Windhoek: Miss Namibia Organisation Chief Executive Officer, Umbi Karuaihe-Upi has condemned the tribalism, cyberbullying, and racist attacks against reigning Miss Namibia, Johanna Swartbooi, who is currently competing in the Miss Universe pageant. Karuaihe-Upi, in an interview with Nampa, expressed her concern over the 'disgusting and unprecedented' attacks on Swartbooi.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Karuaihe-Upi stated that the Miss Namibia Organisation is taking these insults very seriously, describing them as not only tribalistic and cyberbullying but also racist and defamatory. Despite the negativity, she reassured the public that the majority of Namibians and international supporters are behind Johanna, emphasizing that the negative voices are in the minority.
Karuaihe-Upi also mentioned having a productive conversation with Swartbooi regarding the situation, with the current focus being on Swartbooi's participation in the Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to take place in Thailand on Friday. She praised Swartbooi's mental strength and highlighted the constant support from her family and the organization.
The CEO addressed the issue of online hate, stating that the Miss Namibia Organisation would pursue legal action against the perpetrators in due time. She emphasized Swartbooi's civil liberties and legal protections concerning racism and defamation, noting that consultations with lawyers are ongoing.
In a separate interview, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, spoke on the issue of tribalism in Namibia, particularly its presence in online spaces. Theofelus clarified that while systematic tribalism does not exist in Namibia, incidents of tribal discrimination often emerge on social media platforms.
Theofelus warned against the dangers of allowing tribalism to take root, which could detrimentally affect the country's development. She stressed that in Namibia, opportunities are not dependent on tribal affiliations, and any child can aspire to achieve their dreams regardless of their background.
The minister highlighted the impact of tribalism on the younger generation, particularly in digital spaces, and emphasized the ministry's role in promoting safer online platforms to prevent cyberbullying. Theofelus noted the government's efforts through the Ethical Use of Social Media campaign, which promotes positive online interactions.
Additionally, Theofelus discussed the 'My Nationhood and National Pride' programme, which aims to address tribalism by fostering unity and pride in Namibia's diversity. She described the campaign as a proactive initiative designed to cultivate champions who advocate for the message of 'One Namibia, One Nation.'