Human rights activists in Namibia have denounced the hate messages expressed during a protest march in the capital, Windhoek last week and have vowed to pressure the government to take action against the perpetrators.

Some 200 ethnic Hereros marched through the streets of Windhoek carrying posters that had hate messages scribbled on them. The most striking message read, 'Kill all whites' and is believed to be the most extreme hate message ever seen in post independent Namibia.

Namibia's National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has strongly condemned the hate expressions, saying such messages are obviously intended to intimidate or incite violence against 'our own' or any other whites in the country.

Phil ya Nangoloh, executive director of NSHR said his organisation will not allow their community to be weakened by others who are full of hate and anger.

'We take very seriously the tone and content of these messages, which are clearly designed to sow discord between blacks and whites in the country,' said Phil ya Nangoloh.

Nangoloh called upon the government, not only to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, but also to denounce the hate expression.

'This incident is likely to have a negative effect on our tourism industry as most of our tourists are whites,' he said.