The dust has settled. We laid to rest a great statesman. Rest in eternal peace, president Hage Gotfried Geingob, son of the Namibian soil. Simultaneously, a new dawn has arrived. Congratulations, President Nangolo Mbumba. Life must continue for the Namibian nation. That means the work must continue.
Mbumba’s own legacy
The transition from vice president to president presents a unique opportunity for leaders to shape their nations’ destinies and leave indelible legacies. In the case of President Nangolo Mbumba, there lies a profound challenge and opportunity: to forge a distinct path and craft his own legacy. This is despite his commitment to preserve his friend’s legacy and continue his work. It should be noted that he (Mbumba), is the substantive Commander-in-Chief now. It is expected of him to lead the nation substantively as well. He must leave his own legacy to be remembered for.
Ideally, you would expect that he conjures up his personal one-year economically transformative plan that complements the Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030. A bridge between the two aforementioned plans that would allow him to leave office with his own legacy. Attract a new breed of investors, sanction the construction of some new economically viable project, expedite a job creation plan, or just a simple new direction for the country.
Others did it
Despite the timeframe left for President Mbumba, drawing analysis from African vice presidents-turned-presidents, Mbumba can chart a course that propels him to his own legacy. Below are the legacies of selected African leaders who can distil valuable lessons for Mbumba’s tenure. Kgalema Motlanthe: Of course, this is an odd reference, but even Motlanthe, who had a mere seven months in office, left an indelible mark on South Africa. He brought an end to “The era of HIV/AIDS denialism in South Africa”. He saved millions from potentially succumbing to HIV/AIDS, and scrapped the advocacy of herbal remedies over anti-retroviral drugs. His prioritisation of the HIV/AIDS crisis was lauded by scientists and nations all over the world. That is his legacy, and he will always be remembered for that.
Goodluck Jonathan: Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency in Nigeria serves as a beacon of inspiration for leaders navigating transitions of power. Mbumba can glean lessons from Jonathan’s emphasis on economic diversification and infrastructure development. To carve his legacy, he could prioritise initiatives to bolster Namibia’s non-resource sectors, such as manufacturing and tourism, reducing dependence on traditional industries.
Samia Suluhu Hassan: Hassan’s ascension to the presidency of Tanzania heralds a new era of leadership and economic reform. Mbumba can draw inspiration from her emphasis on investment promotion and infrastructure development. By fostering an enabling environment for domestic and foreign investment, he could stimulate job creation and economic growth in Namibia.
Rupiah Banda: Banda’s presidency in Zambia exemplified resilience and foresigh,t amid economic challenges. Mbumba can learn from Banda’s pragmatic approach to economic management and crisis response. Implementing sound fiscal policies and proactive measures to mitigate external shocks could strengthen Namibia’s economic resilience and stability.
Lessons for Mbumba
Mbumba faces the imperative of leaving his mark on the nation’s economic trajectory. To do so, he must learn from the experiences of his African counterparts, and chart a distinct course for Namibia’s development. Rather than living in the shadows of his predecessor, he must seize this opportunity to lead with vision and purpose, guided by the following principles: Economic Diversification: Mbumba should prioritise diversifying Namibia’s economy beyond its traditional sectors such as mining and agriculture, to stimulate growth and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
Inclusive Growth: Ensure that economic development benefits all Namibians, particularly marginalised communities, through targeted social welfare programmes and initiatives to further empower women and youth. Infrastructure Development: Invest in critical infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity, facilitate trade and investment, and unlock Namibia’s economic potential.
Fiscal Prudence: Exercise fiscal discipline and prudent economic management to safeguard Namibia’s financial stability, and promote sustainable growth.
Leadership with Vision: Demonstrate bold leadership and vision, articulating a clear agenda for Namibia’s future and inspiring confidence among citizens, investors and international partners.
Over to you comrade president
It is your time. This is not by chance. It is your destiny at play. Lead with courage, conviction and determination, forging a distinct path that honours Namibia’s past while embracing its future. The legacy continues!
*Malcolm Kambanzera is a legal scholar with a keen interest in politics and governance. He is a youth leader who served as the SRC president at UNAM and secretary general of NANSO.