New marriage law excluding same-sex unions reflects Namibian culture, tradition – president’s spokesperson

Namibia’s new Marriage Act, which defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman, aims to align the legal definition of marriage with the country’s cultural and historical norms, president Nangolo Mbumba’s spokesperson Alfredo Hengari says.

Mbumba signed the new law on 2 October last year, and it was published in the Government Gazette on 30 December.

The Marriage Act of 2024 states that it will come into operation on a date to be determined in a notice by the minister of justice in the Government Gazette.

Hengari on Sunday said the law is a reflection of Namibian customs and traditions.

While some have criticised the legislation for not recognizing same-sex marriages, Hengari maintained that it does not undermine Namibia’s commitment to human rights.

“The role of the legislature is to pass laws and president Nangolo Mbumba assented because such a law reflects our customs, our traditions, our history and our definition of what marriage is,” Hengari said.

“It does not undermine in any way our commitment to human rights instruments to which president Mbumba is fully committed. Namibia is an open and tolerant country when it comes to the LGBTQ+ issues,” he added.