Bishop shuns cellphones

The handheld mobile phone or cellphone is undoubtedly one of the most used inventions known to man, but in the case of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) presiding bishop, Dr Shekutaamba V.V. Nambala, he could simply not be bothered.Nambala who has been on the helm of Elcin since 2011 told Namibian Sun over the Easter weekend that he has never owned a cellphone because he could never convince himself of a reason why he should have one.Being a leader of one of the most followed Christian organisations in Namibia, one would not expect Nambala to be without a cellphone. But he proved that he has no use for these devices again recently when he was asked for the third time in three years for his cellphone number and said he still does not have one.“Why should I own a cellphone? What shall I use it for? I chose to preserve my culture and traditions. In today's world cellphones are linked to criminal activities and they also make one react unprofessionally or as if you are not brought up well. Some people even store sensitive or private information in their cellphone devices. I opted not to be that way,” Nambala said.He said that in today's world many people draw their attention away from those physically with them and only pay attention to their phones. Nambala said he has been researching how people with cellphones react and found out they do not have professional or cultural etiquette.He said for many cellphones are an absolute must, and even when they are attending an important meeting they keep disturbingly busy on their phones. He said cellphones have now become a part of them.“But I always wonder what makes cellphones so important, almost like a basic necessity? Even if you are in the middle of an important discussion, the moment you receive a call or SMS you pay attention to your phone. Sometimes you even find people talking or laughing to themselves just because of their cellphones.“Cellphones have limited people's interpersonal interactions in families and neighbourhoods. If you want me, then you must look for me where I am and not just visit me over the phone. You will find a person begging a neighbour, but they are doing it over the phone. That is not culturally right. Go to that person and then ask for what you want; don't do it over the phone,” he said.Nambala said he is not saying that people should stop using cellphones, adding the fact that he does not have a device does not mean he does not have other people's phone numbers. He said he does have them and if he needs to make a phone call he asks those with cellphones to help him.A source in the mobile telecommunications industry supported Nambala.“In this age of connectivity you have to be very careful, as cellphones are linked to lot of social happenings, which might not be good for him. The bishop comes from the age of letters writing and his social environment is attached to that, which is understandable,” source said.ILENI NANDJATO

Bishop shuns cellphones

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-10

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Bishop shuns cellphones

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-10

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