Africa-Press – Namibia. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani says tribalism continues to rear its ugly head, keeping Namibia polarised, thereby threatening cohesion, social harmony and equitable development.
In addition, he said tribalism is rooted in the legacy of colonialism and apartheid systems and it deliberately divides Namibians and entrenches unequal development across regions.
Venaani, who tabled a motion on this matter on Tuesday for debate in the National Assembly this month, anticipates that urgent and practical measures will be adopted to address and remedy the challenge in the interest of national unity and solidarity.
The motion will also seek to examine international approaches that enable equitable access to national resources through quota-based systems.
“To this day, its manifestations are evident in political allegiances, perceptions of preferential access to resources, and disputes over traditional authority, all of which undermine the spirit of unity enshrined in our supreme law,” he said.
A recent peculiar case of tribalism is said to have resulted in the death of an OmuHerero in Otjinene town in July this year.
He was allegedly killed by five Aawambo men, during a tribal dispute that raised national debate.
Meanwhile, an image is circulating on social media, with a local man holding a poster over his face, written: “We want Wamboes out of Berseba.”
Venaani said that since independence, Namibia has made commendable progress in fostering national unity, however, the persistence of tribal sentiments continues to pose a serious threat to that.
Article 8 of the Namibian Constitution enshrines the upholding of the dignity of every Namibian, irrespective of origin.
Venaani also highlighted Article 10, which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds of ethnic or tribal affiliation. “Article 23 explicitly condemns practices of division and discrimination, and Article 95 directs the State to promote the welfare of the people through policies that advance unity, justice, and social equity,” he said.
On 17 September 2025, Venaani expects parliamentarians to debate this motion with the respect and sensitivity it deserves.
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