Nujoma names Toetemeyer successor

PRESIDENT Sam Nujoma yesterday appointed a farmer, 35-year-old Leon Jooste, as the Deputy Minister for Regional, Local Government and Housing.

Jooste replaces Gerhard Toetemeyer, who retired from public office last month because of poor health. Jooste operates a tourism and trophy hunting business in the Grootfontein area.Touting the ceremony as “an important announcement”, Nujoma said Jooste has “strong leadership qualities”, including the promotion of national reconciliation, a policy the President imposed at Independence to prevent revenge following the end of apartheid.An avid hunter, Nujoma spotted Jooste among his many meetings with business people around the country several years ago.The President has also been on hunting expeditions on the young businessman’s farm, Jooste confirmed yesterday.That Nujoma liked him was recently confirmed when he included Jooste in the business delegation that accompanied the President to Brazil.Jooste, who appeared at ease in the company of some of the ministers at State House, disclosed yesterday that he has been a Swapo member for some time.But, he said he had not expected the appointment.”They came to me.I didn’t ask.It fell into my lap,” he said, praising Nujoma for appointing someone young as an indication of putting the trust in the future.”I’m very excited.I want to work for the Government… we have a wonderful country,” he said.After he was sworn in he promised to serve the country and not to divulge secret information from Cabinet.Jooste operates a tourism and trophy hunting business in the Grootfontein area.Touting the ceremony as “an important announcement”, Nujoma said Jooste has “strong leadership qualities”, including the promotion of national reconciliation, a policy the President imposed at Independence to prevent revenge following the end of apartheid.An avid hunter, Nujoma spotted Jooste among his many meetings with business people around the country several years ago.The President has also been on hunting expeditions on the young businessman’s farm, Jooste confirmed yesterday.That Nujoma liked him was recently confirmed when he included Jooste in the business delegation that accompanied the President to Brazil.Jooste, who appeared at ease in the company of some of the ministers at State House, disclosed yesterday that he has been a Swapo member for some time.But, he said he had not expected the appointment.”They came to me.I didn’t ask.It fell into my lap,” he said, praising Nujoma for appointing someone young as an indication of putting the trust in the future.”I’m very excited.I want to work for the Government… we have a wonderful country,” he said.After he was sworn in he promised to serve the country and not to divulge secret information from Cabinet.