POHAMBA’S DAUGHTER BREAKS HER SILENCE Kaupumhote Pohamba, the 27-year-old daughter of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, has given her side to the recent many stories written about her and her business interests. In an exclusive interview this week, Pohamba’s famous daughter poured cold water over the numerous negative media reports surrounding the different tenders she either won or had applied for in recent times. “First and foremost, I do not see myself as the president’s daughter. I see myself as the daughter of my parents who tried their utmost to provide a roof over our heads and give us an education. “Yes, they have accomplished extraordinary achievements in their lives, but these are not my achievements and I cannot ride on them as if I worked a day in my life to bring my parents to where they are today,” she said. Pohamba said she never imagined that people would perceive her doing business with Government as a form of corruption. “It is not corruption, I was merely exercising my right as a Namibian citizen and abiding by the rules and regulations that govern our country.” “We applied for projects, some were awarded and some were also rejected when we failed to meet the requirements that they asked for, and the process has been completely fair and transparent,” Pohamba said. She said she does not consult either of her parents before bidding for any tender because she felt it had nothing to do with them. If anything, Pohamba said, she would imagine her parents would want her to show her independence and individualism. “I did not need them to ‘Ok’ what I was doing because I was confident enough to take these bold steps with my partner, and she is the only one I consult when it comes to work because quite frankly, she is the only person whose opinion really matters. “We did not sit with our parents when we decided to register Kata, so it makes no sense to have them influence its operation,” she said. Pohamba said she was shocked with the reaction from certain sections of the society when she and her business partner Taschiona !Gawaxab won the National Housing Enterprises tender to construct houses in Otjiwarongo. “I am surprised people care so much. If society could stop seeing us as extensions of our parents then they would also realise there is not much of a story behind the NHE awarding the tender to us. “We passed the evaluation process and have worked extremely hard over the past year to ensure that we deliver quality houses. “In my opinion, it does not matter who you award what project to, provided the client is happy with the product and it meets technical expectations,” she said. Pohamba remarked that she did not choose her parents, and could not allow their names and positions to prevent her from expressing her independent right as a Namibian citizen. “Would one rather prefer that I live in their shadows and not exalt myself in relation to my own ambitions?” she questioned. She admitted that being the daughter of the president naturally came with some perks, but she recalled that she had to go through tougher times growing up. As an example, she said her parents were never able to attend a single parents meeting, sports day or prize giving ceremony at school. “They could not drive us to school or actively participate in our lives at the times when we needed them to shape us the most. I do not hold Namibia as a country accountable for taking my parents away from me. “I knew that they were working towards a vision that was bigger than myself and that’s a sacrifice they chose to make to ensure that the peace and stability we have enjoyed as a nation continues,” she said. The young entrepreneur, who some have referred to as an instant millionaire, also said that growing up as the president’s daughter did not determine how she lived her life, or even socialised. “I am free to move, free to socialise with my peers, and free to be me because I am a confident woman who knows what I want,” she said. “Professionally, I am willing to learn and sit with people from different sectors to ensure that we support Government’s efforts in the development of our country,” she said. (Windhoek Observer)
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 07:08:33 +0000
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