Exploring the post-independence experiences of the Namibian children of the liberation struggle: a qualitative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54421/njrst.v5i2.101Keywords:
Children of the Liberation Struggle, exile, refugee, returnee, demands, suffering, demonstrations, post-Independence experiences, well-beingAbstract
Namibia’s independence on 21 March 1990 signified the end of the struggle against German and South African colonial rule. Beginning in 1989, approximately 40 000–50 000 exiled Namibians, including children born and/or raised in exile, were voluntarily repatriated to Namibia. These children are referred to as the Children of the Liberation Struggle (CLS). CLS demonstrations and demands for employment, educational opportunities and national documents from the government have made headlines in the media in recent years. Because of these demands and protests, many Namibians often label the CLS as deviant and unproductive. The perceived demanding behaviour of some CLS in Namibia prompts consideration of the possible reasons for their behaviour. Understanding what drives behaviour can assist in making sense of it. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the experiences of the CLS since their return “home” and to determine how these experiences have affected their behaviour. A qualitative approach was employed, with in-depth interviews conducted with 10 employed CLS in the Khomas Region. Participants represented two generations of CLS, born between 1972 and 1978 and between 1979 and 1986. The interviews were transcribed, and the data were categorised and analysed using thematic analysis. The CLS reported several post-independence experiences, including excitement and disappointment associated with the homecoming experience, feeling unsafe during and after repatriation, separation from biological parents and siblings, adjustment difficulties, lack of psychological support, the pursuit of educational opportunities, and negative labelling. The study recommends psychological interventions, such as therapeutic group sessions for employed and unemployed CLS, as well as an awareness campaign among Namibians to promote understanding of what the CLS endured both before and after independence.
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