Namibia leader 'will step down'

Some Namibians are sceptical about his exit

Namibian President Sam Nujoma has re-iterated that he will be stepping down after he completes his term of office.

President Nujoma gave the assurance at what he termed his final state of the nation address to parliament in the capital, Windhoek.

He said he would leave office with full confidence that the new head of state, would continue building on the foundations he had established.

The ruling party decides next month on a new leader ahead of November's poll.

Land invasions

Some Namibians are still sceptical over whether he really will leave office and claim his announcement is part of his tactics to secure a fourth term in office.

Mr Nujoma also brushed off fears that the government's land expropriation program would descend into Zimbabwe-style land invasions.

The government is in the process of identifying a select number of white-owned commercial farms for redistribution to landless black people.