Mungunda calls on ‘supernatural’ to help fight violence

A SOLEMN mood hung over the opening yesterday of Namibia’s first national conference on gender-based violence following a week which has seen unspeakable crimes dominate the headlines.

Delegates from all 13 regions rose for a minute’s silence to pay tribute to the victims of violence – the most recent of whom included a young woman whose body parts were found in a rubbish bin on Sunday, and two babies allegedly raped by their own father last week. “We are at a war front, as the recent murders, especially of women, who were beheaded and as happened last Sunday arms and legs chopped off, have shocked us all,” Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Marlene Mungunda, told the 350 participants, calling the murders and rapes “barbaric acts”.”I make a passionate appeal to the Police to trace the culprits.As long as this murderer or even murderers are still walking around, no one is safe.”We will get up and start singing and by Friday at the end of this conference, these culprits, these murderers who kill people like dogs, will be finished!” Mungunda said triumphantly.She did not explain how singing would defeat the culprits within four days, however.The Minister then said the war against violence would be fought “by the Spirit of the Lord” and with a “watertight strategy”.”I am certain of our victory because this challenge is too big, we cannot miss it, we are instruments of peace,” the Minister continued.”I prophesy that peace, care, kindness and love will replace hatred, violence, selfishness and anger,” she added.”We will recreate our world by changing the circumstances of our lives.”During the conference, delegates should look at conditions prevailing in Namibia, she continued, “changing them to suit our vision, where women and children will be safe in their homes …where Namibia will be known as a country of peace and attracting supernatural investors”.Good desires could conceive “and bring forth its kind”, she said.Mungunda then invited all the delegates to a cocktail function last night.”My staff call it a cocktail, I call it a thanksgiving function for supernatural protection,” the Minister stated.President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who was to officially open the conference yesterday, could not attend due to a Cabinet meeting and will officiate at the opening today.The four-day conference was organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare with assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat.”We are at a war front, as the recent murders, especially of women, who were beheaded and as happened last Sunday arms and legs chopped off, have shocked us all,” Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Marlene Mungunda, told the 350 participants, calling the murders and rapes “barbaric acts”.”I make a passionate appeal to the Police to trace the culprits.As long as this murderer or even murderers are still walking around, no one is safe.”We will get up and start singing and by Friday at the end of this conference, these culprits, these murderers who kill people like dogs, will be finished!” Mungunda said triumphantly.She did not explain how singing would defeat the culprits within four days, however.The Minister then said the war against violence would be fought “by the Spirit of the Lord” and with a “watertight strategy”.”I am certain of our victory because this challenge is too big, we cannot miss it, we are instruments of peace,” the Minister continued.”I prophesy that peace, care, kindness and love will replace hatred, violence, selfishness and anger,” she added.”We will recreate our world by changing the circumstances of our lives.”During the conference, delegates should look at conditions prevailing in Namibia, she continued, “changing them to suit our vision, where women and children will be safe in their homes …where Namibia will be known as a country of peace and attracting supernatural investors”. Good desires could conceive “and bring forth its kind”, she said.Mungunda then invited all the delegates to a cocktail function last night.”My staff call it a cocktail, I call it a thanksgiving function for supernatural protection,” the Minister stated.President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who was to officially open the conference yesterday, could not attend due to a Cabinet meeting and will officiate at the opening today.The four-day conference was organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare with assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat.