Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has condemned the Supreme Court’s ruling, compelling the government to recognize same-sex marriages certified in courts outside the borders of Namibia.
The landmark ruling, delivered by a full bench of Judges including Chief Justice Peter Shivute overturned a high court ruling from last year, which refused to recognize same-sex marriages in Namibia.
SPYL Secretary Ephraim Nekongo says there is no provision of Namibian laws, written or unwritten, supporting homosexuality. He has since suggested that the SWAPO led government “should avoid participating in the dark forces’ demonic agenda, which aims to undermine our values, our culture, and every moral fiber on which the operation of our society is predicated”.
He added that although the party understands how critical it is to promote inclusivity and guarantee equal rights for everyone, the issue of same-sex marriage is not currently a top priority.
“Homosexuality has no basis in our laws, both written and unwritten. Ours should remain the advancement of socio-economic development, employment creation, industrialization, quality education and health care, as well as the sufficient provision of basic services to the masses of our people. Homosexuality should therefore never find a slot in our progressive agenda. Our people want economic emancipation and not homosexuality,” said Nekongo. According to him, a majority of Namibians do not accept homosexuality or same-sex marriages.
“The SWAPO Party Youth League alike does not accept nor condone the backdoor smuggling of the imperialistic agenda of homosexuality, that seeks to infest our country and our society with the demonic agenda. This will bring about the moral decay and backwardness of our country,” he said.
Furthermore, the party urged the government through its representation in Parliament to draft laws that express the party’s position as a group in opposition to homosexuality and all that it entails. Additionally, Kalimbo Iipumbu, Deputy President of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), slammed the Supreme Court’s decision last week, saying the court cannot act as the only legislator in the matter.
“It was indeed a majority judgment in that it was passed by a greater number of judges on the bench of the Supreme Court yet it does not reflect the view of the broad spectrum of our society. It is essential to involve the broader public in such significant social and cultural transformations, as they have a fundamental role to play in shaping our nation’s future, ” he said.
Additionally, Iipumbu agreed with Swapo’s sentiments, stating that the decision is contrary to the basic principles of Namibian society.
