A reading of Walter Hurst Williamson’s novel ‘The Sands Shall Witness’ will take place Thursday at the Goethe-Institut Namibia library, starting at 19h00.
This will be followed by a Q&A session with the author.
‘The Sands Shall Witness’ is Walter Hurst Williamson’s debut novel, which portrays the story of Conrad Huber, a young German colonial aide who arrived in present-day Namibia in 1903, just as his government had incited fierce rebellions among the native communities.
Amidst geopolitical unrest and colonial abuses, Conrad meets and falls in love with Sybille Maharero, the daughter of the Herero chief leading the uprising against the Germans. Together, they navigate cultural divisions and unite on an escape through the Kalahari Desert, a journey that will test the limits of their humanity and their unlikely union.
Williamson’s passion for storytelling began at the age of eight. Since then, he has been drawn to both historical fiction and African history, which he has studied for years.
“As a writer, I hope to bring to life the stories of cultures and people that are often overlooked,” Williamson said. For ‘The Sands Shall Witness’, he is particularly indebted to the Otuvawa Cultural Institute based in Eenhana for their contributions to the book.
When Williamson is not writing, he works as an executive coach at Sally Williamson & Associates, helping business leaders bring their own stories to life. He lives in Evergreen, Colorado.
Photo: Book reading