For more than three decades now, the nationalists, liberators and founders of the Namibian nation have been grappling with the untangling of Namibians from the claws of apartheid and oppression mentality. Although this struggle has been fought from all fronts, the signs are that the war is far from being over. What is disturbing is that people who are professed to be nationalists are fuelling the ethnicity battle.
This has emerged in regions where nationalists are engaged in the inherent tension
between the inclusive, unifying ideals of nationalism. Namibia being a nation that is multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-linguistic seems to be a victim of this nationalistic-ethnicity struggle.
In the process, the urge for the country to be “One Namibia One Nation” becomes an illusion as the forces of ethnicity overcome the unity of purpose trend.
It is therefore important that national unity must reconcile with deeply-rooted ethnic differences. This is the nationalistic principle that should create a cohesive national identity that transcends individual differences. But unfortunately, some individuals are steering their own ethnicity agendas, when
nationalism aims to foster a sense of belonging and loyalty to the nation-state.
The inclusive nature of nationalism encourages citizens to identify with the nation
as a whole, emphasising shared values, history, and aspirations. But the sad story about nationalism in many states is that ethnic groups might have different values, history and aspirations which the national leadership may not be able to reconcile in forging the national identity. Promoting and identifying oneself with
one’s ethnic identity is becoming a daily occurrence, as many Namibians are scrambling for resources and better services.
Ethnic identity, in principle, is seen as characterised by shared cultural traits,
language, religion, and ancestry.
It often leads to strong in-group loyalty and solidarity, but also to the exclusion of those who do not share the same ethnic markers. Ethnic identities are deeply ingrained and can be resistant to change, especially when they are tied to historical grievances, cultural pride, or socio-economic status.
This is where the national card finds it difficult to engage in fair play, especially if the leaders are involved in deep-rooted ethnicity ideology and philosophy.
Lamb (1990) in his book, ‘The Africans’ maintains that despite its advantages, nationalism has failed to take root in Africa because many African political leaders pay lip-ice service to the philosophy.
In addition, Africans have not harvested tangible nationalistic fruits.
Like other countries before Independence, Namibians took an interest in chorusing, “One Namibia, One Nation”; “An Injury to One is An Injury to All”, and many more deafening sloganeering. These slogans are now hollow, mute and dead, maybe demised forever,
leaving many Namibians wallowing in poverty and despair, in the wake of gross mismanagement of their resources.
The real paradox is that whereas some nationalists seek to create a unified national identity that includes all citizens regardless of ethnic background, others are bent on tearing the process. However, in an ethnicity-engrained nation, ethnic groups may prioritise their own identities and interests, leading to fragmentation and resistance to national integration.
This trend, if not nipped in the bud, may wreak havoc in the national state. In Namibia, this trend of putting self and ethnic interests first is evident almost everywhere, starting from the political leadership down to both administrative and traditional structures of governance.
Another aspect of the national states is unity versus division, where other ethnic groups
may feel marginalised or threatened by the dominant national narrative, leading to demands for autonomy or even secession.
But nationalist movements often promote a homogenised national culture, which can marginalise or suppress ethnic diversity, which can result in policies of assimilation or cultural erasure, provoking resistance from ethnic groups and undermining national cohesion.
In mitigating the forces of ethnicity, it is imperative therefore that nationalists should advocate for the equal treatment of all citizens under the nation-state. In most cases than not, the leadership at all levels may act otherwise by placing their interests at the expense of the nation-state.
However, ethnic hierarchies and historical inequalities can persist, leading to unequal access to resources, political power, and social status, which might lead to perpetual conflicts. Some countries have failed to contain this explosive ethnicity syndrome by being insensitive to its existence.
Managing the paradox of nationalism can take the form of inclusive national narratives by crafting a national identity that celebrates diversity. This strategy should incorporate multiple ethnic narrativesm and assist in fostering unity without erasing distinct identities.
Another important strategy is allowing the decentralisation of some services and authority as Namibia is currently doing now in order to address the needs and aspirations of different ethnic groups within a unified national framework.
Governments should equally promote dialogue and reconciliation between ethnic groups in order to help heal historical grievances and build trust in the national project.
Equitable development in ensuring that all ethnic groups have access to resources and opportunities can mitigate feelings of marginalisation, and foster a sense of
belonging to the nation.
In conclusion, the paradox of nationalism in an ethnicity-engrained nation is a complex and ongoing challenge.
Balancing the inclusive aspirations of nationalism with the exclusive realities of ethnic identity requires careful, context-specific strategies that acknowledge and respect diversity while striving for national unity. By addressing the roots of ethnic tensions and promoting inclusive policies, nations can work towards a more cohesive and stable future.
* Prof. Makala Lilemba is an academician, author, diplomat, motivational leader, researcher and scholar.