The Words of the Duggan Family
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The Words of the Duggan Family |
Washington DC, USA -- Namibia's First Lady, Madam Penehupifo Pohamba, was honored with the UPF's prestigious Ambassador for Peace appointment on July 26 for her work supporting maternal and child health care and also in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The awards ceremony took place at the University Club in Washington DC. The first lady was accompanied by H.E. Martin Andjaba, Ambassador of Namibia to the United States and his wife Caroline, and a number of members of parliament currently visiting the United States.
"When Namibia achieved her freedom and independence in March 1990 from the brutal regime of apartheid South Africa," the First Lady said in accepting the appointment, "the new political leadership decided not to seek revenge for the past injustices and atrocities that were committed by the South African armed forces during the struggle for liberation. The new leaders adopted the Policy of National Reconciliation in order to ensure peace, security and stability in the country. Indeed, I am proud to say Namibia is peaceful today because of that Policy of National Reconciliation."
An educator and politician, Mrs. Pohamba was trained in midwifery both in Tanzania and Jamaica and practiced as a midwife and as a registered nurse up until her husband, Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba, became president of Namibia in 2005. She is Vice-President for the Southern Africa Development Committee.
The Universal Peace Federation was represented by Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, the International President, and by Mrs. Tomiko Duggan, Director of UPF's Washington-based office of Embassy Relations.