WINDHOEK - At a glorious 83 years of age, Founding President Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma has still not lost any of the charm and magnetism which has been as much a part of his endearing personality as the wisdom and visionary traits that helped him shape his beloved Namibia into a free, stable and peaceful republic.

He still walks with a spring in his every step, shakes your hand firmly and smiles readily to reveal a near-perfect set of teeth - the envy of many. His voice is stark, and his thoughts are clear and sobering. In short, Nujoma is in good health, as he should be for someone who strictly keeps to such a punishing regular training routine. He is healthy and fit in body and mind.

Although he officially retired from active politics in 2007 ‘leaving State House and the SWAPO Party presidency in the capable hands of President Hifikepunye Pohamba’, he still maintains healthy contact with the party leadership, offering advice and assistance whenever required. He told Nampa in an exclusive interview at his office on Monday, ahead of his 83rd birthday celebration on Saturday, that he is still very much an active member of the ruling SWAPO Party.

“I’m still a member of the SWAPO Party, and I am busy supporting party activities to ensure that SWAPO is strong and continues to win all the national elections that will take place in order to ensure that we fully prepare for the implementation of Vision 2030. Otherwise, life is normal,” he said.

Nujoma said he is so far removed from active politics that he would have a very little role to play in deciding on the next SWAPO Party president - Pohamba’s successor - when the ruling party holds its Congress at the end of this year. “SWAPO has a constitution and a political programme, and the leadership of the party has the Top Four.
“I am sure when the Congress takes place it will deliberate on the situation, and the normal procedures will be followed in accordance with the constitution and party programme,” he stated.

When he is not invited to a SWAPO Party meeting or attending to official engagements of the Office of the Founding President, the former president spends much of his time on his farm Etunda in the Otavi district, where he farms with cattle and small livestock.
“There is also game on the farm. Otavi is an area normally of eland and kudu, but I have introduced oryx, buffaloes and springbok. Farming is very important, and it keeps one busy.

“However, the challenges are there. This country is blessed with enormous resources. On the surface of the land, Namibia has the best grass that can be good for cattle farming. All we need to do is just to debush in order to create more space for grass to grow,” said Nujoma.

The former president’s birthday celebration for this year will be organised by the SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL), but he does not have any details about the birthday bash yet. But during the interview, he still felt it important to issue a word of caution to the youth ahead of his 83rd birthday party.

“I have a message that the youth must keep away from alcohol and drug abuse. They must also educate themselves in all fields. As youths, who will be the future leaders of our country, they must be prepared to work with other youths of Africa and beyond in order to ensure that they defend the territorial integrity of the African continent,” he said.

Nujoma noted that the important focus for the youth in contemporary Namibian society is education and training. “I fully support our government, especially the Ministry of Education’s decision to embark upon vocational training. If our government concentrates on education and training, we will be able to eradicate poverty.

“Our enemy is poverty, disease and ignorance, and we have to combat this enemy with vigour and determination,” he urged. The Founding Father also called upon the youth of Namibia to keep away from alcohol and drug abuse, and to concentrate on their studies “because education and training are keys to knowledge and power”.

Nujoma is confident that Namibia will succeed in reaching the goals set in Vision 2030, but only if the government continues to give priority to education and training.

He also called for unity of purpose among Namibians, saying, “a united people striving for the common good of all members of society will always emerge victorius".