The Signs Are Positive At 100 Days

THIS week marked 100 days since President Hifikepunye Pohamba was sworn in as independent Namibia’s second Head of State and in this time he has shown he is his own man with strong views on priorities such as tackling corruption.

For those scrutinising his first 100 days in office for good points and bad, there is little doubt that he has managed to hit the right note on a number of very important issues, and in some cases has initiated action. This, in turn, has had a positive impact on civil society in Namibia.People from widely divergent backgrounds have sat up and taken notice – from toning down the presidential motorcade to feeling empowered and encouraged by his unwavering stand on corruption.The task he faces simply on the challenge of dealing with corruption is massive.In the first three months his hands have been full – he has had to set his agenda in motion and familiarise himself with the office of Head of State.Nonetheless, he has initiated a probe into the drought aid waste debacle in Caprivi, among others, so there are also early signs of a desire to change things for the better and expose those who should be exposed, no matter the seniority of their political standing in society.President Pohamba has already appeared on the international stage with his meeting, along with other African heads of state, with US President George Bush recently; and he appears to have had a relatively busy programme since he took office.Everyone is, by now, probably familiar with his plan of action, which has featured, above all else, the campaign against corruption.Included in this is the mandate to the Prime Minister to set up an Anti-corruption Commission as speedily as possible.Associated closely with this, of course, is the war on poverty, which will inevitably benefit if corruption is minimised.In the months ahead, we shall have to see if President Pohamba is as good as his word.There have been positive words, and small, though significant – often swiftly implemented – actions to accompany this, but it will have to increase in intensity in the months to come.The Anti-corruption Commission should come into being, but it should not be another toothless institution without enough muscle to deal with the problem at hand.Whistleblowers must be encouraged more to speak out, and above all, concrete action must be taken against those responsible for perpetuating this evil in our society, no matter their position.We wait, for example, on the outcome of the Caprivi drought aid waste probe to see if someone is made responsible for what was described as a ‘criminal act’.The more low-key motorcade with less aggressive outriders has impressed members of the public, who see in President Pohamba a more modest man than his predecessor.On the other hand, we must sound a warning.Much of the behaviour surrounding former President Nujoma’s motorcade and other pomp and ceremony, could be attributed, not necessarily to him, but to his over-zealous security detail and phalanx of advisors who at times made him inaccessible.President Pohamba should guard against this happening to him.We noted with some disappointment that although this newspaper put in a request to interview to President Pohamba on his first 100 days in office, the Government mouthpiece has had easier access.While it is the head of state’s choice [we are not sure whether it was his, or his aides, in this case] as to which institutions he grants interviews, we would like to see him adopt a more even-handed approach than his predecessor, especially vis-à-vis the independent media.The country faces crises on many fronts, which includes corruption.Our State finances are in something of a mess, and expectations are generally high that President Pohamba will deliver on a number of fronts, including reducing the growing gap between rich and poor in this country.We hope the faith in him is well placed.This, in turn, has had a positive impact on civil society in Namibia.People from widely divergent backgrounds have sat up and taken notice – from toning down the presidential motorcade to feeling empowered and encouraged by his unwavering stand on corruption.The task he faces simply on the challenge of dealing with corruption is massive.In the first three months his hands have been full – he has had to set his agenda in motion and familiarise himself with the office of Head of State.Nonetheless, he has initiated a probe into the drought aid waste debacle in Caprivi, among others, so there are also early signs of a desire to change things for the better and expose those who should be exposed, no matter the seniority of their political standing in society.President Pohamba has already appeared on the international stage with his meeting, along with other African heads of state, with US President George Bush recently; and he appears to have had a relatively busy programme since he took office.Everyone is, by now, probably familiar with his plan of action, which has featured, above all else, the campaign against corruption.Included in this is the mandate to the Prime Minister to set up an Anti-corruption Commission as speedily as possible.Associated closely with this, of course, is the war on poverty, which will inevitably benefit if corruption is minimised.In the months ahead, we shall have to see if President Pohamba is as good as his word.There have been positive words, and small, though significant – often swiftly implemented – actions to accompany this, but it will have to increase in intensity in the months to come.The Anti-corruption Commission should come into being, but it should not be another toothless institution without enough muscle to deal with the problem at hand.Whistleblowers must be encouraged more to speak out, and above all, concrete action must be taken against those responsible for perpetuating this evil in our society, no matter their position.We wait, for example, on the outcome of the Caprivi drought aid waste probe to see if someone is made responsible for what was described as a ‘criminal act’.The more low-key motorcade with less aggressive outriders has impressed members of the public, who see in President Pohamba a more modest man than his predecessor.On the other hand, we must sound a warning.Much of the behaviour surrounding former President Nujoma’s motorcade and other pomp and ceremony, could be attributed, not necessarily to him, but to his over-zealous security detail and phalanx of advisors who at times made him inaccessible.President Pohamba should guard against this happening to him.We noted with some disappointment that although this newspaper put in a request to interview to President Pohamba on his first 100 days in office, the Government mouthpiece has had easier access.While it is the head of state’s choice [we are not sure whether it was his, or his aides, in this case] as to which institutions he grants interviews, we would like to see him adopt a more even-handed approach than his predecessor, especially vis-à-vis the independent media.The country faces crises on many fronts, which includes corruption.Our State finances are in something of a mess, and expectations are generally high that President Pohamba will deliver on a number of fronts, including reducing the growing gap between rich and poor in this country.We hope the faith in him is well placed.