Mathias Haufiku
RUNDU – I must say I have enjoyed working in the mighty Kavango Region and I sincerely appreciate having had the chance to work with people from all corners of the region.
As I start another phase in my career, leaving the region without bidding farewell to the people whom I interacted with and indeed a region that has become my home for two productive and prosperous years will be an injustice, not only to all those who assisted me in one way or another, but to myself also.
How can I forget the people who would call me up at the wee hours of the morning to attend to a story, or those who would call me threatening me not to publish a certain story, those are all things that made me wake every morning to ensure people in the region have a reason to buy a New Era copy on weekdays.
One of my worst kept secrets is that when I was posted to man the Rundu office in 2012, the move did not sit well with me, I mean who can blame me after staying nearly most of my life in the city.
The first month was particularly tough as it was filled with nostalgia, but after that, as they say the rest is history.
I can confidently say that I adapted perfectly to what would be my home for the next 24 months. Many of those whom I closely associated with still ask me why I am going even though they know the answer. Now I really understand the saying “Goodbyes are never easy.”
I will surely miss waking up at any hour of the day, finish my two stories for the day and head to the drinking holes in town, they say that is where journalists get most stories from, so do not blame me for my presence at these very important places!
I must admit that the people in the region who are always keen to assist where possible made my work rather easy.
The most interesting aspect of my stay here was surely my interactions with villagers as they would speak in their language and I would speak mine, but we understood one another. It is quite shameful to make it public that I am leaving the region without being fluent in any of the local vernaculars, after all it was one of my resolutions when I arrived here.
I have no doubt, that at the pace the region is growing, within the coming ten years Rundu will be a force to be reckoned with. I know I have angered several people with my writing, but I must say I do not regret any article with my byline printed in this paper.
I would particularly thank government institutions such as Rundu State Hospital, Kavango Regional Council, Rundu Town Council, regional police, education and agriculture regional offices, Rundu Magistrate’s Court officials and those in the private sector who always assisted me.
Don’t think my departure means you can now rest on your laurels, my successor will continue where I left off! For those who are wondering where I am off to, watch this space! – Eewa