In Namibia, most of us have what is known in foreign, English literature, as a 'support network'. Traditionally and historically, Namibian families adapted in accordance with circumstances and adopted different roles throughout their lives as part of a larger support network, lending assistance to each other, in order to survive.
During the Border War (1966 - 1989), many Namibian families were fractured, broken, lost touch completely, disintegrated, some were accidentally reunited many years thereafter but regrettably, many young children and adults, were orphaned by the War. To remedy the situation, many Namibians 'absorbed' orphaned children into their families, raising them as their own (children of friends and acquaintances who had not returned from Exile or the War), informally adopting / incorporating both children and adults as family members, paying for their upkeep, education and medical expenses. Consequently, aunts, friends and uncles, grandmothers, girlfriends and elders became parents and experienced family expansion almost overnight.
(Photograph: Families with young children often become 'isolated' from support networks, due to the focus of their obligations.)
Under Apartheid, many non-white Namibians and southern Africans seeking financial independence, migrated from their rural homesteads to seek employment in segregated, racially-divided urbanised areas. They simply 'drifted' out of their original support networks... An example of a migrant worker, is my father, a mine-worker, who first worked in the gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 60s before migrating to the silver mines and diamonds operations in Namibia, in the 70s. Due to the nature of the Apartheid Regime, migrant workers were not allowed to live with their families on-site but had to travel long distances home to stay in contact.
Today, Namibian support networks encompass immediate family members, siblings, the extended family, friends of the family and even people who simply 'like' you, society elders and even someone who knows both or either of your parents. Our support networks in Namibia are large and extended.
The advent of technology and its rapid incorporation into the every day lives of ordinary Namibians (especially cellular telephones, currently standing at a market penetration of 110%), makes keeping in contact with your support network extremely cheap and convenient. Regrettably, there's now a decline in actual 'face time' (social visits performed on a weekly basis in the past, to check if everyone's healthy, before the appearance of cellphones), and a subsequent increase in SMS'ing (text messages), cellphone calls, e-mails and Facebook conversations among Namibians. As we're all aware, there's a HUGE difference between interacting with someone 'face-to-face' (in the flesh) and conversing digitally.
Many Namibians appreciate those 'How are you?' calls and text messages, especially if the support network has grown 'distant' or a fractured due to professional obligations, changes in lifestyle, urbanisation (movement to urban areas), if there are families with young children within the network, or a pivotal member of the network has passed on.
So, take care of your support network and use the technology at your disposal to stay in contact with everyone, make notes of birthdays, try your best to attend commemorative events, weddings, funerals, baptisms and make reminders for celebrating special occasions (graduations, promotions, etc.). If you have the opportunity to do so, put in some real 'face time' thereby letting everyone know you're still healthy, doing well and alive, while simultaneously checking on their well-being. The elderly, in particular, require regular contact because depression, loneliness and self-neglect become enhanced with age.
If you have the means, establish clear lines of communication with your support network just to let them know you appreciate them (this may include purchasing cellular telephones for your grandmother, uncles, aunts and training them how to use it), a very worthwhile activity. If you have the means, spread a few Namibian dollars around in your support network; it's always welcomed.
During the Border War (1966 - 1989), many Namibian families were fractured, broken, lost touch completely, disintegrated, some were accidentally reunited many years thereafter but regrettably, many young children and adults, were orphaned by the War. To remedy the situation, many Namibians 'absorbed' orphaned children into their families, raising them as their own (children of friends and acquaintances who had not returned from Exile or the War), informally adopting / incorporating both children and adults as family members, paying for their upkeep, education and medical expenses. Consequently, aunts, friends and uncles, grandmothers, girlfriends and elders became parents and experienced family expansion almost overnight.
(Photograph: Families with young children often become 'isolated' from support networks, due to the focus of their obligations.)
Under Apartheid, many non-white Namibians and southern Africans seeking financial independence, migrated from their rural homesteads to seek employment in segregated, racially-divided urbanised areas. They simply 'drifted' out of their original support networks... An example of a migrant worker, is my father, a mine-worker, who first worked in the gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 60s before migrating to the silver mines and diamonds operations in Namibia, in the 70s. Due to the nature of the Apartheid Regime, migrant workers were not allowed to live with their families on-site but had to travel long distances home to stay in contact.
Today, Namibian support networks encompass immediate family members, siblings, the extended family, friends of the family and even people who simply 'like' you, society elders and even someone who knows both or either of your parents. Our support networks in Namibia are large and extended.
The advent of technology and its rapid incorporation into the every day lives of ordinary Namibians (especially cellular telephones, currently standing at a market penetration of 110%), makes keeping in contact with your support network extremely cheap and convenient. Regrettably, there's now a decline in actual 'face time' (social visits performed on a weekly basis in the past, to check if everyone's healthy, before the appearance of cellphones), and a subsequent increase in SMS'ing (text messages), cellphone calls, e-mails and Facebook conversations among Namibians. As we're all aware, there's a HUGE difference between interacting with someone 'face-to-face' (in the flesh) and conversing digitally.
Many Namibians appreciate those 'How are you?' calls and text messages, especially if the support network has grown 'distant' or a fractured due to professional obligations, changes in lifestyle, urbanisation (movement to urban areas), if there are families with young children within the network, or a pivotal member of the network has passed on.
So, take care of your support network and use the technology at your disposal to stay in contact with everyone, make notes of birthdays, try your best to attend commemorative events, weddings, funerals, baptisms and make reminders for celebrating special occasions (graduations, promotions, etc.). If you have the opportunity to do so, put in some real 'face time' thereby letting everyone know you're still healthy, doing well and alive, while simultaneously checking on their well-being. The elderly, in particular, require regular contact because depression, loneliness and self-neglect become enhanced with age.
If you have the means, establish clear lines of communication with your support network just to let them know you appreciate them (this may include purchasing cellular telephones for your grandmother, uncles, aunts and training them how to use it), a very worthwhile activity. If you have the means, spread a few Namibian dollars around in your support network; it's always welcomed.
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