Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
Namibia’s Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Honourable Utoni Nujoma says his country is keen to tap into Zimbabwe’s vast knowledge in a wide range of areas.
Honourable Utoni Nujoma, who is also a high-ranking member of the ruling, SWAPO, paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the State House in Harare, this Friday.
Briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting, Honourable Nujoma said the meeting was meant to share ideas on economic emancipation.
He said, “I am with former son of the President of Benin and Mr. Kerekou. So before Namibia’s independence, through President Gaddafi, he used to bring us together, the youth activists. I was also a former youth activist and representing the liberation movements in Southern Africa. I was based in Algeria, so that’s where we, ANC, SWAPO, ZANU-PF and many other activists from Mozambique and Angola, we were meeting, strategising how we can liberate our Southern African region.
“We are happy now, we have succeeded. Now we are looking forward to see how we can bring meaningful economic independence to our region. That’s what we are strategising and we have learned great lessons from His Excellency, President Mnangagwa. So basically, this is a freedom fighters meeting and sharing experiences and so on. Namibia soon will have elections and we are also learning from Zimbabwe.”
Honourable Nujoma further highlighted how he became close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Well, I am here on a private visit and as you know, when His Excellency the President was the Minister of Justice, I was the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Namibia. Since then, we have been working together, trying to resolve the region’s problems. You may recall during that time that the land issue was very hot and there was an animal created called SADC Tribunal. So me and the President had to strategise so that we make sure that the land reform process in Zimbabwe succeeds, and I’m happy. We have done a great job.”
Namibia will hold elections in November, while other SADC countries like Mozambique and Botswana will also go to the polls this year.
