Popular Democratic Movement Lawmaker Proposes Two-Year Relationship Requirement for Marriages Between Namibians and Foreigners

Popular Democratic Movement lawmaker, Elma Dienda has proposed that couples involving Namibians and foreigners must have a mandatory two-year relationship before marriage. This suggestion was made during discussions on a new marriage bill tabled by Minister Albert Kawana, which aims to replace the Marriage Act of 1961 and restricts marriages to opposite-sex couples. Dienda argues that this requirement would reduce marriages of convenience and prevent individuals from scamming Namibians for citizenship.