Placido Hilukilwa
THE proposed decriminalization of sodomy and the legalization of same-sex marriages would hit a wall if politicians start taking into account the views of the overwhelming majority of the residents of the densely populated northern regions of Namibia where such ideas are rejected out of hand as “unspeakable abomination”.
The Ovawambo traditional communities that populate the regions of Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, and a large part of Oshikoto, are, by culture, not even allowed to debate issues related to homosexuality.
“We are the guardians of our people’s customary norms and we totally reject any suggestion of legalizing homosexual acts, let alone decriminalizing sodomy,” said George Nelulu, the chairman of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority (OuTA).
Dineinge Sheya, the secretary to Queen Martha Mwadinomho Kristian Nelumbu, said that the Oshiwambo culture does not even allow a discussion on homosexuality. “It is an abomination, something that, in our traditional communities, is not at all open for discussion,” he said.
Headman Kashona Malulu, the spokesperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA), said that talking about homosexual issues is one of those topics that would infuriate any normal Oshiwambo-speaking person.
“We cannot talk about normalizing what is abnormal. Our culture allows only marriage between man and woman,” said Oshakati resident Thomas Kashihula.
The Ovawambo traditional communities have since time immemorial considered homosexual acts an abominable practice so much so that, in the past, people exhibiting homosexual inclinations had hot irons inserted in their anuses, a punishment that was meant “to teach them a lesson”.
An intense public debate is currently raging on all imaginable platforms about the possible legalization of same-sex marriages in Namibia and the proposed decriminalization of sodomy and doing away with other obsolete laws dating from Namibia’s colonial past.
The debate was triggered by recent developments, including court cases on same-sex marriages and the Law Reform and Development Commission’s proposal to abolish a number of laws, including the one that criminalizes sodomy and “unnatural” sexual acts such as masturbation, oral sex, and anal intercourse between people of the same sex.
Those who are demanding change emphasize the principle of “equal rights for all”, but those objecting are accusing the ruling class and the “urbanites” of aligning with a “gay lobby” to subvert African norms.
The churches have also joined the fray.
Pastor Frans Hangula of the Pentecostal Protestant Church at Onhanadi village near Endola, said: “Homosexual acts are sinful acts. God hates sin but loves a sinner who repents.”
He said that he is greatly astonished, wondering how Namibia, supposedly 95% Christian, succumbed to pressure from a tiny [homosexual] minority.
