Heroes' Day (Namibia)

The Heroes' is one of twelve national holidays in Namibia. The holidays are enshrined in the Public Holidays Act 26 of 1990. The Heroes Day will take place on August 26th of the year.

Political background

The holiday dates back to the year 1966, when the South West African People's Organization SWAPO was formed for the first time for an armed struggle against the mandatory power in South Africa. The mandate was the South African government, although already withdrawn by the United Nations in the same year, but it was not possible to realize this decision. The PLAN ( People's Liberation Army of Namibia / People's Liberation Army of Namibia), armed wing of SWAPO had, then - starting from Camp bases in Angola - valued at military incursions against South Africa. The response took place on 26 August 1966 bombed the South African pilots bearing the SWAPO Omgulambashe in Ovamboland. Thus, the armed struggle for the independence of South West Africa was officially opened.