Ipumbu Shiimi: Namibia's new generation of banknotes
Remarks by Mr Ipumbu Shiimi, Governor of the Bank of Namibia, at the official launch of the
new banknotes during the 22nd Independence Anniversary celebrations, Mariental, Hardap
Region, 21 March 2012.
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Directors of Ceremony
Your Excellency Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia and First
Lady Meme Pohamba
Right Honourable Prime Minister, Nahas Angula
Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Theo Ben Gurirab
Honourable Chairperson of the National Council, Asser Kapere
Honourable Chief Justice, Judge Peter Shivute
Honourable Ministers
Honourable Members of Parliament
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Honourable Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, Governor of the Hardap Region and other Governors
from other regions
Your Worship, Alex Kamburute, Mayor of Mariental and other Mayors from other local
authorities
Local and Regional Authority Councillors, Traditional Leaders
Senior Government Officials
Members of the Media
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon
I am humbled and privileged for this opportunity to make few remarks and introduce the
video about Namibia's new generation of banknotes.
Today is a special and momentous Day in the history of our beloved country. Today, we are
not only celebrating 22 years of our Independence, we are not only celebrating 22 years of
peace and stability, but we also witnessed the launch of the new generation of Namibia's
banknotes by his Excellency, the President of the Republic.
Your Excellency,
Directors of Ceremonies!
The theme of my remarks is titled "Our Money, Our Pride, Our heroes and heroines, we
Honour, know your currency". This is because the new banknotes launched a moment ago
are not just decorated papers but are very important national payment instruments that
symbolize our sovereignty, nationhood, and natural diversity.
Directors of Ceremonies
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Namibian people have given the Bank of Namibia the responsibility to ensure that our
currency is of high quality, safe and acceptable by the public. We believe that continuous
improvements in the security features of our currency is a long term investment that will
protect the public and the economy from potential counterfeiters. It is for that reason that we
have decided to introduce a new generation of banknotes with the latest and state of the art
security features to ensure that our banknotes remain safe, credible and presentable.
Director of Ceremonies
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The preparation for this new generation of banknotes has been an intricate process,
involving many role players. On this note, on behalf of the Board, staff of the Bank of
Namibia and indeed my own behalf, I would like to thank the President and the Cabinet for
the endorsement of the new generation of the Namibia Dollar Banknotes. Furthermore, we
would like to express our gratitude to the Minister of Finance for her guidance and support
during this process. Special thanks also go to my predecessor, Mr Tom Alweendo, who
started this project, just before he left. I am grateful to my Colleagues at Bank of Namibia
who worked hard on this project to ensure that we have well secured banknotes which
compare with the best in the World, notes that we are proud of.
Director of Ceremonies
Your Excellency
Our notes do not only contain state of the art security features, but they also honour
Namibian heroes. Kaptain Hendrik Witbooi will forever remain one of our martyrs, a hero who
fought fearlessly against the occupation of our mother land. The battles he fought, for
example in the Naukluft Mountains on 27 August 1894 and subsequent battles in the Auab
Valley, were not ordinary, but acts of bravery. Kaptain Hendrik Witbooi died on 29 October
1905 near Koes after he was wounded in the battle near Fahlgras. Your Excellency,
according to history, these were his last words "It is enough now, the children shall have
peace". Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow Namibians, let's treasure the peace we are
currently enjoying for this was bought with blood.
Your Excellency, Sir, we are celebrating and praising our heroes and their heroic deeds.
Inspired by our forefathers, Dr. Sam Nujoma, with his compatriots, carried the struggle
forward. This too, Director of Ceremonies, was a long and bitter struggle. They sacrificed
their youth years and many rivers of blood were crossed. Their efforts paid off, on 21 March
1990, Namibia became a Republic. Dr. Nujoma became our Founding President and Father
of our newly born Nation, a unique position in the history of our country which no else will
ever occupy. In his inaugural address on that day, the Founding President also paid homage
to all fallen heroes and heroines, who sacrificed their lives for the total emancipation of the
Namibian people. He said: "In accepting the sacred responsibility which the Namibian people
have placed on me as the first President of the Republic of Namibia, I would like to bow and
pay homage to our fallen heroes and heroines, whose names Namibia's present and future
generations will sing in songs of praise and whose martyrdom they will intone". Ladies and
Gentleman, as with the task of leading the liberation movement, on the job of reconstruction
and nation building he also excelled. His courage and exemplarily leadership are admirable
and for this we honour him. We are indeed honouring our heroes.
Director of Ceremonies
Your Excellency, Sir
In honoring national heroes, the challenge and questions faced by decision makers in many
countries is always "why this one and not the other one". There are many other heroes and
heroines in Namibia. Why not Jacob Marenga, a legendary personality in the whole of
Southern Africa, known as the black Napoleon, Cornelius Fredrikies of Bethanie, Samuel
Maharero, who fought brave battles at Okandjira and Ohamakari in 1904. How about Nehale
Lya-Mpingana who attacked the forte at Onamutuni in support of Maharero and his people.
Why not Chief Kutako who also fought at Ohamakari? Where is Mandume ya Ndemufayo,
who died in combat in 1917 at Oihole? How about Iipumbu ya Shilongo, who was sent into
exile in 1932 after his palace was bombarded by the air force? How about the fearless
warrior, Chief Kai Xamseb, who was beheaded in 1890 and his grave was only found in 2005
in the botanical garden in Windhoek? How about Tobias Hainyeko? What about Meme
Gertrud Kandanga? Why not Brendan Kangongolo Simbwaye, who disappeared without
trace in 1972? How about Anton Lubowski, who was murdered in 1989?
Director of Ceremonies what about our other heroes and heroines whose names we have
not mentioned today. The truth is that we have many heroes and heroines who have
sacrificed for our beloved country. To these people we shall remain indebted for ever. To our
heroes and heroines, we owe our freedom. Their aspirations are nothing else but for the
present and future generations to have unity, to ensure nation building and to work hard to
achieve Vision 2030. We shall continue to honour them in different ways because their blood
waters our freedom.
In conclusion, Your Excellency, a moment ago you have directed us to start a nation-wide
campaign to inform the nation about the new currency. We shall, oblige Mr. President. For
the next four weeks we shall travel all corners of this beautiful country to tell our people about
our new symbols of nationhood, to inform them that through these notes we honour our
heroes. With this money we are singing their names in songs of praise and martyrdom. We
shall convey the message "Our money, our pride, know your currency"
I thank you for your kind attention.