for exporting meat and Tanzania can also borrow a leaf from them,” she pointed out.

She also cited gas and oil exploration and the blue economy as areas that the two should put a lot of emphasis in their trade relations.

In addition, President Samia said culture is another aspect that the two countries should exploit including teaching Kiswahili in Namibia.

On her part, Namibian Head of State Dr Nandi Ndaitwah noted that Tanzania would always be honoured for its liberation struggle for other countries in Africa.

Today, Dr Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to visit the African Liberation Heritage Centre and the University of Dar es Salaam.

Her visit to the varsity is a symbolic gesture acknowledging Tanzania’s historic contribution to Africa’s liberation struggles and reinforcing ongoing educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

While at the university, President Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to deliver a landmark public lecture titled ‘Inspiring Women to Break Barriers in Leadership Positions, a personal experience’.

The lecture will offer an incisive reflection on Africa’s development priorities, the importance of inclusive governance and the power of visionary leadership.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah is visiting Tanzanian for the first time since she was sworn in as Namibia’s Head of State on March 21st, this year.

Tanzania and Namibia cherish the long-standing diplomatic and friendly relations that have remained intact for decades. The visit is expected to elevate those ties and explore new opportunities for mutual economic collaboration.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah is scheduled to visit the African Liberation Heritage Centre and the University of Dar es Salaam, a symbolic gesture acknowledging Tanzania’s historic contribution to Africa’s liberation struggles and reinforcing ongoing educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries.