Rose-Mary Haufiku
Touched by the suffering of certain women in their marriages, Shiwaovanhu Kamati decided to write a novel where she detailed gender-based violence and the effects it has on individuals and family units.
She wrote in the hope that the readers, especially the youth will act and be different. “I aimed to educate people in such a way that they wouldn’t want it done to them nor them wanting to inflict such torment on others,” she said. Kamati has been writing her novel for more than a year, starting in 2020, and ultimately publishing it last year. Her novel is titled ‘Tears of A Widow’ which she says captures the thoughts, emotions, agony and life of a widow. She also stated that the writing process was simple, but the editing process was challenging, which is why it took so long for the book to be published. It was difficult for her to decide what to keep and what to cut from her novel, but she was fortunate in that she had dedicated editors and a dedicated publisher. The 25-year-old said that her novel strives to display the reality of so many women and the torture they go through in the name of marriage and on the basis of their spouses, in-laws, and society at large.
“In the novel, I intensified on marriage, gender-based violence, abuse, love, death, family, pain and letting go,” said Kamati. She further said that she usually picks themes based on the nature and purpose of the particular piece that she’s working on and issues that are a reality in today’s world. She had the title for so long but it was only until 2020 when Covid-19 hit, that she began to write. Kamati describes her writing journey as a therapeutic one, as she felt as though she was born to be writer. “Although ‘Tears of a Widow’ is my first published piece, there are a couple of projects that I am working on and I hope to publish in the near future,” said Kamati. Her novel is dedicated to everyone who enjoys a good read and is able to make sense of it. However, the youth are her primary target as they are yet to wed and engage in romantic unions. When they do, she can only hope that they do not act as portrayed in the novel but actually treat their significant others as they would want to be treated regardless of gender.
Kamati hails from Ohangwena region but currently resides in Oshikoto where she works as an English and History teacher for grades 8-12. As she aspires to be a well-established Namibian author and write more novels, she also advises the youth that it’s okay to learn, unlearn and relearn behaviour.
“Let us be the change that we need to see. Violence is in no way the answer as it not only affects the victims, but it takes away from us as a nation.
However, it also takes away from you as a perpetrator,” she advised. Her novel is available at Radical bookstores and the Book Den in Windhoek. She also sells copies for N$200 and can courier countrywide. Kamati can be reached on 0816925133 or via slowlykamati@gmail.com
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