National assembly approves 'Founding Father' status for Nujoma

Namibia's national assembly has passed a controversial new bill giving former President Sam Nujoma the status of 'Founding Father'. Despite vocal opposition to the bill, 47 members of the ruling South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) voted in favour, easily beating the 10 opposition votes against it. The bill has been referred to the national council for further scrutiny, pending final approval. Opposition parties, led by the Congress of Democrats, argued that the bill was more a SWAPO party issue than a national concern, and that while Nujoma's contribution to the freedom of Namibia was unquestionable, giving him 'Founding Father' status would overshadow the role played by others in liberating the country. They also expressed the fear that, as an active politician, the former president would not to be as impartial as the title he would assume demanded. The government dismissed opposition claims that the bill was of no relevance to the country. Prime Minister Nahas Angula argued that the bill was in the interests of history, and would promote the ideals of nationhood, reconciliation and unity.