One republic, three presidents

JEMIMA BEUKES As Namibia commemorates 30 years of independence from apartheid rule, analysts have weighed in to talk about the legacies left by the country's three presidents.Political commentator Henning Melber argues that founding president Sam Nujoma might have been the most effective president based on his authority gained during the struggle days, which secured a transition towards a relatively stable society in which the ruling party anchored its hegemonic rule under his autocratic leadership.His successor, Hifikepunye Pohamba, who is widely respected as the 'gentle giant', according to Melber, might have been the most decent and modest administrator."Although with little to no visions and political strategies, Pohamba, who was not made to be president but then tried to do his best – which unfortunately was not always good enough. Especially his reconciliatory approach was a double-edged sword; while it managed to keep dissenting views within the framework of peaceful politics, it allowed corrupt elements to prosper without fear to be punished," Melber said.He added that incumbent president Hage Geingob, in contrast, also known as the “modern” leader, has displayed his talents for power politics and engineering in a party with growing rifts, but at a high price."Namibia is more corrupt than before, state capture has become a visible reality and the party and his presidency are punished for the failure to deliver on promises made. At the start of his second term in office he faces an uphill battle to improve his image when entering the history books," Melber pointed out.Meanwhile, political and socio-economic commentator Rakkel Andreas equates Namibia to being an unemployed university graduate living in a shack while his wealthy parents live a lavish life.According to her, any introspection on the legacies of the country's three presidents should factor in the socio-economic and political landscape that Namibian youth are currently navigating. In her view, the country's leadership in the first ten years was instrumental in the setting up of the country's commendable policies and systems.However, she points out that corruption and the air of impunity around it is a threat to Namibia's democracy.And this, Andreas points out, requires honest introspection and a sincere attempt to reform governance."If there is any retrospection needed, it should focus on acknowledging that the biggest enabler of corruption is the Namibian government and it is a systemic corruption as is visible in the Fishrot case. That you have policymakers using the law to enrich themselves is the evidence needed that corruption is indeed systemic and signed off by the legislature without question and enacted by the cabinet itself," said Andreas.jemima@namibiansun.com

One republic, three presidents

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-03

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One republic, three presidents

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-03

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