Letter to president
Letter to H.E. Netumbo Nandi- Ndaitwah
Your Excellency,
Congratulations on your historic presidency.
It is with great honour that I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your recent inauguration as the first female president of the Republic of Namibia. This achievement is not only a milestone for Namibia but an inspiration to the entire African continent. Your bold leadership, demonstrated through your Cabinet appointments, including the historic nomination of a female vice president, signals a new era of progress and inclusivity.
I write to you today as a proud Namibian of East African origin. I arrived in Namibia at the age of 14, studied here, built my business here, and contributed to the growth of Namibia’s creative industry. Namibia is my home, and like many other Africans who have settled and contributed to this great nation, I deeply value the principles of unity, justice and progress.
It is in this spirit that I wish to bring to your attention a concerning development following your appointment of Dr Esperance Luvindao as Minister of Health. Born in Namibia to an Angolan mother and a Congolese father, Dr Luvindao is rightfully a Namibian citizen. Her appointment, based on merit and her contributions to the medical field, reflects the values of competence and excellence that we should all celebrate. However, the xenophobic attacks against her on social media and in public discourse deeply trouble me, not only as a Namibian but as a parent.
My own children are Namibians, yet their identities, like Dr Luvindao’s, are shaped by diverse African roots. My firstborn, for example, was born in Namibia to an East African mother, much like the Honourable Minister. If Dr Luvindao’s nationality is questioned despite being born and raised in Namibia, what does that mean for my children and others like them? Will they always be seen as "foreigners" despite being Namibians by birth and by life experience?
Your Excellency, this moment presents the first test of your administration’s commitment to unity and inclusion. The African Union was founded on the principle that Africa is one. The vision of free movement of people and goods within our continent is the cornerstone of a united and prosperous Africa. If Namibia, a beacon of democracy and progress, fails to protect its own citizens from exclusion based on their parents’ nationality, what message does that send to future generations?
History has shown us that great leaders rise above pressure and act with wisdom and justice. When Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States, he did so as the son of a Kenyan father. His leadership was not judged by his father’s nationality but by his vision and ability to lead. There are many other examples of leaders and citizens across the world whose roots extend beyond borders but who have contributed immensely to their countries. Dr Luvindao represents the same hope for Namibia, a country that is strong because of its diversity.
I urge you, Your Excellency, to remain steadfast in your principles and not allow social media-driven sentiments to dictate the course of this matter. Your decision on Dr Luvindao’s appointment will set a precedent for how we treat Namibians of diverse backgrounds, including my own children, who may one day find themselves in similar positions. If we allow xenophobia to dictate leadership choices today, we risk alienating future generations and undermining the vision of a truly united Africa.
Your leadership at this critical juncture will define how Namibia is viewed by the rest of Africa and the world. I trust that you will make a decision that upholds Namibia’s values of justice, equality, and unity.
Once again, congratulations on your presidency. I look forward to seeing Namibia flourish under your guidance.
Yours sincerely,
Suleiman Kyababa
Your Excellency,
Congratulations on your historic presidency.
It is with great honour that I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your recent inauguration as the first female president of the Republic of Namibia. This achievement is not only a milestone for Namibia but an inspiration to the entire African continent. Your bold leadership, demonstrated through your Cabinet appointments, including the historic nomination of a female vice president, signals a new era of progress and inclusivity.
I write to you today as a proud Namibian of East African origin. I arrived in Namibia at the age of 14, studied here, built my business here, and contributed to the growth of Namibia’s creative industry. Namibia is my home, and like many other Africans who have settled and contributed to this great nation, I deeply value the principles of unity, justice and progress.
It is in this spirit that I wish to bring to your attention a concerning development following your appointment of Dr Esperance Luvindao as Minister of Health. Born in Namibia to an Angolan mother and a Congolese father, Dr Luvindao is rightfully a Namibian citizen. Her appointment, based on merit and her contributions to the medical field, reflects the values of competence and excellence that we should all celebrate. However, the xenophobic attacks against her on social media and in public discourse deeply trouble me, not only as a Namibian but as a parent.
My own children are Namibians, yet their identities, like Dr Luvindao’s, are shaped by diverse African roots. My firstborn, for example, was born in Namibia to an East African mother, much like the Honourable Minister. If Dr Luvindao’s nationality is questioned despite being born and raised in Namibia, what does that mean for my children and others like them? Will they always be seen as "foreigners" despite being Namibians by birth and by life experience?
Your Excellency, this moment presents the first test of your administration’s commitment to unity and inclusion. The African Union was founded on the principle that Africa is one. The vision of free movement of people and goods within our continent is the cornerstone of a united and prosperous Africa. If Namibia, a beacon of democracy and progress, fails to protect its own citizens from exclusion based on their parents’ nationality, what message does that send to future generations?
History has shown us that great leaders rise above pressure and act with wisdom and justice. When Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States, he did so as the son of a Kenyan father. His leadership was not judged by his father’s nationality but by his vision and ability to lead. There are many other examples of leaders and citizens across the world whose roots extend beyond borders but who have contributed immensely to their countries. Dr Luvindao represents the same hope for Namibia, a country that is strong because of its diversity.
I urge you, Your Excellency, to remain steadfast in your principles and not allow social media-driven sentiments to dictate the course of this matter. Your decision on Dr Luvindao’s appointment will set a precedent for how we treat Namibians of diverse backgrounds, including my own children, who may one day find themselves in similar positions. If we allow xenophobia to dictate leadership choices today, we risk alienating future generations and undermining the vision of a truly united Africa.
Your leadership at this critical juncture will define how Namibia is viewed by the rest of Africa and the world. I trust that you will make a decision that upholds Namibia’s values of justice, equality, and unity.
Once again, congratulations on your presidency. I look forward to seeing Namibia flourish under your guidance.
Yours sincerely,
Suleiman Kyababa
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