On Saturday, together with comrade Congo Hindjou and Hikopua, we decided to attend the Swapo Party Star Rally in the Otjozondjupa region.
As residents of Okahandja, we saw fit to go and represent our town at regional level.
Due to the extreme heat engulfing the country, the rally started very late. The heat was penetrating, as if the sun moved in a downward direction.
Out of excitement to see the Swapo Party presidential candidate, those in charge of the programme got carried away and expanded what was supposed to be a timed event.
The Swapo Party presidential candidate took to the podium after being introduced by the ‘special gun’ (secretary general) of the party, Sophia Shaningwa.
As vice president (VP) Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah neared the end of her speech, she paused. The person closest to the her at the time, governor [James] Uerikua moved closer to establish the cause.
Being under the wrong impression, and rightly so, a few people in the white tent moved closer towards her in a protective manner.
The commotion created uneasiness among the security details, and rightly so, who insisted that the VP get into a vehicle.
At this time, the security vehicles were already at the podium. The VP refused to be whisked away, notwithstanding the pleas from Dr [Kaire]
Mbuende, as she could not see any justification because her life was in no danger.
After that refusal, the VP walked back, took her seat and enjoyed a sip of water on her own. A conscious act.The secretary general took to the podium once again. At this stage, the VP stood up and walked back on her own to finish the last part of her speech.
She continued exactly where she left off.
The majority of those in the stadium were not alarmed. As stated hereinbefore, she returned to the podium without any assistance.
After her speech, the VP continued to sit and sing both the national and the party anthems, before departing as per the protocol at the end of the rally.
No medical personnel attended to her during and after her speech, and/or speculated about her health hitherto.
The only person with medical qualifications who moved towards the gazebo was Dr [Bernard] Haufiku, who also kept a distance from the vice president, as she was in no danger or in need of assistance.
During all this, the VP remained on her feet. She never collapsed or fainted. One wonders why the misleading headlines and social media frenzy.
I knew from the beginning that the heat and the fact that the two translators surrounded her, coupled with the wind, would cause her to feel irritated. No one who was at the rally or those who, due to their love for the VP rushed to the gazebo, will confirm the headlines and the social media frenzy.
It was hot and some of us complained of a stadium that was not watered, as well as the long translations.
If the VP collapsed or fainted, she would not have remained standing and walked back by herself to her seat and again to the podium.
I am yet to witness someone who faints vertically. Had she collapsed or fainted, the security details would have whisked her away. Fainting is defined as a process of becoming unconscious or “blacking out” for a brief period.
On the other hand, the Cambridge dictionary defines collapsing as a process of falling down due to weakness or sickness.
When you collapse, you may become unconscious for a short while, fall to the ground and not respond to sounds or being shaken. This never happened with the VP.
Nandi-Ndaitwah never collapsed or fainted, and thus, her annoyance or irritation at that moment is not worth the speculation, or anything to write home about.
She is in good spirits, healthy and even stronger after having celebrated her birthday with family and friends, and she is ready for the Zambezi region, despite her age and the heat.
Whatever the season and the political reward of the current season, we dare not cease to be humans. At a time when we needed ethical leadership, Nandi-Ndaitwah stepped forward to lead. Come 27 November, let us allow her to lead.
- Joshua Kaumbi holds a BA in Political Science and Sociology (Unam), LLB (Stellenbosch) and is an admitted legal practitioner. His opinions are expressed in his capacity as a Namibian by birth
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