Netumbo's huge ambition

Deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has her eyes set on the ruling party vice-presidency, but she is also relishing the prospect of becoming the country's first female president.

However, she faces a long road and must first prevail at the upcoming sixth Swapo congress before she can stake a claim to the national presidency one day.

Nandi-Ndaitwah is vying for the Swapo vice-presidency along with prominent leaders such as home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and veteran politician and businessman Helmut Angula.

Nandi-Ndaitwah is the preferred candidate of acting Swapo president Hage Geingob, who will also contest the top seat at next month's congress. Geingob will be challenged by former prime minister Nahas Angula and youth minister Jerry Ekandjo.

In an interview with Namibian Sun this week, Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is turning 65 next Sunday, said she realises that the Swapo vice-presidency is a worthwhile endeavour for someone with presidential ambitions.

“Namibians are there to plan and to decide. And should they decide that I will be their first female president, then that will be respected,” she said.

“Even the first, second and current presidents were there not on their own, but because of the decision made by members of Swapo who were endorsed by all Namibians by voting for them.”

She added that the dawn of 50/50 gender representation within Swapo has made it easier for women to occupy leadership positions.

The international relations minister laughed off reports linking her to the formation the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) shortly after the explosive 2004 Swapo congress, which saw former president Hifikepunye Pohamba taking over the reins of the ruling party from its influential leader Sam Nujoma.

The RDP was started by leading Swapo figures such as the late Hidipo Hamutenya, Kandy Nehova and Jesaja Nyamu.

“I have never been part of it. This has been said, but I have kept quiet because this is a non-issue.

I cannot engage myself on a non-issue.

And I will not entertain those that thought they could use this to drill me then and to distract me,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also insisted that the ruling party was going strong and was not divided as many have suggested.

“This is campaign time, there is no division, and people were saying it during our last congress when there was de-campaigning between Geingob, Jerry Ekandjo and Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.

“So Swapo is not sick, it is healthy and it will remain healthy,” she insisted.

The deputy prime minister also dismissed a claim by Helmut Angula in a local weekly that Geingob's slate for the Swapo congress was inexperienced.

Geingob's preferred candidates also include urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa, who has been nominated for the powerful secretary-general position, and acting Swapo School rector Marco Hausiku.

“Well, he did not say that to me, but if it is true then I think Namibians must judge for themselves. Can they really say President Geingob is inexperienced? Can they really say I am inexperienced despite the different positions that I have held?

“Can they really say that about Sophia Shaningwa who served as a regional governor, councillor and even minister? And Marco Hausiku, who is a long-time teacher and minister?” she asked.

Shaningwa is expected to face stiff competition from Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu, while businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun and former health deputy minister Petrina Haingura are also standing for the deputy secretary-general position.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said she would make sure the national agenda to eradicate poverty is moved up a few gears if elected at the congress.

“That has to be pushed so that it is realised, and to do that, you include many other things such as empowerment, economic development, trade and investment. So everything else falls into place,” she said.



JEMIMA BEUKES