President Nangolo Mbumba has said that Namibia being a secular State has many benefits, but cautioned religious leaders against taking advantage of the people.
He made these remarks during a courtesy visit by three religious groups, including the Southern Africa Union Conference Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís, and the Establishment of Africa Jews Federation and Chief Rabbinate of Africa at State House on Tuesday.
“Let it be for the benefit of all Namibians that we practice our religions… not to gain money, not to gain reputation, and not proclaim ourselves to be bishops, archbishops, prophets or whatever, but just to be people of God,” cautioned the President.
Mbumba indicated that one of the things Namibians often complain about is that Namibia is a Christian countr. However, being a secular state has its benefits, as it does not block ideas or principle, and is open to everyone.
He further noted that prior to independence in 1989, leaders took two decisions: that the government cannot separate itself from the church, and that there must be a healthy respect for traditional leaders; therefore, it cannot separate itself from society.
On their part, Southern Africa Union Conference Seventh-Day Adventist Church member Brian Mundia said they have 142 churches across Namibia with a total membership of 26 000, including seven schools aimed at transforming the world into a better place.
Meanwhile, Establishment of Africa Jews Federation and Chief Rabbinate of Africa member Rabbi Elnatan Elchanan Namhadi, in a lengthy conversation with Mbumba, indicated their wish to introduce Torah diplomacy, which is defined as the law or teachings of Judaism.
“We have so much to contribute to society, not only at a political level, but at a religious level,” he said.
On the same note, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís’ Sophie Tekie thanked the Namibian government for being a secular government, where all religions are equal.
“We enjoy the freedom of association and the freedom to practice our religion, and this is not the case in other countries. The Bahá’ís stand for the unity of humankind, the unity of all races, and all religions of God,” she said. -Nampa