June 2 2010
PRESS RELEASE
NOW SADC-PF NIXES NUJOMA DOCTRINE

The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) has described polygamous relationships as a key contributor in the spread of the deadly HIV-AIDS pandemic in southern Africa. During a meeting held on May 29 2010, in the southern Zambian town of Livingstone, the SADC-PF has identified inter alia the harmful traditional and cultural practice of polygamous sexual relationships as “a major contributing factor” in the spread of the HIV-AIDS pandemic in the SADC region.

“This notion by SADC PF is a far cry from former Namibian President Sam Nujoma’s own doctrine in favor of polygamous marriages in the name of promoting traditional culture”, said NSHR executive director Phil ya Nangoloh.

Speaking before a huge crowd of mainly members and supporters of his ruling Swapo Party at Outapi, the regional capital of the Omusati Region, Dr. Nujoma, in the presence of, among others, retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) Bishop Dr. Kleopas Dumeni and to the chagrin of NSHR, spoke out strongly in favor of polygamous marriages in Namibia. Nujoma made the deadly utterances as he received 29 heads of cattle and small livestock, as well as agricultural produces from local business people at a colorful party, entitled ‘Dr Nujoma’s Thanksgiving Ceremony’. Nujoma, who turned 81 on May 12 2010, said he himself would marry five young women each one of whom he would give a motor vehicle!

Meanwhile, a UN study, which was released during 2008 on the Kingdom of Swaziland, has also concluded that practices like polygamy and promiscuity are driving rampant HIV-AIDS in the tiny mountain kingdom where nearly 40 percent of adults are infected with the virus. The UN research found that polygamy, widow inheritance, multiple female partners, and extramarital relationships increased vulnerability to HIV-AIDS. Said the UN Development Program (UNDP)'s Swaziland Human Development Report for 2008:

“If one sexual partner in such sexual networks is HIV positive and sex is unprotected, the practice becomes an important driver of the pandemic.”

Swaziland's absolute monarch King Mwasti III has thirteen wives and polygamy is widely practiced in the kingdom. The impoverished mountainous kingdom has been particularly badly hit by southern Africa's AIDS pandemic. South African President Jacob Zuma is also a polygamist.

Namibia’s HIV-AIDS infection rate ranges between 19 and 22 percent.