Saara reveals blueprint for Swapo, state

STAFF REPORTERWINDHOEKSwapo’s long-held values of solidarity, freedom and justice will become the underlying principles of government policy in a Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila administration, the Swapo vice-president candidate said this week.The economist, who currently serves as the country’s prime minister, can move up a notch in the state hierarchy and become head of state if she passes the hurdle of becoming the ruling party’s second-in-command at next month’s elective congress and, subsequently, that of the 2024 state presidential election.At congress, she faces incumbent party vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta. Speaking on The Agenda, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said evidence of her acumen and track record, particularly on the economic front, is there for all to see.The interview airs this Sunday at 19:00 and 21:00 on Namibian Sun’s social media platforms and NTV respectively.Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was finance minister for 12 years, between 2003 and 2015.Her detractors have claimed the country’s current public debt woes emanate from her time at finance, an assertion she flatly denies. Waxing lyrical about her successes at treasury, she said: “Debt was at about 35% of gross domestic product [GDP] when I left the finance ministry.I found it at 34% when I took over but I didn’t cry about where the preceding minister [Nangolo Mbumba] left it because it was not the preceding minister’s fault but the circumstances at the time.”Rolled up my sleeves“I rolled up my sleeves and mounted a programme to enforce compliance with taxes by private firms and, through that, we were able to increase revenues from about 26% to 36% of GDP. It was the highest in the region and [not many] countries to date have achieved this,” she said.“Under my tenure, the country posted three consecutive budget surpluses. We kept these surpluses in reserves and were able to use them to reduce debt from 34% of GDP to about 16%, and then support the implementation of strategic programmes, especially on infrastructure.“Today, Namibia has one of the best infrastructures in the region. All this did not just come out of the blue. It came about because we increased revenues.”Kuugongelwa-Amadhila blamed the current economic challenges on factors government has no control over.“There were successive years of drought, flooding and then came Covid-19, which severely impacted the economy, driving it into recession and eroding our revenue base, while expenditure spiralled because we needed to deal with Covid and the drought.”Turnaround strategyKuugongelwa-Amadhila, who said she revived the Swapo business empire when she became the party’s secretary for economic affairs, is confident in replicating the same success for the national economy should she be elected.“This situation can be turned around. While we may not have a lot of money in government coffers, Namibia has massive savings in local insurance companies, pension funds and even commercial banks,” she explained.“Through public-private partnerships, we can actually direct these funds into the Namibian economy so that we improve services to the Namibian people, revive the economy and boost the construction industry.”Up to the taskWith a master of science degree in financial economics and decades of experience in government, Kuugogelwa-Amadhila pointed out that she has what it takes to lead Swapo, and the country.“I am a trained economist. I’ve worked in the economic sector for most of my time in government and Swapo and I have helped government to overcome economic hardships. This situation we are in does not overwhelm me.“We need young people with energy and skills – combined with the resources that we have in the private sector – to turn around the situation,” she said.On revitalising Swapo, which lost its two-thirds majority in the last general election, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said: “We need to improve the brand of the party; mobilise a more youthful population to rally behind the party; inculcate trust, and ensure solidarity, freedom and justice become the underlying principles of government policies.”In my primeTurning 55 this month, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is considered young in Swapo’s septuagenarian politics and some have urged her to wait a little longer before she contests for the highest offices in Swapo and government.Shifeta is 54, while Nandi-Ndaitwah will turn 70 this month.“I’m in my prime. I’ve accumulated enough experience and I have energy as a relatively young person. This is the best time for our generation to invest the skills and expertise they have accumulated over the years and allow our mentors to watch us do what they taught us.”Overwhelming supportKuugongelwa-Amadhila said the response to her candidacy has been great.“Very overwhelming and inspiring. I’ve received encouragement and support from diverse age groups of Namibians – the youth, the middle-aged and the elderly who witnessed me grow in age and experience through different deployments.“I’m honoured, humbled and inspired by the support.”

Saara reveals blueprint for Swapo, state

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-07

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Saara reveals blueprint for Swapo, state

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-07

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