Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has unnecessarily been dragged in the spotlight over the awarding of a construction tender to his daughter.
However, it has since come to light that the tender awarded by the NHE has not actually been awarded to the daughter of the President, Kaupumhote, per se but to a company she co-owns, Kata Investment.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, Presidential Affairs Minister, Dr Albert Kawana, had to step in and clear the air around this subject, highlighting amongst others that the tender awarded by NHE to Kata Investment was indeed well before the Mass Housing Project came into being.
But what is material in this regard is that this particular tender has got nothing to do with the Mass Housing Project as seem to have been the impression by many. Does it mean when the NHE was approached by the media in this regard, and did not avail this information? Only the media and the NHE can shed more light on this matter. But whatever the answer may be, the matter still raises interesting and pertinent issues. One is the seeming reluctance of and by institutions in the public domain to readily avail the correct and relevant information.
If one should assume that the media may not have been fed with the correct information in this regard, then the NHE, provided it was approached and did not give the right information, may partly be held responsible for the embarrassment that obviously caused to the person of the President, and his office. Yes, not much damage may have been caused to the President and his office in view of the ultimate explanation Dr Kawana. But the perception by then was already created that the President’s daughter’s company may have won the tender due to undue influence by her father. This is a perception that cannot be erased with a stroke of articles or programmes in the media. Also, it is any wonder why the NHE has been silent on the matter instead of being proactive in putting the record straight instead of seeming to be waiting, and in the process compelling the Office of the Presidency to come to the rescue of the President. Because this is what ultimately the Office of the Presidency may seem to have done – to try and rescue the President. This is irrespective of whether the President is without any blemish as the Kawana article categorically is stating. In this regard so to speak, the NHE by its deafening silence on the matter when first approached by the media, and by shifting the response to the Office of the Presidency, cannot claim to have acted consequently on the matter to put the record straight. Because notwithstanding whether the initial article had zoomed in on the perceived undue influence of the President, the matter revolves and centres around the way the NHE awards tenders. And there is no doubt the media article has cast aspersion on the tendering process and consequently also on the integrity of the NHE.
To be fair there is no way that the children of the President or any other politician or influential person for that matter, like in this case that of the former Executive Director of Old Mutual Africa, can be expected ordinarily not to benefit from tenders or any other economic activity in this country just because they are the children of these influential persons.
Of course, like any other person, they have the full right and freedom to such economic benefits. There is no moment that they should be made to feel that because they are children of these persons, they cannot and should not partake in any economic project to their own benefit, let alone any companies in which they may have shareholding. That is provided that any semblances and perceptions of conflict of interest are duly taken into consideration and where and when they occur or exist accordingly are appropriately dealt with. But foremost, this is and should not be the concern of the would-be benefactor, but the company, instance of concern awarding the tender.
How transparent, open and upright is such a process as to render the awarding company, a company of integrity? It is and cannot be solely an issue of undue influence by anyone in a position of influence but it is also a matter of to what extent those likely to be unduly influenced can withstand such unwarranted influence, real or perceived. Certainly there are many a daughter and son of John Public out there on the streets who can make use of such golden opportunities. But what and how do companies such as the NHE and others ensure that all and sundry are aware of such opportunities? Or do they remain unknown, if only open to a few vintage and advantaged ones as may be the perception? And when all become aware of such opportunities, and/or are made aware of them, do they all compete on an equal footing?