Geingob is ‘above tribes’

Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari says president Hage Geingob’s attendance at the Annual Damara Festival over the weekend shows the head of state is there for all Namibians and is “above tribes”.

“His attendance is a demonstration that he will continue to champion unity in diversity for the Namibian people. The president believes these events should promote tolerance and understanding, and not tribalism,” he says.

Geingob has not attended this event since he became president nearly nine years ago, despite several invitations.

Some quarters in the past misconstrued Geingob’s no-show to the annual festival as an attempt to render Damara chief Justus //­Garoëb unimportant by declining his invitations to the annual cultural event.

In 2020, Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leaders Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb accused Geingob of favouring some tribes and ignoring the Damara tribe.

According to Swartbooi, this shows the president undermined the value and the role played by the Damara king in their community.

Swartbooi said the president was always running to the Ondonga king, where he was made to sit on a small chair, while the chief sat on a big chair.
Swartbooi also criticised the president for attending several annual olufuko festivals at Outapi.

“You will submit to the northern kings and sit on a small chair while ignoring the Damara king. Ndongas are also fighting, but they are recognised,” Swartbooi said.

The chairperson of the Council of Traditional Chiefs, Immanuel /Gaseb, says he is happy with Geingob’s attendance of the festival.

The president says he has nothing against //­Garoëb, but has had to turn down various invitations from him for various reasons, including political ones.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, /Gaseb said Geingob is a human being and “also a Damara-speaking person”.

He said the president could previously not attend the festival, because “he was busy”.

Geingob also attended the first San Cultural Festival at Gobabis on Friday.

Earlier this year, he also attended the Omagongo Cultural Festival.

Meanwhile, political experts say Geingob’s efforts, while praiseworthy, need to go beyond mere symbolism.

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says Geingob’s recent engagement with traditional and cultural events appears to be a form of symbolic governance, disconnected from the harsh realities on the ground, particularly concerning the San and Ovahimba communities.

“Such efforts must translate beyond mere rhetoric, symbolism and politicking,” he says.

“Geingob’s gestures to attend cultural events carry some significance, although I fear it might be too little too late . . ,” Kamwanyah says.

Political activist Rui Tyitende says Geingob has faced previous accusations of reluctance to attend cultural events organised by minority ethnic groups while showing eagerness to participate in Aawambo tribe festivities.

“Geingob is exiting the corridors of power and does not want to be accused of never having attended festivities of his kith and kin,” he says.

Tyitende says Geingob may be concerned about //­Garoëb’s previous remarks, suggesting the Ovambo people have held leadership for a long period, and other tribes should have their turn.

“It is such sentiments that president Geingob is concerned about. More so now that it is being expressed by young people and perceived economic exclusion of minority ethnic groups,” he says.

Tyitende believes Geingob is actively seeking support for Swapo amid challenges.

“Being the first non-Ovambo president, ethnic minorities thought he would transform their material conditions for the better. With a year left before he steps down, it appears everyone is disillusioned and feels alienated,” he says.

Tyitende suggests Geingob’s cultural visits may also serve to reinforce the state’s official messages of ‘unity in diversity’ and ‘one Namibia, one nation’.

Political analyst Henning Melber says regardless of the underlying motives and level of sincerity, celebrating unity in diversity can only be beneficial.

Melber says acknowledging and respecting culture and traditions is a valuable endeavour, provided it doesn’t inadvertently promote tribalism.

“What will matter is to which extent the translation into real policy is visible and credible,” he says.