EDITORIAL: The tribe must thrive

There is a human allure to belonging. President Hage Geingob’s assertion that a tribal community coming together to celebrate its common identity undermines national cohesion is a strange take.Throughout history, the tribe has always lived. And this is because any group that embodies the same values, institutions and patterns of behaviour is hard to break down. If anything, the nation must emulate the cohesion of our tribes if it is to live.In Mozambique, Samora Machel’s prophecy that “for the nation to live, the tribe must die” has not come to pass. Ironically, tensions between Renamo and the Frelimo-led government were always anchored in the discontent of skewed allocation of national resources in favour of some and at the marginalisation of others based on tribal identities. In Namibia, the phrase ‘unity in diversity’ has served as fodder for political survival. And, on paper, it’s a beautiful expression. Beautiful until our national leader trashes that very diversity and its preservation to seemingly appease American visitors. Geingob was packaged and sold as a ‘unifier’ by his erstwhile backers at past Swapo congresses. Why not unite us in our tribal diversity now? Religiously attending events of some communities in the country while labelling others as ‘tribal’ is not a language spoken by unifiers. When Geingob attended the two festivals of the San and the Damara last weekend, many thought he had turned a page. If anything, he has - in fact - closed the book.

EDITORIAL: The tribe must thrive

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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EDITORIAL: The tribe must thrive

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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