The skirmishes that are reported to have taken place in the Zambezi region, allegedly between supporters of different political parties or candidates, are regrettable. There should be no room for political intimidation or intolerance for others’ political affiliation. Such actions are bad news everywhere.

According to reports, supporters of a political party and those of an independent candidate clashed during campaigning, resulting in the situation becoming physical. This ought to be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all and sundry. It will be a bad day in Namibian politics if candidates cannot campaign freely or advocate for support in certain areas.

Namibia is a free country for all, meaning no one should lay claim to a certain part of the country as being a political domain of theirs. Voters are not robots; they are human beings with minds and choices that may change at any given time. They can choose to support you today and shift their focus to your opponent in the next election. Such is the genesis of the Namibian republic and one of the pillars on which this great country of God rests, democracy.

The Namibian constitution, touted to be one of the best in the world in many aspects, make no secret of the fact that its drafters envisioned democracy to be at the core of the republic. That and free will. Free will dictates that your rights ends exactly where that of the other person starts. You simply can’t have carte blanche as far as rights are concerned; many more need to milk from the democracy cow that is Namibia.

Namibian forefathers, many of whom laid down their lives for the liberation of this country, surely did not do so to watch the country’s citizens turning against each other.

Political intolerance, when left to be, can have devastating effects on any democracy and possibly destabilise a country. Admitting and accepting that you do not share the same political home with the other person is a sign of maturity, discipline and respect for the rule of law.

The onus rests on political formations leaders to preach the gospel of unity in diversity; we cannot be uncomfortable with others simply because our political homes differ. As such, messages from leaders should not be those that instill a strong sense of “us” and “them”. It should be about agreeing to disagree on certain aspects.

Namibia has been hailed the world over for her relatively young, yet stable democracy and respect of the rule of law. And we all contributed in our own different ways to the favourable status quo.

Government lead the pack by enacting laws that are pro-democracy and centred on tolerance and respect for one another. Citizens, including those who may not necessarily agree with the order of things, chose mediation and consultation over other harsh and hostile approaches. This is commendable and worth emulating in all sectors of the country.

Dear Namibians, the political front is a sensitive area that needs to be tread with caution. We cannot allow, let alone afford, a situation that will lead to our basic rights and privileges being suspended. A situation that will breed more worry than hope; more anger than happiness. Hence, let us shun any form of political intolerance.

At this stage, it does not matter anymore who is or was in the wrong in Zambezi; all that matters is how we move forward as a country and as one big family. We still have the real test – the casting of ballots in front of us. Let us march there with conviction, freedom from interference and influence.

Penduka Namibians! Shun political violence. It is not worth it.