National identity among youth in post-independent Namibia

Abstract

When one considers what would constitute a country's National Identity, one could look to countries like the United States, which is likened to a "land of opportunity"; or South Africa being referred to as the "Proud Rainbow Nation" as examples of what it could mean. It was suggested by Diescho (2006), if only jokingly; that Namibia could be called the "Zebra Nation"; however what this statement leaves one with is ambiguity. Namibia is regarded as a country that is as diverse in its natural environment as it is among its different societies and social structures. The 'zebra' comment leaves one with a problem; firstly a zebra is not as such a diverse creature, it contains two colours; its black and white stripes. However, if Namibia cannot opt for the option of being identified as the 'Zebra Nation'; what should or rather could this country be identified as? Moreover, to what extent has the youth of post- independence Namibia identified themselves with the identity of their country? The attempt of this research project was to explore the existence of a Namibian Identity and if so, does this Identity manifest itself in its country's youth. It was stated by Mufune (2002) that the youth of Namibia could be viewed as change agents .. . from a racially 'divided society to a more integrated nation. However, on of the many questions that t)1e research paper would ask would be if these 'change agents' can identify themselves as a Nation, and part of a Nation.