Queering Namibian democracy: Equality on the ballot
OPINION
Just over 40 days remain before the 2024 general election when Namibians from all walks of life are given the opportunity to participate in the electoral process, whereby we mobilise ourselves and our communities to express our political will and exercise our influence over the responsible and orderly running of the state through voting for the political party and president of our choice.
This fundamental right to democratic participation enshrined within the Namibian Constitution aspires to foster a just and equitable societal framework wherein equality, mutual security and human dignity are universally accessible and aims to guarantee government accountability within the doctrine of popular sovereignty.
However, the lived realities of democratic participation in Namibia often diverge from these ideals due to the nation’s troubling struggles with systemic corruption, lack of transparency, weak accountability mechanisms and efforts to legislate discriminatory policies, which are particularly pronounced in the experiences of marginalised communities such as the LGBTQIA community.
These significant challenges obstruct the full realisation of political, social and economic liberty, justice and equality for all, consequently destabilising and delegitimising Namibia’s constitutional and democratic principles preserved within the rule of law and our commitment to human rights.
‘Flawed’ democracy
Namibia is classified as a 'flawed democracy' according to the Global Democracy Index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, which evaluates the democratic health of 165 countries and two territories based on five key categories: electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.
Yet, although Namibia performed relatively well on the index – ranking 57th globally and 5th in sub-Saharan Africa – significant challenges in government accountability, corruption and apathy towards the constitutionally mandated rights of marginalised groups, such as the LGBTQIA community, gravely impede the country’s democratic health.
High-stakes elections
The cis-heteronormative entrenchment of violence and injustice against LGBTQ individuals in the political sphere are evidenced by the alarming number of discriminatory 'anti-LGBTQ bills' passed in parliament. These bills came in response to recent Supreme and High Court verdicts ordering the government to recognise same-sex marriages legally conducted abroad (2023) and repealing the apartheid-era sodomy law in June 2024.
These draconian hate bills ultimately debilitate democracy by exploiting the powers of the legislature to undermine the legitimacy and functioning of the judiciary through the tabled prohibition of marriage equality for LGBTQIA people by defining marriage as exclusively heterosexual, discriminating against trans people, appealing the sodomy law verdict and criminalising any support of same-sex unions with up to six years in jail and hefty fines.
The consequences of this anti-LGBTQ backlash – coupled with the rise of anti-gender movements, conservative and far-right forces – do not exclusively manifest in the political realm. The rise of discriminatory and hostile rhetoric against the LGBTQIA community contributes significantly towards the creation of a hostile environment wherein queer individuals and their allies experience an alarming surge in verbal and physical violence, which is regrettably highlighted by the gruesome murders and mutilations of eight queer Namibians over the past year.
Thus, the stakes in this election have never been higher, as they are not merely predicated on our righteous defence of democracy and the rule of law but on our commitment to preserving justice and human dignity for all.
Political mobilisation
The youth – representing 65% of the electorate – are driving a new wave of democratic activism and with 91% of eligible Namibians registered to vote in the upcoming election, a record turnout is expected.
It is crucial for the LGBTQIA community and their allies to unite in their efforts to mobilise voters to prioritise intersectional social and political issues at the ballot box.
This can be achieved through campaigns setting out the positions of political parties and candidates in their constituencies, coalition-building with other minority groups, curbing countermovements and cultivating public political consciousness premised on and materialised through intersectional solidarity.
This intersectional consciousness fosters an understanding of the interactions between numerous systems of oppression, mobilising more people by highlighting the broader dimensions of the struggle for an equal and equitable Namibia.
To bring about this change, we must recognise the electoral power of the LGBTQI community and its allies. The All People's Party recently became the first political party in Namibia to publicly commit to legalising same-sex marriage – a direct result of youth activism.
This is a testament to the fact that when we show up, we can influence political platforms.
Meanwhile, some political parties that were once allies to the LGBTQI community, like the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), have removed any mention of LGBTQI rights in their 2024 manifesto, a change from their 2019 manifesto.
Therefore, it is essential that all Namibians committed to the preservation of democracy and the safeguarding of the universal rights and protections enshrined in the constitution participate in the electoral process.
Voters should adopt an intersectional consciousness in their decision-making process that interrogates and resists the trappings of asymmetrical hegemonic power relations and interlocking axes of oppression that seek to contain pluralism.
An exercise of pluralism is essential to fostering democratisation and preserving constitutionality.
In conclusion, it is evident that equality will be on the ballot this November – offering the Namibian electorate an opportunity to strengthen our flawed democracy by defending our fundamental democratic values, preserving the supremacy of our constitution and maintaining the separation of powers to ensure that equality, justice and dignity are accessible to all Namibians, regardless of identity.
This fundamental right to democratic participation enshrined within the Namibian Constitution aspires to foster a just and equitable societal framework wherein equality, mutual security and human dignity are universally accessible and aims to guarantee government accountability within the doctrine of popular sovereignty.
However, the lived realities of democratic participation in Namibia often diverge from these ideals due to the nation’s troubling struggles with systemic corruption, lack of transparency, weak accountability mechanisms and efforts to legislate discriminatory policies, which are particularly pronounced in the experiences of marginalised communities such as the LGBTQIA community.
These significant challenges obstruct the full realisation of political, social and economic liberty, justice and equality for all, consequently destabilising and delegitimising Namibia’s constitutional and democratic principles preserved within the rule of law and our commitment to human rights.
‘Flawed’ democracy
Namibia is classified as a 'flawed democracy' according to the Global Democracy Index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, which evaluates the democratic health of 165 countries and two territories based on five key categories: electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.
Yet, although Namibia performed relatively well on the index – ranking 57th globally and 5th in sub-Saharan Africa – significant challenges in government accountability, corruption and apathy towards the constitutionally mandated rights of marginalised groups, such as the LGBTQIA community, gravely impede the country’s democratic health.
High-stakes elections
The cis-heteronormative entrenchment of violence and injustice against LGBTQ individuals in the political sphere are evidenced by the alarming number of discriminatory 'anti-LGBTQ bills' passed in parliament. These bills came in response to recent Supreme and High Court verdicts ordering the government to recognise same-sex marriages legally conducted abroad (2023) and repealing the apartheid-era sodomy law in June 2024.
These draconian hate bills ultimately debilitate democracy by exploiting the powers of the legislature to undermine the legitimacy and functioning of the judiciary through the tabled prohibition of marriage equality for LGBTQIA people by defining marriage as exclusively heterosexual, discriminating against trans people, appealing the sodomy law verdict and criminalising any support of same-sex unions with up to six years in jail and hefty fines.
The consequences of this anti-LGBTQ backlash – coupled with the rise of anti-gender movements, conservative and far-right forces – do not exclusively manifest in the political realm. The rise of discriminatory and hostile rhetoric against the LGBTQIA community contributes significantly towards the creation of a hostile environment wherein queer individuals and their allies experience an alarming surge in verbal and physical violence, which is regrettably highlighted by the gruesome murders and mutilations of eight queer Namibians over the past year.
Thus, the stakes in this election have never been higher, as they are not merely predicated on our righteous defence of democracy and the rule of law but on our commitment to preserving justice and human dignity for all.
Political mobilisation
The youth – representing 65% of the electorate – are driving a new wave of democratic activism and with 91% of eligible Namibians registered to vote in the upcoming election, a record turnout is expected.
It is crucial for the LGBTQIA community and their allies to unite in their efforts to mobilise voters to prioritise intersectional social and political issues at the ballot box.
This can be achieved through campaigns setting out the positions of political parties and candidates in their constituencies, coalition-building with other minority groups, curbing countermovements and cultivating public political consciousness premised on and materialised through intersectional solidarity.
This intersectional consciousness fosters an understanding of the interactions between numerous systems of oppression, mobilising more people by highlighting the broader dimensions of the struggle for an equal and equitable Namibia.
To bring about this change, we must recognise the electoral power of the LGBTQI community and its allies. The All People's Party recently became the first political party in Namibia to publicly commit to legalising same-sex marriage – a direct result of youth activism.
This is a testament to the fact that when we show up, we can influence political platforms.
Meanwhile, some political parties that were once allies to the LGBTQI community, like the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), have removed any mention of LGBTQI rights in their 2024 manifesto, a change from their 2019 manifesto.
Therefore, it is essential that all Namibians committed to the preservation of democracy and the safeguarding of the universal rights and protections enshrined in the constitution participate in the electoral process.
Voters should adopt an intersectional consciousness in their decision-making process that interrogates and resists the trappings of asymmetrical hegemonic power relations and interlocking axes of oppression that seek to contain pluralism.
An exercise of pluralism is essential to fostering democratisation and preserving constitutionality.
In conclusion, it is evident that equality will be on the ballot this November – offering the Namibian electorate an opportunity to strengthen our flawed democracy by defending our fundamental democratic values, preserving the supremacy of our constitution and maintaining the separation of powers to ensure that equality, justice and dignity are accessible to all Namibians, regardless of identity.
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Namibian Sun
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