I’m a proud citizen of Namibia. For more than two decades, I will gladly say that the bitter feud that existed between different clans were dead and buried to a large extent, but after recent events, I’m afraid to say that the ghost of tribalism is haunting Namibia.

Many Namibians have a strong feeling of division in their hearts and we are forgetting that many people lost their lives in a bloody war to free Namibia. They did not free the country for a particular clan, but for each and every Namibian. Tribalism is visible in schools, work places, locations and astonishingly, among journalists.
Well-known characters are exchanging shocking words in public, creating ill-feelings among communities. It is unhealthy for young Namibians to witness the ‘Domino Effect Theory’ of tribalism. If the elders are fighting and the kids emulate the example, surely the tribal-ghost will haunt Namibia forever.    
The inhabitants of the country are walking on thin ice. If people continue to be enemies, if they continue to exchange shocking words, if they provoke others to make them look bad, then surely the thin ice will melt and Namibia might end up in a civil war. As a developing country, Namibia can be equated to a young adult, who should take cognisance of the fact that tribalism could slow down economic growth. If we continue to encourage the evil feelings of tribalism, it will spread much faster than any pandemic and by the time we’ll find the vaccine against it, it will be too little too late.
Many strongly feel that a strong bond between different clans who are erroneously referred to as tribes is the only suitable solution to calm and cool the situation down. We should avoid judging and provoking each other in a way that promotes tribalism. We should rather help and stand together to build the land we love so dearly. Whether black or white, Nama or Herero, the fact is, we are one nation and we share the same tribulations and a common culture.
Any person, who has been offended, should find a way to forgive and forget for the benefit of present and future generations of the Motherland.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa