people on the ground are tolerant

April 20, 2001: The LGBT community is not the first minority to be targeted by Namibia's President Sam Nujoma, Ian Swartz, chairperson of The Rainbow Project said at a briefing in Johannesburg. 'Earlier on Nujoma victimized disabled people, people living with HIV and Aids and whites.' The well attended briefing was organised by GALA and Behind the Mask.

In Swartz opinion the problem lies with the ruling party, Swapo, and not with the people on the ground. 'I have been on radio and tv and in the newspapers a thousand times, so people recognize me. I never experienced any agression.' Swartz says he knows of 'many Swapo members, even MP's and ministers, who do not agree with the president. But up to now they do not have the guts to come forward.' And therefore the homophobic campaign goes on. Swartz: 'Fourty percent of the people is unemployed. There is enormous poverty and at least a quarter of our polulation is HIV infected. Against this background of crisis Nujoma probably thinks 'let's first get rid of all the unwanted and unpure people before the land is given back and jobs are created.' Looking at recent developments, Swartz thinks that the lgbt-community is 'the outer ring of an onion that got peeled by the government.'

constitution
In principal the Namibian constitution is supportive to minorities, though freedom of sexual orientation is not explicitly mentioned as in the South African constitution. Swartz: 'But do people feel the constitution is theirs? Or do they look at it as a document drafted by expatriots and Swedish experts during Namibia's transformation to independence?

allies
But there is good news as well. Swartz: 'There is a massive women's movement. Its massivity might be a problem, it leads to compromising. But potential allies are to be found amongst women. Straight men do not have any interest in changing the status quo.' Besides groups like the feminist Sister Namibia project, support for the lgbt community comes from all daily newspapers, the National Society for Human Rights, the southern African human rights network and the Legal Assistance Centre, being TRP's strongest supporter. Swartz: 'I have campaigned for the Congress of Democrats in last years elections, but only one or two MP's are able to initiate debate in Parliament. As a party they are not willing to lgbt-rights are human rights.' There is not much hope if it comes to the judiciary. Swartz: 'It is characterized by inaction at its best. But in the Liz Frank - Elizabeth Khagas case the judges rejected our claim that the constitution recognizes lesbian relationships as equal. Homophobic statements by Nujoma and Home Affairs Minister Ekandjo were presented as evidence of public opinion.'

Support from the international community is impressive. Many governments and organisations protested against Nujoma's attacks. The South African Equality Project and the Durban LGBT Centre also sent messages of support. Swartz: 'But I suppose we expect a little bit more. We would feel encouraged by solidarity messages from individuals.' Swartz: 'People in South Africa must also be aware that their constitution could be undermined. They shouldn't relax and feel that everything is alright. There can be a rude awakening down the line.'

poor and unemployed
In the discussion that followed Swartz briefing Zackie Achmat, spokesperson for the South African Treatment Action Campaign, said that the lgbt organisations must debate strategies more intensely. Achmat: 'One of the problems is that lgbt people are often portrayed as rich tourists. That feeds the prejudices of some rulers. The reality is that a huge majority of the lgbt community is poor and unemployed.' Swartz announced that The Rainbow Project is preparing its third Annual LGBT Week, to be held in June 2001. Swartz: 'So far all radiostations have agreed to pay special attention to lgbt issues during the week in all Namibian languages.'