In a significant milestone for Namibia’s defence and security sector, President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah presided over the graduation ceremony of the Senior Command and Staff Course 05/2025 at the Namibia Command and Staff College in Okahandja on 21 November 2025. The event celebrated the achievements of 35 senior officers who successfully completed an intensive eleven-month programme designed to equip them with strategic, academic, and operational leadership skills.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, defence chiefs, diplomats, regional leaders, retired military commanders, and representatives of Namibia’s security institutions. The President praised the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), and the College leadership for their dedication to maintaining high standards of training and professionalism.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that modern warfare and national security have expanded far beyond traditional battlefields. “Today, warfare includes cyberspace, artificial intelligence, satellite systems, and information networks,” she said, urging graduates to be innovators and strategic thinkers capable of navigating emerging global threats. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening cyber-defence, digital intelligence, and the modernisation of the security sector, as outlined in NDP6.
The President highlighted that continuous training, development, and education remain crucial to building a resilient and forward-thinking defence force. She stressed that the strength of any institution lies not in numbers but in intellectual capacity, adaptability, and leadership.
During the ceremony, she commended the curriculum for its inclusion of strategic leadership, international security, and joint operational planning. She also praised the College’s commemorative lecture on the historic Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, describing it as an important reminder of the sacrifices that contributed to Namibia’s independence and the liberation of Southern Africa. The incorporation of 23 March—Southern Africa Liberation Day—into the College’s curriculum was welcomed as a step toward preserving regional military heritage.
This year’s graduating class included officers from Botswana, Kenya, and Zambia, reflecting Namibia’s commitment to Pan-African solidarity and regional security cooperation. The participation of officers from the Namibian Police Force, Namibia Correctional Service, and Namibia Central Intelligence Service further strengthened inter-agency cohesion and national preparedness.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah also celebrated the progress in gender inclusivity within the defence sector, noting that 12 of the graduates were women. She affirmed the government’s commitment to advancing equality as outlined in the National Gender Equality and Equity Policy 2025–2035.
Expressing gratitude to instructors, partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, SADC training institutions, local academics, and retired military leaders, the President encouraged continued collaboration in shaping Namibia’s future defence leadership.
In her closing remarks, she advised graduates to uphold discipline, ethics, and visionary leadership as they advance in their careers. Quoting Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma, she reiterated the vital role of education in strengthening continental unity and development.
With that, President Nandi-Ndaitwah formally declared the Senior Command and Staff Course 05/2025 officially closed.
