馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Windhoek rape survivor shares story of assault, motherhood challenges, and finding support
via The Namibian3 min read
Manela Gaeses, a 22-year-old single mother of three, shared her experience of being raped at 14 in Windhoek in 2018. The assault led to her becoming pregnant and dropping out of school, as well as being disowned by her parents. Gaeses initially struggled to bond with her first child and sought a father figure for her children, later realizing this was not beneficial. She eventually confided in her mother about the rape a year after her daughter's birth. Her life improved after joining the One Economy Foundation鈥檚 effective parenting support group, which she now attends regularly with her three-month-old baby. She currently raises her children with the help of her 55-year-old mother, a retired domestic worker. Other parents, Themba Windwaai and Faith Muruko, also shared how the support group helped them become more patient and understanding parents. The community session, which included free reproductive health services, aimed to provide support and guidance to parents and caregivers, particularly young parents, on relationships, marriage, and parenthood. Veronica Theron, One Economy Foundation director for health and wellness, emphasized the program's role in equipping parents with practical skills and fostering supportive networks to strengthen families and improve child well-being.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadNamibian transport companies are pulling their drivers out of South Africa due to fears of xenophobic violence ahead of a planned anti-immigrant protest. The protest coincides with a June 30 deadline set by activists for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa. Transworld Cargo manager Fritz Kaufmann stated his company would withdraw all trucks, prioritizing employee safety over trade disruptions. Samco Import and Export CC has also suspended deliveries, citing warnings from their insurer about security risks. Namibia's High Commissioner to South Africa, Nangula Ithete, confirmed that the government is arranging voluntary repatriation for Namibian citizens, though the process is in early stages and unlikely to be completed before the protest. South African Member of Parliament Lerato Ngobeni, however, denied claims of xenophobic attacks, asserting that the issue is illegal immigration and weak border controls, not nationality. Petersen Kambinda, commander-in-chief of the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union, urged South African authorities to protect Namibian drivers, hoping they would not be targeted. Previous reports indicate that other foreign nationals, including those from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, and Nigeria, have sought protection or been repatriated from South Africa due to similar concerns. The South African government has condemned attacks on foreign nationals and is working to improve social cohesion and migration
Telecom Namibia has appointed Armando Perny as acting chief executive officer, effective July 1, following the resignation of chief executive Stanley Shanapinda earlier this month. Perny will serve for one month while the board recruits a substantive CEO. Board chairperson Fimanekeni Petrus stated that Perny's experience will ensure stability during this transition. Petrus also announced the resignations of the company's chief commercial officer, effective June 30, and chief financial officer, effective September 30. Interim arrangements for these vacant executive positions will be announced later.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services plans to acquire 60 ambulances over the next three fiscal years, from 2025/26 to 2027/28, to bolster emergency medical response services nationwide. Health minister Esperance Luvindao informed the National Assembly that this initiative is part of a comprehensive vehicle replacement and fleet management strategy. The goal is to improve ambulance availability and reduce response times. Previously, 36 ambulances were commissioned in May 2025 and distributed regionally, with an additional nine panel van ambulances expected to be deployed within three weeks, including to areas like the Hardap region. The ministry is also reviewing current vehicle deployments for potential reallocation to areas in need, such as Mariental, and is strengthening fleet management systems for timely maintenance. Partnerships are also being explored to secure more vehicles, all aimed at enhancing access to healthcare across all regions.