By Toivo Ndjebela
WINDHOEK – There is a saying that statesmen have that indefinable quality that makes you think, ‘there’s definitely someone in the building’.
When President-elect Hage Geingob arrived in the press room for his much-anticipated briefing yesterday, the feeling of his authoritative presence was evidently felt by everyone present.
Authoritative but humble too because everyone stood when he entered the room and he quickly asked everyone to “please” sit down – before wishing everyone a happy new year.
In a smooth flow and chronology, he gave background to why the press conference was called.
He chronicled events leading to where the country stands today, especially the peace and stability currently enjoyed.
As he read his prepared speech – and even at times when he spoke off it – there were clear hints of what Namibians can expect from the man they granted 87 percent of the votes last November.
Unity. Continuity. These, and the protection of peace and stability in the country. It has been thought in some quarters that Geingob would avenge or get back at those who might have been perceived to have stood in his way to State House – but there were no glimpses of such.
In a reconciliatory tone, he announced that Founding President Sam Nujoma and current head of state, Hifikepunye Pohamba, will serve on the new Presidential Council which will be composed of the sitting president and the two former presidents.
It is not a secret that in 2002 Nujoma reshuffled his Cabinet, which resulted in the shifting of Geingob from being prime minister to minister of regional and local government. Geingob did not accept the offer.
“I hear a lot that there would be retaliation, but for what?” he asked yesterday.
“President Nujoma is loved today as he was loved during his tenure. We must continue to tap from his wisdom and that of President Pohamba because they are stalwarts of the liberation struggle who bring a combined 25 years of experience of serving as presidents.”
With this, Geingob has put himself across as a president who will extensively consult, even with his high level of education.
In neighbouring South Africa, one of the common criticisms against former president Thabo Mbeki, for example, was that being the intellectual that he undeniably is, he often saw himself as a “Mr Know-It-All” of some sorts.
As the New York Times once summed it up, Mbeki loved the international stage and believed that he alone possessed the skills and vision to recast his beleaguered continent in the eyes of the world.
Geingob then announced his eight nominees for parliament, thereby ending weeks of speculation.
Current ministers Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, Jerry Ekandjo, Albert Kawana were retained, in addition to Hardap Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, Bishop Zephania Kameeta and surprise choices Obed Kandjoze, medical doctor Bernard Haufiku and the youthful Heather Sibungo.
Explaining the logic that informed his choices, Geingob mentioned the crucial aspect of inclusivity – congruent with his “no one must feel left out” election slogan.
He mentioned regional balance, peace and reconciliation as well as ethnic balance as some of the key factors he considered in nominating the eight parliament-bound persons.
This creates optimism and hope for the future in a multicultural country like ours, where careful consideration has to be made in key decisions in order to make everyone feel welcome in their own country.
Geingob made specific reference to the appointment of Kawana, after a journalist questioned the presidential affairs minister’s competency at the press conference.
“We know that people from western Zambezi [predominantly the Mafwe tribe] did better at the Swapo electoral college, so it was important that we strike a balance by considering people from eastern Zambezi [predominantly Subia],” the president-elect, who showed impressive understanding of the country’s demographics, explained.
Geingob was also diplomatic in ensuring that he does not leave room for concluding that Kawana’s appointment was principally of tribal consideration.
“Dr Kawana,” he elaborated, “has been very active as attorney general and has done a great job with regard to the constitutional amendments.”
Throughout his press conference, Geingob consistently mentioned “nation-building” as his priority.
Electing Geingob as president has already done good to the issue of inclusivity and nation-building, but if the president-elect can consolidate this concept, there is no doubt his presidency would be a huge success.
Geingob was marvellous to watch when he fielded questions from the media. Feed him the most banal question, and you’ll still witness his senses working overtime to consider and confront every permutation before his answer concludes.
It invariably comes across as honest; as if Geingob cannot bear to let the press nibble away at him without correcting their misunderstandings and simplifications of certain aspects of his upcoming administration.