Eugenia Moche
The ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety and security has dismissed claims that the country’s new electronic identification (e-ID) system, set to roll out in September, bears the “mark of the beast,” describing it instead as a modern innovation designed to streamline service delivery and safeguard citizens’ data.
Deputy executive director Jackson Wandjiva made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Omaheke Regional Governor Pijoo Nganate, where officials briefed him on the week-long regional mission of the delegation to engage communities at grassroots level to ensure that they understand the concept.
Wandjiva said that the e-ID does not bear the mark of the beast, adding that the ministry has already held consultations with key stakeholders and is now focused on awareness campaigns to address fears and misconceptions.
Approved by Cabinet in 2023 under the Namibian Government’s Digitisation Policy, the e-ID is intended to integrate essential services into one secure card. The innovation will not only protect citizens but also speed up service delivery.
The delegation emphasised that no chip will be inserted into individuals. Instead, the chip will be embedded in the card itself, similar to SIM cards, bank cards, and other everyday smart cards. The card will be valid for ten years, after which it must be renewed manually to capture physical changes over time.
The delegation continues to tour constituencies in Omaheke until 5 August 2026, meeting residents to explain the concept of the e-ID and reassure them about its safety.
While government officials insist the e-ID is a safe and practical innovation, some citizens view it through a spiritual lens.
For many believers, the card is not literally the “mark of the beast,” but it serves as a reminder of biblical prophecies about global systems in the “last days.”
Anna Pombili, a local churchgoer in Windhoek, warned the public, saying believers must remain spiritually alert.
“How do we know that these systems will not one day be used to control our freedoms like the last days?” she asked.
For others, the issue is not about rejecting technology outright but about balancing faith with innovation.
Local Prophet Maxwell Van Der Westhuizen explained that he does not claim that it is the “mark of the beast,” but that people should recognise the importance of spiritual discernment when systems are developed or created and have so much control on human life.
“My concern is the concentration of power and potential misuse in the wrong hands,” he said.
These reflections highlight the tension between embracing technological progress and guarding spiritual freedom.
Citizens interviewed stressed that their faith must remain rooted in Christ, not in human systems.
“We should walk in wisdom and discernment. Technology can bring us benefits but we should also ask difficult questions,” said Van Der Westhuizen during an interview.
As Namibia continues its digitisation journey, the debate around the e-ID reflects broader questions about the intersection of technology, faith, and society.
For the government, the priority is building public confidence in the system. For citizens of faith, the challenge lies in discerning how modern innovations align with spiritual convictions.
