Book Launch: ‘Nama Voices’ by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Organiser: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Namibia (FES)
Date & Time: 10 September 2024, 18:00 – 20:00
Venue: Tabitha Conference Centre, Hans-Dietrich Genscher Street, Khomasdal, Windhoek
Moderator: Project Manager Sylvia Mundjindi
Presentation of the book ‘Nama Voices’
How do the Nama and Damara look back on the German colonial era and the genocide? How do they feel about it? What do they think about the ‘Joint Declaration’ between Germany and Namibia, which is heavily criticised by many of those affected, and the addendum to which is still being negotiated?
These and other questions are answered in the book ‘Nama Voices’ by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, which was launched in Windhoek on 10 September.
Coordinator and Managing Editor Erika von Wietersheim introduced the book to an audience of more than 80 visitors. Most of them were interview partners who have their say in the book and members of their communities.
However, representatives from Germany and the German-speaking Namibians were also present: Ellen Gölz, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the German Embassy, the outgoing President of the Goethe-Institut, Carola Lentz, the Director of the Goethe-Institut Namibia, Dennis Schroeder, and the Chairman of the Forum Deutschsprachiger Namibier (FDN), Harald Hecht.
Mix of age groups, places and walks of life
As Von Wietersheim emphasised, she and other interviewers and assistants spoke to more than 70 people for the book ‘Nama Voices’. Other interviewers, consultants, translators, and coordinators involved were Charmaine //Gamxamûs and Freddy Shimonene (Windhoek), Riaan !Uriǂkhob (Windhoek/Kalkrand), Ivette Windstaan (Kalkrand), Pastor Neels Simon (Maltahöhe), IssaBrown Garises (Keetmanshoop) and Mariechen !Uiras (Usakos).
Most of the interviewees are Nama, some of them Damara. Von Wietersheim took care to include young, middle-aged and older men and women from different backgrounds.
The locations of the interviews were also widely dispersed. In addition to Windhoek and farms and settlements in the surrounding area, the interviews took place in Okahandja, Usakos, Kalkrand, Mariental, Maltahöhe and Keetmanshoop. They were recorded, transcribed, (some of them) translated and (all of them) approved by the interviewees for printing.
For readers who are not familiar with the context, the editor has added a brief outline of the historical background. She also discusses the content and controversial aspects of the ‘Joint Declaration’.
In an appendix, the book provides the wording of documents such as General von Trotha’s extermination order against the Nama (21 April 1905), the UN Genocide Convention (1948) and the Joint Declaration (May 2021). It also contains the lesser-known Hoachanas Peace Treaty (1858) between the then leaders of the communities in the central and southern areas of present-day Namibia.
After Erika von Wietersheim’s introduction at the book launch, six interview partners had the floor. In short speeches, they reported on their experiences in connection with the book project, expressed their observations or added comments.
Words of thanks and criticism
Group picture after the launch of the book ‘Nama Voices’ by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Namibia (FES): Some of the interview partners with FES Director Hajo Lanz (back, next to the FES banner), FES Project Manager Sylvia Mundjindi (right) and Coordinator & Managing Editor Erika von Wietersheim (inserted). Photo: Sven-Eric Stender
The speeches were followed by a lively discussion. In addition to words of thanks for the book as a long-awaited platform for the voices of the Nama, there was also criticism. Von Wietersheim had already heard two of the critical questions and comments during her visits to the communities for the interviews.
She mentions them in the introduction to the book:
“The questions put to me by one young Nama man included: How will the Nama people benefit from this book? Who continues “to privilege from our pain”? Does such a book, commissioned by a German NGO and becoming its intellectual property, led by a White German-speaking Namibian, not perpetuate the dehumanisation of the Nama people?” [Page 5]
“Another person […] had hoped that initiatives like this would involve the Nama people themselves much more in the conceptualisation and conducting phases. This, he maintained, could have avoided the perpetuation of the experience that most of their stories have been told by others, and not from perspectives of the Namas themselves.” [Page 5]
Giving people on the ground a voice
Von Wietersheim subsequently replies in the introduction:
“I understand the reservations expressed above and I regret that this project may have exacerbated the pain felt by some Nama people, as they again feel left out and exploited. All I could do is to include their voices, as they are important signposts for planning future projects of this kind.
I furthermore responded by clarifying a few aspects:
This work, commissioned by the FES, is in line with their objective of giving the Namibian people on the ground a voice and learning from them with respect and openness.
The copyright will be with FES, but the book is not a profit-making publication; it will be distributed free of charge to all interested persons and communities. The book is not ascribed to a single author but is published as a book by a collective of interviewers and consultants.
The interviews stand for themselves. They have not been commented on, analysed, or interpreted.” [Page 5]
Why include the Joint Declaration?
In the discussion on the evening of the book launch, it was also asked why the Joint Declaration was included in the book. After all, it was still the subject of controversial debate. Von Wietersheim justified her decision by pointing out that the agreement is mentioned in many interviews.
Another criticism concerned the title of the book. Why does it only mention the Nama and omit the voices of the Damara? The campaign and the extermination order were explicitly directed against the Nama, said Von Wietersheim. But of course it was clear that the Damara and San also suffered under German colonial rule.
In his closing remarks, FES Director Hajo Lanz emphasised the importance of dialogue about the painful shared past. The book ‘Nama Voices’ was a further contribution by the FES to provide Namibians with a platform for their voice. It could also serve as a starting point for future projects involving members of the Nama, Damara and other cultural groups.
Further reports
- Report from NBC Digital News on 12 September 2024 on YouTube: “Book about Namibian people’s perspective of German colonialism launched” (last checked in September 2024)
Where to get the book ‘Nama Voices’
- More details in our resources section
The FES distributes the book free of charge and also has made it available for download as a PDF (last checked in September 2024) in its online library.