I owe it to KK and Zambians – Nujoma

I owe it to KK and Zambians – Nujoma
By Brighton Phiri
Wednesday February 28, 2007 [02:00]

I OWE it to Dr Kaunda and the people of Zambia, visiting former Namibian president Sam Nujoma has said. And Nujoma said Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba was doing fine. Speaking when Dr Kaunda paid a courtesy call on him at Lusaka’s Hotel Intercontinental yesterday, Nujoma said Dr Kaunda and Zambians supported Namibia’s liberation struggle at the time they also faced difficult times. "I thank you Dr Kaunda and the people of Zambia for everything...I thank you for what you did to me and the Namibian people during the fight for our independence," Nujoma told Dr Kaunda, who responded: "I am humbled."

Nujoma said it was not easy for Zambia to have successfully assisted the movements for liberation struggle in Southern Africa. "During that time, there were no road and rail links to the coast for Zambia as the only link was via Zimbabwe and South Africa, which were under racist regimes. I still remember Tazara...it is a symbol of our liberation struggle," Nujoma said. He urged the young generation to emulate the unity and love that was exhibited during the liberation struggle of southern Africa.

He said SADC countries should consider expanding their railway network and construct a dam on the Zambezi River to improve the water supply to countries like Namibia that were drought prone. Nujoma said the SADC leaders should now focus on changing the lifestyle of their people now that the liberation struggle was over. He expressed his concern on continued instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "Every effort should be made by all of us to maintain peace and stability in DRC. Peace is a must if we are to develop," he said.

Nujoma recollected that during his tenure in office, both the Namibian and Zambian governments talked about a joint venture in agriculture along the borders of Sesheke and Senanga. "I don't know how far our technical team have reached," he said. He reiterated his call for Angola, DRC, Zambia and Namibia to consider establishing a cartel of marketing their mineral resources so that it could benefit their people. "This is the only way our people will benefit from their resources," he said. At this stage, Dr Kaunda asked: "How is President Pohamba doing?"

Nujoma said President Pohamba was doing fine and that he was recently in France to attend the Franco-Africa summit. "He actually told me that he met President Mwanawasa at the summit," Nujoma said. Nujoma commended Dr Kaunda for dedicating his last years of life to saving lives from HIV/AIDS.

He told Dr Kaunda that Namibians were excited with his Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation activities in their country. "It is important that we are doing something even after our retirement," he said. Dr Kaunda also commended Nujoma for having gone back to school, saying it was important for retired leaders to be doing something even in their advanced age. "Education is an important tool in life, hence our decision to make education free for all during our time of leadership," said Dr Kaunda as Nujoma responded: "That time was under extreme difficulties." Dr Kaunda thanked Nujoma for having considered Zambia, his second home, for his study tour.