Pohamba calls for peace and unity during five-day tour

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba mixed Government business with Swapo politics as he started a five-day road show of rallies yesterday in yet another example of the State machinery funding the ruling party’s campaign to remain in power.

Accompanied by mainly State House employees and the protocol officers, Pohamba started the tour at Rehoboth but the gathering lacked the usual vibe of Swapo as there was no live music, traditional dances and other performances that have come to be associated with the ruling party.
The audience were mainly pensioners and unemployed as the rally was held during working hours.
The President was sharing the podium with Hardap Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, Rehoboth Mayor George Dax and Swapo’s Hardap regional coordinator Nico Mugenga.
Around 300 people were crammed into the Oanob Community Hall in the part of Rehoboth were mainly the impoverished live.
They had to wait for around 90 minutes for Pohamba’s arrival as he first visited the Rehoboth Town Council where councillors and employees are fighting each other along tribal lines.
By the time he reached the hall, some of the older residents who had arrived there at 09h00 for the 11h00 rally were already complaining that they were tired.
Although not said in so many words, Pohamba’s message was not complicated.
”My message is peace. Peace and unity is what we need. We are one people and we live in one country.
The fact that we belong to different ethnic groups does not matter. Tribalism in Swapo is not allowed and I want to emphasise the point of oneness,’ Pohamba said.
He told Rehoboth residents that they ‘must preach and practice tolerance’ and not allow the ‘evils of tribalism’ to tear them apart.
Pohamba spent some time talking about how the Government, together with the Rehoboth Town Council, will get rid of the bucket system in the impoverished section of the town by next year; that 436 houses will soon be completed under the build together scheme; that all elders and orphans qualify for the N$450 grants; and that the party will continue to encourage food production by the people to avoid dependence on handouts.
From there, Pohamba continued to Mariental to open the party’s regional headquarters in the afternoon.
Today, the President and his entourage will visit Aranos for a Swapo rally in the morning and have another rally in the afternoon at Leonardville.
They will head to the East tomorrow with the opening of the regional labour office scheduled early in the morning at Gobabis.
He was also expected to attend the World Population Day celebrations although by yesterday afternoon that was still in doubt.
On Saturday, Pohamba is expected to open the Eiseb road in Epukiro followed by a Swapo rally in the afternoon.
christof@namibian.com.na