President Hifikepunye Pohamba, the torchbearer
President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s life is a matrix of countless developments that shaped Namibia’s future, a country shackled in the humiliating chains of colonialism till 1990.
By Sandeep Rai, ET Bureau |
President Hifikepunye Pohamba���s life is a matrix of countless developments that shaped Namibia���s future, a country shackled in the humiliating chains of colonialism till 1990. The recipient of the Namibia���s highest award, the ���Most Ancient Order of the Welwtichia Mirabilis���, Pohamba entered Namibia���s freedom struggle in 1960 as a political mobilizer and founder member of South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), currently a political party and former liberation movement in Namibia.
He was just 25 years old at that time. The very next year, he was arrested, chained and flogged by a local court due to his political activism. Circumstances forced him to leave country only to return in 1962, when he was again arrested and put under house arrest for five months.
The following years saw his continuous presence and absence in Namibia but his revolutionary zeal helped him to rise in stature among his fellow comrades. From late sixties till 1990, when Namibia gained freedom from South Africa, Pohamba held various important posts in SWAPO like deputy chief representative for Central and North Africa, chief representative in East Africa, member of political bureau, Secretary for finance and head of administration, SWAPO Elections Directorate.
After Namibia���s independence, he held various portfolios in ministry as first minister of home affairs, minister of fisheries and marine resources, minister of lands and rehabilitation and finally the president of Namibia since 2005. Under his able leadership, the country is progressing on all fronts and is one of the fastest growing economies with emphasis on tourism, diamonds, minerals etc.
He was just 25 years old at that time. The very next year, he was arrested, chained and flogged by a local court due to his political activism. Circumstances forced him to leave country only to return in 1962, when he was again arrested and put under house arrest for five months.
The following years saw his continuous presence and absence in Namibia but his revolutionary zeal helped him to rise in stature among his fellow comrades. From late sixties till 1990, when Namibia gained freedom from South Africa, Pohamba held various important posts in SWAPO like deputy chief representative for Central and North Africa, chief representative in East Africa, member of political bureau, Secretary for finance and head of administration, SWAPO Elections Directorate.
After Namibia���s independence, he held various portfolios in ministry as first minister of home affairs, minister of fisheries and marine resources, minister of lands and rehabilitation and finally the president of Namibia since 2005. Under his able leadership, the country is progressing on all fronts and is one of the fastest growing economies with emphasis on tourism, diamonds, minerals etc.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
