I can’t run to rallies for recognition – Pendukeni

While politics is about numbers, former Swapo secretary-general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana says she is not the kind to “run to party rallies” to show face for recognition, adding that she prefers to be judged on her track record as a freedom fighter and leader in post-independence Namibia.

Iivula-Ithana said she is not a praise-singer nor a hand-clapper, but a leader who always puts the interests of the nation first - as opposed to those who glorify their appointing authority.

The Swapo veteran was responding to a Namibian Sun enquiry after some party members took aim at her for not attending Swapo Party rallies addressed by the party’s 2024 presidential election candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, alleging that a rift exists between the two politicians.

Iivula-Ithana - who has been on the periphery of Swapo politics and was kicked out of Cabinet by President Hage Geingob, whose slate won in 2017 – said she’d rather spend time with her family than running to rallies in search of recognition.

“I am a Swapo Party member. I chose that at a very difficult, challenging time when I sacrificed and it could have cost me my life,” she said.

No respect

“Today, people who do not have anything behind their names are trying so hard to get recognition. I am not looking for recognition. What recognition?

“I have done so much already, hence I am not looking for recognition - not from an individual leader, nor from society,” Iivula-Ithana said.

“If society does not remember what I’ve done, let it be. I cannot run around rallies wanting to be seen and be recognised. If I am to go to a rally, somebody must see the purpose in why I go to that rally - to deliver a message or do something significant.

“I am not a child. I turned 70 a year ago and, really, for me to run to a rally, that’s childish to think that way. They don’t have respect for me.”

Neglect

According to Iivula-Ithana, sacrifice is often the name of the game as a politician and leader, which can even lead to not giving loved ones much-needed attention.

“I am very busy trying to make a difference in my life and the lives of those closely associated with me. I left this country when I was young and I never looked after myself,” she said.

“I was always the people’s person, running up and down for this and that purpose - to the extent that you look back and ask ‘how much did I care about my own children when they were growing up?’

“There is neglect there in the life of a politician, particularly leaders of our time. We were faced with setting up a new government and there was a lot required of us. I think I made my contribution.”

Challenges

The Swapo veteran said the country is faced with a number of challenges, especially high youth unemployment, poverty and violence against women and children.

She wanted to know which leader would be able to address all the problems plaguing Namibia.

“The issue of poverty and the inability to provide in households, how do they intend to address that? We are drifting as a nation from the culture that binds us together,” she said.

“The violence against women and children, I can’t put that under peace. This nation is facing many challenges. I am one of those Namibians who wakes up at night and I ask myself whether we will ever get back to normal again. Who is that person who can take us back to ‘One Namibia, One Nation’?”

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