Swapo gears for new era

A NEW era was ushered in Swapo’s history after delegates to the party’s fourth congress last night unanimously agreed to President Hifikepunye Pohamba replacing Sam Nujoma after more than 47 years at the helm.

Pohamba has been Nujoma’s right-hand man for decades and delegates said it was only proper for him to head the organisation as he is a unifying figure. He will be deputised by former Prime Minister Hage Geingob, who is being groomed to take over the leadership once Pohamba leaves office as President of Namibia.Geingob also got through unopposed.Though results will only be released today, all indications were that Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana would be the new and first female Secretary General of the party.She had to fight a tough battle against the incumbent, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, after cracks came in the Omusati-clique due to the quashing of Jerry Ekandjo’s bid for the vice presidency of the party.Some members who initially rallied behind Ithana had allegedly withdrawn and decided to cast their votes for Tjiriange.DISCIPLINE AND UNITY Pohamba, once the Secretary General of Swapo, has set his main goal to bring back unity among the rank and file of the party and to improve the party’s financial management.A disciplined and hard-working leader, he has already told confidants that it will not be easy to step into Nujoma’s shoes and promised to continue to cherish his ideals and principles.Now that the torch has been passed formally, Pohamba will use the free reins to pursue policies aimed at the maintenance of macroeconomic stability and prudent fiscal and monetary policies.The man who has devoted his entire life to Swapo has told those around him that he understands the desires of the people for jobs along with proper working conditions and that he counts on party members to support and assist him through the years.When he was campaigning for presidential candidacy in 2004 Pohamba had promised to devote all his energy for justice and fairness and pledged to build a team of worthy Namibians.The clearest indication about his feeling on unity in the party was given during the official opening of the congress, when he called on the party’s leaders to welcome back many members aggrieved by disunity.The message was not well received in sections of the ruling party, but Pohamba had made it clear that that it is the route the party will take under his leadership if it wants to heal the wounds caused by disunity.He hopes that the team of Geingob, Ithana and Deputy Secretary General Nangolo Mbumba will help him take the party to greater heights.By last night Nujoma’s future role in the party was not very clear.Sources said “the old man has had it and want to take a well-deserved rest”.Others spoke of an honorary chairmanship.”He can’t just go like that.He has been at the helm for 47 years,” said one.The delegates spend the whole of yesterday discussing reports tabled by various ministers, the Central Committee and Prime Minister Nahas Angula.The reports presented the achievements and challenges faced over the past five years.New targets were set during the discussions and the resolutions will be revealed at a star rally planned for tomorrow at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura.Pohamba is also expected to make his second statement as Swapo leader at that rally.His first was the acceptance speech at the congress.He will be deputised by former Prime Minister Hage Geingob, who is being groomed to take over the leadership once Pohamba leaves office as President of Namibia.Geingob also got through unopposed.Though results will only be released today, all indications were that Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana would be the new and first female Secretary General of the party.She had to fight a tough battle against the incumbent, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, after cracks came in the Omusati-clique due to the quashing of Jerry Ekandjo’s bid for the vice presidency of the party.Some members who initially rallied behind Ithana had allegedly withdrawn and decided to cast their votes for Tjiriange.DISCIPLINE AND UNITY Pohamba, once the Secretary General of Swapo, has set his main goal to bring back unity among the rank and file of the party and to improve the party’s financial management.A disciplined and hard-working leader, he has already told confidants that it will not be easy to step into Nujoma’s shoes and promised to continue to cherish his ideals and principles.Now that the torch has been passed formally, Pohamba will use the free reins to pursue policies aimed at the maintenance of macroeconomic stability and prudent fiscal and monetary policies.The man who has devoted his entire life to Swapo has told those around him that he understands the desires of the people for jobs along with proper working conditions and that he counts on party members to support and assist him through the years. When he was campaigning for presidential candidacy in 2004 Pohamba had promised to devote all his energy for justice and fairness and pledged to build a team of worthy Namibians.The clearest indication about his feeling on unity in the party was given during the official opening of the congress, when he called on the party’s leaders to welcome back many members aggrieved by disunity.The message was not well received in sections of the ruling party, but Pohamba had made it clear that that it is the route the party will take under his leadership if it wants to heal the wounds caused by disunity.He hopes that the team of Geingob, Ithana and Deputy Secretary General Nangolo Mbumba will help him take the party to greater heights.By last night Nujoma’s future role in the party was not very clear.Sources said “the old man has had it and want to take a well-deserved rest”.Others spoke of an honorary chairmanship.”He can’t just go like that.He has been at the helm for 47 years,” said one.The delegates spend the whole of yesterday discussing reports tabled by various ministers, the Central Committee and Prime Minister Nahas Angula.The reports presented the achievements and challenges faced over the past five years.New targets were set during the discussions and the resolutions will be revealed at a star rally planned for tomorrow at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura.Pohamba is also expected to make his second statement as Swapo leader at that rally.His first was the acceptance speech at the congress.