• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Africa

‘Second-class citizens’? Namibia rules against gay couples

22 January 2022, 8:44 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
People hold pride flags during the Gay Pride parade.

People hold pride flags during the Gay Pride parade.

Image: Reuters

People hold pride flags during the Gay Pride parade.

Namibia’s High Court ruled against two gay couples fighting for recognition of their marriages, with the judge saying she agreed with them but was bound by the nation’s prohibition of same-sex relations.

Like Namibia, many other African nations still ban same-sex liaisons, with couples risking jail and public scorn.

Daniel Digashu and Johan Potgieter had married in South Africa, and Anette Seiler-Lilles and Anita Seiler-Lilles in Germany – but both couples now live in Namibia.

Digashu, a South African, and German-born Anita Seiler-Lilles had applications for a work permit and residency denied respectively based of their same-sex marital status.

In court, they argued that the word “spouse” in Namibian immigration law should include same-sex couples or the clause be declared unconstitutional.

Judge Hannelie Prinsloo said she agreed but was bound by a more than 20-year-old Supreme Court ruling saying Namibia does not recognise same-sex relationships. “Only the Supreme Court can correct itself,” she said, adding it was high time the constitution reflected social reality.

Disappointment

Namibian-born Anette Seiler-Lilles said while the decision was disappointing, it also gave hope things could change, and that they would now discuss an appeal.

“It impacted us emotionally,” she said of the ordeal, adding that she and Anita, partners for over 20 years and married for 18, felt discriminated against.

Ian Southey-Swartz, a Namibian citizen and programme manager at the Open Society Foundations-Africa which backed the couples, said he was devastated with the judgement.

The current legal position has turned me, and many others in my position, into second-class citizens, forced to choose between our country and our family.

The case marked the latest legal challenge aimed at improving LGBTQ+ rights in Namibia.

In a verdict hailed as a big win for gay couples, in October Namibian Phillip Luhl and husband Guillermo Delgado won citizenship by descent for their son, born to a surrogate in South Africa in 2019.

Share article
Tags: Namibia
Previous Post

AmaZulu royal family member seeks interdict to prevent King MisuZulu from addressing royal event

Next Post

Council embarks on an advocacy programme to promote tourism in SA

Related Posts

FILE PHOTO: A burned tank stands near the town of Adwa, Tigray region, Ethiopia, March 18, 2021.

Ethiopia blames militia for killing 338 people in Oromiya region in June

1 July 2022, 9:33 AM
Live stream card.

LIVE: The inaugural Kenneth Kaunda Memorial Lecture by H.E. President Thabo Mbeki

30 June 2022, 6:11 PM
A woman holds a mock-up vial labeled "Monkeypox vaccine" and medical syringe in this illustration taken, May 25, 2022.

Africa in need of test kits, vaccines as monkeypox spreads

30 June 2022, 4:19 PM

On Africa Newsletter: Issue #2- June 2022

30 June 2022, 4:06 PM
Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi speaks during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, US, September 23, 2021.

Seamless movement of goods among member states needed to achieve SACU objectives: Masisi

30 June 2022, 12:03 PM
Protesters take part in a rally against military rule following a coup to commiserate the anniversary of a sit-in that culminated with Bashir's overthrow in Khartoum North, Sudan April 6, 2022.

Internet cut in Sudan’s capital ahead of pro-democracy protests

30 June 2022, 11:32 AM
Next Post
File image: Tourists on a game drive.

Council embarks on an advocacy programme to promote tourism in SA

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • Limpopo residents concerned about illegal harvesting of the Matumi tree
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Power lines connect in a station.
  • Business

Stage Four rolling blackouts to continue on Friday until 10PM


Taxis carrying passengers.
  • Business

Taxi commuters to pay an additional R5 in fare from Friday


EFF leader Julius Malema and  MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi appear at the Randburg Magistrate's Court for their assault case.
  • South Africa

Malema, Ndlozi assault case postponed to September


A prisoner behind the jail cell bars .
  • South Africa

Mafisa Kgantso given 15-year prison sentence for murdering his girlfriend


Foundation's founder and president of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe
  • Sport

Motsepe Foundation new sponsor of SA’s Premier Soccer League’s first division


A labourer works at the construction site. July 9, 2015. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
  • South Africa

North West MEC blames shoddy workmanship for the poor state of roads


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous King MisuZulu KaZwelithini AmaZulu royal family member seeks interdict to prevent King MisuZulu from addressing royal event
Next Council embarks on an advocacy programme to promote tourism in SA