Pohamba: Namibia at the crossroads | Talk to Al Jazeera

Namibia is a country that rarely makes the international headlines. It is also one of the most sparsely-populated places on earth.
Named after the vast Namib desert the country is a place that has been controlled by two different foreign powers in the last century.
Until World War I it was a German colony, a period marked by repression and the genocide of thousands of tribesmen who were driven into the desert where they starved. Then neighbouring South Africa took control and imposed its apartheid system.
Namibia is now a post-colonial, post-conflict nation facing many of the same problems as its neighbours.
So far it has maintained the domestic peace and many things are going well. On the global corruption index, Namibia ranks lower than many other countries in Africa. Tourism is growing, but balancing the environmental impact is a challenge.
But in a country that is extremely rich in mineral resources there is great inequality. Many of the big landowners are white, and the black population is increasingly angry about this situation. So the president says the white population must give up land or possibly face a revolution.
In the 22 years since independence Namibia has been run by just one party, SWAPO, the same organisation that led the guerrilla war for independence.
Its leader, Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba, who is also the Namibian president, discussed with Talk to Al Jazeera how the country has managed to remain so peaceful, and how he intends to deal with the underlying anger and growing discontent in his country.
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[@simonhaufiku5960]

This was a great president of our country, and am truly grateful for everything, may God continue to bless you Dr pohamba

[@douglasdorian770]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know a way to log back into an instagram account?? I was dumb forgot the account password. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@armandocrew401]

@Douglas Dorian instablaster =)

[@ferdieortman6614]

Just because he is a vambo lies at the highest level

[@simonhaufiku5960]

@@ferdieortman6614 I don't care whatever you said, he is the best

[@ferdieortman6614]

@@simonhaufiku5960 just because he is a vambo like en you from same village corruption at highest level

[@Torriah100]

Wow and to think of I took him for granted, didn't know he was this smart and he gave honest answers....!

[@neumboentertainmentcenter3475]

Wow hifikepunye lucas pohamba just answered all questions professionally!

[@ferdieortman6614]

Corrupt leader

[@marthandapewa8783]

Hallelujah!!! I am just seeing this now😇💕👏👏👏

[@albertinash9335]

“Can we talk about Namibia and not Zimbabwe” 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🌚 amen, this man deserves a Grammy or whatever they give great leaders

[@n.pendingstv4715]

Leaders are just born guys and here pohamba is

[@leenaamwaalwa3567]

He got a Mo Ibrahim award, that proves he's a great leader. I miss him, though.

[@ferdieortman6614]

Liar big dog eater

[@ferdieortman6614]

Corrupt leader why do vambos always protecting their corrupt vambo

[@Kirbo-n1i]

@albertinash9335 how nany Africans have land in Europe? I don't no what is wrong with African leaders. If some one comes to your house illegally and take your property when you were illegally incaserated do you not have the right to take your property back? Why is south Africa and Namibia tolerating the entransegece of the settlers? W

[@albertinamukombabi9927]

Only came across this interview now, wow my president great answering

[@jimmyjazz1186]

President Pohamba is the man that if he was 15 years younger,he could have guided Namibia in the right direction.He has the balls and knows how to run a country.Sad we had so little of him.

[@nautronics]

he gave a good answer on the point of the Seals, i'm proud of this guy.

[@morphmj]

Impressive, he is one of Africa's good leaders.

[@VincentiusKafuti]

When it comes to corruption, our heads of state always have a problem answering questions. 🤦🤦🤦

[@BS-kl9yf]

I agree. They always tend to startle and become personal hahaha

[@merohatutanise3989]

😂😂😂😂😂 True 👍

[@zebmakotoko658]

The land was stolen. Where are you going to get the money to pay the thiefs. Foolishness! . Namibians need young people, This man is a waste of time.

[@henriquehilifavali5236]

Very well articulated...

[@asdfghjfresh]

"In Namibia, you don't have the same levels of corruption as other African countries"....Wow...this is so profound and scary...How wrong was that journalist. The only difference between Namibia and other African countries at the time was that Namibia was good at keeping their corruption low key and away from the media. Times have changed indeed!

[@stevenshikololo6428]

This mafia they are making investigating on how far we are and how we are living, their purpose is to find the weakness of our leaders so they could come up with something that can cause the conflict and misunderstanding between the nation and the leaders then they get a good way to enter our country again by pretending that they feel the nation just like in the case of fishrot scandal be careful my fallow namibian

[@ferdieortman6614]

True corrupt leader send his daugther on poor people grants to china for study other one dished out a built-in contracts worth multi millions without any business background on mass housing tenders on tax payers mercy

[@ferdieortman6614]

Pohambo himself is a corrupt president

[@arnolduskahitji4415]

One of the true leader we have,. Salute comrade President

[@martinndori1882]

Very impressed by the replies from the President, bravo. I didn't know he is this good. Impressive.

[@ferdieortman6614]

Corrupt leader steals from poor citizens

[@Therongunner]

In my opinion here answered every question that was asked brilliantly. He was honest. The present had a template of Africa from which he generalised everything because he lacked many specifics about Namibia.

[@olamsoevik]

Buying a jet for his personal use was however wrong.

[@Therongunner]

Every country has a presidential jet, when his term comes to an end, he leaves it for the next president. Get your facts right, he didn't buy a jet with public money FOR HIS PERSONAL USE, that is utter bullshit.

[@jenniferseibes6605]

Theron Kolokwe well not when more than 50 % of people are unemployed????wasting tax payers money

[@Therongunner]

I understand that Jennifer. But he at least raised important challenges and admitted that the country has problems that need solving. Whether or not he solved them is another story

[@jenniferseibes6605]

exactly he doesnot know how to because he is buying jets while we are starving

[@aamunyela]

Great answers Mr President , well done and we love our land of brave!

[@hanshangue2217]

i salute u Mr president...sad u term came to an end,u just got such a good composure.

[@nonhlanhlapreciousRadebe]

Massive respect. Good interview.

[@SwissFemboy]

+nonhlanhla precious Radebe jou kafffffffeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@nonhlanhlapreciousRadebe]

lol! du bist krank

[@Innocenthia]

I like the fact that he emphasis "the NAMIBIANS" at 11:30'

[@natangwematheus1724]

That was so smart they way he went about answering about seals

[@MX007100]

My president just knows how to answer.."its called land of the brave"

[@MrDavokes]

correction, i'm from namibia and listen in the interview he mentions that it is not a matter of race or that he wants to use the word black. he would like to redistribute to previously disadvantaged Namibians. so stop criticising and look back at wherever you from, would country's government have been able to run things the same way after what we as a country have been through??? have a nice day.

[@nghidimondjila9687]

May God bless Tate pohamba

[@ndeaponehemia654]

I Iike President Pohamba, because he is smart en professional

[@hilenimulunga9765]

Only then, we Understand AlJezeera, but its never to late to clean our Namibia

[@teejay2850]

You are right

[@MrBWtv]

Great guy/president... Answered really well.

[@ShaKambondE]

Good interview, to hear that the Ruling are aware of all the problems of the land. The struggle to right the inequality is said to be challenging within the constraints of the Constitution and maybe general political will. The realisation of a looming Revolution should change not come for the cause of equality, should make Action an immediate resolution

[@ManYouUpYT]

Hmmmmm, that statement: "corruption comes from the outside world to Africa" ,gave me some food for thought about the current situation.

[@faustusekandjo5533]

Waw I just seeing this now,we had a great president Tate pohamba,he could answer all those questions in calm and straight forward...salute you tatekulu.

[@elinashivute1442]

Corruption was indeed brought to Africa!

[@BillionaireMafiaNamibia]

We are Not South Africans, we are not Zimbabweans. We are Namibians and we want our land back. This has nothing to do with race, this is about a government that actually caters to the needs of its citzens, irrespective of who owns it. Majority of the population homeless while there is widespread availability of unworked, agricultural and habitable land? black or white. You critics should limit your racial oppinions to your own environments. Let Namibia Speak for Namibia. And whoever said the land would go to waisted, over 70% percent of the Namibian population come from agriculturally orientated backgrounds (myself included). So that thank you for your overly uneducated statement. Good day

[@vusomujo]

its funnny coz there is plenty of land in naimibia but you only want the land settled by europeans.why not take the undeveloped land

[@kuzajatukatjatenja8885]

vusomujo they didnt settle on open land, they drove out the people who already lived there, and claimed to have discovered it. We have offered to buy it back, no one needs 3 or 4 farms, sell it, or we will take it.

[@rangodecko]

vusomujo firstly I do not like the idea of taking land from anyone and am in total agreement with our constitution with the rule that states that the buyer and seller must be in agreement but yes Namibia has allot of undeveloped land but most is ether desert or a national park and the land wanted is located in areas of fertile soil so it would only make sense to want that land back....... its like having your Porsche stolen and getting a polo from the insurance company you will not be happy..... but if we as Namibians want to move forward yes we should concentrate on making use of our resources and developing them as UAE leads in example the moment we develop our resources and sell a finished product instead of raw materials that is when we grow and the only way to do this is to encourage the private sector and education forget the land issue it is one of relevance but we have to let go of our past and look at what we have now instead of what we had before because this is the type of baggage that keeps us from moving forward just drop it and we will see how much faster we can run

[@Johann1001000]

I've never been in Namibia. Something has to be done, the President is right, but take the land away? That would bring no blessing. look at Switzerland, Germany Japan, many people do not have land there, they have a job

[@hernandayolearyallda]

+Johann Giesbrecht Japan through out all the white people though.

[@Nandeukeni1]

Only seeing this now 🤦🏾‍♀️were have I been ?? Wow 🤩 mr president surely knows how to answer

[@silassalomshiimi3096]

Just intresting...

[@ferdieortman6614]

Corrupt leader steals from poor citizens

[@gersonndaumbunonyandakalak9766]

Well done commelady President.

[@teejay2850]

He was speaking about fishing industry that year, the same year the Icelandic company started bribing the industry officials.

[@xmc7189]

No this fish story started after his reign please do your research.

[@clementinemaruta4868]

Well said Mr. President

[@isaacshikongo4757]

He is a a very wise man Mr pohamba

[@lepaleni]

Well said Mr president......

[@einoankonga5536]

Am watching this in 2018. That country is rich.

[@friedashiikwa4878]

My Leader, proper English and straight to the point🙌

[@ferdieortman6614]

We need our ancestral land this guy answers glowless pionts

[@eskonlocal2international44]

"Willing seller willing buyer" I think on today this law should be ammended, I mean in the ²nd term of Dr. Hage Geingob. Well said Former President, never includes other countries in conversation, our minerals and fishing industries are operating well, but not in goods for Namibian.

[@ferdieortman6614]

What do you mean under geingob leadership their were already 2 vambo president what did they achieve for namibiabs at large maybe only vambos

[@AmaniLindsey]

Will look into! Thanks for the information and view point of a black Namibian

[@gabrielnashixwa583]

This is the smartest president

[@eddynyangana7493]

well said Mr President

[@AmaniLindsey]

Thank you for letting me know this. I still see the white Namibians as being African. With only 1% of land being arable land and tenthousands of landless African Namibians I believe its time for the nation to look at other opportunities for the black Namibians because Namibia will never be a power house for agriculture. I think it best suites the government to develop its mining ability similar to that of Norway and Statoil or Brazil's Petrobras.

[@roseofnamibia]

Well done Mr President!

[@donne8434]

Welcome to Namibia Aljazeera!

[@nhninda]

good answers from my president there.

[@ferdieortman6614]

Rubbish not close to hage

[@qonjex3]

Good answers from the President.

[@MrDavokes]

I guess you have the right to your opinion then. But as a Namibian living in the country i experience first hand what goes on...not what news journalists make out to be the reality. Namibia has excelled much further in my opinion with regards to race and relocation/redistribution of land there hasn't been any violence ever with regards to racial conflict. We are a proud people and live in harmony. We are and will strive to be a peaceful Nation.

[@Hendrik44987]

yes, on this issue he was a bit stubborn in my opinion! that's a pity because innovative enterprises like eco-tourism could help the economy to diversify, grow and also help the underpriviliged to participate!

[@wb9183]

I thank Namibians for giving Zimbabwe access to the port as Well as Mozambique

[@shilongowilbard6745]

Readers are born. I commend your responses His Excellency Pohamba. You proved a point of being a capable president.

[@saimahtjiwemu429]

If it was this current president of yrs ngeno aeee ah,too corrupted Proud of you Hero Pohamba🔐

[@ferdieortman6614]

You don't know what're talking about current president is the doing great job if ever hear some politicians that have been arrested under nujoma en pohambas watch instead they carry stealing looting national resources

[@nuregtheheat1022]

PLS COME BACK PRESIDENT POHAMBA .TO SAVE US . POVERTY IS KILLING US. 😭😭😭

[@MrDavokes]

just give us time..we getting there yeah!

[@Johann1001000]

If you want that Namibia comes out of poverty, then love all people in Namibia, I would like to travel to Namibia for a volunteer service to the poor people. Because I love Namibia. I speak German, I'm white, I'm not from Germany, I was Born in Paraguay, i Live now in Canada. Please stop hate people with different skin colours what you have, God made the People the way they are.

[@tiny-beatz2277]

Liars

[@yougeier]

he could have actually replied to the idea of building tourism around the seals - he didn't comment on that at all on it and kept pushing his first answer, I would have found that quite in interesting idea.

[@AmaniLindsey]

I ran out of space lol. I believe that NA will get it right where others such as SA and ZW have failed. Good luck and I hope to be apart of helping NA get it right!

[@MrDavokes]

This is completely different from public parks & hunting grounds. The issue in Namibia is of redistributing land to the previously disadvantaged (as mentioned in the video who were forfeited the option of education) to earn an income & provide for themselves as that is & was the main source of sustinance for these previously disadvantaged before the colonial- & aparthied regimes. You must not forget that there is no hatred or revenge seeking intentions between any of the multi-coloured Namibians

[@futureleaders372]

Not formally disadvantaged just say affermative action must be implemented,that's secondary level

[@Iam80million]

very smart mr president

[@pillarsacapellaofficial3045]

Brilliant

[@tiny-beatz2277]

My president of all time

[@teddyogoye4077]

Land of the brave so proud of you Mr,president

[@johnasvalombola421]

yes sir ...i salute you

[@hangojohannes93]

Good idea 👍

[@Johann1001000]

We make a living in today in a world where everyone has the same right to work and do business, as we black or yellow or brown or white, the white and the black should have equal rights, rather than just the black, I live in Canada, here is no different because of their skin colour, why should there be a difference ?, forgive what has happened in the past. Then, the blessing will come upon you by the Almighty. I love Namibia, I'm White, In was born that way, I love black and white people. I still want to get there and do a volunteer service. Because I love you very much. The Creator made flowers with many colors, which is Gorgeous. People should love one another

[@Hendrik44987]

You are welcome. White Namibians and South Africans used to call themselves Europeans during apartheid and I appreciate it that some of them recently started to view themselves as African citizens. Yes Norways and Brazils petro-industry can be a model. Right now the extraction and marketing of mining goods is still dominated by the old conglomerates (AngloAmerican/De Beers). They even own a large area in Namibia the size of Wales called "Sperrgebiet/Diamond Area 1" research this please. Thanks

[@vusomujo]

as soon as they take back the land welcome another zimbabwe

[@eradiusshikuli1462]

He was my best president,,

[@abisaindamanomhata]

This is an interesting story. It contains very important information. Be blessed press Pohamba.

[@Shovttt7]

Now Because u suffered it does not mean u have to make the younger generation go through the same process.....

[@justussiwombe3724]

President Pohamba foresaw a revolutionary

[@EnterEfil]

Thank you Father, The Land should go back to the People, it was not there’s to take, it will be a change, The Land belongs to the African People that have always been there, Father make a way For your Children, Thank you Amen

[@Revnge7Fold]

Wow... I can't believe he did say he is going to just take the land! In south africa the government is going to use land expropriation without compensation to take whatever they want...

[@kennedyabed1192]

Imagine Hage answering these questions.

[@hdmoviescinema7634]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@johnsteytler3597]

“The buying and selling of alcohol is PROHIBITED!!”

[@ferdieortman6614]

Why do compare previous statemen with the current president the problem en situation 're not at same level as it was with pohambas administration now we have inherited corruption covide 19 economic recession that has been caused by his predecessors

[@linusfubu4049]

The real leaders born .....

[@wb9183]

I don’t like my Zimbabwe country being used in negativity for redistribution of land capitalism system that we inherited, as This Swapo leader I stand with him to appeal to those who inherited means of production to relinquish them fairly, Garfield Todd say it right No privilege people give up their privileges position willingly, and Apologies for loss of life in Zimbabwe taking up its Land, it was necessary and justified and I hope South Africa an Namibia do it their way not dragging the issue

[@leenaamwaalwa3567]

I find it funny how the reporter was trying to intimidate and corner the former president there, too bad he doesn't know Pohamba! He's lucky the former president didn't remove his glasses. 😂😂✊ The seals answer 👌🙌

[@wadefreeman7340]

bohamba hero of africa thank you .

[@ferdieortman6614]

Only for vambos not for every namibian

[@pandereepuriza4011]

Just seeing this now...... My best President, he is smart 🧠 and his answers are concrete!! We miss you, I think you made a bad choice by making H. Geingob ur successor.... Perhaps I think John Mutorwa would have been the best candidate, maybe it's not too late for him though...

[@ferdieortman6614]

Corrupt leader steals from poor citizens

[@richo7707]

Namibia is a great country to live in and peace is our only strength..

[@ShaKambondE]

MOA, land in Namibia is enough to feed all Namibians, the unequal distribution and noting how that land was gotten in the first place is a wrong that needs righting. Namibia needs not be an agricultural power house, but it should be able to feed all it's people with ample surplus. Mining as an industrial activity is important, it cannot be the main economic focus if the country wants to grow and sustain itself. Peace and Stability mean little in a country of Vast Inequality

[@krzintegraboi]

its hard being Urban with such a low population. They prob dont have many thats old enough because remember they were severely suppress the oldest will probably be 35 years old right now.

[@verajleejaxa1594]

🙌🙌🙌

[@wisecode2214]

Leaders are born, salute you Mr Hifikepunye

[@yusufhassanfu4012]

Land to the people

[@sollyharasim5868]

You lie, unam was a college for teachers before independence

[@AmaniLindsey]

Same thing happens in the US. Parents would rather pass on the place they worked hard for to there kids. My father will pass along his house to me in Chicago. I do not want a house at all and I prefer condos and I have told him that, but I am still to receive his house were I grow up as a child. It common all around the world. I fear that racism has switched from white on black to black on white.

[@motovacmainroadoshakati3566]

Well Mr President answered good but he didn't stimulate about corruption that was imported in Namibia by fishing companies I guess.. there's a question mark there

[@lnkdrumbeat4167]

Well done Mr president, we are next inline to fight for our country..

[@olamsoevik]

Are you going to take up arms or something?

[@Johann1001000]

This is only my suggestion, of course not the only German official language, let's look at it the Switzerland, is a small country, Switzerland fits 20 times in Namibia. In Switzerland there are four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh are the national languages in addition to a variety of dialects. Nevertheless, Switzerland is one of the rich countries. You know what my dear, Do not hate the white man, Do not hate the black man, God has made both of thim, and Jesus died for all men their sins. Love all people.

[@ndjuluwanakale7434]

Are you awe on how Switzerland economy was build on

[@Johann1001000]

+Ndjuluwa Jonatham I do not know in detail, maybe you know it better, but I know that Switzerland is a very peaceful country,. Switzerland does not want destroy ethnic groups in their country, Switzerland loves their country and their people, and they are working together.

[@wilburforceAB]

+Ndjuluwa Jonatham With other words you think the white should all disappear from Africa? That seems to me inaccessible, I know for thousands of years it has always been in the head of many people, to destroy other groups of People, every country has good and evil in the past, even the Germans have good and evil done in their past, Germany is now taking more refugees in there Country for softy then any other country, many of the refugees have dark skin. we are all People, we have all red Blood. we have all feelings, we all wanted to be loved.

[@ndjuluwanakale7434]

If you listen carefully the people are not saying white people should go, we are simply saying we should share the resources. some white people are born there and don't know anything about Europe,some are the fathers and mothers of mix race people. l respect those that had made an effort to contribute to society.

[@Johann1001000]

+Ndjuluwa Jonatham I agree with you, all tribes owns the land

[@munawarkarim8026]

President Pohamba is unhappy with foreign investors. The absence of foreign investors is intimately linked to Namibia's policy of willing buyers and willing sellers. Sellers are not selling because the price offered is too low. If Namibia increases its offer until the seller agrees the sale will go through. What is holding up the transaction is the right price. On the matter of foreign investment. Acquiring land owned by whites - threatening revolution to force the sale - is seen as confiscation of private property. No CEO of a company will risk his investment if there is a threat of confiscation. These issues are linked. The government's role is to make policy. It should leave the private sector alone to conduct business. Namibia's misery is the result of man-made policy. Regrettably things have and will continue to worsen as can be seen eight years after the interview.

[@romarioklazen7643]

Who's here after watching how Hage struggled??

[@Sushiraw100]

My President...

[@myrootsmyheritage4116]

My president is clear, calm and pleasant I must say

[@ferdieortman6614]

Most corrupt leader namibia was ever has mass housing project is standstill because of him giving his daughter a fair share from tender proceeds

[@tomasjonas9439]

I like it

[@Johann1001000]

I make a suggestion, make German also an official language, that will bring you a lot of business in the country. Language is a door to a nation, I am not a German, I speak German, that is a wonderful language, I wish I could speak your language too

[@Johann1001000]

***** It's just a friendly suggestion, then you can probably get more money out of the German by business.

[@peterhaifete1440]

@so excited 🤣

[@JayJay-lr5wm]

I support that too... rather get rid of Afrikaans, which infact is a dying language.

[@JayJay-lr5wm]

I support that too... rather get rid of Afrikaans, which infact is a dying language.

[@alfaininvestmentscc8377]

And wil Germany also use our languages ....u are sick i think

[@peterkappelmann3861]

Unless the NAMIBIAN juditunary deals with the CORUPTION in a speedy professional way INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT will leave or NOT return