Racism rears ugly head in Namibia

While anger in the region is still mounting over racially offensive comments by South African estate agent Penny Sparrow, who compared black people to monkeys while complaining about black beachgoers in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, a Namibian woman has also come under fire for comparing black people to animals while calling for reinstatement of the ‘Whites Only’ days. A post by a Rundu woman, Margaretha von Wielligh, has gone viral. In it she complains about having to share everything with “beasts” saying, “Bring back the beautiful words ‘Whites Only’.” The post was written in Afrikaans. Loosely translated it read: “It’s too much that we have to share everything with beasts!! Uneducated things!! They don’t even know to close a toilet door. Bring back the beautiful words ‘Whites Only’, in English yes, they understand that.” Von Wielligh’s post has been condemned by many, who pointed out that despite national reconciliation, racism still seems be alive and well, with many white people continuing to compare black people to animals on social media and other platforms. A visit to Von Wielligh’s Facebook page reveals pictures of the old South African flag while her profile picture proclaims that she is a “Suidwester”. Responding to questions from Namibian Sun, human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe said the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act of 1991 prohibits the threatening or ridiculing or insulting of a person or persons based on their race. He explained that it is further a criminal offence to cause, encourage or incite racial disharmony, ill will or hatred amongst people. “What Margaretha von Wielligh did by posting such racial comments was not only violating the clear terms of the statute, but she also violated the dignity of Namibians, whether black or white,” he said. Tjombe said the dignity of everyone is protected by the Namibian Constitution and the Racial Discrimination Act was passed to ensure that the right to dignity is protected in reality. He said the statements by Von Weilligh should be investigated by the police, and if found to be hers, she must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Tjombe said the Act provides for a fine of up to N$80 000 or 15 years’ imprisonment, and both are stringent enough to discourage people from making such derogatory and racist statements. “But I think we were naïve to have thought that racism will disappear with the advent of democracy,” he said. “We need to work hard on building institutions and processes that will ensure the prevention of these despicable statements,” he said. News reports from South Africa suggest that Penny Sparrow faces numerous criminal charges and will also have to answer to the South African Human Rights Commission. GORDON JOSEPH