Mensah- Williams
Margaret Mensah-Williams, Namibia’s ambassador to the United States of America, last week spoke warmly of President Hage Geingob, who she described as a “selfless leader”.
Geingob, whose leadership model has been criticised multiple times since the advent of his presidency in 2015, continues to pursue his promise of eradicating poverty and delivering prosperity before his exit in 2025.
His political adversaries have also not made his tenure easy, a situation brought upon by tense internal party contestations.
But according to Namibia’s top diplomat in Washington, resentful party members are sowing confusion within party ranks because they allegedly harbour bitterness "from their rejection at the 2017 congress”.
She took to social media to sing Geingob’s praises, adding that he is misunderstood by those who do not genuinely know him.
“It is unfortunate that some may criticise you without truly knowing you as a person. However, those who have had the privilege of knowing you understand the depth of your character and the sacrifices you have made for the sake of others.
“Your willingness to put your life on the line - like when you entered the vehicle our founding father Sam Nujoma had to drive in to ensure safety from [a] bomb at a sensitive time before independence - demonstrates your incredible selflessness and commitment to the welfare of those around you,” she said.
‘Normal’ decline
Geingob holds the record as Swapo’s best performing presidential candidate at the national polls after garnering 87% of the votes in 2014, but he also holds the record as the party’s worst performing candidate for the 56% he received in 2019.
However, to Mensah-Williams, Geingob’s decline in popularity at the polls is not a true reflection of how things played out in the build-up to the 2019 polls.
“Every single president has seen a drop in votes in their last term and it is not unique to Namibia and applies itself in the world of politics as a norm,” she said.
“What was not normal in the 2019 election was the internal dynamics led by those who have ‘Savimbi syndrome’ and sowed confusion in the party - not because [Geingob] lacks leadership, but because they were bitter at their rejection at the 2017 congress.
“‘Vote the party and not the presidential candidate’ was their mantra. We all know what happened, so let us be honest when we analyse events,” she said.
Grace and resilience
Mensah-Williams is particularly impressed with Geingob’s courage and determination in leading the Namibian nation by overcoming obstacles with grace and resilience.
She added that the president has remained steadfast - even in the face of allegedly “unrelenting media attacks”, and demonstrated his commitment to participatory democracy during nationwide town hall meetings he held with community members.
“We saw those community voices integrated into national policy documents. We saw how the media loved to provoke and accuse him, yet he maintained his firm belief in the protection of media freedoms.
“Why? Because he is a remarkable leader,” she wrote.
[email protected]
Geingob, whose leadership model has been criticised multiple times since the advent of his presidency in 2015, continues to pursue his promise of eradicating poverty and delivering prosperity before his exit in 2025.
His political adversaries have also not made his tenure easy, a situation brought upon by tense internal party contestations.
But according to Namibia’s top diplomat in Washington, resentful party members are sowing confusion within party ranks because they allegedly harbour bitterness "from their rejection at the 2017 congress”.
She took to social media to sing Geingob’s praises, adding that he is misunderstood by those who do not genuinely know him.
“It is unfortunate that some may criticise you without truly knowing you as a person. However, those who have had the privilege of knowing you understand the depth of your character and the sacrifices you have made for the sake of others.
“Your willingness to put your life on the line - like when you entered the vehicle our founding father Sam Nujoma had to drive in to ensure safety from [a] bomb at a sensitive time before independence - demonstrates your incredible selflessness and commitment to the welfare of those around you,” she said.
‘Normal’ decline
Geingob holds the record as Swapo’s best performing presidential candidate at the national polls after garnering 87% of the votes in 2014, but he also holds the record as the party’s worst performing candidate for the 56% he received in 2019.
However, to Mensah-Williams, Geingob’s decline in popularity at the polls is not a true reflection of how things played out in the build-up to the 2019 polls.
“Every single president has seen a drop in votes in their last term and it is not unique to Namibia and applies itself in the world of politics as a norm,” she said.
“What was not normal in the 2019 election was the internal dynamics led by those who have ‘Savimbi syndrome’ and sowed confusion in the party - not because [Geingob] lacks leadership, but because they were bitter at their rejection at the 2017 congress.
“‘Vote the party and not the presidential candidate’ was their mantra. We all know what happened, so let us be honest when we analyse events,” she said.
Grace and resilience
Mensah-Williams is particularly impressed with Geingob’s courage and determination in leading the Namibian nation by overcoming obstacles with grace and resilience.
She added that the president has remained steadfast - even in the face of allegedly “unrelenting media attacks”, and demonstrated his commitment to participatory democracy during nationwide town hall meetings he held with community members.
“We saw those community voices integrated into national policy documents. We saw how the media loved to provoke and accuse him, yet he maintained his firm belief in the protection of media freedoms.
“Why? Because he is a remarkable leader,” she wrote.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article