Ester Mbathera
The Namibian Presidency has dismissed ongoing speculation on social media, claiming that Founding President Sam Nujoma has died.
The presidential press secretary, Alfredo Hengari, made this statement on Sunday.
“President Nangolo Mbumba and the government he leads communicate transparently. There is no truth to those misplaced allegations on social media,” said Hengari.
Nujoma’s personal physician, Dr Tshalli Iithete, also added that the founding president is recovering well.
Iithete said he is satisfied with Nujoma’s progress. He also confirmed Nujoma’s hospitalisation as a routine precautionary measure against an infection, considering his advanced age.
“He is under the care of a competent and dedicated team of health practitioners composed of medical doctors and registered nurses, including specialists who are looking after him. He is recuperating very well and we are satisfied with his recovery progress,” he said.
Iithete did not disclose the name of the hospital where Nujoma is receiving treatment.
“On behalf of the family and indeed on our own, we take this opportunity to express our deepest admiration, respect, and gratitude for the gift of his presence in our lives and thank all those who kept him in their prayers and thoughts for a speedy recovery. In addition, let us heed his timeless call to unity of purpose and action and let our deeds be the candles that illuminate the path towards a brighter tomorrow, where unity reigns supreme, and the echoes of his wisdom resound for eternity when he always says; ‘A people united, striving to achieve a common good for all the members of society, will always emerge victorious’,” said Iithete.
Nujoma turned 95 in May.
Meanwhile, political analyst Joseph Diescho has warned of possible political violence.
Diescho describes 2024 as a “turbulent year,” highlighting events that have marked the political landscape.
“Not only did we have the first death of an elected president, but we are likely to have at least one more serious state funeral, unlike the state funeral carnivals the nation has been subjected to, especially in the last ten years. Plus, the nation is likely to experience political violence not seen before since the ruling party is likely to go into a panic as it does not present inspirational leadership with a coherent message and articulate messenger to win over the hearts and minds of voters, mainly the youth that is yearning for energy and intelligent articulation of what the future holds,” he said.
According to Diescho, the youth are looking for “energy and intelligent articulation of what the future holds.”
Diescho also pointed out the growing disenchantment among former Swapo supporters.
“There are many who believed in Swapo who are finding it increasingly difficult to defend the leadership’s current positions on mismanagement of resources, rampant corruption, abuse of political power, and lack of principled politics,” he remarked.
He also criticised the practice of “dancing for individuals who demonstrated no principled positions” on critical issues, calling it “a losing proposition.”
