Renthia Kaimbi
The Miss Namibia Organisation says it has begun consulting its legal teams after a surge of tribal, racist, and defamatory attacks targeted at Miss Universe Namibia Johanna Swartbooi.
The organisation’s chief executive officer, Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, said the organisation is reviewing all legal options to address the online hate speech.
She emphasised that Namibian law protects Swartbooi and characterised the attacks as tribalist, cyberbullying, and defamatory.
Karuaihe-Upi said Swartbooi remained mentally strong and focused on the competition, supported by her family and the organisation.
The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) also issued a strong statement, calling the attacks unlawful and a direct violation of the constitutional rights to dignity and equality.
NBC’s director general, Stanley Similo, said the corporation is using its full legal and moral authority to oppose the behaviour.
He reminded the public that freedom of expression does not include hate speech, defamation or incitement towards discrimination.
NBC said tribal hostility undermines national unity and contradicts the values of a democratic society.
The NBC explained that its acquisition of the Miss Namibia and Miss Teen Namibia franchises was part of its public-service mandate to ensure fair and inclusive opportunities for all young women.
It said this mandate is being undermined by the current wave of tribal attacks.
NBC further added that it will consider legal action against offenders, including reporting them to law enforcement, initiating civil suits for defamation and applying statutory provisions that address harmful online conduct.
It affirmed its responsibility to protect its platform, its participants and the unity of the nation.
National leaders have also spoken out on tribalist attacks on Swartbooi.
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare called on Namibians to stand behind Swartbooi as she takes part in the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Thailand.
Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture minister Sanet Steenkamp congratulated Swartbooi and urged the public to vote for her.
ICT minister Emma Theofelus addressed the rise in tribal rhetoric on social media. She said tribal discrimination does appear online but stressed that Namibia does not suffer from systemic tribalism that denies opportunities based on ethnicity. She warned that if such divisions take root, society risks fragmenting.
