By Hilja Shikongo
Remarks by Vetaruhe Kandorozu questioning the citizenship of between Education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture deputy minister Dino Ballotti, have triggered a wave of criticism from legal experts, political analysts and members of the public, with many describing the comments as divisive and harmful to national unity.
Proceedings in the National Assembly came to a standstill this week after a heated exchange between Kandorozu and Ballotti’s senior minister Sanet Steenkamp. The confrontation followed Kandorozu’s remarks saying Ballotti was from Italy and further stating, “Namibia does not look like that.” He also said he would not respect white people in Namibia, arguing that they were not Namibian.
Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe was among the first to strongly condemn the remarks, saying racial rhetoric continues to derail meaningful political debate.
“This particular member of parliament never had any new ideas on how to advance a more responsive land reform but would resort to the age old adage of name calling and blatant racism that has not worked over the last 36 years,” Tjombe said.
He added that blaming Ballotti for Namibia’s skewed land ownership patterns was misplaced, noting that the deputy minister is a Namibian citizen who serves in government.
Tjombe also criticized the broader conduct of parliament, saying confrontational exchanges and political theatrics are increasingly replacing meaningful debate.
“With a few exceptions, parliament has been completely inept over the years. The shouting matches that we have come accustomed to and passed on as debates are an existential threat to constitutional democracy,” he added.
Political analyst Ben Mulongeni believes the remarks may have been aimed at attracting public attention.
“Now he is trying to wake up when the fight is over. That fight is over. That era is over. I think he is trying to be popular,” Mulongeni said.
He added that such statements undermine the spirit of the national unity that Namibia has tried to build since independence.
Adding to the criticism, former ambassador to China Elia Kaiyamo advised Kandorozu to broaden his understanding of identity and history, recommending that he reads the book titled, “Afrika ist nicht nur Schwarz” by Jenny Econ, which translates to “Africa is not only Black.”
Political analyst Sackaria Johannes said discussions about identity and history are sensitive and must be handled with care.
“What Kandorozu said is sensitive. The problem is that sometimes we avoid honesty to please society,” Johannes said, adding that historical realities should be acknowledged while respecting the fact that citizens born in Namibia are part of the nation.
Analyst, Ndumba Kamwanyah, warned that racial rhetoric distracts lawmakers from their core responsibility.
“For me the question is how does that language contribute to passing bills in parliament and making laws that improve the lives of Namibians. When you resort to race or ethnicity, you have lost the debate ” Kamwanyah said.
The controversy has also sparked debate on social media, where Namibians expressed sharply divided views. Some members of the public condemned the remarks as harmful and irresponsible.
Community member Peter Ilukena said Kandorozu should be recalled by his party, arguing that such statements undermine the spirit of unity in the country.
“We do not need leaders in parliament who make statements that undermine national unity. Words of this nature have the potential to erode the spirit of unity that defines the Namibian nation,” he said.
Despite the backlash, Kandorozu has maintained that his comments stem from frustration over historical land dispossession and ongoing racial inequalities in Namibia. He withdrew the statement in parliament due to procedural rules and later said his was simply joking.
