Hanse-Himarwa: Authentic, original and revolutionary

I am among hundreds of Namibians who are here to mourn the passing on of comrade Katrina, and pleasantly and joyfully remember the precious moments we had with her – an authentic, original and revolutionary daughter of Namibia.

To some Katrina may have been a formidable, fearless straight talker and an astute politician and to some, I dare say, a person with volcanic expressions and temperament.

There is among us a universal acceptance that in her beliefs, instincts and actions, Katrina was a public servant par excellence – an advocate for freedom, justice, equity and equality, and lest we forget, a good teacher and an educator of note.

Katrina’s death robbed us of a true, tireless and fearless advocate for socio-economic change in society.

In her entire adult life until shortly before her death, she advocated for the progressive realisation of everyone’s right to have access to public services and for equitable distribution of resources to and for all in the socio-economic space of our country.

She decried and highlighted the fact that while much has obviously been done by our government to address the deplorable living conditions in which many of our people are still languishing, there remains a high level of unemployment, inadequate social security and unequal distribution of resources and in some cases, work opportunities.

Until her last minute she was fighting for the alleviation of abject poverty.

At a personal level I have had the difficult task as her legal protector and defender during the most difficult part of her life.

NO FEAR

I observed as Katrina, with tenacity, stood up for her rights with no despair or fear.

Unfortunately, there are things one must accept.

But on her instructions we were able to call for a more fair and compassionate handling or dealing with the so-called high-profile cases by our criminal justice system.

Notwithstanding her difficult times when she was alive, we must not allow anyone to use this to divide us now, but rather to unite us to celebrate her life.

During her difficult times (in the legal realm) on her instructions we asked for a system of administration of justice that is managed with compassion, objectivity and humanity.

We further cautioned against the retributive urges of society.

This outdated approach rests on the idea that it is right for the wicked to be punished.

This primitive revenge theory is, of course, engraved in human experience and boils down to an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth and may I add, a life for a life.

During her difficult times we also reminded all and sundry that all human beings ought to be treated as ends in themselves and not merely as means to an end and that people live not only by bread alone.

In the case of career and political functionaries, reputation and bread are often inseparable. So dignity is inviolable for everyone.
We are happy that these difficult times did not break Katrina. They somehow strengthened her spirits and resolved it, albeit in difficult circumstances.

She never fell during those difficult times, but we now accept that she fell because of cancer.

DEDICATED FAMILY

Katrina had a dedicated and loyal family that stood with her every day and provided to her nothing but care, love and affection.

Dear mourners, both president Nangolo Mbumba and Swapo secretary general comrade [Sophia] Shaningwa have already befittingly described and listed Katrina’s good deeds for the country and Swapo.

They are correct.

We should now embrace the good values and ideals she stood for.

We must, however, accept that while cancer was up against a strong and fearless woman, it is a devastating disease.

Notwithstanding, we cannot just surrender our fate to health calamities.

As a nation we must invest, massively so, in health infrastructure and healthcare of our people.

Cancer robbed us of our beloved president Hage Geingob in February.

Towards the end of October 2023 in one of the meetings of the Swapo politburo, Geingob asked us to keep Katrina in our prayers as she was not doing well.

As fate had it, it turned out that cancer was to first rob us of our beloved president while delaying its destructive effect on Katrina.

I suspect and sense Katrina would have been very happy that she lived to see the authentic testimony apparent from how the nation, with monumental love, mourned president Hage, that what in the past appeared to have been hate, anger, and sometimes abuse, directed at and against him, was artificial and was not real.

ABUSE

The abuse by some towards Geingob was of the grossest nature.

And of massive proportions. This was wrong.

Katrina would have been happy that her spontaneous and committed defence of Geingob’s good deeds was the right thing to do, was a rational choice, was something appropriate and was something needed and was of course brave.

And she, having been one of those who never shied away from defending Swapo and its then president, must have been vindicated as it turned out that in Geingob we had nothing but an excellent leader and statesman.

Katrina will also be happy, in a political context, that she valiantly fought for the rights of women, she fought for the rights of girls, she fought for gender equality.

Her death coincides with a real realisation of the fact that it is possible for girls to achieve, without societal hindrances, everything men can achieve.

She would be happy that Swapo was revolutionary enough and extraordinary in its decision that come this year’s election a woman would be fielded as its presidential candidate.

Hence, we must all benefit from celebrating the life and achievements of comrade Katrina, with no regrets.

Katrina, you have done what you could.

While we may have wanted you to stay longer, the decision is not ours.

We will have nothing but fond memories.

– Sisa Namandje is a seasoned Namibian lawyer, Swapo member and Hanse-Himarwa’s attorney during her corruption trial. He is writing in his personal capacity.