All doubting Thomases who clung to their belief that Nujoma was looking for a “life-time presidency” of the party, had egg all over their face this morning (Tuesday, 27 November 2007) when the venerable leader confounded sundry and all and clearly and unambiguously stated:

“I am not available for re-election as President of the Swapo-Party. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the entire leadership and rank and file of the Swapo-Party for the collective leadership and comradeship through which we steered the Swapo-Party for the past 47 years,” he said at the opening of the eponymous 4th congress of Swapo.

The grand old man of Namibian politics also stated categorically: “ I am passing the torch and mantle of leadership of the mighty Swapo-Party to Hifikepunye Pohamba, Vice-President of the Swapo Party", thereby ending further speculations that Pohamba may not be the his chosen successor.

Saying that he had confidence in the entire leadership of the Swapo Party, and the confidence that they will lead the party to greater heights and achieve victory in the second phase of the struggle for economic independence, Nujoma said he would be available to work for the party in any capacity other than that of President.

More than two thousand people gathered at the congress venue for the occasion, dressed in the traditional Swapo regalia of blue, red and green. Delegates were seen dancing, uluating and singing the old liberation songs, ably assisted and accompanied by the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe, whose original members were all ex-combatants themselves.

The crowd also included members of the central committee, members of the national executive committee, delegates from the regional executive committees, representatives from the Swapo Youth League, the Swapo Women Council and the Swapo-Party Elders Council.

Also in attendance on this historic occasion and for the opening session only, was a delegation representing the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA), representatives from the communist parties of China, Cuba, Vietnam, the Communist Party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, from ZANU-PF of Zimbabwe, the Front Polisario Khat al-Shahid and from the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa.