Women’s Voices: Plural, Varied, Amplified
Have you ever wondered about the history of LGBTQI+ rights in Namibia, or been confused about exactly which laws affect the LGBTQI+ community? Have you ever picked up a newspaper or gone online and wished that Namibian media found more effective ways to cover the community’s struggle for basic human rights? Look no further: @nidteam recently published The Namibian House: Building Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Persons – a comprehensive document… Keep Reading
It took 34 years for Namibia to produce political leaders willing to stand publicly for the rights of LGBTQI+ people. Last month, independent presidential candidate Rosa Namises and the All People’s Party (APP) became the first to vocally support same-sex marriage and equal rights. In 2024, where acknowledgement and acceptance of different gender identities and sexual orientations are so widespread, this may not seem groundbreaking. [Editor’s note: Rosa Namises is… Keep Reading
A controversial bill, introduced by MP Jerry Ekandjo in July 2023, has sparked heated debate across Namibia. The proposed legislation seeks to criminalize same-sex marriages by restricting the legal definition of a “spouse” to opposite-sex couples and excluding gender-diverse individuals from marriage altogether. Those who support or perform same-sex marriages could face six years in prison or a N$100,000 fine. In the streets of Windhoek, local citizens shared their thoughts… Keep Reading
The results are in – Namibians are ready to cast their ballots in November’s Presidential and National Assembly elections. While voter registration has been a concern in past elections, 91 percent of eligible voters registered in the two month window. While this news is certainly heartening, the real uphill battle begins now. It is notable that, at present, none of the political parties contesting these elections have released a manifesto…. Keep Reading
The Namibian Constitution was ratified on the 9th of February 1990 and came into effect 40 days later, on the 21st of March 1990–Namibia’s first Independence Day. The Constitution was drafted after the first free parliamentary elections, which were held between the 7th and the 11th of November 1989. Before 1978, only white people were eligible to vote or run for political office. After that, while political parties representing indigenous… Keep Reading
On the morning of the 21st of June 2024, journalists, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies stood in line outside The High Court of Namibia on Fonnie Karuaihe Street in Windhoek. The street–previously known as Luderitz Street–perhaps stood as symbolic foreshadowing for the decolonizing on the horizon inside the court as people stood outside with placards reading “Decolonize My Sexuality”. After security checks at the reception, everyone hastily… Keep Reading
In November, Namibians will head to the polls for the eighth time in the country’s democratic history. This is a time for reflection, a time to assess the actions of our leaders and the promises being made by those vying for our votes. But, time and time again, election years become a fertile breeding ground for opportunistic politicians and public figures. Those contesting for political positions try to find something… Keep Reading
“I’m five years older than Thapelo. When we were children and by ourselves, Thapelo and I would play dress up and pretend to have modelling shows. Thapelo never had to tell me who they are because I always knew, and we’ve always been close.” Shesmida Phori is a 28-year-old nurse who grew up with her sibling Thapelo Simushi in Omaruru and then Katima Mulilo. The eldest of three, she has… Keep Reading
ARLANA SHIKONGO Namibian political and public voices have echoed decades-old claims that homosexuality is ‘un-African’ and a supposed ‘Western import’ inconsistent with local religious values. Last year, after a Supreme Court judgment that immigration law must recognize same-sex marriages conducted abroad, a surge in anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric was observed. The ruling catalyzed intensified debates on LGBTQI+ rights. Equality While the judgment affirmed our constitutional commitment to equality, it also revealed an… Keep Reading
Selma Ndasilohenda Iyambo Just like you wouldn’t want people to call you a name that is not yours, don’t call others by the wrong pronoun. Simple! We are living in the 21st century yet people still want to assume individuals’ genders based on their physical appearances. We were sitting in a restaurant at Johannesburg Airport with a colleague when a vibrant young woman decided to misgender my colleague. “Good morning,… Keep Reading
– Zorena Jantze SITTING by the reception desk of the Rights Not Rescue Trust’s (RNRT) office, Daniel Ashanti Koos spends the quiet winter morning basking in the little sunlight that streams in through the front window. The transwoman, who is currently in the midst of a court battle, was last year thrust into the limelight when a video of her being tied up to a chair and then whipped by… Keep Reading
