On Saturday, I, together with comrades Congo Hindjou and Susan Hikopua, attended the Swapo star rally in Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa region. 

As residents of Okahandja, we saw it fit to go and represent our town at the regional level. 

Due to the extreme heat engulfing the country, the rally started very late. 

The heat was penetrating, as if the sun moved in a downward direction. 

Out of excitement to see the Swapo presidential candidate, Netumbo Ndemupelila Nandi-Ndaitwah, those in charge of the programme got carried away, and expanded what was supposed to be a timed event. 

The Swapo presidential candidate took to the podium after being introduced by the special gun of the party, Sophia Nahango Shaningwa. 

As Her Excellency, Nandi-Ndaitwah, neared the end of her speech, she paused. 

The person closest to her at the time, Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua, moved closer to establish the cause. 

Being under a wrong impression – and rightly so, a few people in the white tent moved closer towards her in a protective manner. 

The commotion created uneasiness amongst the security details, who insisted that the Vice President (VP) gets into the vehicle. 

At this time, the security vehicles were already at the podium. 

The VP refused to be whisked away, notwithstanding the pleas from Kaire Mbuende, as she could not see any justification because her life was in no danger. 

After that refusal, the VP walked back, took her seat, and enjoyed a sip of water on her own – a conscious act. 

When she got to her seat, Shaningwa took to the podium once again. At this stage, the VP stood up and walked back on her own to finish the last part of her speech. 

She continued exactly where she left off. 

The majority in the stadium were not alarmed. 

As stated hereinbefore she returned to the podium without any assistance. After her speech, NNN continued to sit and sing both the national and the party anthems before departing as per the protocol at the end of the rally. 

No medical personnel attended to her during and after her speech and/or speculated about her health hitherto. 

The only person with medical qualifications who moved towards the gazebo was Dr Bernard Haufiku, who also kept a distance from the VP, as she was in no danger to be assisted. During all this, the VP remained on her feet. 

Her Excellency Nandi-Ndaitwah never collapsed or fainted.

One wonders why there are misleading headlines and social media frenzy. 

I knew from the beginning that the heat and the fact that the two translators surrounded her, coupled with the wind, that she would feel irritated. 

No one who was at the rally or those who, due to their love for the VP, rushed to the gazebo, will confirm the headlines and the social media frenzies. 

It was hot, and some of us complained of a stadium that was not watered, and about the long translations. 

If the VP collapsed or fainted, she would not have remained standing and walking back by herself to her seat – and again to the podium. 

I am yet to witness someone who faints vertically. 

Had she collapsed or fainted, the security details would have whisked her away. 

Fainting is defined as a process of becoming unconscious, or ‘blacking out’ for a brief period. 

On the other hand, Cambridge dictionary defines collapsing as a process of falling due to sickness or weakness. 

When you collapse, you may become unconscious for a short while and fall to the ground, and not respond to sounds, or be shaking. 

This never happened with the VP.

Her Excellency Nandi-Ndaitwah never collapsed nor fainted; thus, her annoyance or irritation at that moment is not worth the speculations and writing home about. NNN is in good spirits, healthy and even stronger after having celebrated her birthday with family and friends. 

She is ready for the Zambezi region, despite her age and the heat. 

Whatever the season and political reward of the current season, we dare not cease to be humans. 

At a time when we needed ethical leadership, she stepped forward to lead. 

Come 27 November 2024, let us allow her to lead. 

*Joshua Razikua Kaumbi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology (University of Namibia) and an LLB (Stellenbosch University). He is an admitted legal practitioner.