WINDHOEK– Next Wednesday, AfricAvenir, in partnership with the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) will be presenting another Independence Special with the screening of Paths to Freedom.
The screening at the FNCC Cinema at half-past-six (18H30) today is followed by Questions & Answers with the director, Richard Pakleppa. Entrance is N$ 30. Paths to Freedom tells the story of how in the 1960s Namibian peasants and migrant labourers created a nationalist movement, Swapo, and a guerilla army to fight the illegal occupation of their country by South Africa. The film recounts how Namibians broke the chain of being slaves in their own country to eventually take up arms against South Africa.
Paths to Freedom covers an important period in Namibia’s history, her path to national consciousness and her formation. In the film, prominent Namibian leaders and activists including Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Founding President Sam Nujoma, President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Mzee Kaukungwa, Helao Shityuwete, John Nankudthu, Kambo Shixungileeni, Ben Amathila, Gerson Veii and many others tell how they organised the struggle from the beginnings in labour struggles and protest, to the launch of the armed struggle at Omugulugwombashe in 1966.
The documentary contains rare interviews with struggle heroes John Nankudthu and Priskilia Tuhadeleni who passed away during the course of the production. The film also contains a unique interview with Philemon Shuuya Castro who was deputy commander of Swapo’s army in 1966 before being removed from his post in late 1967. The film’s fascinating interviews are supported by a poetic visual narration and an original sound track created by Hishishi Papa and Philippa Miller. The narrative voice of the film is Johannes ‘Chops’ Tshoopara.