Mbumba’s official portrait met with mixed feelings

Some political analysts believe presidential portraits are a waste of money, while others argue they are a common worldwide protocol.  

This follows the announcement by information and communication technology executive director Audrin Mathe on Tuesday that president Nangolo Mbumba’s official portrait is now available for purchase and display.

Mathe said the Namibia Press Agency will be the producer and distributor of the portrait, with a framed portrait available for N$1 800 and an unframed portrait costing N$500.

“The portraits can also be purchased from the ministry’s regional offices countrywide. Furthermore, the portrait of vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is also available in soft copy and can be provided on request by the ministry,” he said.Mbumba’s portrait will replace that of late president Hage Geingob after his death earlier this year, while founding president Sam Nujoma’s portrait will continue to be displayed.

Political analyst Rui Tyitende said printing presidential portraits is wasteful and the resources could be better allocated to address more pressing issues such as hunger, unemployment and poverty.He further said leaders should instead keep personal reminders of their families in their offices to deter corrupt practices.

“The portrait of founding president Sam Nujoma continues to hang because he is seen as the godfather of Namibian politics,” said Tyitende.
Tyitende further said he does not think it is necessary to have portraits of any presidents in public offices.

Meanwhile, political analyst Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro has argued that displays of presidential portraits are a matter of protocol. 

Matundu-Tjiparuro said it is a special honour to display the portrait of the founding president.“The practices are common worldwide to honour pioneers of a nation’s history. It’s not about creating a cult of personality. It’s about protocol and honouring the significant contributions of key figures in our nation’s history,” Matundu-Tjiparuro added.