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Race/Ethnicity
Religion
Gender and Sexual orientation
Ability
Race/Ethnicity
Despite a relatively small population (1.8 million),
there is rich ethnic diversity within Namibia. At least 11 different
ethnic groups contribute to Namibia’s diversity and bring unique
languages, culture, dress, traditions and craft to Namibia as a
whole.
While the majority of Namibians and South Africans
are blacks, there are also white and coloured minorities. Of the
white minority, the group is made of German, Afrikaans and English
speaking people.
Namibia’s current ethnic make-up and social
integration has been dramatically impacted by previous colonial
regimes. During German colonialism in the early 1900s, large
populations of the Herero and Nama ethnic groups were killed in
battle or enslaved at work camps.
During German and South African colonialism, white
colonial leaders divided people by and allocated resources based on
race. During South African rule, apartheid dictated that non-white
Namibians be segregated from white Namibians, and further segregated
by ethnic group. As a result, individual ethnic groups developed
insularly and the apartheid policies created sharp ethnic divisions.
Resources were provided in a reverse priority basis.
The white minority were provided with the best education and social
services, while non-white populations were given significantly less.
Namibia’s and South Africa’s coloured population was used as a
buffer between whites and Blacks during apartheid. Coloured is a
term used to refer to ethnic groups that originated from historical
inter-racial mixing.
Despite a transition to democratic rule in 1990,
ethnicity and race in Namibia is still a charged issue. Today the
country has retained the geographic separation of ethnic groups as
was established during apartheid. Further, as a result of economic
discrimination and a lack of job opportunities provided before
independence, there still remains a wide gap between rich and poor
based along racial and ethnic lines.
Today there is a growing Asian
entrepreneurial community. Many immigrants are coming from China to
Namibia to set up businesses colloquially known as “China Shops.”
Many Namibians feel threatened by their pressure and feel that they
are taking jobs away from local Namibians.
For some white participants, coming to
Namibia and South Africa may be the first time you will be a
numerical minority. Participants may feel very uncomfortable as they
may draw attention from local passersby’s. Many participants have
noted that walking around town or taking taxis points them out as
tourists as many local whites drive their own vehicles. Many white
participants will be singled out by local people asking for money or
food as they may connect being white with having money.
Additionally, many participants may be given more attention or
privilege that non-whites in Namibia based on historical racial
divides. This can create a challenging tension that individual
participants must acknowledge and negotiate.
Black and African American participants
undoubtedly will have a unique time interacting with black Namibians
and South Africans. Despite sharing the same skin color,
participants will find that black Namibians and South Africans
experience and perceive race and identity very differently from
African Americans based on the historical and cultural differences
between the two groups.
Additionally, people of color may find that
Namibians and South Africans assume they are locals or that they are
not from the United States. Some people in Namibia and South Africa
have the perception that all Americans are white. Thus, when they
meet non-white Americans, people may be very confused at the
discrepancy.
Religion
Many Namibians incorporate a strong sense of faith
and religion into their lives. Approximately 90% of Namibians
practice Christianity, but indigenous spiritual beliefs are still
practiced by many people. Som e
people practice Christianity and also practice indigenous beliefs,
while others practice one or the other more exclusively.
Christian missionaries in Namibia as early as the
1800s ingrained a strong foundation of Christianity in the country.
Today, the Lutheran Church has a very strong presence in Namibia.
Beyond providing spiritual foundation, many churches have been
active in supporting social causes and development issues.
Participants who stay with host families in Namibia
find that families are accepting of participant’s religious choices
despite their own strong religious beliefs. Attending church or
worship services are a common activity that participants share with
their homestay families.
Participants are likely to find connection with a
local religious congregation. There are many evangelical and
“born-again” churches, as well as more traditional Catholic,
Lutheran and Anglican Churches. There is also a small presence of
other non-Christian religions, such as Judaism and Islam, in the
capital city Windhoek.
Gender and Sexual orientation
Namibia and South Africa continue to make strides to
advance equity in the fields of gender and sexual orientation. While
there is not strong opposition to the gay and lesbian community,
there is on the whole a lack of societal acceptance, especially in
rural or remote areas.
Nonetheless, many gay or lesbian people lead
closeted lives or engage discreetly in same-sex relationships.
South Africa’s constitution is very forward leaning
and outlines the ability for same-sex couples to marry. Its
constitution is heralded as a very progressive and inclusive
mandate, despite the lag that may be occurring among national
sentiments. While Namibia’s constitution does not ban same-sex
marriage, no same-sex couples have applied for marriage in Namibia
to date.
Since Independence, the gay and lesbian community
has gained slow recognition and acceptance. Strong homophobic views
were voiced by the government soon after Independence, but such
remarks have not been made recently. Active non-governmental
organizations promote advocacy and organizing around gay and lesbian
rights.
There are many campaigns within Southern Africa to
advance women’s role in government and society. Unfortunately,
despite successful campaigns, gender-based violence is still an
issue in Namibia and remains closely watched by the media and civil
society
GLBTQ participants may feel less support to disclose
their sexuality or sexual orientation. It is often the assumption by
many Namibians or South Africans that you are heterosexual. It will
be up to the participant’s comfort level to decide whether or not to
disclose their sexual orientation. This could undoubtedly change the
way people think about you or change the nature of your
relationship. It is likely that participants can seek out the gay
community in Windhoek, but it is not very open or very large.
Some women who have come to Namibia have found that they
receive more attention from local men than they are used to. Some
men may be forward in asking about a women’s marital status or
dating. It is advised that all participants travel in groups during
night time and this applies particularly to women considering the
forward advances that many men may make
Ability
While many newer buildings make accommodations for people with all
ability levels, many buildings in Namibia are older and lack ramps
or elevators which would accommodate people with a range of
abilities.
Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city, is very hilly
which may create a challenge for people with mobility challenges.
While there are some paved sidewalks, other sidewalks are gravel.
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