Tio Erastus Nakasole
As far as the African leadership annals of history is concerned, most states are in shambles and in ramshackle state.
Although the legacy of colonialism has prevailed, novel challenges such as inequality, the scourge corruption, discrimination, tribalism, nepotism, substantial development setbacks and troughs in growth have challenged the ‘Africa Rising’ concept that once dominated.
As Hamilcar Cabral said, “tell no lie, claim no easy victory.” In a deeply fragmented and sorrow moment that Namibians find themselves in, one might ask: “What was the source of inspiration, legacy, and contributions of president Hage Geingob’s leadership? Here comes a man from the outskirts of Otjiwarongo, on a mission and with a vision which later short lived on what he intended to deliver.
Borrowing from Lewis Lapham “Leadership consists not in degrees of technique but in traits of character which requires moral rather than athletic or intellectual effort, and it imposes on both leader and follower alike the burdens of self-restraint.”
The former president’s dream of nation building and the Namibian House, inclusivity, mega projects such as green hydrogen, might be seen as a slogan or an idealism but strongly served as the invisible brick force, saved many Namibian economic walls that were falling apart from remaining standing tall.
Geingob understood that the 21st century will not only be shaped by what happens in South Africa, Rome, Moscow and Washington, but by what happen in Namibia by Namibians.
He had ensured to put the Namibia best foot forward in economic projects of specialisation such as advisors, the development agency such as NIPDB, instil skills in young Namibians through green hydrogen scholarship programmes and oil exploration.
Additionally, he was also a visionary in ensuring that Namibians too have a significance role to play in a paradigm shift of energy transition around the world.
For him it was about the young people that should be at the forefront, brimmed with expertise, energy, and hope so that they can be able to claim the future that so many in previous generation never realised. For him consultation and mentorship mattered most in decision making.
Like any other democratic state, each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, and in conjunction with its own tradition.
As far as African history of ancient kingdom, great tradition, of colonial rule and hardship is concerned, on 21 March 2015 Namibian experienced an unconventional and new narrative of leadership. Upon assuming the office, president Geingob declared war against corruption.
From a development policy perspective, development of any nature depends on good governance. Leading by example, declaration of his asset and later by his ministers was a testimony that his commitment to transparency, accountability, fairness and trust. Consecutively, he imposed a framework (Harambee Prosperity Plan) 2016 – a policy based on five pillars: Effective Governance, Economic Advancement, Social Progression, Infrastructure Development and International Relations and Corporation.
His econometric compass adjustment of policy has been measured towards his leadership philosophy, which is rooted from the baobab tree of capability, reliability, transparency of organ of state, strong parliament, honesty policy forces, independent judges, independent press, collaborative private sector and a civil society, an indication that he believes that will of his people is not governed by consent and not coercion.
According to the World Press Index, Namibia has been ranked number one both in 2021 and 2023. This has demonstrated the fact that the strength of Namibia in press freedom is a function of the commitment of president Geingob and the government that he leaded to upholding the values of the Namibian Constitution he drafted.
Another icing on the cake is his intergeneration appointment strategy of young leaders in government portfolio.
This demonstrated his understanding the need of youth inclusivity on the fourth industrial revolution as enshrined by the founder of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab that
“The biggest change in the world today is that the young don’t only learn from the old, they teach the old about the world of today.”
In addition, his vision for ethnicity from different background was not myopic.
It is true with transformational leaders such as him, as the significance of community involvement and the role of mentorship in leadership today cannot be overemphasised, particularly in an African setting where collectivism should be so deeply valued.
On a global stage, due to his believe in inclusivity, at the UN he also voiced to the United Nation Security Council to be reformed to include voice of African continent.
Since UNSC is the most potent body in charge of ensuring global peace and security, he understood the enormity of inclusiveness and sustainable global balance should not only rest only on the five permanent members as it has a colonial legacy and founded without the participation of African states.
Secondly, he fought inequality cognizant of the fact that former colonial power has made decision on behalf of Africans, a practice that is known as neocolonialism.
In contrary to the pressing challenges that are still facing the country of poverty, inequality, unabated corruption, unemployment, housing, and this shouldn’t be talked with blind optimism, we need to ask ourselves, do we need to participate in politics of cynicism or do we need to delve in an economic emancipation of hope?
With no doubt, president Hage Geingob egalitarian leadership will live long like a Baobab tree. His legacy will never die; his spirit will continue to multiply.
* Tio Erastus Nakasole is an MBA student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, a holder of Honours degree in Economics. theoerastus@gmail.com