A politician named Adolf Hitler Uunona is poised for a significant electoral victory in Namibia, as local elections approach on November 26, 2023. The councillor, who gained international attention in 2020 due to his unusual name, is expected to retain his seat in the Ompundja constituency with a commanding majority. The country’s electoral commission forecasts another decisive win for Uunona, who previously garnered 85% of the vote, securing 1,196 votes against his opponent’s 213.
Uunona, who is affiliated with the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), has maintained that he bears no connection to the infamous historical figure. He emphasizes that he thought his name was “normal” during his childhood. “My father named me after this man. He probably didn’t understand what Adolf Hitler stood for,” Uunona told the German publication Bild in 2020. He further explained that he only grasped the full implications of his name in his teenage years.
Despite the historical baggage associated with his name, Uunona has taken a firm stance against any association with Nazi ideology, which led to the deaths of millions during World War II. He clarified that he is dedicated to serving his community and has no intention of pursuing any oppressive agenda. “That I have this name doesn’t mean that I want to subjugate Oshana now,” he remarked.
Namibia, a former German colony situated in southern Africa, has a complex history that still resonates with its present. The nation retains many German names, and approximately 120,000 German tourists visit each year. The shared colonial past has fostered ongoing discussions regarding reparations, particularly in light of atrocities committed during the early 20th century, when German colonial forces violently suppressed uprisings among the Herero and Nama peoples.
Uunona’s political career began as he joined anti-apartheid fighters with Swapo, which has governed Namibia since the country gained independence from South Africa in 1990. His electoral success reflects a unique political landscape where a name synonymous with tyranny contrasts starkly with local governance rooted in community service and anti-colonial activism.
While Uunona continues to navigate the implications of his name, he is committed to his role in local politics. He has acknowledged that it is now “too late” to change his name, as it appears on all official documents. His wife typically refers to him as Adolf, and he prefers to go by Adolf Uunona in daily life.
The juxtaposition of Uunona’s name and his political stance highlights a broader narrative about identity and history in Namibia. As the nation prepares for the upcoming elections, Uunona’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities that arise from colonial legacies and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation in a post-colonial context.
