The man in the Swapo mirror

IT has been difficult to secure a date with Hifikepunye Pohamba on the campaign trail; perhaps this is a confirmation of the message he has sent out during the past several weeks.

“Eshi nda hoololwa koSwapo nghilivali paume mwene,” Pohamba told a gathering of about 1 000 people at Onyaanya in Oshikoto Region last weekend, “ondi lile po efano loSwapo. [I’m no longer on my own.I am now a picture of the party.]” The Minister of Lands, who is Swapo’s presidential candidate, has been telling supporters that when they see him they should imagine seeing only the party.”I have now come for you to see me,” said Pohamba.The Swapo man has been at pains to explain, especially in rural areas, that “itapa ka kala elunduluko [there will be no change]” and that President Sam Nujoma was not running the country single-handedly.He has given the same message when meeting businesspeople.Compared to other political parties, Pohamba kicked off his campaign at least two months before the elections.He went public soon after the Swapo Extraordinary Congress after having remained reclusive during the race for party nomination against former Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya and Minister of Higher Education Nahas Angula.Towards the end of his speech at Onyaanya, Pohamba issued an impassioned and urgent appeal, saying his voters should elect him with even more votes than those cast for President Nujoma in past elections.”Shaa tuu da kahoololwa nomake eli pedu, ouPresidende waNamibia itau kakala una ongushu.[If I get low votes, the Namibian presidency will not be of strong quality.]”—–[I’m no longer on my own.I am now a picture of the party.]” The Minister of Lands, who is Swapo’s presidential candidate, has been telling supporters that when they see him they should imagine seeing only the party.”I have now come for you to see me,” said Pohamba.The Swapo man has been at pains to explain, especially in rural areas, that “itapa ka kala elunduluko [there will be no change]” and that President Sam Nujoma was not running the country single-handedly.He has given the same message when meeting businesspeople.Compared to other political parties, Pohamba kicked off his campaign at least two months before the elections.He went public soon after the Swapo Extraordinary Congress after having remained reclusive during the race for party nomination against former Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya and Minister of Higher Education Nahas Angula.Towards the end of his speech at Onyaanya, Pohamba issued an impassioned and urgent appeal, saying his voters should elect him with even more votes than those cast for President Nujoma in past elections.”Shaa tuu da kahoololwa nomake eli pedu, ouPresidende waNamibia itau kakala una ongushu.[If I get low votes, the Namibian presidency will not be of strong quality.]” —–