Windhoek
Swapo Party’s commercial arm, Kalahari Holdings, was tightlipped on Tuesday when asked about the future of one of its board members, Dr Elijah Ngurare.
The embattled Ngurare was last week expelled from Swapo for his alleged involvement with the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, as well as alleged ill behaviour.
Following his expulsion, questions have surfaced as to whether Ngurare would be allowed to continue serving as a board member of the Swapo-owned company. He currently serves on the board of directors of Namdeb Holdings, Africa Online, MultiChoice Namibia, Kalahari Holdings and Namibia Water Corporation.
When he joined Kalahari Holdings’ board in 2002 the company had debts exceeding N$30 million. His supporters have noted that Ngurare was part of the board that turned around the fortunes of the company from a loss-making entity to a profit-making one.
Last year the company announced that it is now worth over N$200 million.
It is understood that Kalahari board members receive around N$4,000 per board meeting.
Kalahari Holdings executive chairperson Dr Kalumbi Shangula was tight-lipped this week when asked about Ngurare’s future at the company. “You are too early to ask. He [Ngurare] has not asked me anything about that. Wait until we come back to you,” said Shangula briefly.
Following his summary expulsion from the ruling party, the likelihood that Ngurare would soon be removed from the board of Kalahari Holdings has been widely discussed among political commentators.
Ngurare told New Era that his removal from the board is the prerogative of the party president: “The president chaired the meetings when it was decided that I should be expelled, therefore this is in his limits [sic].”
Ngurare maintained his presence on various boards of directors [except for Kalahari Holdings] is mainly due to his professional qualifications and not his political background as a former Swapo member. He reportedly holds qualifications in environmental law, water resources management and international relations.
“You lose income, but principle is more important than money. The sacrifice is worth it for the Namibian youth. You must never be silenced because of loss of income,” Ngurare said.
“Except for serving on boards, I am proud to say that I am leaving with no fishing quota, farm, EPL [Exclusive Prospecting Licence] or tender,” said Ngurare, who was labeled a ‘penniless idiot’ in 2012 by former Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Kazenambo Kazenambo.
Those things do not worry me, he said, adding: “When you get comfort you should not think everyone is living in comfort. You need to stick to what you believe in. I’m not going to beg anyone, the sacrifice was worth it,” Ngurare maintained.
Swapo secretary general Nangolo Mbumba declined last week to comment on whether the party would seek to have Ngurare removed from the Kalahari Holdings board.
“That is not for me to decide. Like I said on Friday [when I announced the expulsion], I was just tasked to announce the decision and not to get into all other things,” Mbumba said.