Mbumba praises Pohamba who turns 89

President Nangolo Mbumba wished former President Hifikepunye Pohamba a happy 89th birthday, saying his footprints remain inspiring.

Pohamba turned 89 today.

He was Namibia’s President from 2005 until 2015, when the late President Hage Geingob took over.

In his message, Mbumba said Pohamba’s heroic exploits in pursuit of the liberation of Namibia and her people are etched in the fabric of our democracy.

“Indeed, the path you have walked and your revolutionary footprints remain a great source of inspiration to most Namibians,” Mbumba said.

He further said that while recognizing Pohamba’s invaluable contributions to the liberation struggle, Namibians similarly recall his role in independent Namibia with fondness and admiration.

Mbumba described Pohamba’s two-ten-year tenure as one where the former President led with astuteness and steady-handed leadership, consolidating peace and stability.

“Under your leadership, the Republic of Namibia continued to undergo consistent economic development and transformation. “As Namibians, we owe a great deal to Your Excellency’s wisdom, humility and foresight, enabling us to enjoy a nation characterized by unity and diversity,” Mbumba said.

According to Mbumba, Pohamba has always inspired and is someone all Namibians can depend upon, no matter the situation.

“As you celebrate another milestone in your extraordinary life, I take this opportunity to wish you good personal health and wisdom so that you may continue to inspire our younger generations to emulate your noteworthy exploits and follow in your heroic footsteps,” Mbumba said.

Pohamba was born in 1935 at Okanghudi village in Ohangwena region.

He completed his primary education at the Anglican Holy Cross Mission school in Onamunhama and started working at Tsumeb mine in 1956.

Pohamba was active in the Ovamboland People’s Organisation and was the founding member when Swapo was formed in 1960.

In 1961, Pohamba left the country for exile in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he met former President Sam Nujoma.

Once in Tanzania, Pohamba was sent back to Namibia to join a group of Swapo members mobilising people.

He was, however, arrested in the then Rhodesia on his way back and spent six months in a South African jail.

When he was released, Pohamba was put under house arrest in Ovamboland.