Making a Difference

I. Amathila

Description

'Failure is not in my vocabulary' says Libertina Inaaviposa Amathila - medical doctor, leading member of Namibia's liberation movement SWAPO, and Cabinet Minister for 20 years. Insightful, candid and amusing, this book traces Libertina Amathila's journey from a village in western Namibia travelling alone to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1962; medical training in Poland, Sweden and London; and the health and education centres in Zambia and Angola that she helped develop and run for Namibians in exile; to a victorious return home in 1989; service in the Cabinet of independent Namibia; and a leading role in the World Health Organisation. Courageous, committed, cutting through difficulties that deterred others, Libertina Amathila has assisted and empowered Namibian communities, particularly women, in exile and at home. As Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing, Minister of Health and Social Services, and Deputy Prime Minister, she focused on those in need, such as squatters, street children, and those affected by HIV/AIDS, and undertook immediate practical measures to improve their lives. Packing her tent and supplies, she drove to remote areas and camped out until houses and clinics were built for marginalized communities, assisting in the design and construction process herself. An indomitable spirit drives this remarkable woman. This is her story.

Sujets

• Biography
• Autobiography

Informations

• Publié par: University of Namibia Press
• Date de parution: 17 septembre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 11
• EAN13: 9789991642024
• Langue: English

Extrait

Libertina I. Amathila
University of Namibia Press Private Bag 13301 Windhoek Namibia
Libertina Inaaviposa Amathila, 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, e.g. electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the author.
Photographs have been drawn from the following sources: Dr Libertina Amathila s personal collection; Isabel Katjavivi; National Archives of Namibia; Office of the Prime Minister (OPM); Per Sanden; Republikein newspaper; the SWAPO Party Archives and Research Centre (SPARC); and the UN High Commission for Refugees. First Published: 2012 Design and layout: John Meinert Printers, Windhoek Cover design: Ritsuko Shimabukuro Abrahams Printed by: John Meinert Printers, Windhoek

ISBN: 978-99916-870-8-7
Distribution: In Namibia by Demasius Publications: www.demasius-publications.com In the rest of Southern Africa by Blue Weaver: www.blueweaver.co.za Internationally by the African Books Collective: www.africanbookscollective.com
In memory of my awesome grandmother, Jerimorukoro Paulina Vihajo Apollus, who made me what I am today.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Maps
Prologue
Childhood Innocence
My Village, Fransfontein
Church
The Fountain
Self-sufficiency
Grandmother
Grandfather
Mothers and Fathers
Story-telling
Schooling
Augustineum School
Wellington High School
The Start of My Journey
Preparing to Leave
Crossing Borders
Dar es Salaam
A Dream Come True
Lodz
Cold War Pawns
The Polish Language
Medical Studies in Warsaw
Hard Work and a Lot of Fun
Life Outside Studies
Graduation
An Intern in Tanzania
Malnutrition
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Gynaecology
Paediatrics
Marriage
Further Studies in the UK and Sweden
Acclimatizing to Another New Country
My Second Internship
Life and Work in Sweden
News from Home
Responding to the Refugee Crisis
The Old Farm
New Challenges
Nyango Health and Education Centre
The Hospital
Measles Outbreak
Fearless and Grounded
Training at the Eastern Front
Family Planning Services
Camp Life
United Nations Institute for Namibia
The Threat of Attack
Rebellion
Political Responsibilities and International Solidarity
SWAPO Women s Council
Africa s Intellectual Giants
World Health Organisation
Scholarships
My Second WHO Scholarship
Kassinga
Reading the USA
Support from Finland and the USA
Ndalatando, Angola
Life in the Mavulu Centre
Morobia
Embushua
Visitors
A New Camp Commander
Kwanza Sul
Morenga Village
Spy Fever
Homecoming
The 1989 Elections
Election Campaign
The Results
A Minister in Waiting
Fact-Finding Mission
Return from my Visits
Independence Day 21 March 1990
Squatters and Street Children
Squatters
Street Children
After-School Centre
Urban Renewal
Katutura Facelift
Communal Towns
The Horseshoe Market
Rundu Open Market
Saujemwa
A Clean Capital
Reforming the Legislation
Women s Property Rights
Local Government Act
Training Councillors
Providing Better Housing
Alienation Scheme
Houses in Communal Towns
Hanova Houses
Build-Together Programme
A Trust Betrayed: the Single Quarters
Regional Representation
Regional Councils Act
The Two Houses of Parliament
Traditional Councils Act 1992
Peace and Conflict in the Caprivi
Decentralization Policy
Minister of Health and Social Services
Kunene Region
HIV/AIDS
Launching of the ARV Programme
Cardiac Unit
Failed Attempt at Democracy
Another Transfer
Deputy Prime Minister
Public/Civil Service and Administration
The German Special Initiative
Marginalized San Communities
Fact-Finding Mission
Identity Documents
No Coffins
Donations and Dependency
Schooling
Land
Recommendations
Education Solutions
The San Development Programme
Uitkoms Farm
Land for the Hai om
Identity Documents
Campfire Stories
Making Coffins
Bee-keeping
Education
Inclusion of San in Education and the Workplace
San Traditional Leaders
Mountain Folk in the Kunene Region
Otjomuru Village
Otjikojo Village
Ohaihuua Village
Otjijandjasemo Village
Lessons Learnt
Providing Education
Health Services
Tradition and Modernity
My Team
Empowerment
Looking Back and Looking Forward
Serving the People
Deciding to Retire
Women in Politics
Women in Namibia
Retirement
Medals and Awards
Life as a Farmer
Appendix I
Tributes to Dr Amathila on her Retirement
Appendix II
Autobiographical Profile of Libertina Inaaviposa Amathila
Acknowledgements
I have many people to thank. Firstly, a friend s daughter, Emmarine Lottering, who helped me purchase a laptop and showed me how to use it. Every time my finger touched a wrong key and things became wild, she came running to rescue me from the dangers of modern equipment. Thank you, Emmarine, for being patient with me. Then Kenny Abrahams who was on standby and assisted when I lost it and called on him to bail me out when the laptop refused to do what I wanted it to do. Also for all his help in organising and scanning the photos for the book and to his wife, Ritsuko Shimabukuro Abrahams, for designing the cover. Next, warm thanks to Jane Katjavivi, Publisher at UNAM Press, for her encouragement and advice. When I hesitated, she said to me Go ahead and write. It s a great story. Also gratitude to my many friends and co-workers who urged me to finish the book because they wanted to read it. They jolted my brain when it was tired and I couldn t remember time frames, and reminded me when certain incidents happened. Much appreciation also to my niece and housekeeper Yvonne Murorua, who looked after my health and cooked for me. Finally to my excellent editor, Helen Vale, who while editing made sure that my spirit and humour were preserved. Thanks to you all.
Southern Africa

Prologue
I n the early 1970s I thought of telling a story about my life; not an autobiography as such but a story. My story, I decided, would deal with myself and how I contributed to the history of independent Namibia. I wanted to share my story with young women from Namibia, who want to do something but who may think that it is difficult or that this is only for boys or that it will take too long. I wanted to encourage them that nothing is insurmountable; all it needs and takes is the will to do it, the focus, the determination, courage and discipline, and then go for it!
When I decided to share my story during the struggle years, I started to scribble notes and the first thing I thought about was my grandmother. But as it turned out, I was too busy with what was more urgent in my life at that time, which was working with the refugees, so I put my notes aside and never looked at them again until I retired on 21 March 2010. When I retired, the thought of sharing my story with Namibians, particularly those who looked up to me as their role model, haunted me and I decided to give it a go. I had lost my original notes so I had to start again.
I also decided to tell my story because during my life as a doctor and a Government Minister, I often came across well-meaning but annoyingly ignorant remarks from people of other cultures, who assumed that every black person automatically came from grinding poverty. One day a good friend of mine said to me: I am really impressed with you how intelligent you are, coming from such a poor background. Being black does not mean that you are automatically poor. What we black people regard as being well to do is not the same as having loads of money in the bank, rather for us it is how much grain you have in your storage bins or the number of cattle or animals you have, and whether you are able to feed your family. Our elders kept money in tins or under the mattresses until recently. Stories abound of people who kept their money in tins, buried them and forgot under which tree they had hidden the money. A bank is new way of storing money for us in modern Namibia.
I have never written a book before and had no idea how to start, but like everything else in my life, I woke up one Sunday morning and started. I began with the story I told my grandmother about the teacher who went to the bush. I thought that story is unique and some of my generation will recall their own ignorance when they read it. I hope my grandson will not be embarrassed by the childhood stupidity of his grandmother.
This book is not about the political history of Namibia but about how I contributed to the struggle for independence. Enough has been written about the colonial history of a country then known as South West Africa; thus, I will just touch on a few things for non-Namibian readers. This book is written mainly for Namibians but I am aware that others will want to read it. Forgive me if I don t spend a lot of time on Namibia s colonial history. Suffice it to say that our country and our communities suffered for over 100 years from German and then South African occupation. The