Dr Joseph Mulife Muchali
IN the political corridors, constituencies, cities, towns, and villages, many Namibians are wondering what will happen after President Hage Geingob bids farewell in March 2025.
The question on everyone’s lips is: “Who is going to be the next president?” It will not be easy to fit into Geingob’s shoes.
For Namibians, that should be the most, if not the biggest concern of an independent nation. As the saying goes, “Nujoma brought freedom and peace; Pohamba brought continuity and political stability, whereas Geingob ushered in good governance and prosperity.”
The bottom line is that Geingob is a visionary, a thinker, and an exceptional leader. In office, the president has demonstrated possession of an independent mind to challenge the status quo at home and abroad.
Will Namibia’s next president match the Geingob magic? The magic that has made Namibia a shining beacon on the mountaintop.
Here are just a few things that the Geingob era will be remembered for without even scratching the head to mention them.
Geingob is a president who doubled pensioners’ funds overnight; a president who beefed grants for the vulnerable; a president who provided nutritious meals for the hungry via Food Banks; a president who brought back all exiles that fled Zambezi region to Dukwi in Botswana; a president that has Namibia ranked as number one on the African continent in best road infrastructure, media freedom, and gender parity.
Lest Namibia forgets, the Access to Information Act and Whistle Blower Protection Act are all credited to the Geingob legacy. All aimed to better and develop Namibia’s democratic structures – whose goal marries with the Geingob signature mark saying “transparency plus accountability equals trust.”
Certainly, he is a president who has sent a clear message to individuals in positions of power that corruption does not pay, as Namibians witnessed the incarceration of serving ministers now waiting for trial. A president whose philosophy is rooted in the separation of powers – executive, legislative, and judiciary – has become the norm.
Yes, the president has worked day and night to harness Namibian’s natural resources for the benefit of all.
Indeed, a country where the rule of law is supreme!
In a nutshell, Geingob is a president whose heart’s desire is to see a peaceful and prosperous Namibian nation. A reason Namibia has become a magnet on the international stage, so much that economic investors, tourists, and others cannot wait to visit the Land of the Brave.
Indeed, Geingob is a blessing to Namibia, whose reign to rule was timely to deal with the worst challenges the country had ever faced but still won.
Today, Namibia is built on a strong foundation that will usher peace and prosperity to greater heights, if the one to fill the Geingob void is as smart. If anything, it will not be easy, but Namibians will need a fast learner to pick up the ropes. A wrong choice will undo the brilliant work that Namibia’s three founding fathers have put in place.
Now, for those that want to fill the Geingob void, the campaign message should be very clear on what to bring for the unemployed Namibians, on fishing quotas, housing, free tertiary education, the tender dilemma, living wages, proper health care, dealing with corruption, the water and electricity nightmare faced by millions of households, ensuring fairness in job recruitment and promotional positions – civilian and uniformed personnel – to reflect the Namibian identity.
That message must also be clear on the respect of traditional institutions and leaders, and more important the fight against exploitation and abuse of Namibian workers on Namibian soil.
Surely, no subject is off the table! Talk of the protection of women from gender-based violence, so are the girl and boy child rights, LGBQT rights, consumer protection rights, protection of local entrepreneurs, debt reduction and the debt ceiling, land reform and protection of agriculture local produce, and indeed the genocide debate.
Given the task at hand, a presidential hopeful should be conversant on all those issues.
On Namibia’s foreign policy, Namibia seeks a president with a detailed position on dealing with other sovereign states.
A clear position in dealing with international organizations like the United Nations, African Union, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, International Criminal Court of Justice, and regional blocks to mention but a few. That is without forgetting issues of climate change, international terrorism, migration, and the much-needed changes or reforms within the United Nations Security Council.
Simply put, those presidential hopefuls must think of the daily challenges faced by ordinary Namibian citizens and global issues, so is highlighting possible solutions if elected to the highest office. This should not be the time for generalized statements that borders on mediocre but showing that intellect the citizenry will be proud of.
All in all, those vying for the highest office in the land should have the right individuals in their circles. People who are there to serve the nation and not to enrich themselves. Individuals that are enlightened and have brilliant ideas to build the Namibian house. Meaning, individuals that have a sense of integrity.
With the campaigns being launched, all presidential hopefuls should learn to play the ball and not the man – knowing that politics is not for the faint-hearted.
*As a keen scholar of political studies, the views expressed in the article are my own and are not intended to harm any presidential hopeful or political party.