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Updated: 2005-02-21 10:00
Namibia leader set to study rocks

执政15年离任在即 纳米比亚总统决定重返校园

Namibia leader set to study rocks

Namibian President Sam Nujoma arrives at the airport in Abuja, Nigeria, January 29, 2005. African Union leaders are in Nigeria for the African Union summit. (REUTERS/George Esiri)

Namibian President Sam Nujoma has decided to become a student when he steps down after three terms at the helm of his country.

The 75-year-old will study geology within the science faculty at the University of Namibia (Unam).

The university's vice-chancellor, Lazarus Hangula, said Mr Nujoma's decision was a "cause of jubilation" for staff and students alike.

"We welcome him with an open heart," added Mr Hangula.

But in an apparent reference to the president's robust character and no-nonsense style, Mr Hangula also said: "His presence on the campus is certainly a challenge to all of us in many ways."

Mr Nujoma has been chancellor of Unam since 1992. He was recently re-appointed for another six-year term.

It is unclear whether the rules were bent to allow him a place on the geology course, as his formal qualifications are reported to be not of the calibre that would secure a university berth under normal circumstances.

In his 15 years in power, he often said he believed the mountains of Namibia were full of mineral wealth which had yet to be tapped.

Mr Nujoma took over the leadership of the South West African People's Organisation (Swapo) in 1962 and launched an armed struggle against South African rule.

He was elected president of Namibia in an election held in 1990 following independence from South Africa. He was subsequently re-elected in 1994 and 1999.

Mr Nujoma's retirement package, which makes him far richer than most students, has raised eyebrows in some quarters.

He will be paid a generous tax-free pension and receive a furnished official residence in the capital Windhoek, as well as having the use of vehicles fuelled and maintained by the state. 

(Agencies)

纳米比亚总统萨姆·努乔马决定在第三个任期结束后离开政坛,重返校园。

这位现年75岁的老人将前往纳米比亚大学自然科学系攻读地质学。

纳米比亚大学副校长拉扎斯·汉古拉说,努乔马先生所作的决定对全校学生和教职工来说是“令人欢欣鼓舞的”。

“我们真心欢迎他的到来。”汉古拉先生补充说。

但是,当提及总统爽直的性格和严肃的行事风格时,汉古拉也说:“从很多方面来看,他出现在校园中对我们所有人来说确实都是一个挑战。”

努乔马从1992年起担任纳米比亚大学名誉校长,最近他再次接受了任命,将开始下一个六年的任期。

目前尚不清楚有关规定是否会对他有所倾斜,允许他研修地质学课程,据说努乔马的正式学历并没有达到正常情况下的大学入学要求。

在他15年来的执政生涯中,他常说他相信纳米比亚的群山中蕴藏着丰富的矿藏资源,至今尚待开发。

1962年,努乔马成为西南非洲人民组织的领袖,并发动了摆脱南非统治的武装斗争。

1990年,纳米比亚从南非分离并宣布独立,努乔马在独立后的大选中被选举为纳米比亚总统。后来他在1994年和1999年两次连任。

努乔马的大笔退休金使他比大多数学生都富裕的多,并在某些地方引起了众人的惊讶。

他将领到丰厚的免税退休金,并将在首都温得和克获得一套家具齐全的官邸,还将享有使用政府出资供养的公车的特权。

(中国日报网站译)

Vocabulary:

no-nonsense: 实际的,严肃的,不容许胡说的

raise one's eyebrows: 扬起眉毛(表示惊讶、怀疑等)

furnished: 配备家具的,备有家具的(房间)

 

 
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