A person at 23 years of age would ideally be mature, being a university graduate, a scientist, a top executive officer, or perhaps married or a single parent. On the other hand: At that age, one could also be someone regarded as immature, still shaking off puberty due to missed opportunities to develop mentally and physically.

The government and especially those civil servants who were responsible for the organisation of the 23rd Independence Celebrations at Oshakati must be congratulated for the huge and unprecedented attendance and participation of between 30 000 and 40 000 Namibians from all walks of life of the Namibian and international communities. Most of the crowd came from the most populated northern border areas which for 23 years were a battlefield, and 23 years later a symbol of discipline, peace and democracy.