2014 Ibrahim Laureate - President Hifikepunye Pohamba
From 2005 to 2014, Namibia’s overall governance score improved by +4.1 points, driven by gains in all four dimensions; Safety & Rule of Law (+1.3), Participation & Human Rights (+3.8), Sustainable Economic Opportunity (+5.8) and Human Development (+5.6).
Highlights – timeline
Choose a date from the timeline below for more detail
Born in Okanghudi, South West Africa (now Namibia).
Pohamba works at Tsumeb copper mine.
Pohamba is arrested, convicted and publicly flogged for political agitation. Pohamba makes his way to Tanganyika (now mainland Tanzania), where he joined the SWAPO leadership in exile.
Pohamba is elected a member of SWAPO’s Central Committee and made deputy administrative secretary.
Pohamba in charge of SWAPO affairs in Zambia.
Pohamba studies politics in the Soviet Union.
Namibia gains independence from South Africa.
Pohamba takes over as Minister of fisheries and marine resources.
Pohamba serves as Minister without portfolio.
Minister of lands, resettlement, and rehabilitation.
Pohamba becomes Namibia’s second president since the country gained independence - achieves landslide victory garnering 76 percent of the vote
(2 mandates).
Pohamba ascendes to the presidency of SWAPO upon Nujoma’s resignation.
Citation & Achievements
“President Pohamba was awarded the 2014 Ibrahim Prize for his role in forging national cohesion and reconciliation at a key stage of Namibia’s consolidation of democracy and economic development. President Pohamba’s focus in forging national cohesion and reconciliation at a key stage of Namibia’s consolidation of democracy and social and economic development impressed the Prize Committee.”
“Pohamba paid particular emphasis on issues of gender equality, which led to the notable achievement that 48% of Namibia’s parliamentarians are female.”
“Under his presidency, high literacy has been augmented by primary school enrolment of almost 100% due to the abolition of school fees.”
“Pohamba’s focus on health investment resulted in over 80% of people living with HIV receiving anti-retroviral therapy and HIV infections falling by an estimated 36% between 2005 and 2013 and mother-to-child transmission rates now below 4%.”
Life after National Office
President Pohamba dedicates much of his time to the Hifikipunye Pohamba Foundation.
He is a member of the Africa Forum and one of the Champions for a HIV- free Generation, an initiative launched by President Festus Mogae.
I believe the new African leader must strive to deliver peace, unity and equitable development. This means governing in the best interests of all citizens, regardless of the political, ethnic or religious affiliation of communities.
President Pohamba