Anti-Gay March collapses as fewer than 100 show up

Staff Reporter

THE Stop Homosexuality in Namibia movement’s call for a demonstration on social media collapsed after fewer than 100 people showed up.

The march, which was billed as an international drive, instead became a demonstration of the tolerance of Namibians, whose absence signified support for minority rights.

In their petition, the movement called for the cessation of the teaching of sexual immorality and related practices in Namibian schools. The protesters marched to three destinations: the United States of America (US) Embassy, the United Nations headquarters, and the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture.

In the petition handed to Deputy Executive Director for Formal Education, Edda Bohn, Pendapala Nakathingo, one of the leaders of the anti-gay movement, said that Namibian parents are concerned about the alleged teaching of sexual immorality to their children, from ages 0 to 17 years.

“We took note of sex education through life skills subjects at a mature age, but this thing of teaching our small children about sexual immorality—we don’t want it. We are requesting our honourable Minister to look into this matter of non-governmental organisations such as Project Hope, Dreams, Be Free, and many others that are penetrating the education system with the purpose of teaching our children things that are against our culture and beliefs,” Nakathingo said.

The movement further called for the removal of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) flags that are allegedly painted on school walls and demanded that President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba sign the Marriage and Spouse Bills introduced by Jerry Ekandjo, criminalising homosexuality in Namibia by or before 15 October 2024, or otherwise face legal action.

PICTURED: Some scenes from the protest.