When Leaders Fail to Lead: The Silence Around Hate Speech in Parliament

Hate speech in Namibia has never been a theoretical debate.

It has real consequences for safety, public trust and the integrity of our democracy. As Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and other (LGBTQI+) rights have become a political flashpoint over the past three years, inflammatory language from public offcials has grown louder and more dangerous.

What is equally harmful is the silence from leaders who hold the power to set standards for public conduct.

This silence erodes our constitutional culture by signalling that prejudice is acceptable.

It leaves targeted communities, especially queer Namibians, exposed to hostility that begins in parliament and spills into homes, churches and schools.

BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS

After the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision recognising same-sex marriages performed abroad, certain members of parliament launched sustained verbal attacks on queer people.

Some framed LGBTQI+ Namibians as a moral danger to the nation, invoking language of biblical punishment and civilisational collapse.

One former parliamentarian called for a “crusade against sodomy”, while another dismissed the judgement as “disgraceful, pathetic and disgusting”, presenting constitutional equality as an existential threat. The latter is currently a sitting MP.

Other political figures portrayed homosexuality as alien to Namibian identity.

Petition organisers and party youth leaders described same-sex relationships as a “useless practice”, warned against an agenda of “dark forces”, and labelled judges who upheld constitutional rights as “unAfrican”.

These remarks were widely reported and circulated, often without meaningful challenge.

In 2024 and 2025, the intensity increased during debates on the Marriage Act.

Senior MPs defending the legislation relied on religious condemnation rather than constitutional reasoning, with one lawmaker declaring that “God did not make a gay”, likening same-sex relationships to “Sodom and Gomorrah”.

Others argued that recognising queer families would “destroy the family unit”.

While not all of these statements meet the narrow legal definition of hate speech, they clearly undermine the spirit of equality in Article 10 of the Constitution.

The absence of consistent rebuke from parliamentary leadership, party structures or the Cabinet has allowed this kind of rhetoric to stand as acceptable political discourse. What makes this pattern particularly concerning is that many of these remarks were delivered during formal parliamentary proceedings and recorded in Hansard, the official transcripts of what is said in parliament. But there is little evidence of sustained intervention by presiding offcers, party whips or party leadership to correct misinformation or set limits on discriminatory language.

When harmful speech enters Hansard unchallenged, it acquires legitimacy. It signals that parliament is willing to record dehumanisation as ordinary debate, and that party loyalty outweighs constitutional responsibility.

This failure of internal accountability weakens parliament itself as a guardian of democratic values.

CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Namibia’s Constitution not only protects rights, it establishes duties for those who hold public offce.

Article 5 obliges the state – including MPs – to protect and uphold fundamental freedoms. Article 10 prohibits discrimination. Article 12 insists on fairness and respect for due process. These principles are not optional.

When leaders use language that dehumanises or marginalises a vulnerable group, they undermine the very framework that gives them authority.

When leaders remain silent as their colleagues deny the legitimacy or humanity of LGBTQI+ people, constitutional obligations are replaced by the loudest voices in the room.

This is especially dangerous in a country where moral panic can be mobilised quickly and political speech carries influence far beyond parliament.

The consequences are not only rhetorical. In 2024 and 2025, debates on LGBTQI+ rights repeatedly stalled unrelated legislation, including reforms on statelessness, civil registration and family law.

Parliamentary sessions meant to address service delivery were derailed by inflammatory statements rooted in misinformation.

This year, not a single non-budget bill was passed in parliament.

When parliament is consumed by antagonism, governance suffers. Constituents wait longer for reforms.

Civil society diverts resources to crisis response rather than long-term advocacy. The cost of political hostility is paid by all Namibians.

SILENCE IS DANGEROUS

Some leaders justify their silence by invoking freedom of speech or political pragmatism.

But silence is not neutral; in practice, it functions as endorsement.

Namibia’s courts have played a critical role in affrming equality, from the Supreme Court’s decision in 2023 to the High Court’s 2024 ruling striking down the sodomy law.

But judicial victories cannot withstand sustained political hostility alone.

Our courts interpret the Constitution, and our leaders shape public culture.

When leaders decline to challenge hateful rhetoric, they leave constitutional values undefended and signal that minority rights are optional, when they’re politically convenient.

COURAGE OVER CONVENIENCE

Leadership is not measured by how loudly one condemns others, but by how consistently one defends fairness, even when it is unpopular.

It is time for Namibian leaders to publicly reject hateful rhetoric and set clear expectations for parliamentary conduct.

This includes correcting misinformation, affirming the constitutional rights of LGBTQI+ people and fostering debate grounded in evidence rather than fear.

Everyone has a role to play: the media must contextualise inflammatory remarks, voters must hold representatives accountable, and religious and traditional leaders who support inclusion must speak more visibly.

Hate speech is a choice. So is leadership.

• Ndapwa Alweendo is programmes manager at Sister Namibia.

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