Two Flags, One Goal: The Shared Pursuit of Independence on 21 March


As our beloved Namibia prepares to raise its flag high today, 21 March, celebrating another year of hard-won independence, my heart swells with pride – a mother’s pride for her nation and for her child. 

This year, however, the familiar patriotic fervour is amplified by a momentous occasion: The inauguration of our nation’s first female president – Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. 

As a woman and a Namibian, I feel the steady and strong pulse of our independent nation, now entering a new chapter with a female leader at the helm. 

This historic step feels deeply significant, embodying the very essence of progress and breaking barriers for all our children. 

And on this same significant day, 21 March, the world also observes International Down Syndrome Day – a day particularly close to my heart as the mother of Oladjidé (Ola), my incredible child with Down Syndrome. 

It is a beautiful and poignant coincidence that our nation’s birth date, a symbol of breaking free from past limitations, aligns with this global celebration of the unique lives of individuals with Down Syndrome. 

NEW MILESTONES

At first glance, national independence and the life journey of my child with developmental delays might seem worlds apart. 

Yet, as I reflect on both, a powerful and recurring theme emerges: The fundamental human yearning for independence. 

For Namibia, it was a protracted struggle for self-determination, for the freedom to chart our own course, liberated from the shackles of colonialism, a journey now reaching a new milestone. 

For Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, it is a historic step forward, the breaking of glass ceilings that inspires not just women and girls, but all of us, to dream bigger and reach higher. 

And for Ola, and for countless individuals with Down Syndrome in our nation and beyond, independence is a different kind of liberation – a gradual unfolding of abilities, a step-by-step journey toward self-sufficiency in a world not always designed with their unique needs in mind.

From the moment my husband and I received Ola’s diagnosis, the well-meaning words and reactions of others often carried undertones of limitations. 

As his mother, I’ll admit, I struggled too. 

I worried about what might or might not be possible for my baby boy, about the delays he might face in reaching his developmental milestones, and about how the world would treat him. 

However, despite these concerns, what resonated most deeply within me, in my fierce love and hope for Ola, was the innate desire to see my child thrive, to experience the joy of accomplishment, and to achieve as much independence as possible. 

This wasn’t about erasing the reality of Down Syndrome; it was about nurturing the inherent potential within him, celebrating every small victory as a monumental step towards personal freedom, much like our nation’s own journey towards self-reliance since 1990, and now, under the leadership of our first female president, toward even greater heights.

DETERMINATION

I remember the sheer joy of my entire family recently, when Ola finally took his precious first steps at the age of 33 months. 

It had been a long journey of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and encouragement; and seeing his little legs propel him forward independently felt like a miracle. 

That moment, that small but monumental stride towards self-sufficiency, mirrored our nation’s own hard-won steps towards freedom 35 years ago. 

Witnessing that physical manifestation of his determination was a powerful testament to his growing autonomy, a tangible manifestation of the same spirit that drove the collective fight for the right to self-governance in this very land, and our bold step forward today, with the inauguration of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as our nation’s first female president. 

Each small act of independence for Ola – feeding himself, slowly forming his words, communicating his needs in his own unique way, outgrowing the need to have his nanny present with him at school – is a personal declaration of “I can”, echoing Namibia’s own established spirit of self-reliance.

DIGNITY AND DEVELOPMENT

The journey isn’t always easy. 

There are challenges, plateaus and moments of a mother’s worry. Developmental delays are a reality, and the path to independence may look different and take longer for Ola than for most of his peers. 

But the underlying principle remains the same: The right to self-determination, the dignity of being able to navigate the world with as much personal agency as possible. 

As his mother – like many other mothers of children with Down Syndrome – I strive to empower my son to participate fully in Namibian life, according to his own abilities. 

On this momentous day, as we celebrate Namibia’s independence, my heart also reflects on the individual journeys towards independence happening within our own family and community. 

Let us recognise and champion the efforts of individuals with Down syndrome, and their families and advocates, who work tirelessly to break down barriers and foster self-reliance in our society. 

Let us continue to build a kind and truly inclusive Namibia (and world) that provides the necessary support and opportunities for every citizen, including my precious boy, to reach their full potential and to experience the profound satisfaction of personal freedom.

EMBRACING THE FUTURE

For me this year, the flags of Namibian independence and International Down Syndrome Day are inextricably linked in my heart as a mother. 

They remind me that the yearning for freedom and self-determination is a universal human experience, whether it manifests on a national scale, in the groundbreaking leadership of a woman, or in the quiet, determined efforts of my son learning to run under the vast Namibian sky. 

As we celebrate our nation’s liberty, let us also commit to fostering a society where every individual, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to live a life filled with dignity, purpose, and the sweet taste of personal independence in our free Namibia. 

Just as our nation stands tall, charting its own course under the guidance of our first female president, so too does my son, taking brave, independent steps into a future brimming with possibility in the land we both call home.

Happy Independence Day!

– Nangula Shejavali is a mother, author and development consultant