Ester Mbathera
People from the Zambezi region believe marijuana use can sometimes or always be justified.
This makes them the most supportive group in the country, according to the Afrobarometer Survey 2024 conducted by Cirrus Survey Warehouse Namibia.
The survey shows that approval for adult cannabis use varies across regions, age groups, education levels, and ethnic backgrounds.
Nationally, the nation remains divided on the issue.
The public was asked whether adults using marijuana can “always be justified,” “sometimes be justified,” or “never be justified.”
Among ethnic groups, people who wanted to be identified as Caprivians scored 82%, followed by Nama at 69%, Subia at 63%, and Afrikaners at 56%.
Herero respondents showed a 55% approval rate, while 52% of Kavango respondents said adult marijuana use can be justified.
Half of the Baster community shared the same view.
Approval rates were lower among the Lozi (48%), Damara (41%), Coloured people (40%), and Aawambo (23%).
Thirty-six per percent of those identified as “Other” ethnicities support adult cannabis use.
Regionally, the Hardap and ||Kharas regions had the highest levels of approval after Zambezi, where the Caprivians are primarily located.
Sixty-nine percent of people in Hardap and 68% in ||Kharas approve of adult marijuana use.
In Zambezi, where the Caprivian community is concentrated, approval stands at 67%.
Omaheke recorded a 59% approval rate, Kavango East 57% and Otjozondjupa 52%.
Approval is lower in Ohangwena at 5%, Oshana 20%, Oshikoto 20%, Erongo 27%, Omusati 28%, Kavango West 39%, Kunene 43% and Khomas 48%.
Age also plays a role.
Forty percent of people aged 18-25 said marijuana use can be justified, increasing to 46% among those aged 26-35.
Support drops to 37% among 36-45-year-olds and 46-55-year-olds and falls to 25% among those aged 56 and above.
Education levels showed similar differences.
People with university or postgraduate qualifications recorded a 46% approval rate, while 42% of those who completed high school approve.
Thirty-five percent of people with a primary education support the use of cannabis by adults, compared to 34% among those who did not complete primary school.
Men are slightly more supportive of cannabis use than women, with 40% of men approving compared to 37% of women.
Angela Prusa, the founder of the Cannabis and Hemp Association of Namibia (CHAN), is of the opinion that this shows that there is quite significant support for cannabis in our country.
“It’s a shame that that is not reflected in the support on the ground in terms of the movement and advocacy work and people being vocal about this. I guess the reason for this is that people are so scared of the police or the stigma associated with cannabis use. It is a shame that there is not more vocal support when this survey clearly shows the support,” she said.
The Ganja Users of Namibia (GUN), in association with the Rastafari United Front (RUF), CHAN, and the Medical Marijuana Association of Namibia (MMAN), will host a peaceful protest on 3 May.
According to Riaan Smith, one of the protest organisers, their event will focus on what organisers describe as human rights violations fuelled by the ongoing prohibition of cannabis.
He said as part of the event, a petition will be submitted to certain human rights treaty bodies of the United Nations.
“The first point of the petition highlights economic discrimination and colonial legacy. While large companies can sell cannabis-related products legally, ordinary Namibians, especially small-scale traders, are denied access to the industry,” he said.
He added that the petition will also address the disproportionate impact on impoverished communities as well as racial profiling and systemic discrimination.
“Police mainly target people living in lower-income areas, while those operating in more affluent areas, often selling high-grade cannabis at higher prices, are overlooked,” he said.
