The winds of change are sweeping through southern Africa, with the long-term leaders of both Namibia and Mozambique preparing to hand over to their successors after more than a 15 years at the helm.
However hard the wind may ruffle the sails — and in reality, they are little more than gentle breezes — both departing heads of state are assured of living out their autumn years in style thanks to perk-packed retirement deals.
In Namibia, a one-time German colony, President Sam Nujoma has ruled since independence from South Africa in 1990.
On 20 March 2005, the anniversary of independence, he will hand over power to Hifikepunye Pohamba, vice-president since 2002 and a founder member of Nujoma’s ruling Swapo party.
Pohamba was nominated by the president and elected his successor following the November 16 presidential polls.
Parallel to the polls, the country’s parliament passed a law granting the outgoing president a significant golden handshake.
When he retires, Nujoma will be the proud owner of a fleet of vehicles including luxury limousines, four-wheel-drives and flatbed trucks.
He will retain the services of three chauffeurs, two cooks, two secretaries, two office assistants and 10 security staff under the command of two adjutants.
He and his wife Kovambo, in addition to being granted full diplomatic passports and all privileges thereunder, will also receive up to six domestic and four international flights free of charge every year — first class, of course.
The father of the nation, elected to second and third terms in 1994 and 1999, will also be well taken care of financially.
As well as a one-off tax-free windfall equivalent to a year’s basic salary as president, he will also be entitled to an annual stipend — again tax-free — equivalent either to his old salary, or to 80% of that of the sitting president, whichever is higher.
In Mozambique, where two-day elections got under way on Wednesday, marking the end of another presidential era, the incumbent is similarly well taken care of.
Outgoing leader Joaquim Chissano can, following 18 years in power, end his days on a lavish two-million-dollar estate in the Catembe region with picturesque sea-views overlooking the Mozambican capital Maputo, South African media reported.
Following a barrage of criticism from opposition figures in the bitterly poor country, Chissano will not be outright owner of the property but will instead be entitled to a free leasehold until the end of his life.
Both leaders, despite stepping down from their countries’ top jobs, are anxious to maintain roles in public life. Nujoma will retain his position as head of the Swapo party, while Chissano wants to set up a foundation for charitable works.
The two, along with former Zambian President Frederick Chiluba who stood down in 2001, appear to be unique among African leaders in their willingness to stand aside for the next generation of leaders.
In Zimbabwe, for example, 80-year-old autocrat President Robert Mugabe keeps as firm a grip on the reins of power today as he did when he became leader more than 20 years ago.
If and when Mugabe does step aside however, rest assured no life of poverty awaits him. A sumptuous Harare mansion — just finished — is only one entry in the portfolio of property he is understood to own. – Sapa-DPA