Official opposition leader McHenry Venaani – whose current term ends in 2024 – is not ready to hang up his political gloves yet, saying Namibia is at a crossroads and that an opposition-led coalition government is imminent.
The PDM leader believes he has a lot to offer to Namibia’s body politic, and by extension to his blue, red and white army.
Venaani said this during an interview recently on his future in politics and beyond it.
The career politician, who turns 45 this year, first joined mainstream politics in 2003 as a parliamentarian for the DTA [now PDM] in the National Assembly at the age of 25. He was the youngest lawmaker at the time.
But he was not entirely new as he was also the party’s youngest central committee member at 18 some years back. He was elected secretary-general in 2002.
In 2005, Venaani took on the now departed DTA stalwart, Katuutire Kaura, for presidency where he lost by 13 votes.
Two decades later, Venaani is adamant that he is yet to reach the climax of his political ambition.
“Nobody retires at 44 from politics. I am going to run for the last term in 2024 and after that, I will look at the future of the party. I can’t allow the party to take a fresh new leader to go and contest in the next election if we don’t give that leader enough time,” he said.
Agenda 2024
According to him, opposition parties stand a great chance to form the next government.
“This is the only season, mind you, in the political atmosphere of our country where the opposition, if they play the game right and consolidate, could form the next government,” Venaani said.
For him, the ultimate goal for anyone in the opposition benches is to take over the government.
“How do you ask somebody who has built the party from four to 16 seats [in the National Assembly] when there is that climax you say, no get out. There is a need for me to manage to transition PDM into a coalition partner that will lead into a future government.”
Political jostling
His remarks come at a time when jostling for PDM’s heart and soul is in full swing, as the squabble between Venaani and his lieutenant Vipuakuje Muharukua continues to play out in the public space.
Venaani is accused of conducting a witch hunt against Muharukua and any member who dares to question his leadership style within PDM.
Asked about his relationship with Muharukua, he however said: “Our relationship is normal.”
When put to Muharukua if he is eager to challenge Venaani at the next congress, he said: “This party has capable leaders. It is not about whether Muharukua wants a position or not, so I don’t have any ambitions to vie for the presidency of the party. Whoever is capable must lead the party and the membership of PDM will decide that.”
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
