WHY are they desperate to become Namibia's President? What that is better or different will Hage Geingob offer the country? What purpose would it serve to have Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana for the sake of a woman President? Can Nahas Angula explain what he can do more effectively than the widespread perception that he has been a lacklustre Prime Minister? Will Jerry Ekandjo be more than just a Swapo populist pushing narrow interests whenever he feels like it? What difference will any of them make?

Swapo members have reached the point where they must decide who the new party leaders are, but most importantly who their candidate for Namibia's presidency is. The ruling party, to its leaders' credit this time, have not downplayed the far-reaching impact of the changes to the seating order on the party podium.

The upcoming Swapo congress in November and December will most likely tell us who our next President will be because it is expected that the party's vice president will step into the vacancy President Hifikepunye Pohamba creates when his second five-year term ends in 2014/15. Swapo being by far the dominant political force that determines the temperature of the country, will present us with a fait accompli.

That alone dictates that this group of about 600 congress delegates should not be allowed to brush aside the rest of the country with a 'mind your own business' approach.

The Swapo Politburo this week nominated two candidates - trade minister Geingob and justice minister Iivula-Ithana - and they will be joined by one more to be chosen next month at the Central Committee meeting. So far Prime Minister Angula and local government minister Ekandjo are the names touted to go into the hat.

Geingob is taken as frontrunner to benefit from the momentum of incumbency. Iivula-Ithana is not given much hope despite being the chief executive of the party as the Swapo secretary general. Ekandjo, always a popular figure at Swapo gatherings, is viewed as the mostly likely cause of the biggest upset that Geingob could suffer.

Pundits suggest Angula tactically declined nomination at the Politburo to take his chances at the Central Committee, but Angula's own remarks make more sense of the 'tactical' move. He keeps harping on "supporting the President's" candidate, whoever that maybe.

That makes sense because if the Prime Minister does not have the clear support of the President who appointed him, then surely chances are that he will be wasting his energy and spirits if he expects others to back him.

Amid all this intrigue, not to be forgotten is that whoever is chosen as Swapo vice president will be Namibia's next President. The point is, then what? Is it someone who merely occupies the office for narrow interests?

At the moment there is a 'so what' feeling about the candidates. Is Namibia going to have another Pohamba who had no plan to run the country and thus hides behind the shielding mantra of Swapo's "collective leadership" and party unity über alles?

Pohamba has been a lame duck President since 2005 and come December that may only get worse. For, why would those reporting to him give him further respect and deference once they know who the future leader will be?

Namibians must demand to know from Geingob, Iivula-Ithana and the other candidates what good each could personally bring to the table to lead the country out of its massive social and economic problems. 'Collective leadership' without a decisive head of the pack is a misnomer representing confusion and inertia.

Swapo members who will make this choice should be urged not to sacrifice the country for narrow economic benefits for only themselves, families and friends. They should not choose a President for glorified ghomtjas masquerading as businesspeople.

It should not be for women alone. Neither should it be a 'Swapo' president [because that is how we ended up with a lame duck], nor for tribal or other small group interests.

They must choose a leader for the country. Anything less will be a betrayal of the aspirations of the masses of our country, especially the young and future generations that are yet to be born.