WINDHOEK: The official autobiography of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba was launched here on Monday , attracting a crowd of key political figures including President Nangolo Mbumba , Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa – Amadhila and business entities . The autobiography is authored by University of Namibia Pro – Vice Chancellor for Administration , Finance and Resource Mobilisation , Ellen Namhila . The book , titled ‘ Footprints of Hifikepunye Pohamba ‘ was launched by Pohamba ‘ s long – time friend and retired politician , Ben Amadhila . Pohamba revealed that Founding President Sam Nujoma wrote the book ‘ s foreword . Amadhila noted that the book is nostalgic , in that it revisits moments during the liberation struggle , both in Namibia and in exile . ‘ Nevertheless , this book was not written to bring pleasure to a few old men like me . It was also not written for historians to use it first writing more books about the history of Namibia , although I am sure historians will find it useful for adding man
y more details to what they already know . This book is for every Namibian and all Africans especially for the young ones , the born – frees ,’ Amadhila said . Namhila , in her remarks said that it took her over five years to complete the book . She said part of her data collection included interviewing Pohamba ‘ s family members . Interviews between her and the former statesman , she said , were often conducted under a tree , at Pohamba ‘ s village , Okanghudi , in the Ohangwena Region . At the same event , the chairperson of the board of trustees for the Hifikepunye Pohamba Foundation , Kalumbi Shangula said that proceeds from the book sales will go towards the foundation , which was founded in 2014 . Since then , the foundation has supported 17 students at institutions of higher learning , 12 of whom have graduated , while five are still studying . Fields of priority he said are agriculture , veterinary medicine and law . ‘ So far , the financial support to the beneficiaries amounts to N . dollars 1 673 11
6 . 30 . The grants cover tuition , accommodation , meals , laptops , transport , research and incidentals . The beneficiaries are followed up during the course of their studies . We conduct one – on – one sessions to offer psychosocial support and arrange for professional service to the beneficiaries to help them cope with the demands of their studies and to see them through whenever necessary ,’ Shangula said .
Source: The Namibia News Agency