1. Tree Planting – After-School Centre, Windhoek, 04 July 2025
Dr. Decius Chipande, Coordinator of the African Union Sport Council (AUSC), joined AUSC Region 5 Ministers of Sport in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony at the After-school centre in Windhoek. The event served as a powerful gesture promoting environmental sustainability and curbing the impact of desertification. It also highlighted the vital role of sport as a tool for environmental conservation and community engagement across the Region.
2. Opening Ceremony - AUSC Region 5 Games - Independence Stadium - 04 July 2025
AU Sports Council Region 5 Games were officially opened by Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the President of the Republic of Namibia, on 4th July 2025 at the Independence Stadium.
Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed participants from across Southern Africa to the 11th Region 5 Youth Games, celebrating youth, talent, and the unifying power of sport. She emphasised that the Games are more than a competition—they are a platform for nation-building, social cohesion, and economic development.
She affirmed Namibia’s pride in hosting the Games and reiterated the government’s commitment to sport as a key driver of development, second only to agriculture. Sport, she said, builds discipline, health, resilience, and creates economic opportunities through tourism, infrastructure, and services. She also emphasised the role of sports in fostering regional integration, peace, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a united, prosperous and peaceful Africa.
AUSC Region 5 Games were attended by athletes from AUSC Region 5, Ministers responsible for Sports, Youth and Education, International partners, AUSC Region 5 Sports Confederation, and the Regional and Local Organising Committee.
The African Union Commission was represented by Ms. Angela Martins, Acting Director of the Directorate of Social Development, Culture and Sport at the African Union Commission; Dr. Decius Chipande, Coordinator of the African Union Sports Council; and Ms. Lina Kessy, Senior Sports Officer for the African Games.
3. African Union Commission at the AUSC Region 5 Inter-Ministerial Forum on Inclusion and sustainability under the theme: “Breaking Silos."
On 6 July 2025, AUSC Region 5 organised Inter-ministerial Forum on Inclusion and Sustainability under the theme: Breaking Silos.
The forum was officially opened by the Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia Dr. Elija Ngurare, at the Mövenpick Hotel in Windhoek. Delivering opening remarks on behalf of H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, Prime Minister Ngurare underscored the vital role of inclusion across all sectors, highlighting that inclusion serves as a catalyst for peace and sustainable development. He called for breaking silos and building bridges. He also reaffirmed the commitment of AUSC Region 5 Member States to environmental conservation, announcing the regional initiative to plant 25 million trees to curb the impact of climate change and desertification.
The forum brought together Ministers of Education, Health, and Sports from AUSC Region 5 Member States, Senior Government Officials, international development partners, sport confederations, and athletes, all working collectively to advance inclusive and sustainable sport development in the region.
The African Union Commission was represented by Ms. Angela Martins, Acting Director of the Directorate of Social Development, Culture and Sport at the African Union Commission, Dr. Decius Chipande, Coordinator of the African Union Sports Council, and Ms. Lina Kessy, Senior Sports Officer for the African Games.
