Corruption - A social disease (Part 109): Leadership qualities of our most moral president

Johan Coetzee - This article focuses on the moral, visionary and transformational qualities of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

Let us focus on a few incidents as published by several media platforms. Pohamba did not do much to refute allegations that his daughter allegedly received a Chinese government paid bursary to study in China when other students with more merit and in much more need were overlooked. He also did not do anything effective to refute allegations when another daughter with almost no experience in construction used her father’s name to receive a multi-million dollar tender when other more experienced bidders with more appropriate track records were overlooked.

Pohamba received a private residence paid by the tax payer’s money, estimated of about N$14 million. This should be interpreted within the context that more than 300 000 Namibians cannot afford decent housing and home ownership.

From the discussion, it can be deduced that by accepting this gift, Pohamba compromised his leadership position and that detracts from his moral and transformational ability to inspire the nation. We do not need compromised leadership in order to transform the dysfunctional Namibian society.

In comparison with best practice examples of Ghandi of India and Mujica of Uruguay, Pohamba has been mediocre. However, he displayed far more virtues than vices and is a role model in more areas than not.

Compared to Sam Nujoma and Hage Geingob, Pohamba has been more moral, however less visionary and/or transformative.

References

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Newsroom. 2008. Graca Machel to Join Mo Ibrahim Prize Committee.

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