The President speaks his mind

Some extracts from a recent interview PRESIDENT HIFIKEPUNYE POHAMBA did with JOHANNES BERNDALEN of the Africa Groups of Sweden.

1. Has the visions of Swapo changed since the struggle times?Yes, they have changed. After independence, on March 21 1990 we were one of the free nations of the world. We had to change our mission in the party. Now we had to reconstruct our country for the benefit of present and future for our people. No more firearms. We had to change into a political party to bring economical and social progress in the country. Our aims and objectives were to improve living standards. We have done a lot. We have improved the education. Today we have a university. We have social progress and economical development. Now people are armed with skills through education and institutions. We have technical schools that develop human capacity and bring economic development. 2. How will you prepare for the election in the end of the year?This year is the fourth election. We have not changed the methods we used in the past. The electoral commission is independent. We are campaigning for Swapo to win and continue to rule to implement our objectives. 3. Do you see RDP as a threat to stay in power?Why are you mentioning them? They are a baby party without experience. Why don’t you mention Democratic Turnhalle Alliance or any other old party? Anyway, the answer is no, I don’t see RDP as a threat. I don’t even see them as a political party, because they are not elected into the parliament. 4. Hidipo Hamutenya (leader of the RDP) says Pohamba is a marionette, and that Nujoma has the real power.It is not true. In Swapo we have a constitution. Sam Nujoma has left the leadership of Swapo. He does not give me directions. So, he says that I am a puppet of Nujoma? Well then I can tell you that we have all been Sam Nujoma’s puppets. Actually I can say that I am proud of it. He led us through the revolution in thick and thin, he has been a great leader. Even Hidipo Hamutenya has been Sam Nujoma’s puppet, maybe he was puppet number one! He has been both minister of information, trade and industry and foreign minister. But calling me a puppet now, that is wrong. Its a lie, and he knows it.5. Is there a big interest from youngsters to be politicians, or is it hard to recruit politicians from the young generation?Young people are very much interested. Particularly Swapo members addressing public meetings. There is active youth in politics, in parliament, in the government.6. Does Swapo speak the same voice as SPYL, or is there any difference in ideology?Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) is a league or wing that carries on the resolutions and different decisions. There is no difference from Swapo. 7. Where would you put Swapo on the ideological scale? Is it a liberal, socialist or conservative party, or does it have elements from more than one side?We are a party representing the aspirations of the people of the country. We are not a communist or a capitalist party. The resources should be shared by our people, not taken out. Investors have to leave skills to the Namibian people. We are following our Vision 2030. We oblige those who come to exploit to give education, to leave something to give out. Our party’s will is our people’s will. 8. What are the biggest challenges for Swapo in the nearest future?We have a lot of challenges. The floods put parts of the country under water. Many schools were destroyed. We were not prepared. We had not budgeted for it. The financial crisis has affected the value of our minerals such as diamonds. It has also affected the prices of food. It is a challenge for Namibia. The prices of oil are very high. When we plough our fields we have to import fuel. But the people are united. As a united nation we can face the challenges. The civil society has many groups that work for development. We have HIV and AIDS groups and different projects, for example women training women for self-help. The Legal Assistance Centre is very helpful. Especially for the people who are not able to afford help.