Select Page

This Week In The Khuta – Au revoir this black February

I am not a believer in black magic or even superstition but I do believe in bad luck and karma. During the month of February however, it seemed bad luck and everything dark surrounded the month. Apart from February being Black history month, a month set aside to learn, honour, and celebrate the achievements of Black men and women throughout the history of the African Diaspora, February 2013 will remain one of the darkest months in the current history of Africa. From the news headlines in our region, it seems this February was not a month of love, indeed only the opposite.
It was during February that a dark hour spread across Africa, to be specific, in our mother land and neighbouring country South Africa. I said dark hour because of all the sadness that crept through the two countries almost simultaneously. It was during February that Namibia lost a dear son, a man worthy to be praised not because he was perfect but because what he did for our country was almost perfect. The late Abraham Iyambo was a perfectionist and his service delivery to his people was and still remains an example many public servants should emulate. I know much has already been said about the late minister but most of that is because he was a hands-on man and never disappointed his people. Namibia will truly miss you Dr. Iyambo.
It was also during February that South African double-amputee Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius, was charged with murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day, in what was believed to be a mistaken identity. The Oscar case is playing out like a soap opera and is being viewed by millions across the world. The case carried mixed emotions with some blasting the athlete’s actions as premeditated murder intentionally shooting and killing his lover, while the Oscar fans maintain it was manslaughter. Even the court ruling on the application for bail stated Oscar’s legal defence failed to convince the court that a charge of murder should not apply. Other sympathisers however argue that the athlete is innocent and was clearly protecting his girlfriend from a supposed intruder.
The Oscar case is a heartbreaking love story gone wromg. Whatever happened in that house during the wee hours of the morning remains between the victim and Pistorius himself and undoubtedly, the state prosecutors will try to find incriminating evidence against him. The fact that Pistorius was eventually granted bail of one million Rand turned the case into a public debate especially since a life was lost. South Africa is known to have one of the highest crime rates involving weapons and many thought the judge’s decision to grant Pistorius bail did not do justice to the government’s effort to eradicate crime in all possible ways.
It was during February that gender based violence against women and children continued to be rife in Namibia. It was reported that a woman and her lover were shot dead by her estranged jealous husband on Valentine’s Day and three days later a one-year old baby lost her life at the hands of her mother’s seemingly jealous boyfriend. Days later, an 18-year old girl was beheaded by her boyfriend and so the list goes on. Violence against women and children is at an alarming level and even though the motives of the perpetrators are the result of jealousy, no motive is justifiable for murder.
Amidst all the drama about banning miniskirts and arresting those found to be scantily clad, it is obvious this world of ours needs a divine intervention to steer it in the right direction. And no black magic or superstition can help us!

About The Author