A team of six Namibian soldiers made history by participating in the 17th edition of the Military Skills Competition held in Potchefstroom, South Africa from 28 October to 2 November.
Namibia made its debut in the prestigious Military Skills Competition, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s armed forces. The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs expressed pride in the soldiers’ representation of Namibia, highlighting this as an important step for the country’s military on the international stage.
The competition, known for attracting top military teams worldwide, evaluates participants on various essential skills such as marksmanship, field craft, medical proficiency, and physical endurance. These rigorous events are designed to test each team’s capabilities and their preparedness for real-world military challenges.
The Namibian team competed alongside military personnel from the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, and host nation South Africa. Events included rifle and pistol shooting, land and water obstacle courses, hand grenade throwing, and an 8km combat run, giving Namibian soldiers a valuable opportunity to demonstrate their training and resilience.
Captain Mekondjo Phillipus, the team’s coach, spoke of the experience’s value, noting the positive reputation and connections formed. “It was our first time in a competition of this scale, and we built international ties, learned extensively, and had a fantastic experience,” he said. Namibia’s Military Advisor to South Africa, Colonel Martha Haiduwa, welcomed the team, while Team Germany took first place, followed by South Africa and the United States.
