A Study On The Pre-And Post-Independence Psychological Experiences Of The Namibian Children Of The Liberation Struggle

ABSTRACT

Namibia has a long history of colonialism and apartheid (racial segregation) which resulted in the liberation struggle to free the country and its people. The independence of Namibia in 1990 witnessed the voluntary repatriation of exiled Namibian people back home. Children of the liberation struggle (CLS) is the term used to refer to the children of veterans who were under the age of 18 years before independence. Since 2008, demonstrations and demands for jobs from government by the CLS have taken place regularly.

The present study aims to explore and describe the pre- and post-independence psychological experiences of the Namibian CLS.

A qualitative approach was employed where in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 employed CLS in the Khomas region from two generations of CLS born between 1972 and 1978 and between 1979 and 1984, all of whom lived in refugee camps until independence in 1990. The collected data were categorised by means of thematic analysis.

The results have revealed themes which demonstrate that most CLS were separated from their parents owing to liberation struggle-related missions or possible death of parents, hence both pre- and/or post-independence CLS experienced adversities. Results have also revealed that CLS in both generations have at least experienced one or multiple traumatic war-related situations which they still find difficult to cope with. Integration challenges were recounted more in the first generation of CLS in comparison to the later generation. Reports of feelings of excitement and disappointment during and after repatriation were noted in both generations. Finally, pre-and post-independence unaddressed emotional and psychological experiences emerged as themes.

The study recommends psychological interventions in the form of therapeutic group sessions for employed and unemployed CLS in order for them to reflect on the past, make sense of it and find healing in order to move on with their lives. To allow for the generalization of findings on the Namibian CLS population, it is suggested that future research in this area also draw participants from other regions of Namibia.