Vol. 24 #4

N A M I B I A
December 2012
Vol. 24 #4
ISSN 1026-9126
N$ 10.00
Dear Sister readers,
Welcome to the very last edition of Sister Namibia for 2012, and what a year it has been! Sister Namibia,
both as an organization and a publication has grown tremendously over the year. Our growth has
been visible from every edition of the magazine that we have put out, where many changes have
been presented. We have had fun putting together every magazine and we have received a lot of
encouraging feedback from our readers. We still ask our readers, near and far to share their stories
with us. Sister Namibia is a unique platform for African feminist expression-so use it!
Sister Namibia had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Spectra Speaks, a passionate afro-feminist
social media guru-who is on a self-financed trip through out Southern Africa carrying out training
workshops for feminist and women’s organizations on social media. You will notice that Spectra’s work
with Sister paid off from our rapidly evolving Facebook and Twitter platforms. Thank you Spectra! She
also volunteered an evening of her time to design our magazine cover-proving again that collective
action and passion can only yield good things.
This is an exciting magazine for us because we have partnered with many people and organizations
to make it happen. This magazine is four pages thicker because the Land Matters in Art Campaign,
for which Sister Namibia is a media partner, courtesy of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), purchased more space.
It has been one heck of a year here at Sister-but as it comes to an end, we are humbled and pleased
with the relationships that we have built over the months and the synergies created. We hope for
more such collective actions and collaborations-and look forward to another positively challenging
year.
We wish all our readers a healthy, happy and safe holiday season.
WHO WE ARE:
S
ister Namibia is a feminist organization based in
Windhoek, Namibia.
Our vision is a society that recognizes, protects and
celebrates the full personhood of all women and girls
including respect for our dignity, diversity, sexual choices
and bodily integrity.
We aim to inspire and equip women to make free
choices and act as agents of change in our relationships,
our communities and ourselves. We are dedicated to
developing a new feminist politics and consciousness. We
work for transformation through education, information,
collective action, and celebration.
Our current activities include publishing Sister Namibia
magazine, developing a Young Feminists Programme and
campaigning for women and girl’s sexual and reproductive
health and rights.
We house a resource centre with materials on feminisms
and gender issues in our Windhoek office, and carry out
workshops, forums and events on women’s rights and
gender equality issues.
This magazine was made possible by funding from The
African Women’s Development Fund .
Board of Trustees: Leigh-Anne Agnew (chairperson),
Immaculate Mogotsi, Rudolf Gawaseb, Nicky Marais, Sandy
Rudd, Dawn Pereko and Fransina Mutumbulwa.
Contact us
Windhoek Office
163 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Eros, Windhoek
PO Box 86753, Windhoek, Namibia
Telephone: +264 (0)61 -230618 or 230757
Fax: +264 (0)61- 236371
Email: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Website: www.sisternamibia.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SisterNamibia
Twitter:
@SisterNamibia
Cover:
Spectra Asala
© Sister Namibia 2012
All Rights Reserved. No part of this magazine may be used
or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not
necessarily those of Sister Namibia.
WHAT’S INSIDE
6
14
11
REGULARS
CONTENTS
Amanda Kaipiti:
In search of a dignified life
4/5
Barbara Nyathi:
Surviving cancer
6/7
Women:
Power, democracy & representation
8/9
11
Surviving Silly Season
Womens Mental Health:
Understanding and helping in adversity 9
Land Matters in Art:
Call for entries
11/16/22/35
Feminist Forum: Charity begins at home...
or does it? 26/27
Brother Namibia
17
Women’s Safety
18/19
Women & Land
22/23
Poetry
14/27
Women’s Health
24/25
16
Community Action
Women and
the world
Ask Sister Anything
26/27
28/29/30
16 Days campaign
32
Thank You!
37
Today the issue is...
December 2012
38/39
N A M I B I A
3
AMANDA KAIPITI
SURVIVOR STORIES
In Search of a Dignified Life
By Laura Sasman
AMANDA KAIPITI COMES from a village in the South that few people in Namibia know
of. She was raised in !Huns close to Tses where she also started school. Because she was
a bright girl, her family decided to send her to a better school in Windhoek. As expected,
she flourished in school and consistently got high marks. This attracted much praise and
attention from teachers.
Unfortunately, when she was in grade 9, her lifescience teacher abused the trust that Amanda
had in him by molesting her sexually. Amanda’s
dreams and life were shattered and she was
driven to near insanity. She could not believe
just how naive and trusting she has been and she
blamed herself for the abuse. She struggled with
her school work, became quite ill, had problems
with her memory and she often thought of killing
herself. She was even confined to a psychiatric
hospital for a while. Her life was spinning out of
control.
4 December 2012
N A M I B I A
The day Amanda decided to tell a teacher about
the abuse, she started regaining control over her
life. She still had to overcome the intimidation by
the teacher and face the ordeal of the molesting
teachers’ disciplinary hearing, but the decision to
take the first step - to tell somebody - probably
saved her life. She also had the inner strength
to remain steadfast throughout the disciplinary
hearings. Her new life-skills teacher and her
psychologist became her pillars of strength
during this trying period. They assured her that
she was not to be blamed for the abuse. She
also drew strength from the fact that her parents
SURVIVOR STORIES
had ambition for her and she did not want to
disappoint them.
However, as is the case in many families, her own
family did not know how to support her during this
difficult time, not because they did not believe her,
but because people rarely are prepared for such a
situation. Amanda completely understands their
inability to help her through her crisis. Whenever
she went home during school holidays, she
nevertheless felt isolated in her pain. Fortunately
supported by a very skilled psychologist, Amanda
learned that healing is a long-term process and that
there were many people, especially teachers who
were on her side.
Gradually Amanda started to put her life into
perspective. She started rebuilding her life one day
at a time. She realised that she had potential and
she started tapping into this potential. She started
making plans for the future and when they failed,
she made new plans. She made the conscious
decision not to be defined or destroyed by the
terrible event, but to live her life with dignity.
When she feels sad, she acknowledges these
feelings and tries to express these feelings in ways
that are beneficial to her.
Amanda still experiences periodic bouts of
depression and she still needs medication for it.
She also continues to receive counselling and she
recognises that these things are part of the process
of healing.
Amanda today, is a third-year social work student
and UNAM. She is particularly interested to
learn about working with people with intellectual
disabilities. On the day that I met Amanda, she
just returned from South Africa where she went
to complete her paper work to go to Sweden as an
exchange student.
While it is not easy to go “public” with her
story, Amanda is hoping that it will give persons
who have gone through similar experiences the
courage and the hope to tell somebody what has
happened to them and to actively seek help. She
is hoping that the story of how she overcame her
terrible ordeal will show others that it is possible
to continue life in a meaningful and dignified
manner.
SIGNS OF
DEPRESSION
Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness –
You feel sad and miserable most of the time and
nothing feels particularly meaningful or funny
anymore. Sometimes you may feel hopeless and
that you will never be able to be happy again
Loss of interest – You have markedly diminished
interest or pleasure in almost all daily activities.
Appetite or weight changes – You may loose your
appetite or you can’t stop eating. You may loose or
starting to gain weight.
Sleep changes – Insomnia or waking up early
hours in the morning with anxiety and worry.
Sleeping too much can also be a sign of depression.
Loss of energy – Deep fatigue even tough you
are sleeping. Your whole body may feel heavy, and
even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to
complete.
Anger or irritability - You are much more
irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual.
Concentration problems - You may find it
difficult to initiate and deal with things. You forget
about thins and have difficulties in concentrating.
Self-loathing – You have strong feelings of
worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself
for perceived faults and mistakes.
Physical signs of depression – You can also
experience physical signs such as shortness of
breath, palpitations and aching muscles.
A deep depression can lead to recurrent thoughts that you
have an incurable disease or are about to suffer an economic
crisis. These thoughts are almost always exaggerated,
sometimes even completely wrong. It is difficult and
sometimes nearly impossible for the depressed person to
understand this, despite the fact that family and friends
often declares otherwise.
Thinking about death and having suicidal thoughts is
part of the disease at a deeper depression. In more severe
cases these thoughts can lead to suicide attempts and
suicide. In bipolar disorder, occur depressive episodes,
interspersed with periods of elevated mood. Bipolar
disorder is also called manic-depressive illness. At the
so-called unipolar disorder, you have recurrent periods of
depressive symptoms.
December 2012
N A M I B I A
5
BARBARA
SURVIVOR STORIES
NYATHI
‘I don’t feel sorry for
myself & I don’t
want others to feel
sorry for me’
BARBARA NYATHI CHOSE a profession in
which she would help others deal with emotional
and psychological hardship. Having reached her
personal and professional goals, being an active
and healthy sports person, her future seemed
secured and the world seemed to be her oyster.
In late 2008 Barbara, a young psychologist,
accompanied her medical-doctor husband to
Namibia because there was no future for them in
their homeland, Zimbabwe. As an accompanying
spouse, she initially was not allowed to work
in her profession, so instead of resting on her
laurels, she decided to volunteer her time and
skill, within the context for the Reach for
Recovery programme of the Cancer Association,
to help cancer patients deal better with the
devastation and ordeal of their illness. The
decision to volunteer at the Cancer Association
happened more or less spontaneously when, one
day, walking to town from her home, she in the
spur of the moment decided to offer them her
services. While she assisted her clients to the
best of her professional ability, she could never
comprehend the full extent of suffering and
turmoil that a cancer patient may go through.
The world stopped making sense to her only a
few months after moving to Namibia. Young
and active up to this point, Barbara was a keen
runner. As a person who took care of her body,
she went to the doctor for a pap smear and got
the shattering news that she had very advanced
cervical cancer. Trying to make sense of her
diagnosis she reflected that there is neither a
family history, nor any logical explanation for
6 December 2012
N A M I B I A
SURVIVOR STORIES
this. She lived a healthy life s tyle,did not smoke,
ate well and exercised.
The diagnosis left her completely crushed and in a
state of shock. How was it even possible that she
could end up being “one of them” – meaning a
cancer sufferer/ patient? Why was this happening
to her?
Barbara slipped into depression. She started
thinking of herself as a victim, her self esteem
was severely dented. This of course affected her
relationship with her husband and with others and
she felt very isolated in her state of illness.
Trying to come to terms with her own illness and
the fact that she will not ever be able to have a
child, she finally understood the emotional and
psychological blight that cancer can result in.
During this crazy time she could count most on
her husband. With a professional understanding
of what was going on, he was there for her. The
unwavering additional support from friends and
colleagues from the Cancer Association also meant
a lot during this time. The fact that they could
read her bodily needs in addition to her emotional
needs meant that her discomfort and pain could
be eased through seemingly small gestures like
placing a pillow under her back. This helped her to
literally snap out of self pity and depression.
Barbara now had a hard talk with herself. She
still refers to this hard talk as tough love. She told
herself that she was still alive, that others might
not be as fortunate as she was – in the sense that
her cancer was detected at a time when something
could still be done. She had both the financial
and medical means to take care of the cancer. She
started celebrating each day and the people in her
life. She stopped fixating on the cancer. She made
it a point to be happy. This helped her to bounce
back.
HOW TO COPE WITH
DEPRESSION
Just as the symptoms and causes of depression are
different in different people, so are the ways to feel
better. What works for one person might not work
for another, and no one treatment is appropriate in
all cases. In most cases, the best approach involves
a combination of social support, lifestyle changes,
emotional skills building, and professional help.
Make healthy lifestyle changes or maintain your
healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy naturally boosts
your mood and regular exercise and sleep as well.
Ask for help and support from family and
friends - Even tough you feel like staying in and
not seeing anyone, try to talk about it as much as
possible and be open about your situation. Isolation
will only fuel the depression, so reach out for
support.
Seek information and get to know more about
the disease - If you already know about the signs
and symptoms, you will be able to recognize them
and deal with them earlier.
Build your emotional skills by working on how
to manage stress and challenge your negative
thought patterns. Try to address why and in what
situations you get stressed out or sad.
Ask for professional help - A doctor will help
you decide which treatment is right for you.
There are different kinds of therapy such as,
psychotherapy, mindfulness or cognitive behavioral
therapy. Psychotherapy is often combined with
antidepressants. Antidepressants are not always
needed and they will not cure anyone from the
disease, but they will relive some of the symptoms.
If the depression is severe electroconvulsive therapy
can be effective.
Now cured, Barbara feels that every person is
innately resilient and can bounce back from
hardship. However, she feels, resilience needs
to be practiced. Hardships must be seen as
challenges. She considers other people’s empathy
as essential for a recovering person. Her faith
and the fact that she is much loved are also very
important for her recovery.
Today, she sees just how good her life is.
December 2012
N A M I B I A
7
WOMEN’S AGENCY
8 December 2012
N A M I B I A
Women:
power,
democracy
and
representation
By Hergen Junge
Power is (a) a persons’s ability to work and
produce efficiently and (b) the ability to wield
power in society.
When we acquire skills we empower ourselves.
To achieve that we must commit ourselves to our
productive potential and learn how to channel
energies. Disabled athlete Johanna Benson
has done that. Disabled people are often forced
to believe that they will always be weak and
dependent. Johanna Benson discovered that she
could run well and aimed high. Good was not
good enough when she could be perfect. She
never gave in to big-fish-in-a-small-pond celebrity
and won gold and silver in the Paralympics.
Good skills and commitment allow us to
produce as self-employed people or in women’s
cooperatives. They also improve our chances to
find employers who hire us for our merits.
In the past, work demanded muscle power
and privileged men, but our post-industrial
world requires intellect first and foremost. Girls
perform better at school than boys because they
are intelligent and, unlike boys, do not have to
demonstrate that they are not intellect-driven
nerds and wimps.
Once upon a time, reproduction and the need
to raise a new generation gobbled up most of
women’s energies and allowed men to prescribe
‘women’s jobs’. We now have the medical means
to regulate women’s reproductivity and allow
women to participate fully in social production,
whether it is doing scientific research like
Madame Currie or engage in education, research
and community work like Mampela Rampele.
Women’s creative potential is linked to planning
parenthood and banning accidental pregnancies,
unwanted children and hit-and-run fathers. Our
government and our churches should not shy
away from improving birth control and, in the
worst cases, permitting abortions.
Social power can be harmful: One person’s
empowerment can be based on other people’s
WOMEN’S AGENCY
disempowerment: If somebody expects you
to kneel or prostrate yourself in front of him
this enhances his power but at the same time
demonstrates the inferiority and insignificance of
the person grovelling in the dust. In a zero-sum
calculus the dignity of one person is enhanced by
the indignity experienced by others. The leaders’
bling and pomp has to be paid by his subjects,
who, in this process, may even accept corruption
as the African Way of Living.
Zero-sum power – “I gain the power that I take
away from others” – is bad. Democracy can
prevent it. Many African polities had publicmeetings democracies (khotla, pitso, indaba).
Modern societies – because of sheer numbers
– have opted for representatives as long as
cyberpublics do not work fully. Representatives
cannot really be nailed down to their task of
putting voters’ interests and dreams into practice.
Without feminist parties women do not have
women representatives.
After Apartheid many Namibians were satisfied
when a political or business leader was “one
of us”. Even if “one of us” surrounded himself /
herself with all bling we could still believe that he /
she blinged for us. This was frequently taxpayers’
money and the blingified elite lost contact with
commoners and their interests and made them
unrepresentative.
Men and women were in the struggle jointly
and activated their creative energies. We were
convinced that independence would entrench
gender equality would be entrenched and
unleash a creative upsurge. But the crisis of the
educational system and the re-emergence of the
public belief that women are a lesser breed is
dampening our optimism. That we have lowered
the standards to get instant success, have
established an advancement system that is not
based on merit and achievement and have given
in to a bling-now culture has not helped.
What is worrying us most is the frequency of
girls with accidental pregnancies, girls who
have manoeuvred themselves into dead-end
or, at best, very difficult situations. We are not
amused that Robert Mugabe, whose consorts
‘progressed’ from revolutionary intellectual Sally
to shopaholic Grace, has become a spokesperson
of Global Power Women Network Africa and
African feminism and that the Father of the Nation
imagines wedding five young women with cars as
wedding gifts.
December 2012
N A M I B I A
9
Iinima ya pamba evi paunkulungufano – Oprojeka
yokuthaneka omafano gopaunkulungu yaNamibia
nOmauliko
Kutha ombinga moonkundathana dhotango
dhopaunkulungufano “Iinima ya pamba evi
paukulungufano”
muNamibia.
Oonkulungu
adhihe mokuthaneka otadhi indilwa dhi gandje
omaiyuvo gawo paunkulungufano kombinga yevi
nomalunduluko ge na sha nooveta dhevi muNamibia.
“Eindilo ndika lyu ukilila oonkulungu
mokuthaneka osho wo omafano gopaukulungu”
olya nuninwa oonkulungu mokuthaneka
omafano gopaunkulungu dhomihoko adhihe
nodhomaukwatyakalo ga yooloka. Kutha ombinga
mompito ndjika inai monika nale, opo wu gandje
ehokololo lyoye nokutopolelathana euvoko
lyoye kombinga yomalunduluko gooveta dhevi
muNamibia. Ngoye ano owi itala ko ngiini shi na
sha nevi nelunduluko lyooveta dhevi?
Opamikalo dhini wa tala ko evi kutya uuthiga woye,
nuuntsa woye?
Tuma efano nenge omafano goye gopaunkulungu
pamwe nofooloma yomainyolitho: okuza
momasiku 21 sigo 25 gaJanuali 2012 koNational
Art Gallery yaNamibia.
Kutha ofooloma yomainyolifo ko> www.landmatters-in-art.com/participate
Omauwanawa ngoka oonkulungu mokuthaneka
ndhoka tadhi ka kutha ombinga tadhi ka mona:
✔ Otaa ka pitikwa okulongitha iilongitho
mbyoka yi li po inayi gwanena ayehe, yomOsenda
yAathaneki yaJohn Muafangejo
✔ Otaa ka pitikwa okuya moSpace studio oshali
nenge oku yi longitha inaa futa sha.
…mokuulika omafano ngoka ga hogololwa osho
wo oonkulungu mokuthaneka konima sho dha
hogololwa mo kaagandji yiitsa.
10 December 2012
N A M I B I A
✔ Otaa ka pewa onzapo yekuthombinga
✔ Aathaneki otaa ka mona ompito yokulanditha
omafano yawo
✔ Otaku ka nyanyangidhwa okaatoloko taka ulike
efano limwe lyomuthaneki
✔ Owebsaita yoprojeka ndjika otayi ka gandja
omauyelele kombinga yaathaneki mboka taa
kutha ombinga pamwe niilonga yawo (omathano
gokoitaneta), omukalo ngoka otagu ka
monikitha omafano gawo kaantu oyendji.
✔Aathaneki mboka taa ka kutha ombinga otaa ka
pewa ompito opo omafano gawo ga hogololwe ga
ka ulikwe komauliko omanene ga dhenga mbanda
ngoka taga ka ningwa momisiuma/momahala
gomaulikilo mOvenduka
✔ Otaku ka gandjwa iimaliwa yokwiilongitha
melongo lyopombanda yi li 3 x N$5000
✔ Iilonga yopaunkulungu (Omafano) mbyoka ya
hogololwa mo otayi ka landwa po noku ka ulikwa
kUuministili wEvi nOmatulululo
✔ Omahangano ogendji oga tokola nale oku ka
landa po omafano pethimbo lyomauliko opo ye ke
ga gwedhwe kwaangoka ge na nale
✔ Eyambidhidho lyoshimaliwa shi na sha
nomathanekodhiladhlo giilonga yopaunkulungu
mbyoka ya hogololwa mo*
*Ngele oho longo miilonga yi na sha nevi nenge
yokutula mo omafano, tu kwatha wu tume
edhiladhilothaneko lyoye ethimbo kehe manga
omasiku 30 gaNovomba 2012 inaga pita. Omafano
ngoka omanene naga tumwe no-i-meila.
Ngele owa hala uuyelele wi ihwa po kombinga
yoprojeka naayambidhidhi yawo inda ko: www.
land-matters-in-art.com
Opatrona yoprojeka: Minista Alpheus G. !Naruseb,
Uuministili wEvi nOmatulululo
Ninga ekwatathano na: Katharina Wyss, [email protected]
SURVIVOR STORIES
SURVIVING
SILLY
SEASON
By Laura Sasman
“HOME”, FOR MANY NAMIBIANS, means the place
where the family originates from, whether it is
from Okahao, Tses, Usakos, Epukiro, Berseba,
Kasote, Swakopmund or Karasburg. It does not
necessarily mean the house in Windhoek, or in
Keetmanshoop, where we stay during the year
because we are working or going to school in
these towns.
time busy with homestead and agricultural
duties, you also want to use this time to
recharge your battery so that you have enough
energy to face another year.
Come Christmas holidays, everyone who has
the means, usually is intently focused on going
“home” or on leaving Windhoek or Keetmanshoop
as soon as we can. This usually means that
Windhoek, from about the middle of December
to about the first week in January, runs empty.
Many people leave Windhoek for a holiday break.
These lucky ones inevitably will find themselves
trekking to the coast where they will spend
their holidays boosting the coastal economy by
excessive partying and drinking and eating too
much. These “binnelanders” will also contribute
considerably to the general agitation of their
coastal compatriots – the latter who actually are
heavily dependent on the extraordinary spending
habits during this time of year.
Lots of people spend time with family that they
maybe do not get on especially well with. Things
with family, sibling rivalry and politics potentially
can be an explosive mix. So it is important that
you think about ways beforehand that can help
you cope. Give yourself some down time and go
out for a walk or away from the house at some
point.
Those who migrate “home” usually are returning
to homesteads and farms to take care of duties
and chores left during the year. This means that
especially women who during the year were
busy earning money in the cities and towns, now
have to “earn their keep” by preparing their
homestead’s mahango fields for the coming rains
if they are from the north. Elsewhere, women
will be involved in milking, carrying water and
domestic and family-related chores.
Because this is also the time when people
have to put their relationships that have been
neglected during the year in order, there will
be lots of socialising, and eating and drinking.
There usually is a lot of stress around unresolved
disagreements and conflicts.
Regardless whether you spend your Christmas
break holidaying, or whether you will use this
The following are tips that may help you not only
survive the silly season, it may actually leave you
energised and ready for the new year!
While it is tempting, try to avoid eating too much
braaivleis/ kapanas and pap as this will surely
not be good for your already-over-stretched
nerves and high-blood pressure. Instead, try to
eat as much raw vegetables and fruit as you can.
In hot weather it is important to keep your
cool. Drink lots of fluids. Water is the best,
but fruit juices are also excellent since they
provide an additional source of vitamins and
anti-oxidants. Drinking alcohol also dehydrates
the body and coupled with the heat, you may
end up getting heatstroke. Namibian breweries
recently launched a non-alcoholic drinks range,
try replacing alcoholic drinks with some of these
beverages.
Set limits to what you are willing to do for your
family and relatives. Women usually are the
ones who are stuck with looking after children
and family during this time. Remember you also
need time for yourself to be able to recuperate
enough to face another year. Learn to say no to
the demands of the family and friends and take
time to rest yourself.
Nothing remains but for us to say happy holidays!
December 2012
N A M I B I A
11
WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH
Understanding
and helping
in adversity
By Laura Sasman
LIFE CAN BE hard and more often than not, joy is tempered with sorrow. Stress and crisis are
a lot more common than we sometimes assume and it affects people of all ages and life stages.
Luckily humans have the ability not to be completely overwhelmed by it. There is not a woman
on this earth who has not experienced stress.
Stress in moderation is good for you. It releases hormones that can help you to function better.
“Good stress” should be seen as a kind of challenge, be it an emotional or a physical challenge.
When you overcome the stressful situation, you may have a sense of accomplishment or
invigoration, which helps you to move to the next challenge. Stress can occur at the individual,
personal, family, community as well as national levels.
People deal with stress differently. What some see as simple stress, could be the onset
of a crisis or even trauma for others. There are people who after events such as financial
stress, divorce, illness, death, accidents, etc remain hopeful and resilient, while other may be
completely devastated by the same situations.
The word “crisis” refers to an individual’s ability to handle and control a stressful situation. A
person is in crisis when her current resources and coping mechanisms are exceeded. When
I still worked at PEACE Centre, I learned that stress and crisis are for the emotions and
psychology of a person what bruises are for the body. It may cause a swelling or turn colour, but
it does not cut into the flesh and bone. A crisis may be caused by a single, unforeseen event
like an accident, a crime or illness, or it can be the result of a simmering series of events such
as the slow train wreck of a breakdown of a relationship.
12 December 2012
N A M I B I A
WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH
Trauma on the other hand, is significantly different from stress or a crisis. One must image
trauma as a gaping wound to the body. This wound will not heal without immediate expert
medical attention and the patient may bleed to death. As with stress, trauma refers to an
individual’s perception, the way in which one sees or experiences, an event. When a person
is traumatised, that person cannot function normally. The person may show a number of
symptoms including avoidance of familiar places and situations, intense fears and anxiety,
sleeplessness or nightmares, hyper vigilance or depression. These symptoms usually persist
over months or years. When a person starts showing these symptoms a long time after
experiencing a potentially traumatic event, it is called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What is it then that makes different people respond so drastically different to the same or similar
life situations? It is firstly important to recognise that any-one, regardless of her psychological
strength can be affected by hearing, seeing or experiencing a horrific event. Resources that
help a person dealing with stress and overcoming crisis and trauma are both in the person
herself and are often unknown to the person, until such time that it is needed.
The ability to adjust to new situations and change your attitude and behaviour to handle new
challenges as they arise should not be under estimated. When you are able to adapt quickly
to your to a new situation, the impact of that situation is softened. Adaptability increases your
resilience and helps you get back on your feet again after a crisis.
For some, faith and the belief in a higher being is important for dealing with stress and crisis as
it gives people the confidence that they will overcome adversity. This is closely linked to hope
that things will become better. Hope has to be optimistic and realistic and not just a wishing card
expectation. You are optimistic if you can still find humour even in difficult situations.
When you have a purpose for yourself and/ or those close to you, you might deal better with
difficulty as you are focusing on and moving towards a goal. Tenacity, or persistence or not
giving up on your plans is very important here.
Having others who care for you and for whom you care in return is a very important motivator for
overcoming crisis. If you know that others depend on you or that there are others on whom you
can depend during adversity, means that your burden is shared. Remember, in a crisis, your
ability to help others can be a powerful way to help yourself.
When helping a friend or loved ones through a crisis, saying “I know how you feel” might be one
of the worst things you can say, unless of course you really have had to go through a similar
crisis. You can help your friend, simply by being there, or helping with practical things such as
child care or preparing meals.
The most important survivor resources are not learned and are innate or instinctive. Everyone
has the ability to automatically act in self preservation.
If you suspect that you were traumatised by an event, it is important that you seek professional
psychological help. SN
December 2012
N A M I B I A
N A M I B I A
13
13
POETRY
Kids
Like tides
Change.
They push
their fingers against
their skin
and force
themselves into new
shapes.
Some evolve
Into things dazzling
And bright
(like butterflies). They uncurl
Their tongues
Against the promise
Of sweetness.
It’s still too early
To tell
What you have become.
Walk up to a mirror
For a quick check.
There are eyes,
A nose and a mouth
But that can mean a multitude.
Occasionally
You see yourself in the shapes of
Rabbits
And shrews
And other beings
small
and easy to scare.
Mostly you fear
Grace too close to violence.
Lions,
You know,
never lie with lambs.
14 December 2012
N A M I B I A
Kids
By Inger Junge
Yininke yokuhamena Evhu moUnkurungu –
Proyeka zoUnkurungu waNamibia nElikido
Hamena meuyungovali lyokuhova
lyopaunkurungu “Yininke yokuhamena Evhu
moUnkurungu” moNamibia: Vankurungu
weyi yokumoneka wokutundilira komaruha
nagenye geparu kuna kuvazigida va
kambeke ko kuwoko komatunturo gawo
gokuretesa po yininke gokuhamena evhu
newapukururo evhu moNamibia. “Ezigido eli
lyoVankurungu noyirugana yoUnkurungu”
kuna kuza kovankurungu womaraka nagenye
nokonontundiliro dopankarapamwe dokulisigasiga. Hamena mompito ezi zokulifanena yipo o
simwitire ruha rwesanseko lyoge nokuligawinina
esingonono lyoge lyewapukururo evhu
moNamibia. Ngapi omu o lihamesere kevhu
nekewapukururo evhu? Pononkedi musinke o
mono evhu asi upingwa woge, enyanyu lyoge?
Gava sirugana (yi-) soge sounkurungu nankenye
foroma zokuhwilidisa: 21- 25 Murongagona 2013
moNational Gallery zaNamibia
Foroma zoKuhwilidisa kuzihegumwisa > www.
land-matters-in-art.com/participate
Mauwa govankurungu wokuhamena mo:
✔ Kugwana mpito koyiruganeso yoyisesu
kupitira mEvega lyoUnkurungu lyaJohn
Muafangejo
✔ Nompito domawoko-woko/eruganeso
mawoko-woko nonkondwa dokukwatera
mEvega lyoUnkurungu lyaJohn Muafangejo
… moyirugana novankurungu va horowora,
pongendeseso zouhunga:
✔ Nzapo zehamenomo
✔ Vankurungu ngava gwana mpito
zokurandesa yirugana yawo
✔ Katoroko komaruvara gokugwaneka ngava
ka nduruka va likide yirugana yankenye
nkurungu kutamekera pwasimwe
✔ Websaiti zoproyeka ngazi likida
mapukururo gokuhamena nonkurungu
dokuhamena mo noyirugana yado (evegalikido
lyoponokompiuta), posiruwo sooso kuna kulikida
ediviso kombunga
✔ Nonkurungu dokuhamena mo ngadi gwana
mpito zokuninka asi yirugana yado va yi
horowere elikido lyenene lyomutaro eli ngava
likida momavegalikidiro moVenduka
✔ 3 x 5000 NAD yimalivakwafo yelirongo ngava
yi gavera elirongo lyopontambo zokuzeruka
✔ Yirugana younkurungu va horowora ngava
yi randa noku yi likida moUministeli wEvhu
noUturo
✔ Sivaro somavega kwa tumbwidira
kuranda yirugana yelikido kweyi vana hara
kulipongaikira
✔ Evatero lyopayimaliva koyitumbwiso
yoyirugana younkurungu va tumbura*
*Nsene asi ove kurugana moruha
roUnkurungu wEvhu ndi moMaturopo
Unkurungu, kwa kukuhundira o tume
situmbwiso soge nkenye siruwo
*komeho zaMangundu 30, 2012.
Gava yirugana younkurungu yoyinene
monokompiuta yi pitire moImeyili
(mafano).
Yoyinzi yokuhamena proyeka
novakwavawo moproyeka: www.land-matters-inart.com
Mupahukili goProyeka: Ministera Alpheus
G. !Naruseb, Uministeli wEvhu noUturo
Gokugwanekera nendi: Katharina Wyss,
[email protected]
COMMUNITY ACTION
“WE CAN WORK UPTO midnight and it’s
just so much faster” says Bianca Rooi with
a beaming smile. She is one of the eight
women who are part of the Klein Karas Solar
Powered Sewing Project, which was recently
handed over by the Namibia Protected
Landscape Conservation Areas Initiative
(NAM-PLACE).
The sewing project of women within the Klein
Karas Community were the recent recipients
of solar powered sewing machines which
will be used to produce items for the tourism
market.
Living on small resettled farm 38 km east of
Grunau on the road to Fish River Canyon,
these women have made it a point to use their
sewing skills to generate income, by making
cushions, traditional quilts and the ever
popular Nama traditional dress. Being more
than 200km away form the nearest business
centre, their only hope lies in attracting
tourists to the soon to be opened Information
Centre located on the farm and selling some
of their items. Klein Karas has its history in
being one of the first train stations established
in the early 1900s. The community residing on
this reservation are direct descendants of the
workhands, maids and servants who worked
ate the station for over 100 years.
“I learned sewing from my mother and even
she didn’t use a machine, it was mostly by
hand” says Elizabeth Rooi, the Chairperson of
the Klein Karas Community and patron of the
sewing project.
Solar for the Soul continued on page 20
16 December 2012
N A M I B I A
Solar
for the
Soul
Contributed by NAM-PLACE
CAN A
MAN BE A
FEMINIST?
BROTHER NAMIBIA
By Hugh Ellis
Feminism is a journey, not a
destination.
My feminist journey started in a
logical enough way: as a young man
who was, um, interested in women.
Fortunately, some of them said no,
and some of those, allowed me to
become their friends. And a friend
sees and hears things a ‘lover’ often
does not.
I got to see how some of my friends,
well educated professional women,
were verbally abused in the streets,
got passed over for promotion, and
were often in fear of sexual assault.
I came to think that these were not
isolated incidents, but an indication
of a global culture that, often subtly,
regards females as lesser beings.
I came to realise that, as long as
I didn’t support the struggle for
women’s rights, I was falling short
of my potential as a man.
On my journey, I have learned many
lessons.
One of the hardest was that not all
women are feminists, or will easily
become feminists. “I don’t want a
male feminist – I just want a normal
man,” one former partner said shortly
before breaking up with me. I’ve met
many women who are committed to
the feminist struggle and welcome
the participation of men. But I have
also had women get angry with me
for refusing to be a “manly man”.
Another lesson was that feminism is incomplete without a
commitment to break down other prejudices that hold people back,
especially those concerning race and class. I vividly remember the
woman living in a shack in Okahandja Park informal settlement
who asked me, the feminist journalist, how it would help her if she
magically became equally poor, unemployed and oppressed as her
male neighbour.
I learned also that there are some feminist spaces where men are
not required. The most vulnerable women – rape survivors for
example – will only feel safe to express themselves in female-only
spaces. I’ve been ushered out of some female-only meetings, and
while that was painful, I now see that sometimes (but by no means
all the time) this was necessary.
My most recent lesson is that no one is a complete feminist. The
dregs from an anti-feminist world are still within my head. Nonfeminist friends remind me that I’m the guy who once said, “show
us your boobs!” to a girl in a bikini, or “you deserve to be punched
in the face,” to my ex-girlfriend. I did not carry out my threat, but
part of me IS still that guy. I am still working on my thoughts,
words and actions, making myself a better feminist.
I would like to invite all men to join me on this incredibly
productive feminist journey – start by talking to people, at home
and at your workplace, but don’t stop there! As philosophy
professor Sandra Bartky writes, in Men Doing Feminism, “we
need ‘gender traitors’, and lots of them, to effect a thoroughgoing
reform of our institutions and a wholesale movement to a new
plateau of consciousness.” SN
For more information
on the Who Needs
Feminism? Campaign, go
to www.facebook.com/
WhoNeedsFeminism
December 2012
N A M I B I A
17
WOMEN’S SAFETY
Staying
safe on
longdistance
taxis
DURING
THE
FESTIVE
SEASON
18 December 2012
N A M I B I A
MOST PEOPLE IN NAMIBIA, especially women, do not have
their own transportation and they have to make use of minibuses
– which, like town taxis – are reputed to be very unsafe. While
you might not be able to influence people’s behaviour on the
roads, there are certain things that you can do to contribute to
your own safety when you take a minibus taxi.
Safety starts before you board a minibus or bus, therefore, take
your time, plan ahead and be pro-active. Find out from your
friends or relatives whether they can recommend a good taxi or
bus service. You may also approach various companies directly
and ask them about their safety practices.
Things you might want to find out are:
Is the taxi or bus service properly licensed?
What is their policy about driving time and whether they have
relief drivers?
Are the taxis or buses inspected regularly?
Does the company have notification procedures for roadside
emergencies and breakdowns?
On the day when you intend to travel, ensure that your cell
phone is fully charged and that you have alerted your family or
friends of your travel plans including where and when you will
be leaving and what time you expect to arrive. When travelling,
make sure your clothing and footwear are comfortable, practical
and not pose any additional risks. As Namibia can be very hot
at this time of the year, remember to carry a bottle of water
with you for emergencies, thirst or dehydration.
Ask someone to accompany you to the bus or taxi rank and ask
your friend or relative to stay with you until the minibus leaves.
This person will also be able to help you with your luggage or
baby. Some mini bus taxis will pick you up at your doorstep and
will take you straight to your destination. While these taxis cost
WOMEN AND CULTURE
a little more than others, you will be spared the
expense of getting to the rank and getting there
safely.
from your children, be sure to board together. Once
on the bus, make sure that you know where the nearest
emergency exist is.
When people are travelling on public transport,
they may become anxious and it is not uncommon
for people to start pushing and shoving, pay
attention to the safekeeping of your purse, keys,
personal documents and cards as well as your cell
phone. If you drop something, never go under or
near the taxi or bus to retrieve papers or other
objects. The driver may not be able to see you. Tell
the driver and ask for assistance. Hold your purse
tightly, close to your body. Keep your wallet in a
front or inside coat pocket, or in a buttoned hip
pocket.
Remember, in a bus or mini bus, you are sharing a
small space with several other people. If you want
to travel safely and peacefully, you need to avoid
behaviour that could lead to physical and verbal
confrontation with other passengers. This may
endanger your safety, the safety of other passengers
and distract the driver. It is best to keep to your own
space and to yourself. Do not smoke and listen to your
music only with headphones on. If you see an incident
that could endanger someone’s health and safety,
immediately report it to the bus operator. Your quick
action could possibly prevent serious injury. Shortly
before you reach your destination, call your family or
friends to ensure someone meets you at the taxi rank.
If you are travelling with small children, it is
important that they are well supervised. Make sure
that the children are in front of you and that you
can see them at all times. To prevent be separated
IN CASE OF A
Sister Namibia wishes you a safe and enjoyable
journey and visit with your loved ones! SN
R
D
C
ASH
A
RO
CALL
0819682
MVA Fund Call Centre
MANY
MANY
MANY
MANY
Your call can save MANYMANY
MANY
MANY
LIVES
December 2012
N A M I B I A
19
COMMUNITY ACTION
Solar for the Soul continued...
“We are making the things that we know
how to make from childhood” they say but
with only two manual sewing machines, their
capacity to make a variety of items was low.
They also lacked the skills and techniques
on how to produce more intricately stitched
items.
With support from NAM-PLACE the women
now have more than eight hours of power
stored in the batteries tucked away in
the corner of the sewing room. With the
installation of 4 solar panels mounted
on a grid behind the sewing room, their
situation has changed overnight as they
have also received for new electric sewing
machineswhich run smoothly on solar
energy. The women have welcomed this
support and look forward to the training that
they will receive from Flory Davids a local
seamstress from Keetmanshoop who will be
spending 10 days training them.
The Klein Karas women have a happy
ending, but this is not the case of many
community based development initiatives
within Namibia.
More often than not, access to the cheapest
form of renewable energy such as solar
power is non existent. The potential of
renewable energy has yet to spread to
marginalized communities who really need
the source, and the powering of this small
project is a step in the right direction.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! SEND US YOUR PERSONAL STORIES, TRUE OR CREATIVE AND WRITTEN IN ANY LOCAL LANGUAGE.
FOR EVERY EDITION, SISTER NAMIBIA WILL SELECT TWO STORIES FOR PUBLICATION. THE STORIES SHOULD NOT BE LONGER THAN 600 WORDS,
AND REMEMBER TO INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING YOUR STORIES!
20 December 2012
N A M I B I A
Oviuṋe vyEhi momuano wOviperendwa – Oporondjeka yOviperendwa nOviraisiwa ya Namibia
Rikwamba kotjihungiriro momuano woviperendwa kehi yena “Oviuṋe vyEhi momuano wOviperendwa”
mOnamibia: Ovaperende moviṱo avihe vyehupo mave yenene okuyandja ohambwarakaṋa yavo amave
riraisa momuano omumemena ohunga nehi nomaṱunino waro rukwao mOnamibia. Inga “Omaningiriro
wOvaperende nOviungura vyavo” maye i kovaperende mbe hungira omaraka ayehe okuza moviṱo
vyehupo pekepeke mbya haṋika. Rikwamba kotjiungura tjapeke hi nu u serekarere ehungi roye
nokuraera varwe kutja ove omaṱunino wehi rukwao mOnamibia u ye zuva vi. Ove u ri pi motjiṋa tjehi
nomaṱunino waro rukwao mOnamibia? Omomiano viṋe mu u muna kutja ehi otjirumatwa tjoye, u
nomutongatima na ro?
Yandja otjiperendwa poo oviperendwa vyoye norutuu rwokuritjangisa tji ye ri: 21-25 Rozonḓu 2013
pOnganda yOtjiwaṋa yOviperendwa ya Namibia (National Art Gallery of Namibia).
Herura orutuu rwomeritjangisiro mo > www.land-matters-in-art.com/participate
Ombwiro ndji mai yandjwa kovaperende ovanarupa:
Mave yenene okumuna oviungurisiwa tjiva okupitira mo John Muafangejo Art Centre
Okuungurisa oruveze ndu ri mostudio po John Muafangejo Art Centre
… oviungura novaperende mba toororwa, kombunda yomatarero mave pewa:
Ozombapira zokukara norupa
Ovaperende mave munu oruveze okurandisa oviungura vyavo
Okatoroka ku ke novivara make pitisiwa nu mamu raisiwa otjiungura tjimwe tjomuperende auhe
Orungovi rwoporondjeka maru raisa ondjivisiro ohunga novaperende mbe norupa noviungura vyavo
(momurari worungovi omuraisaviperendwa), nu munao au yerurura omeritjiukisiro
Ovaperende ovanarupa mave munu oruveze kutja oviungura vyavo vi toororwe komaraisiro omanene
nu omananḓengu yapeke ngu maye raisiwa mozonganda ozoraisaviṋa mOtjomuise
Ozondora za Namibia 5000 potutatu otjotjimariva tjokukerihonga kombunda yokumana osikore
Oviperendwa mbya toororwa mavi randwa nu avi raisiwa mOministeri yOmahi nOmahandurisiro
Ozonganda tjiva ze riyandjera okuranda oviungura mbi mavi raisiwa nokukevipwika
Omerizemburuka* nge ri moviperendwa maye pewa ombatero yotjimariva
*Tji u ungura motjitamba tjOmahi poo Omahitisiro wOviperendwa, arikana hinda omerizemburuka
woye ngamwa oruveze ngunda aye hi ya tjita Tjikukutu 30, 2012. Hinda oviperendwa avihe ovinene
novitandauke morungovi (oviperendero).
Kovingi ohunga na indji oporondjeka noveikaendise: www.land-matters-in-art.com
Omuṱakamise woporondjeka: Ominista Alpheus G !Naruseb, Oministeri yOmahi nOmahandurisiro
Hakaena ku na: Katharina Wyss, [email protected]
December 2012
N A M I B I A
21
WOMEN AND LAND
Blind spots for women
on the land pie
By Laura Sasman
my colleagues and I closed our office around 2 o’clock in the
afternoon and drove over to the Katutura Community Arts Centre, where couched in protocol
and etiquette, much singing of our national and the African Union anthems and speeches by
experts, a government minister and foreign dignitaries, the Land Matters in Art campaign was
launched. Sister Namibia was there as one of the two official media partners as such, we are
(voluntarily) obligated to reflect and report on the issue of land and art in Namibia.
The event marked the official call for artists to create a body of visual pieces which showcase to
the world how we feel about land in Namibia. Since then, I on a daily basis am confronted by
a small sticker that reminds me that “ Land Matters in Art.” Every day, I now wonder how land
matters for women and how I feel about land and the land question.
We live in a country where the myth prevails that access to land will cure all social ills. It
therefore is not surprising that it is every Namibian’s dream to own a piece of the land pie. As
with real pie, if among the potential pie grabbers, you have alpha-male personality grabbers, it
is entirely conceivable that a few might walk away with the lion’s share, whereas most will have
to contend with the crumbs only and still others with nothing.
There is hardly a politician, an academic, a bank manager, or a lawyer in this country who is
not completely preoccupied with and living for supplementing his farming income with day
jobs. Perhaps it is because so many city-dwelling fat cats are so busy as weekend farmers and
weekend land owners that there are so many down-and-out rural women drifting to the urban
sprawls we euphemistically refer to as informal settlements. Their need for and interest in land
have shrunk to no more than a towel-width of earth on which they may erect a kambashu.
I read somewhere and I have to agree that women are not a homogonous group and that we
as such, have very different experiences, needs and expectations. I, for instance grew up in an
urban setting, therefore my experience with and expectation fo land would be very different
from a woman, lets say, in Vaalgras or in Nkurenkuru.
A consumer as opposed to a producer of agricultural produce, my interest in land is restricted
to its potential as residential “land” for myself and my family. I sometimes wonder what will
happen if I, an urban-born-and -raised woman from Khomasdal make any other claim on land.
Will I be taken seriously, or will I be sent off at the sound of howling laughter ringing in my ears
for my audacity to even consider joining the land grab.
I now know that there are many forms of land ownership in Namibia. These include title deed
in freehold land and non-title deed in communal land. I was informed that in addition, to
these two types of tenure, the Namibian land mass is divided into national parks, restricted
18 December 2012
N A M I B I A
WOMEN AND LAND
“diamond” and other mining areas, and I am assuming, residential tenure in municipal areas.
I found out that distribution of land is categorised as “white and black individuals’ land,
“companies’ land”, government-owned land, non-Namibian citizens’ land, municipalities and
organisations’ land, and land for unclear purposes.
It would appear that Namibia is gender blind when it comes to matters of land. Cognizant
that women are not a homogenous group, would it not make sense to also reflect how many
women have access to either free-hold or non-title deed land, given that women in sub
Saharan Africa are credited with the overall highest labour-force participation rates and the
highest average agricultural labour-force participation rates? Or is this not true for women in
Namibia?
All of these reflections make me wonder, if I were to make an art work that expresses my
emotions about land, what it would be? I imagine there would be hyenas in that art work.
There also would be quite a bit of if not cherry juice, then real blood, I imagine there would be
gender blind male and female politicians and I imagine there would also be women. However,
the women will be far on the outskirts of the action, looking hungrily. Some might be licking at
a few crumbs, but mostly, they will be onlookers. As for the pie, there will not be any pie left for
anyone to share in.
What are your reflections on land in Namibia?
Share your thoughts on
Land Matters in Art on
our Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/
SisterNamibia. Or
SMS your reflections to
us at
+264 818 357 065
December 2012
N A M I B I A
23
HEALTHY, HAPPY
BONES
WOMEN’S HEALTH
ADULT HUMANS NORMALLY have 206
bones in their bodies. Bone is living tissue,
which constantly is either built or dissolved.
The bones make up the skeleton which
supports and holds the body upright, helps
the body moves and protects some of the vital
organs such as the brain, heart and lungs.
When bones become weak or diseased, they
fracture more easily and can be the cause of
considerable pain and discomfort, as well as
impede movement of the body.
Among the diseases that affect bone are
arthritis, rickets and osteoporosis.
Women generally are more likely than men to
develop osteoporosis. The word osteoporosis
literally means porous bones and as suggested,
this is a disease that causes bones to become
weak and more at risk to breaking.
The reason why women are more affected
than men is because we tend to have smaller,
thinner bones than men. Also, when a woman
reaches her menopause, her body produces
less Oestrogen, which is a hormone in women
that protects bones. You may not know this,
but women at around the age of 30, stop
producing new bone. While osteoporosis is
generally considered an old-person’s disease, it
also occurs in young children and adolescents
if they have inherited bone diseases, have
physical disabilities or have limited movement.
As girls are under more pressure than boys to
be thin, they generally are more affected by
eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
If a girl’s weight is too low, she stops getting
her period as a result, her body produces less
oestrogen. This, and the fact that they do not
get enough of the right minerals and protein
means that very thin girls are more vulnerable
to bone fractures and osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is sometimes referred to as the
silent disease. Because it happens in the bones
you may not know that you have osteoporosis
24 December 2012
N A M I B I A
WOMEN’S HEALTH
until you fracture a bone. Unfortunately, once
you have an osteoporotic fracture, you are at
high risk of having another. Early detection
of this disease therefore is very important.
Usually your body gives you signs when
something is going wrong. Some signs of
osteoporosis might include losing your balance
and falling frequently, the loss of body height,
spinal deformities such as stooped posture.
The clearest sign is fracturing of bones even
when bumping, straining or falling. Do not wait
to break or fracture a bone before seeing a
doctor. Losing your balance more frequently is
a good enough reason to see a doctor whether
or not you have osteoporosis.
The good news is that osteoporosis can be
prevented and it can be cured. As usual,
prevention is better than cure. Everybody
needs enough vitamin D which is essential
to help the body absorb calcium which is
the most important building block of bone.
The best sources of vitamin D is sunlight (of
which we have more than enough,) oily fish,
including sardines and tuna, fortified milk
and cereals, eggs and liver. Babies usually
get calcium either from breast milk or from
formula. As the child grows, milk, yogurt and
other dairy products are the most important
source of calcium.
In addition to a good and calcium and vitamin
D-rich diet, it is important to do weight-bearing
exercise like walking or running as this helps to
strengthen the bones.
If you want to prevent osteoporosis, stop
smoking, drink alcohol and caffeine only in
moderation, maintain a healthy weight, and try
and avoid becoming too thin.
Remember, it is always good to first consult a
doctor before you embark on a specialised diet
and exercise plan.
For more information:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/osteoporosis/
osteoporosis-and-gender.aspx
4 WAYS TO STAY
HEALTHY OVER
THE HOLIDAYS
Exchange fatty foods with
healthier options: Instead of
chocolate, have dried fruits
and nuts, or you can replace
vetkoek with brown bread.
Have a work out
schedule:
Run, walk, or even do a few simple
aerobics at home, but make sure you
do an activity every day.
Avoid “white foods”- Foods like white
potatoes, white rice and all white flour
products have the ability to increase
your appetite. Thus, it’s best to avoid
them altogether to reduce the chances
of eating more. Replace them with foods
like wholewheat flour, brown rice and
more fruits and vegetables.
Increase your intake of
whole grains and beansReplace starchy foods
such as macaroni, pap or
rice with whole grains and
beans, they are a much
healthier choice.
December 2012
N A M I B I A
25
FEMINIST FORUM
CHARITY
BEGINS AT
HOME...or
does it?
By Mimi Mwiya
ONE OF THE biggest challenges I face daily is that of trying to reconcile what I believe in and stand for as an individual
with what the way I’m expected to be as a woman of the Caprivi. I’ve long been dubbed as “rebellious” in the Caprivi
community simply because I speak my mind and I question a lot of the beliefs and practices from there, I’ve dealt
with this mostly by associating with as few Caprivians as I possibly could. However, all this has done was prove to
me that as clichéd as it may be, it’s true, you can’t run away from your problems.
As part of my curriculum this year I had to spend six weeks working in “my community”, for me that would have been
the small community of Windhoek North, but my supervisor insisted it be Katima Mulilo. So grudgingly, I packed my
bags and went to what must be one of the hardest places for a feminist to live in. The first problem I had was that
of people expecting me to speak Silozi and Subia at work, something I couldn’t do, not only because my command
of both languages is pretty laughable, but also because I just feel it just takes away from the professionalism at
work. The biggest shock to my system however, came on a day we were due to have a meeting with the region’s
traditional authorities, my boss gave me a report to read beforehand which had some of their grievances and they
included: “Women and children have too many rights these days, you can’t discipline a child without the threat of
being reported for child abuse and women are not even afraid to look men in the eye when they speak.” Can we get
anymore backward?
At some meetings, I would be asked to do things just because I was the only woman there, it was as though the
universe was conspiring to upset me, because the way I was raised, telling me to do something because I’m the
youngest is more likely to render favorable results. The occasional sexist moments and remarks at meetings I could
handle, what was harder to deal with was having to listen to my boss (day in day out) say things like “you are just a
woman”, as if I’m somehow lacking in knowledge and skill because I’m a woman, as if I can’t possibly have anything
meaningful to say because “I’m just a woman.”
On woman’s day (August 10th) I had to listen to chauvinist old men say that sex is a need for men whereas it’s
only a want for women, therefore a man has the right to demand for sex whenever he pleases and can seek for it
elsewhere should he not get it from “his” woman. I was infuriated, but I didn’t say anything, why? Because as a
young woman I should know my place, oh the double tragedy, because as a student I had to think about the image
of the university.I could write an entire book about all the things that infuriated me during my time “home”, but it
would be too angry a book, so I won’t.
26 December 2012
N A M I B I A
WOMEN’S
FEMINISTHEALTH
FORUM
FOR
YVONNE
VERA
The tiny silver lining is that I did get
some growth from my experience. I
realized (or rather, I was reminded)
that it’s very easy to associate myself
solely with people who share the
same ideals as me, believe all the
things I do or at least those who
are a little more open-minded, but
the challenge lies in changing the
narrow-mindedness of my own
people. Because heaven forbid
I someday have to permanently
have to work in Katima, these are
the exact same attitudes I’d be
going back to and it really was my
responsibility to spearhead change if
I wanted to see it.
Even closer to home though, I realized that I needed
to change were the mindsets of my family and close
friends, because I can avoid the Caprivi should I put my
mind to it, but I cannot avoid the people in my inner
circle and I’ve realized that they are some of the biggest
homophobic and sexist bigots.
I’m ashamed to say how sometimes a friend or cousin
will say something homophobic or sexist and I simply
don’t say anything. Yes, I’m not agreeing with them, but
I’m not disagreeing with them either, which is kind of
worse because I’m not taking a stand for what I believe
in… and the English do say silence is consent.
I can go to all the meetings, workshops and
demonstrations I like, but it’s quite pointless really if
I come back to poisonous attitudes I do not speak up
against for fear of confrontation. So I’m on a mission
to drag my family and friends out of the dark ages,
I’ve started by putting up a printout of sexual and
reproductive rights in my room, which has been very
popular, because apparently, sex does sell!
You open spaces with words that evoke
that yell and silence
that scream defiance
that sting, that sing
that give the already dead inside some hope
Your words break through with the water of a
womb
developed and heavy
they came when ready
to prove, to move
To resurrect ideals that were entombed
You open spaces with words and inspire
translating the beats of a heart
every murmur containing poetic art
preaching the truth, convincing the youth
exhaling actual reality for them to respire
Your words suffocate the liar and his rhetoric
years of infliction
years of submission
years of tradition, years of affliction
You show how all of his lies nursed a nation to be
sick
You opened spaces with words and created room
for muted voices
for strangled choices
for her, for them
for everyone forced into the maschista fumes
Your words opened, opened the world to your
world
opened eyes to a nation raged
to Zimbabwe’s stage
to women’s lives, to those colonialized
to a place left aside, until we opened your words
By Samantha McQuibban
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! SEND US YOUR PERSONAL STORIES, TRUE OR CREATIVE AND WRITTEN IN ANY LOCAL LANGUAGE.
FOR EVERY EDITION, SISTER NAMIBIA WILL SELECT TWO STORIES FOR PUBLICATION. THE STORIES SHOULD NOT BE LONGER THAN 600
WORDS, AND REMEBER TO INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING YOUR STORIES!
December 2012
N A M I B I A
27
ASK SISTER ANYTHING
ASK
SISTER
ANYTHING
Sister Namibia welcomes our readers to a new page, where you can
send in your questions or problems on absolutely any topic and we
will give you honest, empowering answers. Send in your questions
to 0818 357 065 or email them to us at [email protected].
Dear Sister,
I am 18 years old and I
noticed some kind of liquid
is coming from my vagina.
When I take off my panties
at the end of the day there
is some white stuff on
them. I have never had sex
and I am still a virgin. Tell
me, is there something
wrong with me? Do I have
a sexually transmitted
disease? I am afraid to go to
a doctor.
Maggie
Dear Maggie
Given that you are still a virgin, what you see on your panties in all
probability is vaginal discharge. Most of the time, vaginal discharge is quite
normal and is even important for a woman’s reproductive health. Glands
inside the vagina and cervix are responsible for producing this discharge
which keeps the vagina clean and helps preventing infections. The discharge
can range from clear to whitish in colour, depending on your menstrual
cycle. The amount of discharge may also vary depending on whether you
are aroused, breast feeding or ovulating. Some women and men think that
vaginal discharge is unclean. This is not true. Excessive washing or using
harsh chemicals will strip away the protective barrier that vaginal discharge
provides. This will make you more vulnerable to infections. You only need to
rinse your genitals with warm water and a mild soap and never try to clean
inside your vagina.
While the discharge is a normal phenomenon, you need to be alarmed if the
smell, colour or consistency appears unusual and is accompanied with itching
or burning as it may be a sign of infection. A number of factors may cause
changes in vaginal discharge, including the use of certain medicines like
antibiotics or birth-control medication, yeast infections, STDs, menopause,
etc. If you think your vaginal discharge appears unusual, it is best to see
a doctor or go to the clinic where the health official will ask about your
symptoms and history before prescribing a treatment.
28 December 2012
N A M I B I A
ASK SISTER ANYTHING
Dear Sister,
I am 23 years old and I live with my mother. I have just found out that I am
pregnant and I know my mother will be angry. I told the man that I was with
that I am pregnant. He says he does not want anything to do with me or my
pregnancy. I am also in my second year at Polytechnic and if I continue this
pregnancy I will loose my bursary. I am very depressed and I have thought about
killing myself. I also don’t want this baby. Please help me. I don’t know what to
do.
Eva
Dear Eva
I am very concerned about your state of mind and urge you to find help with
your depression first. My advice to you is to urgently see someone, for instance
the student counselor at the Polytechnic or a psychologist to help you deal with
your depression. Remember there is a solution for any situation, regardless of how
desperate that situation may appear at the moment. This is the time to keep a clear
head. You are in a very difficult situation. Unfortunately, thousands of young girls
and women find themselves in a similar situation every year and there are very few
options available in this country to deal with this problem. My next advice is not to
spend any energy on trying to pursue your ex boyfriend. It is not worth your while
and will only detract from your ability to think clearly and logically. He has already
proved himself to be unreliable and is not worth your trouble and energy.
Unfortunately, in Namibia, abortion is allowed only when continuing the pregnancy
will pose a danger to the woman’s life or constitute a serious threat to her physical
or mental health and then only within the first term (12 weeks) of the pregnancy.
Given your state of mind, I advise that you ask your psychologist or counselor for
an assessment of your mental wellbeing. If there are grounds for an abortion, it
needs to be certified by three doctors, including your own doctor. You will need
to act very quickly if this is an option for you to follow. Other reasons why a
woman may get a legal abortion in Namibia are if there is a serious risk that the
child to be born will suffer from a physical or mental defect so as to be irreparably
seriously handicapped, when the pregnancy is the consequence of rape or incest; or
if the woman is permanently mentally handicapped, therefore not able to bear the
consequence of a sexual act. In order to obtain a diagnosis of the embryo, you will
need an Amniotic Fluid Test or Amniocentesis done as soon as possible.
Abortion is legal in South Africa and there may be some Namibian women who
opt to have pregnancies terminated there. I strongly advise against any plans to
try and terminate the pregnancy yourself or by taking illegal measures to stop the
pregnancy. Too many self-inflicted or backstreet abortions end in seriously injury
or in the death of the woman. In light of the limited options available to you,
you may have to talk to your mother or other trusted family members about your
pregnancy. While she may still be very angry with you, your mother may have a
change of heart and decide to help you when the child is born. Together you may
work out a solution that may allow you to continue your studies and keep the child.
Another option is to leave the child in the care of social workers after the birth.
These, unfortunately, are the options available to girls and women in your situation
in Namibia. It is important that you take agency of the situation, that you talk
to people and get appropriate professional support, and that you consider your
options rationally and realistically. Whatever decision you make, I wish you much
strength during this difficult time.
December 2012
N A M I B I A
29
Agony Aunt
Dear Sister,
I live with my auntie and uncle in Windhoek. I am in grade 8 and my uncle is
paying for my school and my books and my uniform. My uncle tells me that he
loves me and that is why he is taking care of my education. Sometimes when my
auntie and my cousins are not at home my uncle will give me hugs and kiss me
on the lips. I don’t like it when he does that, but I am afraid if I try and make him
stop that he will become angry and stop paying for my school. I told a teacher
at school but the teacher says she cannot do anything. I am afraid that my uncle
will do more than kiss and hug me and I am very scared. Who can I tell to make
my uncle stop this?
Vistornia
Dear Vistorina
This is a very serious matter and I am glad that you had had the courage to write
to me about your problem. Firstly, your uncle is a sick man! What he is doing
is a crime. This has to stop immediately before it goes any further. Next time he
touches or kisses you, immediately tell him to stop or you will tell someone what
is happening. If the touching and kissing do not stop (or even if it does stop, but
you are afraid that he will start again,) tell your aunt or another trusted relative,
friend or school teacher. If any one of the people you tell does not believe you, tell
the next person. Do not stop telling somebody until they listen to you and believe
you. They will then be able to confront your uncle and tell him to stop, alternatively
they will be able to help you get help from the authorities, including from the
police if necessary. If you need to talk to someone about your feelings and/or fears,
or if no-one believes what you are telling about your uncle, you may contact a
LifeLine/ChildLine counselor at the 116 toll-free number. You may phone this
number from any cell phone (Leo and MTC), from land and pay phones and you
may phone from anywhere in Namibia. Always know that you are not responsible
for your uncle’s behavior and this is not your fault.
Send your questions
and/or possible
solutions to our
Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/
SisterNamibia. Or
SMS your questions to
us at +264 818 357 065
30 December 2012
N A M I B I A
Love at first sight:
INTERNSHIP
My experience as an intern at Sister Namibia
By Sanne Klasen
IT WAS ON a Tuesday, the day I first walked into Sisters’ office during their lunch break. The
big room was so welcoming and warm with the wood, the yellow curtains and all the books
surrounding us. The big table was overflowing with newspapers and by the table sat two women,
Sheena and Laura. We had coffee and it was decided that I would start my internship the next
day. I was excited!
A month has gone by and I’ve learned a lot from interning at Sister. Working here, I am
constantly updated on the situation of women in Namibia (and others parts of the world) and we
always take time off to discuss what we read in the papers and online, or our own experiences.
Terrible news regarding violence against women appears everyday but you also come across
driven and courageous women, who bring hope. Things do change, even though, sadly, at a
snail’s pace.
During my time at Sister I have participated in conferences and Feminist Forums which have
taught me a lot about how attitudes differ in Namibia. I realized that while I’m used to things
being seen as either right or wrong, most people seem to have the same view on certain topics
like violence against women or children, marriage etc. Another big difference here, compared
to Sweden where I’m from, is the influence that religion and tradition has on most parts of
society. There is both good and bad in this. What I don’t like about it is when we use tradition,
religion or culture to not take action in situations, like for example abuse or sickness. “Pray for
him or her” people will say. You have probably heard amazing stories of people recovering from
severe diseases from praying. But what about all of the others, all the stories we never get to
listen to, because praying was not enough?
Gandhi once said, “We have to be the change we wish to see”. This, I’m taking back with me
to Sweden. I’m going to become more active and take more responsibility in helping myself
and my sisters. Everybody can do something. Even tough you can’t walk up to the leader of
your community and demand change; you can always be there for someone. Share your story
and strengthen each other in that way. As the feminist slogan goes, “the personal is political
and public”. We must not remain silent; we must at least speak out, and when necessary, take
action!
I came to Sister, as a social work student, wondering how a magazine could be social work, or
even if it really could. Now I have the answer. It sure can. Information is the key to change.
In order to be able to take action and form an opinion about anything, you are going to need
information. Sister Namibia empowers women to make changes in their lives and to know their
rights. Keep up the good job sisters!
December 2012
N A M I B I A
31
SISTER NAMIBIA RESOURCE CENTRE
S
ister Namibia houses a resource centre that has a variety of books and
materials on women’s rights’ issues, sexuality, gender, violence as well
as fiction and non-fiction novels available for lending to the public. To
become a member bring along your ID or Student Card and a N$ 20 annual
membership fee for students and the unemployed, and N$ 30 for other members of the public. The resource centre is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays from 14h00 to 17h00.
Below are some of our new arrivals, donated by BOOK AID INTERNATIONAL.
The Dilemma
of a Ghost &
Anowa
Ama Ata Aidoo
Longman
Publishing
Group (2011)
These two comedic plays are sympathetic and honest
explorations of the conflicts between the individualism
of westernised culture and the social traditions of Africa.
Both plays have been performed to audiences throughout
the world and reinforce Ama Ata Aidoo’s position as one
of the leading creative voices in Africa today.
Dilemma of a Ghost : When Ato returns to Ghana
from his studies in North America he brings with him
a sophisticated black American wife. Their hopes of a
happy marriage and of combining the ‘sweetness and
loveliest things in Africa and America’ are soon shown to
have been built on an unstable foundation.
Anowa : Based on the old Ghanian legend, Anowa, is
the story of a young woman who decides, against her
parents’ wishes, to marry the man she loves. After many
trials and tribulations the couple amass a fortune – but
Anowa realises that somewhere, something is wrong.
32 December 2012
N A M I B I A
Going Solo
Hope Keshubi
Fountain
Publishers Ltd.
(1997)
This short story is a tale of
modern Uganda. After her
adored husband disappears,
abducted by armed men,
Doreen is harassed by her
brothers-in-law. Destitute,
she trains as a teacher. She
uncovers the exploitation and
corruption of two headmasters
and she suffers in the process.
When she sets up a drama and
music project for young talent,
she meets more complications…
Doreen’s story is full of energy
and humour, a lively story close
to our hearts.
SISTER NAMIBIA RESOURCE CENTRE
Asiye’s Story
Asiye Guzel
Saqi Books
(2003)
Asiye's account of encounter and
her two weeks in the security
headquarters in Istanbul, where
she is subjected to horrific
acts of violence, including
suspension torture, gang rape,
and psychological torture, provide
further testimony to the fact that
in the twenty-first-century state,
sponsored violence continues to
take place. The reader cannot help
but applaud the solidarity among
the prisoners and the support
Guzel receives from her family,
including
her in-laws, long-lost cousins, and
friends. Even in the most
desperate conditions and
degrading circumstances, one can
find acts of heroism and great
compassion.Asiye's Story is an
important text in terms of what it
documents and
the debate it spawned at the time
it was first published in Turkey, as
well as the discussion it continues
to foster at home and abroad,
but in addition to its contents,
this book is valuable because the
author is a gifted writer.
Mirage & other stories : A
collection of short stories
and photographs by Amy
Schoeman
Gamsberg Macmillan
Publishers (Pty) Ltd (2003)
In this collection of short stories, photographer
Amy Schoeman, uses the lens of the written
word to explore a wide range of human emotions
and experiences, reflecting and exposing
inner landscapes of a selection of interesting
characters inhabiting her adopted country.
The stories thrive with local Namibian realism.
They contain humour, tenderness, sadness and
anger. Some are touching, others shocking.
Some stories, especially, reveal the sharp thorns
ripping at the seams of our social disguises. The
striking and suggestive photographs provide a
thought provoking bridge between the visible
world of objects and the invisible world of
feelings and emotions that Schoeman explores
in this highly readable collection. They will not
leave the reader untouched or unmoved.
December 2012
N A M I B I A
33
FEMINIST FORUM
!H¡b ÆHœgu DŒÆkhƒsib !nâ - Namibiab DŒÆkhƒsib Projeks tsî ÆGau¸uis
ÆHao re n‡ ¸guro dŒÆkhƒsib di !hoa¸harugus “!H¡b ÆHœgu DŒÆkhƒsib !nâ” ti ¸gaiÅonsas
Namibiab dis !nâ: Hoaraga !kharaga mûhesa x¡n di ¸nuwi-aon ge ra Ækhauhe în Æhao Æîn di
¸nuwikhâi ra Ægâi¸uisendi Åkha, !h¡b tsî !h¡b di Ågora-unus Namibiab !nâ hâs ¸ama. N‡
“¸Gaikhâis ¸Nuwi-aon tsî ¸Nuwisa x¡n” dis ge hoaraga ¸nuwi-aon hoa gowagu tsî !kharaga
Åhûhâsigu dina !oa hâ. ÆHao re n‡ Åœ-aisa !‡s !nâ, î Ægaeba re sa Åkhƒ sa ¸hôas diba tsî
Ågoragu sa mû¸gƒb !h¡b di Ågora-unus Namibiab !nâ hâs ¸ama. Mâtits ra !h¡b tsî !h¡b Ågoraunus Åkha mûÆaresen? Mâ Ågaugu aits ra !h¡ba sa Åumis, sa ¸nŒsasib ase mû?
Mƒ¸gƒ sa dŒÆkhƒsib sîsenna xoa¸gƒsens ¸haweb Åkha: 21 – 25 !Khanni 2013Æî kurib !nâ
National Art Gallerys Namibiab dis tawa.
Xoa¸gƒsens ¸haweba sao rapa ÆgâiÆnâ re >www.land-matters-in-art.com/participate
!Gâi!gâgu Æhao ra ¸nuwi-aon !aroma hâgu:
✔ ¸Gâsoasa ¡hâsa Ænƒ Åoro huisex¡n kœse John Muafangejo Art Centres !nâ-¡
✔ Mario!nâ ¸gâsoas/sîsen¡s sîsen!nâ!nƒ-oms dis John Muafangejo Art Centres tawa
... ÆHûi¸uisa dŒÆkhƒsib sîsengu tsî ¸nuwi-aon !aroma, Ågora!gâs khao!gâ:
✔ Sertifikat Æhaos dib
✔ ¸Nuwi-aon ge Æîn di sîsenga Æamax¡s di !‡sa nî hœ
✔ ÅOasase !kharaga Åûgu !nâ hâ Ægâisa Æamax¡¸khanib gen î Ægâihe Åorodomma ra Ågui sîsenni
mâ ¸nuwi-ao-i hoa-i diba Ægau¸uise
✔ Projeks di websaeti ge mâ-ai!âs n‡ ¸nuwi-aon tsîn sîsengu ¸ama hâsa nî Ægau¸ui (online
gallerys), tsî Ænƒ Ågaus ai nî ¸an¸an¸ui
✔ ÆHao ra ¸nuwi-aon ge !‡sa nî ¡hâ Æîn sîsengu kai, ¸oa¸amsa Ægau¸uis !aroma Æhûihe tsî
ÅAeÆgams di Ægau¸uiÆgâudi !nâ Ægau¸uihe Ækhƒ !khais disa
✔ 3 x 5000 NAD ÆkhƒÆkhƒsens di mƒs Ågapi ÆkhƒÆkhƒsens !aroma
✔ ÆHûi¸uisa dŒÆkhƒsib sîsengu ge nî Æamahe tsî Ministris !H¡b tsî !H¡mƒs dis tawa Ægau¸uihe
✔ ÅNî khama kœ ¸nûi¸gƒdi ge mƒsenxasiba ÆapoÆapo hâ n‡ Ægau¸uihe ra sîsenga Æamasa Æîn
ÅhaoÅhaosa dŒÆkhƒsib di x¡n !aroma
✔ Marisi huib Æhûi¸uisa dŒÆkhƒsib sîsengu !aroma*
*Sadu ga Ånai !H¡b DŒÆkhƒsib tamas ka io DŒÆkhƒsib X¡na !Am¸gƒs !harib ai sîsen, o toxopa
sa aoÆguiba mâb Åguib ga Æae xawe sî¸gƒ re 30 ÅHœ¸gaeb 2012Æî kurib dis ai!â. Mƒ¸gƒ
hoaraga kai dŒÆkhƒsib sîsenga elektronik Ågaub ai e-mails !nâ-¡ (Œsiga).
!Nƒsa ¸ans projeks tsî projeks di sîsenÆare-aon ¸ama: www.land-matters-in-art.com
Projeks ÆKhauba-aob: Minister Alpheus G. !Naruseb, Ministris !H¡b tsî !H¡mƒs dis
Dî!gâdi: Katharina Wyss, [email protected]
34 December 2012
December 2012
N A M I B I A
N A M I B I A
34
CREATING LIGHT:
SISTER NAMIBIA’S 2012
CAMPAIGN FOR THE 16
DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
The 2012 campaign run by Sister Namibia and
partners go under the heading “Creating Light.”
The year 2012 in Namibia, once again has been
a dark year for women. It has been a dark year
in as much as women once again had to bear
the brunt of senseless violence that continues
to mar the relationships bwetween men and
women in Namibia.
This year Sister Namibia has the great honour
to be sharing partnership around the 16days with an unorthodox group of very
distinguished organisations which include
the Namibia-German Association for Cultural
Cooperation (NADS) through the Goethe Centre,
the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre, the
Theatre All Stars, individuals like Hugh Ellis,
the artist Kirsten Wechslberger, Lize Ehlers and
Song-night, Afrikavenir, LifeLine/ChildLine
and Oundano wa Afrika, Land Matters in Art
initiative and the Olof Palme International
Centre. The participation of these organisations
in the 16-days campaign is proof that there
are people and institutions that share and are
committed to the ideals for a world that is free
from violence against women and from genderbased violence. Their generous participation
creates rays of hope for our communities and
the world.
Through these activities, we are hoping that we
may
▪ Shed light on the underlying and shameful
issues that pertain to violence against women;
▪ We are lighting symbolic candles in memory
of those women who have lost their lives at
the hands of people who claim that they were
acting in love – or passion. We reject these
dastardly acts against violence by calling them
what they are, namely cowardly and deliberate
ego trips.
▪ We anticipate that the event and venues may
create spaces for hope in our country.
N
A
M
I
B
I
A
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
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sister Namibia
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creating
light
26 November
19h00-21h00
Feminist Film and Forum Night
on Violence Against Women
Windhoek Theatre School
28 November
19h00
Song Night
Playhouse Theatre
29 November
19h15
Launch Exhibition
Kirsten Wechslberger
Goethe-Centre
5 + 6 December
19h00
Harare Files
Windhoek Theatre School
16 DAYS
OF ACTIVISM
AGAINST THE
ABUSE OF
WOMEN 2012
N A M I B I A
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Feminist Film and Forum
on Women and Land
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FROM OUR READERS
From Our Readers
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answered the question ‘Why is it important for people to tell their
stories?’. Congratulations!
‘It is important for people to write down their stories. It is how they teach others about their
experiences and mistakes; and also empower others wit their achievements.’
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December 2012
N A M I B I A
37
Killing women
in the name of
passion?
TODAY THE ISSUE IS...
MARKING THE END of yet another year, Sister Namibia
staff once again are caught up in making plans for
activities around the 16-Days-of-Activism-againstViolence-against Women. This means, we take time to
reflect on the situation of women in Namibia over the
past year.
Media headlines throughout the year-once again- were
punctuated by killing of women which in the same
media is portrayed as “passion” killings. Somehow I
get the sense that people are genuinely trying to come
to terms with the continued and seemingly unabated
tendencies towards the killing of women in this land
where our ostensible freedom was watered by blood.
The question is only how are people trying to come to
terms with.
I, for one, believe that people erroneously are
referring to the cold-blooded and premeditated
killing of women as “passion” killing. Living in lawful
society, we recognise that the law demands that the
intentional killing of a fellow human being is dealt with
proportionally and “justly.” The law therefore holds the
offender blameworthy and assigns the highest degree
of culpability when the intent to kill is premeditated
and deliberate. The killing of another person is
partially assuaged when there are external reasons
(self defence, accidents, provocations) for the killing.
Killing another person under these circumstances now
becomes manslaughter, as opposed to murder before
the law.
The word passion assumes that the perpetrator was
adequately provoked into a spontaneous, unplanned
and impulsive lashing out – and if a woman (or
anyone) is killed as a result, then this killing can be
38 December 2012
N A M I B I A
seen to be “accidental.” The perpetrator acted out
of human weakness, and while the act of killing is still
unfortunate – even reprehensible – it is nevertheless still
“understandable.”
We find mitigation for the act – for the dead women
surely deserved what was coming! This tendency – to
blame the woman and absolve the perpetrator-became
abundantly clear to all when in October readers were
asked by a local paper – Namibian Sun – to share their
reflections on the issue.
Of the 14 persons (5 women and 9 men) whose opinions
were published in this piece, 8 stated (paraphrased)
that women/girls are “abusing” the men for money only.
This view was shared by 4 of the 5 women asked. One
woman, Ester, went as far to say : “men are spending
their money on girls out of love. He is supporting her, so
the girl should stay faithful. It is hard for a guy to see
the girl with another man when he knows how much he
invested in her.” Louise was of the opinion that “Girls are
“chopping” guys’ money. They need to stand up on their
own, be independent and stop depending on guys. They
should not aim for high things if they cannot afford it,
but be satisfied with what they have. Stop dating sugar
daddies, but date (people) your own age.” Through this
slight of hand, the killings were now mitigated since they
now are blamed on women’s cheating, unreliability and
“manipulation.
Investigating the issue in respect of killings happening
“in the heat of passion” ie., as the result of a compulsive,
unplanned reaction to an adequate provocation, one
needs to understand the circumstance under which some
women were disposed of during the year.
In the case of Elizabeth Ekandjo, who was killed in June,
the killer - the son of a local businessman – entered her
flat through the bedroom window in the middle of the
night, taking with him two bottles of petrol. How was this
individual provoked into acting “in the heat of passion” by
a sleeping woman? Can there be any doubt in the mind
of anybody that this was a premeditated and planned
murder?
Patricia Hango’s killer went to her work place with a gun in
his hand after apparently leaving a suicide note. How does
making a plan to get a firearm, going to another person’s
place of work and killing that person constitute “acting in
the heat of passion?” Perhaps even more shocking than
the killing itself, are the comments made by apparently
“normal” Namibians in response to the “publishing” of a
supposed suicide note on Facebook
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One person was of the opinion “ Yaah gud dey, chop our
money we chop dey life, passop.” Another person thought “
she deserve to be killed wan! to hell is whre thy belong and
may their soul BURN in hell.”
Yet another so-called passion killing: This time in October,
a pregnant teenager, Sara Van der Westhuisen, was called
out of her house before being stabbed to death in front
of neighbours who apparently did not intervene in spite
of the fact that the victim tried to hide behind them. Also
here the killer wrote a supposed suicide note before going
to, hunting down and killing the young girl – ostensibly
because she had an interfering mother!
I am shuddering at my own irresponsibility for having
brought a daughter into this misogynistic – women hating
- society where our sons are encouraged to kill a woman
– I suppose because they love them so “passionately” they
could kill them! This is not love, this is passionate HATE.
All those people talking about love will know that love in
the biblical sense is supposed to be patient, generous, kind,
does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. In Namibia,
it seems we are confused about what love is. We equate
love with financial transactions: Does that mean that you
may also kill your children if they disappoint you after you
have invested a lifetime of money, energy, worry and love
in them?
Calling the cold blooded and premeditated killing of a
woman “passion killing” to me seems opportunistic and
cynical. The killings of women in Namibia are no different
from the so-called honour killings of women in Islamist
countries. It is about male egos, it is about their sense of
honour and losing face and it is time that we in Namibia
wake up to this reality and call it what it is. Only by so
doing will be able to challenge the blatant masculinity
stereotypes that make such behaviour and attitudes
pervasive and acceptable.
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December 2012
N A M I B I A
39