Kuvee Kangueehi
2 October 2008
Windhoek — The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the First National Bank (FNB) Group of Companies, Vekuii Rukoro, says it is within his mandate as a business leader to comment on political developments, which affect the economy of the country.
Rukoro has come under heavy criticism from some sectors of the society, notably the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) for his statements on Zimbabwe and the recent TransNamib strike.
The SPYL threatened to use its influence on the African National Congress Youth League in South Africa to have Rukoro reprimanded by the FNB head office in Johannesburg. Speculation is rife that the CEO has been warned by his employer not to make political statements, as this is not good for business.
However, in an exclusive interview, Rukoro dismissed the speculation and said it is a "blatant lie" that he has been reprimanded by his bosses. He noted that such a matter was never discussed with him at any forum of the FNB.
He further dismissed speculation that he was summoned by the Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Tom Alweendo, regarding his political statements and that the Government Institutions Pension Fund has threatened to withdraw their shares from FNB.
"There is no truth in those allegations and Alweendo and the Chairperson of GIPF, Helmut Ruppel, can testify to that effect."
Rukoro noted that in "new Africa" and the context of Nepad, governments have approached the private sector to play a meaningful role in the development of the continent.
"We are committed to the public-private partnership (PPP) with the Government and unless it is just lip service, we need to talk about the policy issues which affect our economies."
The former attorney general said as business leaders, they cannot join the conspiracy of silence. It is their responsibility to help restore and enhance a better business climate in the country and the entire region.
"The Zimbabwe issue affects the entire region and I was speaking about whole systematic abuse of human rights, collapse of the rule of law and these events were not good for the image of the region."
Rukoro noted that when he comments on these political developments, usually he does it in his capacity as the President of the Namibia Employers Federation (NEF) and it is important for Government to know what the private sector thinks.
He added that in some countries, the private sector remains quite even if they are not happy.
"FNB is the third largest contributor to State coffers and when I speak, the Government at least knows what the private sector is thinking."
Rukoro said when the SPYL criticised him, he was out of the country and upon his return he held a meeting with the SPYL secretary, Elijah Ngurare, to iron out the matter.
"As a loyal Swapo member, I did not want to fight the issue in the media and we solved the matter amicably as comrades."
The former parliamentarian stated that political comments are on policy issues and he does not attack individuals or political parties.
"I am not in the business of making general, reckless political statements."
"I have no desire to return to politics, I have been there, enjoyed it and left it on my own accord."
Both Alweendo and Ruppel could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.
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