A book launch with a difference.

In her introduction to "Between Yesterday and Tomorrow" Elizabeth IKhaxas writes: "Our enjoyment of life is exactly that--dreaming and plotting for women's rights--that is what gives us pleasure." On 27 June 2005, this dreaming and plotting became reality--the anthology of Namibian feminist writings was launched at the Katutura Community Arts Centre. Her enthusiasm and creativity became apparent in the variety of the evening programme--a book launch with a difference.

Breaking out of gendered 'homelands'

The book was officially launched by the Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Marlene Mugunda. She reminded the audience of Nadine Gordimer, who had challenged and opposed apartheid with her writings and who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for her courage and literary merit. "We have defeated apartheid as a political system of oppression," Mugunda said, "but men and women in Namibia still belong to different 'homelands', separate worlds divided by invisible barriers of ignorance and prejudice ... we have to chase away the ghosts of apartheid. The book 'Between Yesterday and Tomorrow' shows us where the ghosts are hiding. It is bringing them to the daylight, where they feel insecure and gradually lose their power."

Sharing their work

But the launch was not limited to speeches. Twelve of the writers read excerpts from their short stories and poems, their voices strong and clear--and they were enthusiastically applauded by the large audience. In-between the readings, Nepeti Nicanor, Director of Ceremony, encouraged the audience to make comments and to ask questions, which the writers answered willingly and confidently.

But the women hope for more. After actually holding the finished product in their hands and reading from it, they would like to see their book being introduced in schools, colleges and to parliament. And they have a prominent supporter of this idea: Dr Becky Ndjoze-Oje, Deputy Minister of Education writes in the foreword to the book, "I believe that writing, and in particular writing by women, can be used as a catalyst for change. I therefore hope that this book can be used in our schools, tertiary educational institutions, churches, and other places ...." Hopefully the launch has created advocacy for this ambitious objective.

Goodbye

Lydia Heelu

I feel like I've been here far too long
    It feels like I'm growing mould

    The tears are falling without fail
    As we sit and watch chances fade
       It must be a wilting dream
 If you don't feel the way I do by now

      The things we've never done
        All that was never said
             Too much pride
    Too much time spent in the frigid
        Shadow of cold politeness

        I think I'm losing my cool
    I guess I'm just a little tired of this

      All the things I tried to be for you
   Many times I've gone an extra mile for you
       But it all got lost in the inability
              To see past yourself

  Why can't I be your every day's celebration?
       Your daffodil in a far-away land
         A place you can't wait to go?

 I feel closer to loneliness than I've ever been
        It feels like I'm heartache bound
       So it must be time for me to go home
               Time to say goodbye
                    Goodbye!

       From: Between Yesterday and Tomorrow--
             Writings by Namibian Women