Tribalist woman slammed for ‘kwangara’ Swartbooi remarks
Wannabe social media socialite Suzzy Kalimba has come under heavy fire – including from the Office of the Ombudsman – after hurling tribal slurs at reigning Miss Namibia Johanna Swartbooi, mocking her ethnic background and small-town roots.
In a video that has since gone viral, Kalimba referred to Swartbooi as a “kwangara” – a derogatory term historically used to insult Damara and Nama-speaking people – and dismissed her as “this silly girl from Kalkrand”.
She questioned why the Namibian Pageantry Association had chosen Swartbooi to represent the country at the Miss Universe competition in Thailand.
“Why did you not pick the bombshell babes we have in the country? Even when one looks at them you can see this is a beautiful person,” she said.
Following the backlash, Kalimba issued a statement claiming her remarks were merely a marketing stunt intended to increase votes for Swartbooi. The apology was widely rejected.
Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) senior editor Anna Nicodemus posted on social media: “It’s a little too late for your half-baked, condescending ‘apology’ that clearly underestimates our collective intelligence. We weren’t born yesterday.”
Even after issuing the apology, Kalimba returned to Facebook yesterday, saying: “My post reached a million... in Namibia? Eish! I thought we were only 3.2 million, so the other 2.2 million must still be walking to my page. The power of social media is wild! Keep it coming, my people!"
Some social media users have called on Kalimba’s employer to dismiss her, although it remains unclear whether she is currently employed.
Ombudsman warns against tribalism
Reacting to the scandal, the Office of the Ombudsman released a stern warning condemning tribalist and discriminatory attacks online, emphasising that Namibia’s laws offer clear protection against such conduct and that tribalism has no place in public or digital spaces.
Ingrid Husselman, chief of operations at the ombudsman's office, told Namibian Sun that attacks of this nature and tone are unacceptable and highlighted the legal safeguards against hate speech and discrimination.
“We must unlearn racist language, stop classifying ourselves or allowing others to classify us, and stop using racist slurs,” Husselman said. “Only when our open minds are liberated can we rightly claim ‘One Nation, One Namibia’ – but the tribe must die so that the Nation can live.”
Legal protections highlighted
Husselman referenced Article 23 of the Constitution, which empowers parliament to prevent racial and tribal discrimination, along with the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act, which criminalises conduct based on race, colour, ethnic origin or tribe.
Although the Act’s original hate speech clause was struck down in 1996, the ombudsman may intervene in cases involving constitutional rights violations or matters of public interest.
She further pointed to the Child Care and Protection Act, which criminalises psychological harm, bullying or degrading treatment of children – including online – as well as Namibia’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, which identifies hate speech, harassment and harmful digital content as priority concerns. Citizens are encouraged to report content that breaches the law or platform standards.
“Johanna Swartbooi is a symbol of Namibian beauty and diversity, and we wish her all the best in the Miss Universe pageant,” Husselman said.
Husselman stressed that early childhood education is vital in combatting tribal prejudice.
“Children are born without recognising differences in colour or ethnicity; they learn to attach significance to them over time. Early education at home and in schools is essential to prevent tribalism from taking root. Only then can Namibia truly claim to be one nation,” she said.
Stand together
Former Miss Namibia Prisca Anyolo, drawing from her international pageant experience, urged Namibians to support Swartbooi and reject tribalist sentiments.
“A queen is never crowned by accident – she has purpose, substance, intelligence and grace. Johanna is already shining. Ignore the negativity, and let’s focus on lifting each other up,” Anyolo told Namibian Sun.
She said contestants representing the country abroad rely on public encouragement to maintain confidence. Negativity from fellow citizens, she noted, is deeply hurtful but underscores the need for unity and kindness.
“In pageantry, just like in life, what you focus on grows. If you dwell on hate, it grows. If you focus on positivity, that grows. Johanna must continue to shine and walk in her purpose.”
Anyolo added that the episode should serve as a broader lesson: “Tribalism divides us. How we treat each other online shows who we are as a nation. We must rise above prejudice, support each other, and celebrate our diversity. Namibia wins when we stand together.”
In a video that has since gone viral, Kalimba referred to Swartbooi as a “kwangara” – a derogatory term historically used to insult Damara and Nama-speaking people – and dismissed her as “this silly girl from Kalkrand”.
She questioned why the Namibian Pageantry Association had chosen Swartbooi to represent the country at the Miss Universe competition in Thailand.
“Why did you not pick the bombshell babes we have in the country? Even when one looks at them you can see this is a beautiful person,” she said.
Following the backlash, Kalimba issued a statement claiming her remarks were merely a marketing stunt intended to increase votes for Swartbooi. The apology was widely rejected.
Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) senior editor Anna Nicodemus posted on social media: “It’s a little too late for your half-baked, condescending ‘apology’ that clearly underestimates our collective intelligence. We weren’t born yesterday.”
Even after issuing the apology, Kalimba returned to Facebook yesterday, saying: “My post reached a million... in Namibia? Eish! I thought we were only 3.2 million, so the other 2.2 million must still be walking to my page. The power of social media is wild! Keep it coming, my people!"
Some social media users have called on Kalimba’s employer to dismiss her, although it remains unclear whether she is currently employed.
Ombudsman warns against tribalism
Reacting to the scandal, the Office of the Ombudsman released a stern warning condemning tribalist and discriminatory attacks online, emphasising that Namibia’s laws offer clear protection against such conduct and that tribalism has no place in public or digital spaces.
Ingrid Husselman, chief of operations at the ombudsman's office, told Namibian Sun that attacks of this nature and tone are unacceptable and highlighted the legal safeguards against hate speech and discrimination.
“We must unlearn racist language, stop classifying ourselves or allowing others to classify us, and stop using racist slurs,” Husselman said. “Only when our open minds are liberated can we rightly claim ‘One Nation, One Namibia’ – but the tribe must die so that the Nation can live.”
Legal protections highlighted
Husselman referenced Article 23 of the Constitution, which empowers parliament to prevent racial and tribal discrimination, along with the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act, which criminalises conduct based on race, colour, ethnic origin or tribe.
Although the Act’s original hate speech clause was struck down in 1996, the ombudsman may intervene in cases involving constitutional rights violations or matters of public interest.
She further pointed to the Child Care and Protection Act, which criminalises psychological harm, bullying or degrading treatment of children – including online – as well as Namibia’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, which identifies hate speech, harassment and harmful digital content as priority concerns. Citizens are encouraged to report content that breaches the law or platform standards.
“Johanna Swartbooi is a symbol of Namibian beauty and diversity, and we wish her all the best in the Miss Universe pageant,” Husselman said.
Husselman stressed that early childhood education is vital in combatting tribal prejudice.
“Children are born without recognising differences in colour or ethnicity; they learn to attach significance to them over time. Early education at home and in schools is essential to prevent tribalism from taking root. Only then can Namibia truly claim to be one nation,” she said.
Stand together
Former Miss Namibia Prisca Anyolo, drawing from her international pageant experience, urged Namibians to support Swartbooi and reject tribalist sentiments.
“A queen is never crowned by accident – she has purpose, substance, intelligence and grace. Johanna is already shining. Ignore the negativity, and let’s focus on lifting each other up,” Anyolo told Namibian Sun.
She said contestants representing the country abroad rely on public encouragement to maintain confidence. Negativity from fellow citizens, she noted, is deeply hurtful but underscores the need for unity and kindness.
“In pageantry, just like in life, what you focus on grows. If you dwell on hate, it grows. If you focus on positivity, that grows. Johanna must continue to shine and walk in her purpose.”
Anyolo added that the episode should serve as a broader lesson: “Tribalism divides us. How we treat each other online shows who we are as a nation. We must rise above prejudice, support each other, and celebrate our diversity. Namibia wins when we stand together.”
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