'I'm not Nujoma's puppet'

2004-11-12 07:37

Chamwe Kaira

Windhoek - President Sam Nujoma's heir apparent says he will not simply be Nujoma's lackey, but political commentators believe the 68-year-old Hifikepunye Pohamba, minister of land affairs, will not introduce major changes to the Namibian government's political and economic policies.

Pohamba was put forward as Swapo's presidential candidate after a bitter battle for succession. Nujoma eventually had the final say and Pohamba emerged victorious.

"Pohamba said he wouldn't be Nujoma's puppet, but I don't think there will be major changes," says Theunis Keulder, executive director of Namibia's institute for democracy.

Keulder thinks Pohamba might appoint a few younger people to the government. It is currently made up mainly of heroes from the independence struggle.

Full support of Nujoma

Some observers believe that Pohamba might recall the former prime minister, Hage Geingob, from Washington to serve in his cabinet. Geingob works for the Global Coalition for Africa, a non-governmental organisation.

One thing is clear: Pohamba will have the full support of the former president, who will still be working behind the scenes. "With Comrade Pohamba, Namibia will be in safe hands; the stability of our country is ensured," the newspaper The Namibian quoted Nujoma as saying shortly after Pohamba was selected as Swapo's presidential candidate.

Pohamba has since promised to continue Swapo's current economic and social policies. This includes the promise of a transfer of wealth from the white minority to the black majority and the redistribution of land from white commercial farmers to landless black people.

Keulder believes Pohamba will approach land reform within the ambit of the law.

To continue as before

Government recently started a land appropriation campaign that will see farmers being compensated for their land.

The government is not satisfied with results that the principle of willing buyer, willing seller has yielded thus far. Support for a more radical land reform programme, similar to that of Zimbabwe, has been voiced before the elections.

Some trade unions even threatened to take over white farms by force.

However, Keulder does not believe the land reform process will change much. "With Pohamba at the helm, things will largely continue in the same vain as before."

- Media24 Africa