In Namibia, there’s a phrase that slips into our conversations so casually that most people don’t even stop to think about what it really means. When men are invited to a gathering, a braai, or even just a chill, the first thing some of them ask is, ‘Will there be manonas?’

At first, it might sound harmless. Maybe even funny. But beneath the laughter lies something deeply harmful.

That question does not mean, ‘Will there be friends?’ or ‘Who else is coming?’

It means, ‘Are there going to be women there?’

And not in the sense of appreciating their company as people, but in the sense of women as entertainment, women as background decoration, women as things.

This everyday phrase reflects a bigger problem in our society: the objectification of women. 

The word ‘manonas’ itself, in this context, shrinks women into nothing more than a reason for men to show up. It strips away individuality, personality, and humanity. The woman becomes less a person and more a product on display or entertainment for the men who will pitch up.

What’s dangerous is how normalised this has become. We laugh about it at parties, and sometimes, we even joke about it in WhatsApp groups. Some men even say it proudly, without realising the violence hidden in the words. Because yes, objectification is a form of violence. It may not leave physical scars, but it shapes how women are treated in public spaces. It reinforces the idea that women exist for men’s pleasure. This is also the reason why women are in spaces where they are used to lure men to clubs, especially with the bottle girls’ culture, which I will address next.

When we reduce women to ‘manonas’, we are also reducing their safety. Think about it: if a girl is seen only as “entertainment,” what value is placed on her consent? On her comfort? On her freedom to leave when she wants to. 

Language is powerful. These are the instances where we find women in situations where, because men see them as ‘manonas’, they immediately place them as the target to either leave with them for the night, or if a guy buys her a drink, then she is not allowed to say no to his advances. The way we speak about women shapes the way society allows them to be treated. And when young men grow up hearing this phrase, they inherit a mindset that sees women not as equals, but as accessories to a good time.

It also says a lot about what we think women bring to a space. Why can’t a woman be the DJ, the one with the best jokes, or simply another human being enjoying the vibe? Why must her presence always be sexualised or turned into a spectacle? We miss out on real connections when we only see women through this narrow lens.

Of course, some might argue, “But it’s just a saying. It doesn’t mean that deep.” Yet, if it wasn’t that deep, why do we never hear the reverse? Why do women not ask, “Will there be jittas?” The truth is that language follows power. And in this case, the casual sexism baked into our daily jokes reveals the imbalance of power between men and women in Namibian society.

We need to start unlearning this. That begins with calling out the phrase when we hear it. By refusing to laugh along. By teaching our younger brothers and friends that women are not party favours. And it also begins with women taking up spaces without apology, making it clear that our worth is not tied to how entertaining we are to men.

*Frieda Mukufa’s lifestyle section in the New Era concentrates on women-related issues and parenting. She also specialises in editing research proposals, proofreading and content creation. – etuholefrieda@ gmail.com