Fishing dividends paid to Nujoma spark foundation questions Businessman Josè Bastos (89) admits paying former president Sam Nujoma dividends from a fishing company, sparking questions about the Sam Nujoma Foundation’s knowledge and involvement. The Namibian understands that some figures within the Sam Nujoma Foundation are pointing fingers at Bastos and John Nauta, a former aide to Nujoma, for allegedly keeping the foundation in the dark about funds it was reportedly meant to benefit from. Sam Nujoma Foundation chairperson and former prime minister Nahas Angula says he is not aware of any shares in Bastos’ company. Some sources believe Nujoma’s name was used by individuals to enrich themselves, including through dividends from the fishing company. Bastos and Nauta have denied wrongdoing. However, the lack of clarity seemingly pushed the Sam Nujoma Foundation to question Bastos about funds it believes are owed to it. Questions over the dividends from the prominent Walvis Bay businessman have also brought to light the relationship between Nujoma and Bastos – one of the biggest beneficiaries from the founding president’s fishing quota regime. Nauta confirmed to The Namibian on Friday that he serves as a nominee shareholder for the Sam Nujoma Foundation and that he receives board sitting fees, accommodation and travel expenses from Emeritus Fishing, like other board members. Asked whether Nauta is a shareholder in the fishing company, Bastos was evasive. “The company does not keep records for so long . . . It was formed a long time ago,” Bastos says. THE EMERITUS CONNECTION Bastos established a company called Emeritus Fishing in 2001. The Spanish fishmonger later brought in the Sam Nujoma Foundation as a shareholder in the company, which benefits from a free government fishing quota. Speaking to The Namibian last week, Bastos confirmed that the Sam Nujoma Foundation has held a 20% stake in Emeritus Fishing since 2011. Bastos said he personally “donated” the shares to Nujoma. “They have 20% but I donated it to him (Nujoma) for the foundation of the president,” Bastos said. He added that the company would pay dividends to Nujoma “when he was ready to get his dividends”. Bastos said he would do this every year for the last 20 years. “I would pay in cheques then they put the cheque in the foundation then they spend the money the way they wanted,” he said. Nujoma started the foundation in 2005 to support education and social development. Bastos downplayed the significance of the payments to Nujoma, saying: “There is no story here.” “You know the founding father was a generous man. I collaborated with him. I gave some shares in my company to him, but he said no, do it in the name of the Sam Nujoma Foundation. From there, he was helping people, building a school and clinic on his farm,” Bastos said. Bastos initially asked The Namibian to send questions via email, however, the businessman later declined to answer the questions. “I was not supposed to give any secrets about my company and any business I had with our founding father,” he said. Bastos insisted that any further explanation should come from Nujoma’s former aide, Nauta, or Nujoma’s son, Utoni Nujoma. “If I have to clear anything, I will do that with the Sam Nujoma Foundation, which is my partner,” he said. IN THE DARK, COLLEAGUES Angula last week told The Namibian that the board of trustees were unaware of the stake or any dividends. “We are not aware of the shareholding in that company. Financial matters and donations to the foundation are being administered by the secretariat,” Angula said before he referred The Namibian to Kashindi Ausiku, who served in the secretariat of the foundation. The foundation’s board consists of Angula, former home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, ex-labour minister Erkki Nghimtina, ex-home affairs minister Albert Kawana and former Okahandja mayor Valerie Aron. Others are Febronia Shapaka and chief of the Witbooi Traditional Authority Hendrick Witbooi. Efforts to get clarification from the foundation’s secretariat were unsuccessful. Ausiku has acknowledged receiving questions from The Namibian, but had not responded by the time of publication. He says the queries would be forwarded internally. Emeritus Fishing is primarily owned and controlled by Bastos through the Bastos Family Trust, which holds the majority of shares. The company’s other shareholders include Harvard Marine Enterprises and Narraville Elderly Home, which is represented by David Williams. The Sam Nujoma Foundation holds a 20% stake in the company, with its interests are represented by Nauta. FRIENDS AND FISH The long-standing relationship between Bastos and Nujoma stretches back decades. Earlier this year, the Namibia Press Agency reported that Bastos described himself as a close friend of the former president, with ties going back 30 years. The Spanish fisherman has been unapologetic about his dealings with the state. In 2011, he was quoted in an article by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, boasting that “we are over-catching hake, and I don’t have a problem telling the [fisheries] minister this.” Bastos explained why he was not concerned about breaking the law. “If they are going to fine me, they must fine me.” Bastos has in the past claimed that his close friendship with Nujoma doesn’t reap him any favours. Investigative journalist John Grobler, who previously wrote on Nujoma’s relationship with Bastos, says Nujoma’s power had been highly personalised and this made it easy for people like Bastos and others to use his influence to get what they wanted. Bastos is founder of several hotels and fishing outfits in the country. He was the co-founder of the Welwitschia Hospital at Walvis Bay and the Indira Gandhi Clinic in the Omusati region. In recent years, he has also fallen victim to scammers. Between November 2022 and January 2023, Bastos allegedly paid N$2 million to Immanuel Nowaseb who allegedly impersonated president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and former finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi. At the time, Nowaseb, masquerading to be Shiimi, allegedly promised Bastos that his company would receive horse mackerel fishing quotas for the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 fishing seasons. * This article was produced by The Namibian’s Investigative Unit. Send story tips via your secure email to investigations@namibian.com.na The post Fishing dividends paid to Nujoma spark foundation questions appeared first on The Namibian.

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Photo book on Nujoma launched Allexer Namundjebo A pictorial book capturing the life of founding president Sam Nujoma was launched on Tuesday evening at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek. The publication is a joint effort by New Era Publication Corporation, the Sam Nujoma Foundation, and businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun. Former president Nangolo Mbumba officiated the event. It was attended by former government officials, family members, and guests. Sam Nujoma died earlier this year at the age of 95. He passed away in a Windhoek hospital after being hospitalised for three weeks, and he was buried at Heroes’ Acre. Former prime minister and chairperson of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, Nahas Angula, said the photographs reflect key moments in Namibia’s liberation history. “He spent his entire life fighting for the liberation of Namibia, and the peace the country enjoys today is a result of that contribution,” Angula said.  He said the book helps preserve Nujoma’s legacy. “The pictures used create memories of the liberation struggle and solidarity. This book is one of the tools that will continue telling the story of Nujoma,” he added. Speaking at the launch, Mbumba said the book provides a visual record of Nujoma’s public life. “With each picture, we are able to recognise and reflect on his contributions. Generations now and in the future can look at these images and understand aspects of his life,” Mbumba said. Namundjebo-Tilahun, who sponsored the publication, said the book documents parts of Namibia’s history. “The launch is not just about the book but also about recognising the life and work of the Founding President. For me, and many others, he was a mentor,” she said. She said the book presents a visual overview of historical events and serves as a record of national development. “It is important to document the historical journey of the Founding Father. The pictorial book reminds us where we come from,” she said. The former minister of labour and the late founding president’s eldest son, Utoni Nujoma, said the family appreciates the efforts made to honour the late president. “The book will be useful for current and future generations to understand the country’s history. It will assist them in contextualising the opportunities and challenges they may face,” he said. He called for more publications and digital content to support this work. “We need additional books and digital materials to support this work,” Utoni added.

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Salute Boxing donates towards completion of nujoma foundation building Salute Boxing donates towards completion of nujoma foundation building NBC Online Fri, 04/11/2025 - 16:08

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