Namibia’s once charismatic President Sam Nujoma is showing increasingly cranky and irrational behaviour, in keeping with his regional nickname, “Mugabe lite”.
In recent weeks he has rounded on the media, homosexuals, whites, and the United States for alleged mistreatment of African-Americans.
The reignition of Nujoma’s anti-white and homophobic rhetoric coincides with the resurgence of the debate about his retirement or a possible fourth term as president.
Recently, university and polytechnic students were hastily summoned to a meeting where Nujoma attacked “reactionary forces”.
Ostensibly addressing them on their role in national development and reconstruction, Nujoma lashed out at some whites, homosexuals and journalists, all of whom he alleged were telling lies to undermine the government and the policy of national reconciliation.
“We are no longer going to tolerate those who continue to despise the African people and their culture. We will wage a struggle against them … yes, we will do it. We are ready,” Nujoma said.
In recent weeks Nujoma has slammed journalists, whom he has accused of declaring war on heads of state by criticising their policies.
Last month Nujoma, who equates homosexuality with bestiality, hosted a group of women from the north at State House, where he stressed to them that “gayism and lesbianism” would never be permitted in Namibia.
“Homosexuality is against nature and our culture in Namibia. We have a small population, we need to multiply.”
Nujoma warned whites that they should know that “the writing is on the wall” and if they looked for trouble they would get it.
Human rights groups fear Nujoma might be trying to transform his personal homophobia into an ad hoc national policy.
Political observers say Nujoma’s attacks on his perceived enemies are reminiscent of the run-up to the amendment of the Constitution in 1999 that gave him his current third term as president.
Having undertaken in May not to seek a fourth term, Nujoma is now leaving ample room for doubt. He has taken an intense personal interest in building a R275-million state house that will not be finished before his term expires in 2005.
His ruling South West African People’s Organisation (Swapo) has been awash with speculation that he is about to make sweeping changes to his Cabinet to ensure support for a constitutional amendment.
Since Nujoma habitually makes such vital decisions single-handedly, this is impossible to verify. His language certainly remains that of a man on the hustings.
He expressed concern last week over the escalating corruption at state-owned companies, saying all those found guilty will face the full weight of the law. He also threatened to take action against some states in the US that he says mistreat Americans of African origin.
“We know that some African brothers were taken as slaves and are still being mistreated,” he said. “We are telling them to treat the African-Americans equally or we will wage a struggle against them.”
He did not elaborate on exactly what steps he proposed taking.
Key Swapo members are not waiting for the president to make up his mind.
Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya has moved his own succession campaign into top gear. He relies heavily on backing from the Kwanyama, the largest sub-group of the majority Oshivambo.
However, he was not among the three most senior officials Nujoma brought to the pinnacle of Swapo last year in a bid to avoid jostling for positions.
Nujoma’s troika are Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab, who might yet get the president’s endorsement; Swapo vice-president and Minister of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Hifikepunye Pohamba; and Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development Helmut Angula.