EDITORIAL: Contemporary forms of discrimination

During a symposium hosted by the Forum of German-Speaking Namibians in Swakopmund on Saturday, human rights and law scholar John Nakuta raised a critical concern – contemporary forms of discrimination.Namibians are often blinded to current forms of discrimination because they subconsciously juxtapose everything with what happened during apartheid, which has of course left an indelible mark on our psyche.Perhaps this is because, in the past, discrimination was legalised. There were laws that even dictated which benches in the park were for black natives and which ones were reserved for people of other races.With new laws preaching equality irrespective of colour or creed, we are often oblivious to what is happening on the ground. Nakuta alluded to the systemic, institutional and structural discrimination that is still rife and alive in our midst – but repackaged and sold under a new brand.To drive his point home, Nakuta cited how, in 2020, the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) announced its 14 new appointees, of whom 13 were women. To compound matters, nearly all 14 were from one ethnic group.Racial discrimination, which we despised with every fibre of our being, has also assumed a new form. Camouflaged as a way to redress historical disparities, the contemporary racism project keeps at bay not only previously advantaged Namibians, but also those who were historically sidelined. The black economic empowerment scheme, for example, has become a conduit for looting by a select few. Namibians must keep a close eye on these tricks by the new sheriffs in town.

EDITORIAL: Contemporary forms of discrimination

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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EDITORIAL: Contemporary forms of discrimination

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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