"During the past 18 years, in Africa alone, the world community has witnessed the accession to independence of 10 Territories, thus enabling some 28 million men and women of that continent to achieve their long-sought-after freedom from colonial rule. In the same period, some 26 colonial Territories in Africa and elsewhere have acceded to independence, many of them becoming full-fledged members of the world community. This year, it is with a deep -5-sense of satisfaction that we note the historic accession to independence of Namibia after decades of untold suffering and sacrifices endured by the Namibian people. While hailing the people of Namibia for their gallantry and heroism in the course of the protracted struggle they had to wage against the colonial Power, the Committee pays a special tribute to the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and his Special Representative and indeed the entire United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) team for successfully carrying out the implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). The efforts of the international community over the past four decades in respect of Namibia have been richly rewarded in the final achievement by the Namibian people of the objectives of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration on decolonisation. "As we are all aware, the newly independent Namibia will have to grapple with exigencies of independent nationhood which will reguire enormous financial, material and technical resources^ thus, the volume of external assistance needed to meet these challenges cannot be overemphasised. In this connection, I appeal to the international community to contribute generously at the forthcoming United Nations Pledging Conference for Namibia, which is scheduled to be held ne^t month. "In South Africa, the liberation of Nelson Mandela and the legalisation of the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC) and other political 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement from a high-level official, likely from the United Nations, celebrating the independence of Namibia and appealing to the international community to provide assistance to the newly independent nation. The text focuses on the historical significance of the event, the struggles of the Namibian people, and the international community's role in supporting their independence. It does not mention specific economic, scientific, or technological details, but rather emphasizes the need for external assistance to help Namibia overcome its challenges.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International relations