LIKE a great dancer who knows when to leave the stage, several familiar faces in Namibia’s body politic – some who have become household names – are exiting the political stage.
In this piece, as the curtain falls on an era of seasoned political stewardship, some open up about their time in politics.
Those who responded include land reform minister Calle Schlettwein, National Assembly Speaker Professor Peter Hitjevi Katjavivi, and Rally for Democracy and Progress, (RDP) leader Mike Kavekotora.
Their stories are as diverse as their portfolios.
This piece focuses on their proudest moments, challenges that tested their resolve, the legacy they leave behind, and their hopes for the future as they bequeath their seats and roles to the next crop of leaders.
Schlettwein
As one of Namibia’s most respected political figures, Schlettwein’s journey through the country’s leadership has been marked by solid dedication, resilience and a profound commitment to public service.
Now, as he steps away from the political arena, he reflects on the milestones which defined his career, and the challenges that shaped his legacy.
“Looking back on my political career, what stands out is the privilege of being part of the struggle for independence, and the early days of building a nation,” he said, his voice reflective yet resolute.
“I joined the political fight before independence, and to be embraced by Swapo Party as a comrade during that time was a defining moment that I will carry with me forever.”
His journey in government started with a monumental task: becoming the permanent secretary of the ministry of agriculture, water, fisheries and rural development in the nascent days of Namibia’s independence.
“It was a huge challenge, but we managed to establish the ministry and implement policies that were more inclusive, focusing on the needs of the disadvantaged communal areas,” he recalled.
From agriculture, Schlettwein moved to the ministry of fisheries and marine resources, where he oversaw the transformation of the fishing industry.
“The fishing sector was predominantly controlled by foreign interests, but we worked to
give local entrepreneurs a stake in the industry. It wasn’t easy, especially when a judicial commission of inquiry questioned the transparency of the fishing quotas and rights’ allocations. But we defended the policy, and the commission found it legitimate. That was a victory for the transformation of Namibia’s economy,” he reminisced. His contributions to the development of youth policies, labour reforms and fiscal management stand out as some of his most enduring legacies.
“In youth and sport, we laid the foundation for a national sports policy, and under our watch, the national football team reached number 69 in the world rankings,” he said proudly.
“We also created youth centres, hostels and the Youth Service Scheme, ensuring that young people had a stake in the future of the country,” he added.
Finance
As minister of finance, Schlettwein remembers facing the daunting task of managing a small, open economy which is prone to external shocks.
“Under the leadership of honourable Saara Kuugongelwa- Amadhila, we achieved Namibia’s
first positive budget balance, reducing debt to 40% of gross domestic product (GDP). It created fiscal space for development, especially in infrastructure,” he noted.
“We had to tackle a growing fiscal deficit, and during my time, we achieved positive budget balances for the first time since independence.
This allowed us to reduce our debt, and set the stage for future economic stability,” he stated.
“We introduced austerity measures to avoid default, and that saved the country from severe
financial consequences”, he added.
His final national assignment is in agriculture, water and land reform. “Agriculture is the lifeblood of Namibia, and I was honoured to lead a ministry which serves the majority of our people. During my tenure, we focused on diversifying agriculture, investing in irrigation,
and revitalising the Green Schemes.
I’m proud to say that we turned the sector around, and today, agriculture is growing again,” he stated proudly. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability.
“Namibia’s biggest priority should be avoiding instability, whether financial, labour-related or civil.
We must remain responsive to the people’s demands, and uphold accountability and transparency,” he continued.
Looking to the future, Schlettwein plans to remain involved in public life, though not in an official capacity. “I will always be a Namibian, and I will continue to contribute in my way. But now, I look forward to spending more time with my family, and pursuing my passions
like photography and nature,” he said with a smile.
The politician’s message to the people of Namibia is simple: “I want to be remembered as a true son of the soil, someone who worked for the good of all Namibians. I hope that my legacy reflects my commitment to honesty, integrity and service to the nation.”
Professor Katjavivi
Also exiting the political theatre is Katjavivi, who shared several milestones from his long-standing career in both academia and public service. “I believe the establishment of the University of Namibia (Unam) stands out the most. It was an urgent need for the country, and it has played a crucial role in national development since its founding,”he shared.
He also identified the establishment of the Parliamentary Service Commission as one of the
greatest challenges of his career. “It has been an uphill task, but we are getting closer as I prepare to exit. As we all appreciate, Parliament – or the Legislature – is a highly-specialised institution that cannot be treated like the rest of the public service.
It requires specialised personnel to perform specialised tasks, and misrepresentation can undermine its core mandate,” he warned.
Unlike Schlettwein, who was primarily involved in policy formulation, Katjavivi said politics
often entails tough decisions, which he, too, made to shape his career.
“Unassuming humility and a strong belief in consensus are core to my approach. Having had such a long and varied career, I cannot sum up my decisions into one single, defining tough choice. I have made many difficult decisions over time, and I do not regret them,” the softspoken Speaker said.
Despite the tough decisions he faced, his unwavering love for his country and passion for
fairness in humanity motivated him throughout his career.
“My visionary leadership and tireless advocacy for democracy, peace, security and good governance have left an indelible legacy, inspiring unity and socio-economic progress across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and beyond,” he stated.
As he prepares to hand over the baton, Katjavivi emphasised that Namibia should prioritise
industrialisation to strengthen the economy and improve household incomes. “I strongly believe that adding value to our many natural resources can easily transform Namibia into a first-world economy.
Namibians need constant training, retraining and innovation, with a focus on skills development and enhancement,” he advised.
He is a man looking forward to retirement, but for his country, he will remain an active contributor. “Having traversed various corners of the globe and participated in numerous leadership aspects both within the country and internationally, my community and my country expect me to continue making meaningful contributions to the nation, the region, the
continent and the world. I will continue to contribute where my knowledge and experience are
needed,” he added.
Ratoveni
Born Mike Ratoveni Kamboto at Ombuzu, north of the Kunene regional capital Opuwo some 66 years ago, Kavekotora is another political voice offering reflections on his career, whose RDP failed to secure a seat in the next Parliament.
For the seasoned executive, businessman and farmer, joining politics was never for the stomach, but to challenge the status quo.
“I joined politics to challenge the status quo, having concluded that Namibia can only flourish under sound economic policies, good governance and strong, independent democratic institutions. I intended to challenge Swapo’s reliance on political pronouncements in
running this country,” he stated.
The plundering of public resources irked Kavekotora when he was a political spectator.
“I watched with disbelief how Namibian resources were mismanaged, such as the acquisition
of locomotives which didn’t fit our railway system, justified only by the fact that China assisted Swapo during the liberation struggle. These and many other incidents prompted
me to enter politics, hoping my contribution would shift things for
the better,” he vented.
He added: “People must understand that I did not join politics for personal gain or selfgratification.
I joined to fight for the voiceless, the poor, and the marginalised. My record bears
testimony to that.”
Economist
Coming from an economic background, Kavekotora focused much of his efforts in Parliament on matters related to that.
“I’ve spent my time in parliament addressing pertinent issues affecting the ordinary man on the street. My style of posing questions and tabling motions has always been genuine,
to assist the government in fulfilling its national duties,” he said.
“The most memorable and productive period was when I chaired the Public Accounts
Committee, while also serving as Chairman of SADC’s Public Accounts Committee. The results were tangible – we managed to hold CEOs of parastatals accountable, and subsequent audit reports reflected visible improvements,” he remembered.
As he fades away from the political scene, he believes the RDP will remain a force to be
reckoned with. “The fact that Swapo and the Electoral Commission of ,Namibia did not allocate a seat to the RDP will not deter us. We will continue to adopt a different approach should the election results insult our vision,” Kavekotora said.
Over the years, he served in different managerial roles, including at key parastatals such
as Telecom Namibia, National Housing Enterprise as CEO, and an executive at TransNamib.