“Namibian nationality is a national treasure – it is not for sale”
Lazarus Kwedhi
Namibian nationality is not for sale at any price. It cannot be tampered with or handed out indiscriminately to satisfy or protect any individual or group at the expense of native Namibians. Any action that compromises Namibia’s sovereignty is, fundamentally, an act of treason.
Nationalists are conservative and deeply patriotic. They are not surprised—though they are troubled—by those who argue that an offspring born in Namibia to foreign parents is a Namibian citizen, as stipulated in Article 4 of the Namibian Constitution. This provision grants such individuals equal rights and privileges as native Namibians, including eligibility to serve in key government positions such as President, Minister, Attorney General, or Chief Justice. There is no honor in upholding liberal views that merely copy and paste European and American globalist ideologies, which influenced the Namibian Constitution and ultimately led to Article 4’s inclusion.
There is no honor in a worldview that prioritizes foreign-made laws over native wisdom and traditions. Nor is there honor in blindly defending these foreign laws without understanding their origins, intent, and long-term impact on recipient nations like Namibia. Instead of thoughtlessly adopting foreign legal frameworks, Namibia must integrate external legal principles in ways that align with and preserve its sovereignty, culture, and traditions.
This write-up does not seek to reject the Namibian Constitution or attack Namibians who hold liberal views on nationality and citizenship. However, it challenges the unquestioned adoption of foreign legal concepts that may threaten Namibia’s sovereignty. As the saying goes, “Edhina lyombwa, okumukweni holi uvu”, meaning one can name his dog after another’s, but that does not mean the two dogs will have the same nature. Similarly, a legal concept adopted from a foreign context does not necessarily fit Namibia’s unique historical and cultural landscape.
The case of Esperance Luvindao’s appointment
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s appointment of Esperance Luvindao as Minister of Health and Social Welfare has sparked mixed reactions. Some support the decision, while others oppose it, citing the fact that Dr. Luvindao was born in Namibia to foreign parents believed to be from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Critics argue that she was appointed ahead of qualified native Namibian medical professionals.
While Namibia is a constitutional democracy, and the President has the right to make such appointments, the concerns raised by nationalists should not be dismissed. The core issue is not whether Dr. Luvindao was legally appointed, but rather whether the broad interpretation of Article 4—allowing foreign-born individuals to hold critical positions—undermines the spirit of national sovereignty.
The nationalist perspective on citizenship
The nationalist stance is rooted in conservative principles, which contrast sharply with liberal ideals that prioritize universal legal interpretations over national interests. Many proponents of Dr. Luvindao’s appointment may not necessarily be liberals at heart, but their thinking has been shaped by Euro-American academic literature designed to promote liberal ideology among native Namibians.
Academics who defend foreign-born Namibians’ right to hold high office often do so to protect their professional credibility, while politicians defend their political interests. This aligns with the conventional wisdom that “Whoever feeds you controls you, and you cannot bite the hand that feeds you.” As a result, Namibia’s constitutional democracy functions as a franchise system under Euro-American influence, rewarding compliance and punishing nationalist dissent.
The term “citizen” originates from the concept of a city-dweller, historically used by European settlers to justify acquiring nationality outside their homelands. This concept allowed settlers to claim equal rights and privileges in conquered lands, undermining native governance structures. Today, the broad interpretation of citizenship continues this legacy, diluting native Namibians’ sovereignty.
Just as a fish cannot thrive outside water, no nation can flourish by blindly adopting foreign governance models. The Euro-American globalist agenda aims to erase native traditions, making nations dependent on Western ideologies. Nationalists argue that a child born in Namibia to foreign parents does not automatically have equal standing with a native Namibian, simply because of birthplace.
Call for constitutional review
Nationalists believe Article 4 of the Namibian Constitution should be reviewed and amended to prevent foreign-born individuals from holding critical government positions. A clear distinction must be made between native Namibians and citizens by naturalization or birth to foreign parents.
A native Namibian is someone whose nationality is hereditary—either through both parents being native or one native parent. In contrast, foreigners and their offspring acquire Namibian nationality through legal mechanisms rather than inherited identity. The argument that there should be no second-class citizenship in Namibia is flawed because it ignores historical realities and the future risks posed to national sovereignty.
The Namibian Constitution, in its current form, offers native Namibians a snake while giving foreign-born Namibians a fish—providing them with better opportunities while disadvantaging the indigenous population. If left unchanged, Article 4 could become a long-term threat to Namibian sovereignty, just as the struggle for land repossession remains unresolved.
Final thoughts
Nationalists are not against foreigners living, working, or giving birth in Namibia. However, they advocate for restrictions on foreign-born individuals holding key government positions, which could compromise national sovereignty. Expectedly, this stance will face opposition from liberals, especially legal professionals who regard themselves as the ultimate interpreters of the law. However, it is important to acknowledge that Namibia’s legal framework, including its judiciary, largely serves foreign interests, often at the expense of native Namibians.
There is no honor in blindly defending foreign-influenced laws while disregarding their potential consequences. As the saying goes, “Kamukweni nande kapa embombo enene, kooyina okeshiko,” meaning a person should not blindly follow a path without considering the consequences. Namibia must carefully evaluate its legal framework to ensure that it serves national interests first and foremost.
Lazarus Kwedhi “Omuthima guna Omeya, Embungu lyaa hiya esipa, Ondjamba hayili iigwanga, niitulu omepunda.” He works for the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. The views expressed are entirely his and not of his employer. He can be reached at : kwedhilazarus80@gmail.com
