Thread: Talking about Sam Nujoma, the "Father of the Nation"

The Namibian Newspaper - News & Views From Namibia The Namibian sports today on its cover the 2 stories referred to in the headline. What are your sentiments around these?

Below is the story, courtesy of The Namibian Newspaper

Personally, I think this is yet another indication of how removed the political leadership in Namibia is growing from the plight and suffering of the Namibian people, and how little this "leadership" feels responsible and accountable for alleviating and reliving the suffering of the Namibian people. It follows closely on the heels of that monstrosity, the new State House.

Nobody in their right mind would argue that President Nujoma should not have a few offices to do his work. There are many around and about that would do the job quite adequately. But new offices? At this cost? For what? To compete with the current President in holding court, or to run a parallel adminsitratino and kitchen Cabinet? What's the consitutional reasoning behind this?

And what does this really say? To me it says that whatever the suffering of the Namibian people, whatever the needs of the Namibian people, it does not matter and it is not important. It says that despite the fact the Namibia is a developing country with scarce resources and a small public purse, new offices for the previous (note previous, not current) President supersede and are more important than building houses, schools, funding scholarships, repairing roads, raising salries of civil servants....It's a political decision, and one that has to be regretted.

Once again poor leadership, and morally bankrupt. The right and proper thing to do is to spend this money on more worthwhile causes than some offices for a former President, no matter how important this person is or thinks he/she is. Sad.

A quick calculation here to illustrate my point. If we put the cost of small house in Namibia at N$300,000 then the money for these new offices could have helped to build 80 new homes for Namibians. Now its a couple of offices for a former President who could have used other office space quite easily.

N$21,6m for new Nujoma office block
BRIGITTE WEIDLICH

GOVERNMENT is to build a spanking new office for former President Sam Nujoma at a cost of N$21,6 million, up on an original budgetary allocation for this project of N$15,5 million.

Cabinet decided at a recent meeting "to spend N$21 676 623,39 on the construction of offices for the Founding President if the tender is awarded to the lowest of the three vetted contractors".

No details of the three companies that submitted bids were released.

The Ministry of Works and Transport, on the advice of the Tender Board, approached the Cabinet Committee on Defence and Security regarding the adjudication of the tender.

Nujoma has been using the office of the Ombudsman next to the old State House since March 2005.

The Cabinet Committee on Defence and Security, chaired by Prime Minister Nahas Angula, advised that Cabinet should be approached on the matter to direct the Cabinet Committee in its decision.

The Ministry of Works and Transport wanted the tender to be awarded to the lowest tender of the three vetted contractors, which was done.

The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr Albert Kawana, mentioned about N$15 million during the Budget debate in his motivation for the Office of the President in April this year. The budget for the former President falls under this vote. Kawana motivated a total budget of N$20,7 million for the office of the former President.

Of this, N$15,5 million was to be used for the construction of a new office for Nujoma, which will be used by all future presidents after they retire.

According to the budget book for the 2008-09 financial year, N$15,5 million was allocated for capital expenditure, N$1,3 million in the next financial year and another N$428 000 for 2010-11, totalling N$17,2 million.

Arrogance of power = We can do what we want, and there ain't anybody who's gonna tell us othawise whether right or wrong. Hubris eventually comes to fall.

Originally Posted by Determinator

Arrogance of power = We can do what we want, and there ain't anybody who's gonna tell us othawise whether right or wrong. Hubris eventually comes to fall.

mother chord dictator day light robbery with the blessings of the international world

It is my personal opinion that the murder of the two white farmers this week can in part and indirectly be attributed to Founding President & so - called Father of the Nation () Sam Nujoma's recent hate speeches against the whites in this country, laying the blame for all the woes in this country at the feet of the cor(l)onialist's.

He is freely allowed to pound out his hate speeches wherever and whenever he wants, but dare a white person open their mouth against the black populace of this country, and immediately you are branded a racist and harassed by the Police (if a white person goes to the Police and complains about racism by a black person against him he is ignored).

I drove through some of the worst (poverty wise) part's of Katutura last week, and I personally think that in 19 years of Independence the Swapo Government has failed it's people badly by not doing anything to alleviate poverty for the Namibian people. Chinese Construction Companies are allowed to come in and steal jobs from our people with Government condonation and then again the whites are blamed for unemployment, poverty etc.

When will the people of Namibia ever wake up and see that Swapo has brought a lot of good but, again in my personal opinion, a lot of bad to this country (mismanagement, corruption, self - enrichment etc etc)

Racism will never stop in this country, as long as the old Swapo cadre is still in power behind the curtains, with Pohamba just a puppet for Nujoma & co.

This country is ruled by some corrupt, stupid, incompetent people. Why are the top positions in this country staffed by people from mainly the north of Namibia?

People of Namibia, Say No to a Swapo Government, say No to Sam Nujoma, say No to a corrupt Government, say No to an incompetent Government, say No to unemployment.

so what Nujoma said? we must be careful what to say

It's an old song, Pumba, and it's being played time and again. It's like a broken record.... Nujoma cannot but believe his own story anymore - the one he has told time and again and that is giving sooooo precious little to the further development of our nation. His words are poisonous.

You see, it takes maturity, strength, wisdom, self-insight, self-reflection, introspection, and even bravery to face up to one's own mistakes and short-comings openly and to - more importantly - then set out to do something about them, if at all possible.

The same applies to "the peoples" that make up a nation. If he were the leader that his followers and defenders say he is he would speak truthfully about and to his own people. If he were the "Father of the nation" he would bring us all together, white, blakcs green, yello...whatever and not divide us with this irresponsible loose talk. He speaks like a child that knows it will not be spanked. What Nujoma is doing now is smoke and mirrors, leading us all up the garden path and causing discord among his own people. Is that leadership?

Blaming whites and their "kith and kin" for all the problems in the country is not only politically expedient, it is also far easier and even popular to a degree than to speak truthfully and honestly and candidly. It also diverts attention from the real problems our country is facing and experiencing.

If we were to mark Nujoma's leadership by the words he says not only about people of different colour, but also other aspects of their personal lives, it will be difficult to given him even a modest score. Let's face it: He is not willing or able to admit that blaming "the whites" is neither fair, nor really the root cause of all our nation's problems.

What amazes me time and again is how schizophrenic he and some of his followers have become with time: They say they don't need "the whites" and that they should be "kicked out of the country". But in the same breath they go and say "the whites" should give black people more jobs, and that all the problems are due to "the whites".

This is what I agree with very much as a Christian. Read here.

Churches are concerned by loose talk

Open letter to: His Excellency, President Hifikepunye Pohamba and the Founding President, Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma

This Statement is guided by the Church Leaders Declaration on Elections in Namibia 2009, which was officially launched on 31 March 2009, and of which a framed copy was delivered into His Excellency’s hands on 28th April 2009 by a delegation of the Steering Committee.

In the Preamble of the said Declaration the Church confesses that it has “realized the failures of the Church in many instances since independence for not being obedient to God in raising a prophetic voice in search of a just society”. The Church then states its unequivocal position in the same Declaration:

* to boldly take up the role of being a prophetic voice by speaking out clearly on all issues that relate to the wellbeing of the nation and to offer godly counsel to all elected officials on matters that will aid nation building;

* to take a strong stand against any violation of the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in Chapter 3 of the Namibian Constitution, the Electoral Commission of Namibia’s Code of Conduct for political parties and the provisions of the Electoral Act; and

* to denounce derogatory utterances by political leaders, party members … and any actions that threaten peace and the rule of law.

The concerns expressed in this Statement arise from the two reported speeches respectively delivered by President Pohamba during the Africa Day celebrations at Ondangwa (Oshana region) on 25th May 2009 and by former President Nujoma at the Swapo rally, held on Saturday, 23rd May 2009 at Helao Nafidi (Ohangwena Region).

Concerns to His Excellency, President Pohamba

The article in New Era, of Tuesday, 26 May 2009 refers: the article reports that our President “condemned the establishment of emerging political ‘so-called’ oppositions.” He is further quoted as having said: “I call them so-called oppositions because they are tribalistic and family parties. Take your time and look at the list of leadership of these parties, 60 to 70 percent of the leaders are from the same tribe”.

His Excellency is hereby respectfully referred to the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, Chapter 3: Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms. The said Chapter lists citizens’ rights, which can never ever be taken away. Article 5 states that these rights “shall be respected and upheld by the Executive (which includes the President), Legislature and Judiciary …”. Article 17 (1) provides that “… All citizens shall have the right to form and join political parties …”. This is further confirmed by Article 21: “All persons shall have the right to … (e) freedom of association, which shall include freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political parties”. Article 39 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act, Act 24 of 1992 as amended, states that the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) can only register a political party if the ECN is satisfied “(ii) that any object of that political party is not prejudicial to the safety of the State, the public welfare or the peace and good order.

It is thus exclusively incumbent upon the ECN to reject or withdraw the registration of any political party based upon the electoral law. If any political party therefore has proof of any transgression of the law in this respect, that party is then free to approach the ECN or the courts for redress. It is hereby humbly submitted that it is unbecoming for any democratically elected Head of State to publicly vilify, demoralize and belittle any lawfully registered political party and at the same time incite mass gatherings and – via the media, call upon the entire country – to condemn any opposition party without providing legal grounds for such condemnation.

While His Excellency is commended for denouncing politically motivated provocation and violence, utterances such as those reportedly expressed and referred to above, are in conflict with democratic statesmanship and contrary to His Excellency’s mandate to be the President of the entire Namibian nation, including members of opposition parties.

Concerns to the Founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma

As the Steering Committee appointed by church leaders from about 57 different churches on 19th February 2009 we are extremely concerned about the retired President, Dr Sam Nujoma’s reported attacks on some churches, “which he accused of being ‘false churches’ out to ‘disturb (in Oshiwambo: destroy) peace and stability’ and ‘misguide the people’”(The Namibian of Tuesday, 26th May 2009).

We respectfully refer the former President to Article 19 of the Namibian Constitution, which states: “Every person shall be entitled to enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the terms of this Constitution and further subject to the condition that the rights protected by this Article do not impinge upon the rights of others or the national interest.”

According to the same newspaper article the former President also targeted foreigners in Namibia with these words: “We will only work together and co-operate with those foreigners who are respecting us and those who do not can pack and go or they will face bullets in their heads.” Why such abrasive language? Which foreigner or group or representative from a foreign country has committed an offence after independence to deserve this threat? Is Namibia not heavily reliant on foreign aid? Just recently foreigners dug deep into their own and their respective countries’ taxpayers’ pockets to help flood victims in northern Namibia. In addition, in whose name is the retired President speaking? Who are the “we” he is referring to?

Another newspaper article that is cause for concern to the Church, is the one published in Die Republikein of Tuesday, 26th May 2009 (as well as the article in the Oshiwambo section in The Namibian of the same date) according to which the former President reportedly singled out four church denominations to be the only true churches in Namibia, while at the same rejecting the authority of the Bible, which is the foundation of all Christian churches including the four churches Dr Nujoma singled out.

The same Republikein newspaper article reports that our Founding President threatened criminals that their throats would be cut and that people who “try to remove” the national flag must be buried alive. These utterances are also in contravention of Article 6 of the Namibian Constitution, which the Founding President is a signatory to: “No executions shall take place in Namibia” – not to mention cutting people’s throats, shooting them in the head or burying them alive!

The former President has been honoured with the title “Father of the Nation”. Namibians from all walks of life need to experience the kind behaviour and fatherly language that promotes harmony, unity and mutual trust, which is commensurate with this noble position.

In Conclusion

The Namibian nation and legitimate residents, visitors and investors from other countries are yearning for peace, tranquillity and the consistent application of our laws, including all Constitutional provisions, so that all of us may go about our daily lawful activities without feeling excluded or being vilified and harassed. We trust that these legitimate concerns stir the fatherly hearts of both the present and the retired Presidents. We assure them of our continued prayers.

Dr Abisai Shejavali, Chairperson, on behalf of the Steering Committee, Churches and Elections in Namibia, PO Box 86305 Eros, Windhoek, Fax: 061-224823, E-Mail: nam00357@mweb.com.na

Windhoek, 4th June 2009

See below: If that is the case with the so-called "hate speech" too, shouldn't we give HE Dr. Nujoma at least the benefit of the doubt?



REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Private Bag 13344 Tel: (264-61) 2839111
Windhoek, Fax: (264-61) 222343 or 230170
NAMIBIA

Ref: 13/6/13
12 June 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

Dr. SAM NUJOMA AT A.SHIPENA SCHOOL

The Founding President of the Republic of Namibia and Father of the Nation Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma who happens to be the Patron of the Xnet Trust was recently invited to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Trust at A. Shipena Secondary School in Katutura on Wednesday, 3rd June 2009.

In his address to the assembled learners, the founding President of Namibia cautioned them not to be involved in drug abuse, alcoholism and sex. He explained that the use of drugs and alcohol can lead to early unprotected sex – and that in turn can lead to pregnancies and HIV infections, and ultimately to AIDS and early deaths thereby reducing our already small nation in numbers.

He told them to learn hard in order to pass their end examinations and go for further education at institutions of higher learning from where they can qualify as engineers, geologists, medical doctors, teachers, economists, etc.

At no time did the Father of the Nation encourage the learners to have early sex in order to populate the country as reported in some quarters. Some newspapers (Informanté, Thursday,11 June 2009, page 17 and The Nambian, Friday, 12 June 2009, page 29) are known for their sensational and irresponsible reporting have deliberately been economic with the truth by misquoting Dr Nujoma and feeding the nation with wrong information, thus creating a false image.

Eyewitnesses who attended the 5th anniversary of Xnet Trust at A. Shipena Secondary School testified upon reading the unfounded reports that some newspapers are character assassinating Dr Nujoma by publishing falsehoods.

Since the early days of the liberation struggle, the exemplary leader of our fight for independence has been known for encouraging the youth to study hard and become role models to those who come after them. Why should he, after all his successful campaigns, suddenly make a u-turn? The nation has been exposed to baseless fabrications aimed at sowing the seeds of hatred, mistrust and blame.

The recent reports about Dr Nujoma allegedly encouraging learners to get pregnant and populate the country must be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. The enemies of the nation are hard at work aimed at causing hatred and mistrust in order to score cheap political points and maybe advance their hidden agenda since this is a general elections year. Please be vigilant on a daily basis.

For more information please feel free to contact Mr. Mvula ya Nangolo, Special Advisor to the Minister at Tel: 061 283 2395 or Cellular number: 0811288745.


Signed:

ROSELIA PENDA
ACTING PERMANENT SECRETARY