In any given society, fake news is spread about individuals, a group of people, or an organisation. 

Fake news has a long-term impact not only on the individuals who are targeted, but also beyond them. Terms used by some Oshiwambo dialects to refer to fake news are ‘ooli’, ‘oipupulu’, ‘uumbudhi’, ‘eemhwaki’ or ‘okulundila’. 

On 27 November 2024, exactly five days from now, registered Namibian voters will cast their votes for their preferred presidential candidates and political parties through Presidential and National Assembly elections. 

My observations are that fake news has been created lately with the view to influence voters on who to vote for, and which political party to vote for. Fake news has three main players, who are not playing for the benefit of either one.

This is mainly the creator, the receiver and the transmitter or distributor, who will remain the victim. This article seeks self-introspection, and to identify the long-term negative impact on the part of the three main players. 

The questions to all of us are: which role do I play? Are you nakuvega-aanhu-omitse-mumwe (instigator of fight)? Are you kalegetse (the transformer of fake news)? Are you ‘omunhu wa Kalunga’ (an innocent receiver of fake news)?

In an environment where choices need to be made, fake news is a dishonest campaign to deny the decision-makers their fair opportunity to decide. Normally, the weaker contender diverts the attention of the decision-makers by blackmailing or spreading rumours about their contenders. 

They run out of ideas to legitimately sway people on their side. Such contenders are not driven by the genuine wish to serve. 

Rather, they seek to grab opportunities for their benefit. 

I refer to any contestation at the personal level up to the organisational level. Creators of fake news attempt to steal the attention of the decision-makers out of fear. 

In the true sense, creators of fake news are fake in nature because they recruit transmitters or distributors of the fake news to keep their identity unknown, and to remain living in the illusion of their lies. 

Transmitters of fake news are the first victims of the creators of fake news, who teach and encourage dishonest lives by spreading the fake news. It is necessary to know and understand the danger caused by telling lies, being dishonest and being untruthful. 

Equally, we must think about the creator and distributor’s lifestyle and culture in society. 

‘Omunhu ha tula ooyakwawo mokatoo’ (A liar) ! 

The big questions one needs to ask are, up to which level will fake news end? If a culture of fake news is created to win the hearts of supporters, helpers and sympathisers, will this culture not continue to scapegoat citizens, even when it is time to deliver quality services? 

One may ask further if the way of living is based on fakeness, how can people be  onvinced that promises made are not fake? 

At this point, it requires all of us to know that the main commandment is ‘Do unto others what you want them to do unto you’ or ‘Love another person as you love yourself’. 

Here, the consideration is that things will be done exactly the way how they started. 

Therefore, this is a serious call to all of us to guard against fake news, as it does harm and breaks the community.It creates an unsustainable society and future. 

Let us prevent raising and breeding members of the community with immoral principles, which are taught by those who are supposed to teach them to be honest and work hard for survival. Some famous statements in one of the Namibian dialects confirm that once you are a suitable person or organisation for a specific purpose, regardless of negativity, you will remain the best. God’s will is to be done according to the right time. ‘Owuyelele ihawu sindwa komilema’ (Darkness never wins over lights). 

‘Omunanghono ke yelike’ (A hard-working person is always liked). 

‘Kalunga inhyi e shi ku pungulila iheshi li po’ (Things which God reserved for you will always be there for you). 

The best thing is to continue doing right unto others. Fake news creators should remember that they do more harm to the Namibian nation by teaching the future generation immoral practices, and by endangering the future of our country. 

The targets of fake news should not panic. 

I must highlight here that one of the targets of fake news is Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the presidential candidate of Swapo. 

It is very clear that her work profile is convincing. Some contenders, due to lack of words to deem that positive attribute on her candidacy, opt for fake news against her. 

My message to Nandi-Ndaitwah is to continue being transparent, and bring the best of herself to the fore. Another statement of encouragement is that the tallest palm tree with delicious palm fruits will be thrown with stones by many people because all of them want to have a share of it. 

Therefore, when people create fake news about any person, it serves as an indicator of good things happening to them. 

Even so, the bigger picture to all of us shall be that of His Excellency, late president Hage Gottfried Geingob, that we must live happily as Namibians in a ‘Namibian house’. 

Even during this period of election campaign activities, one must consider that after the elections, all of us will continue to live in Namibia as Namibians.

*Fransina Ndatelela Kahungu is the Swapo Women’s Council secretary and former mayor of Windhoek. She writes in her personal capacity.