• Honorable Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social
       Services;
• Mrs. Anne-Marie Nitschke, Director of Special Programs, MOHSS;
• Mr. Alfons Amoomo, Health Director of the Omusati Region;
• Mr. Petrus Angala, Health Director of the Oshikoto Region;
• Ms. Elizabeth Muremi, Health Director of the Khomas Region;
• Other Ministry and Government representatives;
• Colleagues from U.S. agencies and implementing partners;
• Health care workers;
• Members of the media;
• Ladies and gentlemen;

Good morning and welcome!

I am very pleased and proud to join you for this important milestone event, which tells yet another Namibian success story.

150,000!  This is the magic number we are celebrating today.  We are celebrating 150,000 smart male Namibians who have volunteered to get the “smart cut.”