• PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu being welcomed by veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek Namibia yesterday. President Lungu is in Windhoek to attend the 25th Independence celebrations and Inauguration of the third President of Namibia. Picture by SALIM HENRY/ STATE HOUSE.

From KAIKO NAMUSA, WINDHOEK NAMIBIA  –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has arrived in Windhoek, Namibia to attend the inauguration ceremony of Namibian President-elect Hage Geingob.
The inauguration of President Geingob, who is taking over from Hifikepunye Pohamba, will coincide with celebrations to mark Namibia’s 25th Independence to be held at the Independence Stadium in the capital Windhoek.
President Lungu was welcomed at the Hosea Kutako International airport by Zambia’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Sylvia Chalikosa.
Mr Lungu was accompanied by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba and former President Rupiah Banda.
Mr Banda was invited by outgoing Namibian President Mr Pohamba alongside Zambia’s First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, who arrived here on Wednesday.
The two former Heads of State, former Foreign Affairs minister Vernon Mwaanga and his former Commerce Trade and Industry counterpart Felix Mutati were all invited by the Namibian Government to attend the celebrations.
President Lungu departed Kenneth Kaunda International airport in Lusaka at 16:40 hours.
Mr Lungu said shortly before departure that it was important for Zambia to attend Namibia’s silver jubilee celebrations as a sign of good neighbourliness.
“They are celebrating their Independence and they are out neighbours, we share so much. It is very important for us to attend the celebrations. That is what good neighbourliness entails. They also came when we were celebrating our 50th anniversary and when we have our bereavement,” he said.
Mr Lungu said without Zambia’s contribution, the liberation of the southern African region would have taken much longer.
President Lungu added that Zambia was always honoured when any of the countries she helped to liberate were celebrating an independence anniversary.
He was seen off by Vice-President Inonge Wina, Home Affairs minister Davies Mwila, Commerce Minister Magaret Mwanakatwe, Community Development minister Emerine Kabanshi, Health Minister Joseph Kasonde, Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta, State House Deputy Minister Mulenga Sata and other Government officials.