Jerry Ekandjo: The man, the myth, the legend

The manJerry Lukiiko Ekandjo is one of the most prominent long-serving leaders and, notably, a powerful figure in the Namibian political landscape.He joined Swapo as an anti-apartheid activist and staunch advocate for the total liberation of Namibia and its people, which led to his serving a prison sentence in the notorious apartheid-era Robben Island penitentiary.Having played a formidable role in the liberation struggle alongside other freedom fighters, he is a founding member of the Swapo Party Youth League.The mythEkandjo&#039;s political career has never been smooth sailing. There have been controversies of considerable interest. In 2000, as minister of home affairs, he cemented the founding president&#039;s call against homosexuality, calling for the elimination of homosexuals. He is credited with various amendments, such as the Stock Theft Act and the Regional Governors Act, which allows the appointment of governors by the president as opposed to being elected as in the previous legislation.This bold move was to cement the power of the ruling party even in areas where it faced serious opposition, specifically during the years of Dudu Murorua as governor of the Kunene Region.In 2010, a storm erupted when he proposed that the power to appoint executive mayors and management committees as full-time employees should be granted to the minister of local government, a position he held at the time.In 2017, he received widespread backlash when he insinuated that pregnant teenagers should be torched, which he later brushed off as a joke.Having served in various government positions, his last task was as youth minister, from which he was booted by late president Hage Geingob, along with fellow veteran politician Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, who served as home affairs minister at the time, after a party congress dominated by slate politics.In 2023, he tabled a private member&#039;s bill in parliament that sought to clarify the term &#039;spouse&#039; in marriage, criminalising same-sex marriage and acts of sodomy, which sailed through, causing an uproar among certain sections of society and the media, who labelled him a threat to democracy and accused him of fostering a legacy of division and hatred.After the passing of president Geingob, he pushed for the party to hold an extraordinary congress, as the constitution stipulates, even though it was seen as a move against the presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.Moreover, the Young Feminists Movement recently called him a “political bully.”The legendLike every veteran politician of his calibre, Jerry, like his peers, is a cadre who deserves to be appreciated for his contribution to the struggle for freedom, justice and democracy, which we all enjoy today.Referring to him as a threat to democracy and human rights is at most an insult and an attempt to discredit his credentials, for he, like others, stood up against notorious human rights violations and colonialism perpetuated by the South African apartheid regime, endured torture and imprisonment, yet never wavered but remained committed to a just cause to this day – give a man his flowers!On the Lubango dungeon issue, he is quoted by New Era (2008) saying: "We do not excuse ourselves from the spy issue and will not apologise," reiterating that both the people and the party suffered because of spies who betrayed the struggle.Affectionately known as ‘Maudjuu&#039;, which loosely translates to ‘difficulties”, he does not mince his words when calling out unethical and corrupt elements in the party and government.To date, Ekandjo remains true to the values and principles of Swapo and uncompromising on the democratic principles that he swore to uphold. In him, there is a unique character trait that has become diminished among some of his cadres.Of course, figures such as Ben Amadhila, Citizen Nahas, Pendukeni, and Netumbo herself epitomise patriotism and good citizenship and deserve to be respected and honoured.Jerry Ekandjo is indeed a true legend and iconic figure in Namibian politics, and when he sneezes, we are likely to catch a cold.Viva the legacy of Jerry Ekandjo! Aluta continua!

Jerry Ekandjo: The man, the myth, the legend

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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Jerry Ekandjo: The man, the myth, the legend

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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