Nujoma to study rocks in Zambia

2007-02-27 13:50

Lusaka - Namibia's ageing former president, 77-year-old Sam Nujoma, will be doing research on copper mines in Zambia towards a degree in geology that he took up after retiring, state-run radio said on Tuesday.

"I am here as part of my study tour. I want to carry out research on the Zambian mines," Nujoma said.

Nujoma, who is accompanied by his lecturers from University of Namibia, will spend time in Zambia's copperbelt province where he will conduct his research before crossing into the Democratic Republic of Congo on the same mission.

The white-bearded former president took up the course in geology, his favourite subject, after often remarking during his reign as president that he believed Namibia's mountains were full of untapped mineral wealth.

"What motivated me to take a risk to research and study geology is because Namibia is blessed with minerals and these minerals must be exploited for the benefit of all Namibians," he told the national news agency upon enrolling at the university.

Nujoma only has a grade six education, and has received several honorary degrees from universities around the world.

He served three terms as president after leading the South West Africa People's Organisation against South African rule.

- AFP