By Andreas Elombo
I HAVE been following the series of sad news of murder cases which have frequented the print media very constantly. The news has always reported the same message across the many cases of murder. Different cases, same message – this message has been termed: Passion Killing. Well, what does the so-called Passion Killing really mean? Does it mean loving to kill? Does it mean when a man falls in love with a woman any break-up thereto should result in “breaking-up the life of the woman? Or does it mean break-up of love relationships cannot happen anymore? What democratic rights does this leave our mothers and sisters with? Is the word NO no longer allowed to be uttered by women? The list of questions is endless. It becomes a repetitive sequence of questions once you begin to ponder these savage tragedies of lost lives through the so-called Passion Killing pandemic. I have come to observe that these tragedies are only characteristic of the younger generation. Hence, the younger people need to wake up to the course of rehabilitating this situation.
In light of the aforesaid observations, therefore, I am writing to register my dismay – in a very regretful sense – at the pathetic killings of our fellow citizen women. People have been uttering condemnation of the role played by the government in sending the message of stopping these barbaric incidents of murder. However, I feel that the government has really done the best it could do in the effort to remedy the situation. How much more do we expect the government to do? This problem rather calls for a household responsibility of speaking sense into the mind of my fellow men. It is no longer a government issue alone. I therefore appeal – very humbly – to all parents across the country to call special house meetings and discuss this issue with their children in the hope to agree on a common solution of ending the Passion Killing pandemic in our country.
This will mean that each and every head in Namibia gets the chance to receive the message of saving the lives of Namibian women. Paralleled to this, I equally appeal to the fellow Namibian men to stop killing women. Why do we kill women? This is wrong. Let us seek alternative ways of resolving whatever conflict or misunderstanding we may have in our love relationships without causing loss of lives.
A lot has been said about how our police officials are not doing much in combating this pandemic. In contrast, however, I personally would like to earnestly commend on the wonderful job that our Namibian Police Force commits to doing in the combat against all crimes. In fact, I feel sorry for our brothers and sisters who operate in the police force due to the unforgiving environment in which they are to execute their duties. Please, we must give credit where it is due. Police officers are doing a marvellous job.
Very soon, animals will begin to rate better than us in terms of living an organised life. This is worrying: we cannot afford to lose lives through crimes perpetrated against ourselves by ourselves. This is intolerable.
Fellow Namibians, with a heavy heart, I wish to advise that we pray really hard for behavioural change, especially amongst the youth. We pray: God should have mercy on our nation. Additionally, I humbly request that we re-introduce moral education in all schools as this will build a positive perspective toward life in all the children right from the early age. I acknowledge that there are many faith denominations in the country, but we should all appreciate that all faiths preach about peace. Peace is what we need.
I really wish that all men get to see this message and the many other messages printed in the media and reported on TV and radio news, and that all men resolve to bring about the much needed change.
Here is a poem I have composed to sum up my concern:
The Big Question: “Land of the Brave” made into “Land of the Murderer”?
Our women are scared
Our women are grieved
Our women are losing hope on the future of Namibia
Our women are crying for help
They need to regain security
They need protection
Are men still men?
Do they care about women?
Are they ready to console the grieved women?
Are they offering the help that women are yearning for?
Are men ready to keep women secure?
Are men protecting women?
No, no, no!
This pandemic must end! God hear our prayers! We confess: we have sinned!
We need your forgiveness, dear God!
Men need your mighty touch! Lord, help Namibia!
The “Land of the Brave” should remain so
The “Land of the Murderer” is unwelcome
We love peace, we speak peace, we sing peace
Give us peace, oh Lord!
•Andreas Elombo is a doctoral (PhD) candidate at the University of Oxford, England, United Kingdom.