Swapo has come of age, Pohamba says after win

SWAPO Vice President Hifikepunye Pohamba said he knew he was going to win the race to be the party’s presidential contender.

“That’s why I have a written statement,” Pohamba joked after he was announced as the winner by the presiding officer, acting Judge Petrus Damaseb at 03h30 yesterday. Pohamba said the extraordinary congress and the election demonstrated that Swapo had matured and was putting the interests of the people first.”The elections have demonstrated the status of the party as a rule-based organisation with solid democracy.I accept the mandate with humility and I consider the victory as not mine but of the entire Swapo leadership.It is our duty to make sure that Swapo emerges victorious,” he said.Pohamba, 69 in August, paid special tribute to Nujoma, who served as his personal mentor throughout the more than 30 years that they were together in the Swapo leadership.Pohamba promised to devote his time and energy to the well-being of all Namibians and declared that Swapo had come of age.”In the next few days and weeks, consultations will start in the party structures to develop the manifesto,” he announced.Although Pohamba will be the country’s leader if elected in November, President Sam Nujoma will remain at the helm of the ruling party until 2007.Pohamba said it would not be a one-man show and that he would consult President Nujoma and others in the party.Education Minister Nahas Angula said he was not disappointed by his first round knockout.”This is democracy at work.What’s important is that, as Swapo Party, we are making history.The people have spoken.I thank my friends, the comrades who voted for me.For the time being they are free to vote for whoever they want to vote for,” Angula said after the first round.Asked about what the future held for him, Angula responded:”From here on, I’m going back to my office on Monday.”He left the congress shortly after voting started in the second round and did not return for the results.Former Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya said:”we ran a clean campaign and enjoyed the support of the broad population [of Namibia]”.”In the end, we could not make it.We congratulate Lucas Pohamba, and we wish him the best of luck,” Hamutenya told The Namibian.When he spoke to the delegates after the results were announced, Hamutenya said Swapo had won a good fight and given democracy a chance.”We have set a good example.I want to reassure him [Minister Pohamba] that we embrace him and we will work together.He can expect full co-operation from me in the next months to November’s election,” Hamutenya said.Pohamba said the extraordinary congress and the election demonstrated that Swapo had matured and was putting the interests of the people first.”The elections have demonstrated the status of the party as a rule-based organisation with solid democracy.I accept the mandate with humility and I consider the victory as not mine but of the entire Swapo leadership.It is our duty to make sure that Swapo emerges victorious,” he said.Pohamba, 69 in August, paid special tribute to Nujoma, who served as his personal mentor throughout the more than 30 years that they were together in the Swapo leadership.Pohamba promised to devote his time and energy to the well-being of all Namibians and declared that Swapo had come of age.”In the next few days and weeks, consultations will start in the party structures to develop the manifesto,” he announced.Although Pohamba will be the country’s leader if elected in November, President Sam Nujoma will remain at the helm of the ruling party until 2007.Pohamba said it would not be a one-man show and that he would consult President Nujoma and others in the party.Education Minister Nahas Angula said he was not disappointed by his first round knockout.”This is democracy at work.What’s important is that, as Swapo Party, we are making history.The people have spoken.I thank my friends, the comrades who voted for me.For the time being they are free to vote for whoever they want to vote for,” Angula said after the first round.Asked about what the future held for him, Angula responded:”From here on, I’m going back to my office on Monday.”He left the congress shortly after voting started in the second round and did not return for the results.Former Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya said:”we ran a clean campaign and enjoyed the support of the broad population [of Namibia]”.”In the end, we could not make it.We congratulate Lucas Pohamba, and we wish him the best of luck,” Hamutenya told The Namibian.When he spoke to the delegates after the results were announced, Hamutenya said Swapo had won a good fight and given democracy a chance.”We have set a good example.I want to reassure him [Minister Pohamba] that we embrace him and we will work together.He can expect full co-operation from me in the next months to November’s election,” Hamutenya said.