“Courage under pressure, honour in service”

“I am filled with pride at the discipline, patriotism and resilience displayed by these young men and women in uniform as they embark on the important responsibility of safeguarding Namibia’s internal security and maintaining law and order.” These were the sentiments of Her Excellency, President of the Republic of Namibia and Commander-in-Chief of the Namibian Defence Force Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Oshakati on the occasion of the graduation ceremony of 1,380 police cadets who successfully completed the Police Basic Training Course 1 for the financial year 2025/2026.

The president was represented by Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Lucia Iipumbu. In her keynote address as guest of honour, the president reflected on the transformation of the country’s police service since independence in 1990. She noted that the first Namibian Police Force graduation after independence saw approximately 150 police officers entering service under the leadership of the late founding president and father of the Namibian nation, Dr Sam Nujoma.

“At the time, our nation was emerging from a painful history in which many citizens associated law enforcement with fear, oppression and division,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah. “One of the greatest responsibilities of independent Namibia was therefore not only to establish a professional police force, but also to transform it into a service rooted in trust, constitutionalism, accountability and the protection of all Namibians.”

Policing remains an important pillar in maintaining peace, security and social stability. As Namibia continues to develop, the role of policing has expanded beyond traditional crime prevention. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly required to address challenges such as gender-based violence (GBV), drug trafficking, stock theft, cybercrime and other forms of organised crime affecting communities across the country.

The graduates, drawn from all 14 regions of the country, will be deployed across various policing functions, including crime prevention, community policing, border management, VIP protection and public order management. The president therefore called on the newly graduated police officers to uphold integrity, professionalism and public trust as Namibia continues strengthening its safety and security sector.