100 days of President Pohamba

EXACTLY 103 days ago, President Hifikepunye Pohamba took over the reins as the first citizen of Namibia, a move many viewed with scepticism, if not caution.

Pohamba was the choice of former President Sam Nujoma, and the ruling Swapo Party promised continuity in most Government programmes. Indeed, as soon as the new Cabinet was announced Pohamba ensured that he got them to adopt the Swapo manifesto as the guiding document for Government programmes for the next five years.Yet, he was also quick to stamp his own mark.In his inaugural speech, he was very clear on the rooting out of corruption, improving productivity and efficient service delivery in Government.Shortly after he was sworn in, Pohamba named Nahas Angula as his Prime Minister and immediately charged him with the responsibility of setting up a long-planned anti-corruption agency.As if wanting to beat the 100-day deadline, Angula pushed the National Assembly last week to pass the salary structure of the two people to head the agency.Yesterday, Congress of Democrats leader Ben Ulenga described Pohamba’s stance on corruption and efficiency as “cool water on the parched tongues of many Namibians who have hoped for a changed approach regarding our political, economic, and social problems”.”They have yearned for an end to the policy of political favouritism and entitlement promoted by the previous Swapo Government, and have dared to dream of real national unity, reconciliation and economic relief irrespective of party politics, race, creed or ethnic affiliation,” Ulenga told The Namibian.He said, for the first time, many Namibians felt a sense of belonging and were inspired to dream of a Namibia where many of the wrongs of the past 15 years could be corrected.To date, Pohamba seems to have walked the walk.He has cut back on foreign trips: a recent trip to the United States was on a commercial flight, and his motorcade is much smaller and more considerate towards fellow road-users.Importantly, the President’s words and actions are resonating with civil society.In a letter in The Namibian last week, Andriette Badenhorst wrote to express her astonishment at how well she was treated by his small motorcade on the road from the international airport.There were no sirens, flashing lights or traffic officers, and Pohamba’s motorcade stopped at a stop street to give way to other traffic.”This is the kind of act that I want to salute and honour by actually giving him the right of way,” she wrote.A Henties Bay resident who demonstrated against graft this week said Pohamba had given them the right to stand up for what was right.For Ulenga and his party, however, all has not been a bed of roses with Pohamba’s administration.He said a gloomy atmosphere was hanging over the economy with a struggling fishing sector, and that the perennial problems in the education system needed more attention.Ulenga felt Pohamba had recently blown two good chances to prove that he meant what he said about corruption by not dismissing two Governors.In one case at Katima Mulilo, drought relief food was left to rot while at Mariental, the Governor was allegedly involved in a case of nepotism.At Mariental, a probe was conducted, apologies offered and the situation put right.”What is needed is more action against corrupt officials, rather than mere talking against corruption,” he said.Swanu President Ruhipisa Kandando said 100 days were not enough to judge Pohamba “because there are many factors which can contribute to those pronouncements including trying to gain popularity, change of ideological or philosophical outlook, etc”.”Overall, the pronouncement on fighting corruption is progressive in the sense that whether the President is there or not in the future, Namibians would have internalised the culture of anti-corruption and by implication would be a credit to His Excellency President Pohamba,” he said.Although many claimed before Pohamba’s inauguration that he would be remote-controlled by Nujoma – something he denied – so far he has shown that he’s leader in his own right and a man with a mission.Indeed, as soon as the new Cabinet was announced Pohamba ensured that he got them to adopt the Swapo manifesto as the guiding document for Government programmes for the next five years.Yet, he was also quick to stamp his own mark.In his inaugural speech, he was very clear on the rooting out of corruption, improving productivity and efficient service delivery in Government.Shortly after he was sworn in, Pohamba named Nahas Angula as his Prime Minister and immediately charged him with the responsibility of setting up a long-planned anti-corruption agency.As if wanting to beat the 100-day deadline, Angula pushed the National Assembly last week to pass the salary structure of the two people to head the agency.Yesterday, Congress of Democrats leader Ben Ulenga described Pohamba’s stance on corruption and efficiency as “cool water on the parched tongues of many Namibians who have hoped for a changed approach regarding our political, economic, and social problems”.”They have yearned for an end to the policy of political favouritism and entitlement promoted by the previous Swapo Government, and have dared to dream of real national unity, reconciliation and economic relief irrespective of party politics, race, creed or ethnic affiliation,” Ulenga told The Namibian.He said, for the first time, many Namibians felt a sense of belonging and were inspired to dream of a Namibia where many of the wrongs of the past 15 years could be corrected.To date, Pohamba seems to have walked the walk.He has cut back on foreign trips: a recent trip to the United States was on a commercial flight, and his motorcade is much smaller and more considerate towards fellow road-users.Importantly, the President’s words and actions are resonating with civil society.In a letter in The Namibian last week, Andriette Badenhorst wrote to express her astonishment at how well she was treated by his small motorcade on the road from the international airport.There were no sirens, flashing lights or traffic officers, and Pohamba’s motorcade stopped at a stop street to give way to other traffic.”This is the kind of act that I want to salute and honour by actually giving him the right of way,” she wrote.A Henties Bay resident who demonstrated against graft this week said Pohamba had given them the right to stand up for what was right.For Ulenga and his party, however, all has not been a bed of roses with Pohamba’s administration.He said a gloomy atmosphere was hanging over the economy with a struggling fishing sector, and that the perennial problems in the education system needed more attention.Ulenga felt Pohamba had recently blown two good chances to prove that he meant what he said about corruption by not dismissing two Governors.In one case at Katima Mulilo, drought relief food was left to rot while at Mariental, the Governor was allegedly involved in a case of nepotism.At Mariental, a probe was conducted, apologies offered and the situation put right.”What is needed is more action against corrupt officials, rather than mere talking against corruption,” he said.Swanu President Ruhipisa Kandando said 100 days were not enough to judge Pohamba “because there are many factors which can contribute to those pronouncements including trying to gain popularity, change of ideological or philosophical outlook, etc”.”Overall, the pronouncement on fighting corruption is progressive in the sense that whether the President is there or not in the future, Namibians would have internalised the culture of anti-corruption and by implication would be a credit to His Excellency President Pohamba,” he said.Although many claimed before Pohamba’s inauguration that he would be remote-controlled by Nujoma – something he denied – so far he has shown that he’s leader in his own right and a man with a mission.