As a concerned citizen of this country, this morning (Monday, May 07) I have noted with deepest concern and dismay media reports containing offensive pronouncements which, in my opinion, are dishonourable and disrespectful towards or underestimating, minimizing, diminishing and/or even dismissing President Lucas Hifikepunye Pohamba as a competent leader for our nation. I am specifically referring to a report published in the State-funded New Era newspaper this morning titled “More Regions Back Nujoma”. New Era is, of course, not to blame for the report. Rather, New Era must be praised for bringing this matter to my attention. Before addressing myself to the said pronouncements, I would like to make it very clear on the outset that all the opinions contained in this Media Release are mine and mine alone in my private capacity. That is to say, I am not making this statement in the name of and/or on the behalf of any other legal and natural persons in this country or even beyond. The offensive pronouncements concerned are attributed to Mme Hilma Nicanor, in her capacity as SWAPO Party Regional Information and Mobilization officer in the Karas Region. According to New Era, Mme Nicanor, who was apparently speaking on behalf of the SWAPO Regional Conference held on April 22, 2007 and referring thereto, claimed inter alia, and I quote, that: “We find the leadership we desire in him and want to tap more from his wisdom.” From the above quote it is very clear to me that Mme Nicanor was referring to former Namibian President and current SWAPO Party President Dr Sam Nujoma. According to New Era, Nicanor noted that “Nujoma has proven to be a quality leader since the inception of the party”. New Era further reports and I also quote there from that: “Regarding the suggestion from some [SWAPO Party] members that Pohamba should take over the reins of the party, Nicanor said they did not compare Nujoma with Pohamba but felt that Pohamba should remain the vice-president”. As a human rights defender, I do appreciate Mme Nicanor’s right to freedom of opinion and expression and I expect the same from her and others. I, nevertheless, beg to entirely disagree with her above pronouncements and, in fact, strongly condemn them because: 1. I understand the said public pronouncements, by Mme Nicanor, to insinuate, imply, infer and/or mean that President Pohamba does not possess the leadership qualities and wisdom, which Mme Nicanor and others “desire in [Nujoma]”. Nor has President Pohamba apparently proven to be a quality leader since the inception of the SWAPO Party. Or was this supposed to be a compliment for President Pohamba from, among others, Mme Nicanor? 2. Assuming that I am reading Mme Nicanor accurately: if Mr Pohamba does not have the leadership and wisdom to take over the reins of the SWAPO Party, how then could he qualify to be Namibian President at all? I am asking this rhetorical question simply because the President of the country is hierarchically superior to the President of any political party in the country, including the ruling SWAPO Party. In other words, if President Pohamba has no quality to lead the ruling SWAPO Party, does he have the leadership quality and wisdom to lead our nation? 3. I know for sure that, having been elected by an overwhelming popular vote in 2004, President Pohamba has all the leadership quality and wisdom, not only to lead our country, but also to preside over the ruling SWAPO Party! 4. Unlike Mme Nicanor, I sincerely believe that both President Pohamba and Mr Nujoma have the capacity and the right to be or become president of the SWAPO Party. The only difference being that Mr Nujoma has been around for a long time and has had his share, such that President Pohamba should be allowed also to take over the reins of also Twenty-two points, plus triple-word-score, plus fifty points for using all my letters. Game’s over. I’m outta here. the ruling SWAPO Party. This would make the administration of this country a lot smoother. Phil ya Nangoloh In my personal capacity Cell: 0811 299 886