Christianity and Governance in Namibia

The Namibian Constitution defines Namibia as a “sovereign, secular, democratic and unitary” state. 

Religious freedom is a fundamental principle. 
That being said, Namibia’s population has the highest proportion of Christians on the continent. 

The Lutheran, Anglican and Catholic churches are influential social agencies. 

Prayers at official and political and party events are routine. 
This underlines the continued influence of Christianity as an integral part of public life in Namibia.

THE ROLE OF THE CHURCHES

In the early 19th century, British missionaries arrived in the country. They initially had little success, and handed over to the Rhenish Mission.

From the mid-19th century, it gained influence in the state formation processes in the central and southern regions. 

In the late 1880s, the Finnish Missionary Society entered Ovamboland, initially with little to no impact.

The genocidal war against Namibian indigenous communities resisting settler-colonial oppression destroyed local social organisations, and largely robbed people of their agencies and voices. 

As a result, Christian churches (including indigenous ones) became a haven to meet and reconstitute identities and togetherness.

From the late 1940s, the then Anglican chaplain Michael Scott, who was based in South Africa, petitioned the United Nations on behalf of Chief Hosea Kutako. 

In June 1971, Bishop Leonard Auala of the Ovambo-Kavango Church and Paulus Gowaseb of the Rhenish Mission Church published an Open Letter to South African prime minister John Vorster. 

They accused the occupiers of human rights violations and demanded independence.

In the 1970s, a number of Anglican bishops – Colin Winter, Richard Wood and Winter’s successor, Edward Morrow – were all deported. 

Lutheran and Catholic church schools in the Police Zone, and Finnish missionary and Anglican churches in the northern regions, became the unofficial institutionalised alternative to apartheid’s Bantu education. 

They were the cradle that gave birth to a new generation of anti-colonial resistance.

RELIGION AND POLITICS 

For its part, the Council of Churches in Namibia played a prophetic role in the domestic, or ‘internal’, struggle for independence. 

But with the former liberation movement now the government of the day, speaking truth to power has ebbed away. 

Loyalty to Swapo is stronger than speaking out against injustice.

Despite pleas by former detainees to publicise how Swapo treated them in exile during the liberation struggle, and to support their rehabilitation, they were neglected and ignored.  

This marked a new affinity by churches to those in political power. Little if any criticism has been voiced. 

Church life has all but become an integral part of the new elite. 

The political establishment has integrated the churches and the gospel in official policy and narratives.

The current head of state, president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah displays her Christian belief in public appearances and statements. 

Educated at the Anglican St Mary’s mission school at Odibo before going into exile, the president was a guest of honour at its 100th anniversary celebration in late August.

During her address, she declared: “Let’s walk alongside those who feel unseen, unheard, and unloved. Let’s remind them they are not alone. Our mission is to … deepen our justice and reconciliation.

“Together, we will ensure that the teachings of compassion, service, and integrity continue to remain deeply rooted within our hearts and communities.”

JUSTICE, ETHICS AND MORALITY

As the reverend Jan Scholtz noted in an opinion article in May 2024: “A secular state does not mean the absence of moral values, and a religious state does not mean one that is highly moral.” 

This highlights the dilemma, which is not resolved by the president’s commitment to “walk alongside those who feel unseen, unheard, and unloved”, and who assured them “they are not alone”. 

Her declared mission to deepen justice and reconciliation guided by compassion rings hollow.

It contrasts with the tribute she paid to one of those who tortured and killed members of their own organisation. 

He not only did so with impunity, he was awarded one of the country’s highest honours.  This betrays Christian principles as enshrined in the Sermon on the Mount: 
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Dr Balthasar Hubmaier (1480-1528), leader of the Anabaptist movement and a Protestant reformer, considered the responsibility of a government as defending the righteous, the innocent and the helpless. 

He was burnt alive as a ‘heretic’ in Vienna, Austria. His wife was drowned with a stone around her neck in the Danube River. 
Hubmaier’s motto was ‘Truth is immortal’. 

The commemorative plaque at the site of his execution quotes his words: “Christ did not come to butcher, murder and pillage.”
Christians should live up to and treasure this spirit of the gospel.   

• Henning Melber is an associate at the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala and an extraordinary professor at the University of Pretoria and the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.