President Mukherjee arrives in Namibia

This is the final leg of his six-day tour of three African nations

President Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived in Namibia late last night from Abidjan on the final leg of his three-nation six-day state visit, will have a packed schedule over the next two days.

The day will commence with a ceremonial reception at the State House in Windhoek. President Mukherjee will be received by his Namibian counterpart President Hage Geingob, Vice President Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Prime Minister Nandi Ndaitwah Netumbo and other Namibian dignitaries.

The national anthem of the two countries will be played and will be followed by a 21-gun salute and an inspection of a guard of honour, besides introductions and a cultural programme.

 

The ceremonial function will be followed with a one-to-one meeting and delegation-level talks between the two sides, the signing of the visitor's book and a signing of bilateral agreements.

In the afternoon, the president will proceed to the Parliament of Namibia, where he will deliver an address after being welcomed by the Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi and Chairperson of the National Council Margret Mensah Williams.

He will then proceed to the Independence Memorial Museum, where he will be escorted by Namibia's Education, Arts and Culture Minister Katrina Hanse Himarwa and museum director Esther Mwoombola Goagoses.

In the evening, he will be honoured by a state banquet at the State House.

On Friday, President Mukherjee will visit Heroes Acres to lay a wreath and thereafter will depart for the Namibia University of Science and Technology where he will deliver an address to faculty and students.

The Indian delegation will then be taken to the Okapuka Ranch, a wildlife park, for a tour.

On Friday afternoon, President Mukherjee will meet Namibia's Founding President Sam Nujoma and another former president Hifikepunye Pohamba.

He will also address the Indian community at a reception hosted in his honour before concluding his official state visit.

Earlier on Wednesday, the President was received at the Hosea Kutako International Airport by Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister Ms. Nandi Ndaitwah Netumbo. Mrs. Doreen Sioka, Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and Minister in Waiting, Chief of Protocol Neville Gertze and India's High Commissioner to Namibia Kumar Tuhin.