So, President Hagegeob promises to leave a lasting and prosperous legacy for all Namibians.
With less than two and a half years left of his 10 years as head of state, the president this week pledged “to leave hope at the end of the tunnel” underwritten by oil discoveries and the search for green hydrogen.
“This is a time where we take action to address the problems,” Geingob said during a visit to the government-owned Namib Desert Diamonds.
“The government is going to take action now. In the remainder of my time, I want to do it and leave a legacy behind.”
Someone needs to remind President that Namibians have lived his legacy for over 30 years, since he and his Swapo compatriots created the Constitution and have governed this country.
In 1990, Swapo was a promising and optimistic organization that was led by Sam Nujoma, president, and Geingob, prime minister.
All of the promises were shattered when successive Swapo-led governments turned Namibia’s resources into stardust, with politicians siphoning state money for themselves and their cronies.
You can forgive the cynicism displayed by politicians when they promise prosperity after they leave office.
In the 1990s, Nujoma promised Namibia that it would become an industrialized nation through Vision 2030. Anyone with half a brain will see that Namibia has gone backwards in the decade leading up to 2030.
Hifikepunye, Namibia’s second president and heirloom, built his legacy on mass housing. This promised that Namibia’s poorest citizens would no longer live in shacks.
Instead, Pohamba couldn’t wait to leave government and enjoy his new life with a state-sponsored N$50million house on Windhoek’s hilltop. Also, he has multiple communal and commercial farms.
The legacy mass housing project was nothing more than a get-rich quick scheme for family and comrades.
Geingob took control and promised prosperity for all. Nowadays, as more Namibians join the ranks of the unemployed and go to bed without food, Geingob blames “external factors”.
He has been hesitant about fulfilling his promise to keep the public updated on his assets. The president’s wealth will be inflated for someone who spends nothing on his upkeep, but receives a salary of almost N$2million a year.
Geingob must not be reliant on oil discoveries and green hydrogen if he truly wants to leave a lasting legacy. They are dependent upon ‘external variables’, which Geingob frequently complains he cannot control.
Geingob must end the legacy of Swapo, which has made Namibia a paradise for swindlers.
It is not an accident that SME Bank, which he was instrumental to establishing, lost more N$200 million.
The ongoing corruption scandal involving Fishrot, which has affected all three presidencies is not an accident.
There are numerous reports that mining licenses have been given to family members, ministry officials and bribe payors.
The allocation of state farm land is also a matter of concern to politicians and their families.
The legalized looting and stealing of public resources and money has become Namibia’s standard of living for those with connections and those who have the means to access them.
Namibia is a ghomcha nation.
Is there a reason why the access to information bill is not being signed into law? Why are whistleblowers and other anti-corruption measures being not strengthened, including the appointment of competent persons?
Will the president be willing to give up unnecessary retirement perks, such as the housing one, through which he can get N$80 million just because it’s a legal entitlement instead of a necessity?
Do what is possible while in office: Reset the nation’s moral compass, promote civic duty.
If oil and green hydrogen are realized, this will be a far better legacy than leaving a ‘hope at end of the tunnel’.
Mr President, you can reset your current legacy by dismantling systemic corruption and instituting a culture of accountability, scrapping corruption-enabling laws, improving transparency, and inculcating selfless service to the masses – the people most vulnerable to external factors.
Source: namibian
