Don’t insult President – Nujoma

SWAPO President Sam Nujoma has taken issue with demonstrating shebeen owners who he says have been shouting dangerously unpatriotic slogans against President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

Nujoma, who was a special guest at a National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) dinner in Windhoek on Saturday, spoke out against demonstrators who apparently shouted “down with Pohamba”, in their attempt to stop Government action against illegal shebeens. Nujoma, who last week came under criticism for seemingly contradicting Pohamba’s opinion on the shebeen issue, came out in strong support of his successor.”Those who are saying down with Pohamba, you are insulting the President of this country.There were many candidates and you gave him the power, so let this be the first and the last [time],” the former President said.”Swapo Party has no problem with the development of informal businesses, and demonstrations are welcome in this country.But there must be limits.To shout ‘down with Pohamba’ is an insult to the head of this country.It is not insults (that) win the war, its determination,” Nujoma said.He called on the demonstrators to remain orderly, saying that “even shebeens” could only prosper where peace was prevalent.Addressing members of the businesses community, Nujoma said that he had become a strong advocate for increasing the educational budget since he became a student at the University of Namibia (Unam) last year.Education, Nujoma said, was key to developing both informal and formal businesses in the country.”We have a shortage of engineers, so we’re forced to import from other countries.If we put money into education, it’s a long-term investment.This way you’ll get many marine biologists to help the Minister of Fisheries,” he said, in reference to Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo who was also in attendance.Nujoma, who last week came under criticism for seemingly contradicting Pohamba’s opinion on the shebeen issue, came out in strong support of his successor.”Those who are saying down with Pohamba, you are insulting the President of this country.There were many candidates and you gave him the power, so let this be the first and the last [time],” the former President said.”Swapo Party has no problem with the development of informal businesses, and demonstrations are welcome in this country.But there must be limits.To shout ‘down with Pohamba’ is an insult to the head of this country.It is not insults (that) win the war, its determination,” Nujoma said.He called on the demonstrators to remain orderly, saying that “even shebeens” could only prosper where peace was prevalent.Addressing members of the businesses community, Nujoma said that he had become a strong advocate for increasing the educational budget since he became a student at the University of Namibia (Unam) last year.Education, Nujoma said, was key to developing both informal and formal businesses in the country.”We have a shortage of engineers, so we’re forced to import from other countries.If we put money into education, it’s a long-term investment.This way you’ll get many marine biologists to help the Minister of Fisheries,” he said, in reference to Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo who was also in attendance.