At a time that seems sapped of the previous years' protest energy, activist and author Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe offers a flashback, a reflection, a defence of keyboard warriors and a way forward.
Soon to release their second book, 'You F*cked with the Wrong Generation: An Ode to Modern Day Activism in Namibia', Nthengwe aims to pull focus to a pivotal time and a particular change in strategy in Namibia's struggle against sexual and gender-based violence, for the recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights and for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health rights.
For anyone keeping an eye on these intersectional movements, Nthengwe's is a face often behind a loudspeaker, perhaps most visibly during 2020's ShutItAllDown protests.
An internationally acclaimed leader, an organiser and a writer who has spent the last year sharpening their pen as a political columnist in the country's leading newspapers, Nthengwe occupies the unique position of actively building young Namibian protest culture, advocating for human rights in real time and authoring an analytical tome on Namibia's recent protest history.
“The genre of this book is historical and literary nonfiction. I write about modern-day activism that has occurred in the last two years whilst focusing on topical issues within the activism arena,” says Nthengwe, whose upcoming book follows their debut, 'The Chronicles of a Non-Binary Black Lesbian Namibian…in Love', published a year ago.
“The book also briefly draws reference to Namibia's political history ridden with colonialism and apartheid to make a case for intergenerational overlaps and distinctions within current social justice movements,” Nthengwe says.
“Politics and activism have – in Namibia's local context – experienced some form of renaissance and this is undoubtedly due to the influence of social media, digital tools and the sheer audacity of unapologetic youth who find themselves with enough social capital online to rein in arrogant and obtuse 'leaders' through a single tweet or repost on Instagram for example.”
Attempting to make a case for the capacity and impact of so-called keyboard warriors who steer and fan discourse on platforms such as Twitter, to challenge the notion of “legitimate activism” and to compare the liberation and current struggle, Nthengwe also advocates for the activist's rest and mental well-being.
The title – at times a protest chant, once a protest exhibition and now Nthengwe's second book – is provocative, but beyond the provocation there is the question of who, in the author's estimation, is doing the harm.
To answer these questions, Nthengwe offers an excerpt from their book.
“…'They' is whoever our generation believes has disappointingly let us down and should have protected us. It is the healthcare system that is an undignified experience for many ordinary Namibians already trampled on by institutional inefficiencies.
It is the Constitution that remains selective and divisive on so many accounts of human rights principles. It is the police force that intimidates civilians and uses brute force as an abuse of their power against enraged defenceless protestors.
It is a minister of gender who runs her ministry as if it is a Christian sanctuary. It is a homophobic member of parliament who relies on parliamentary immunity to spew hate speech. It is a patriarchy princess in parliament who does not believe that rape can exist in a marriage.
It is an arts industry that remains severely under-resourced and neglected, snuffing out the passion of many creatives in the country.
It is our racist and colonial history that still characterises the many incidents of Black indignity and inferiority in this country.
It is the disgustingly high levels of unemployment amongst youth.
It is the man in Opuwo who tried to fist-fight me for reprimanding his behaviour at an ATM when he tried to cut the line.
It is patriarchy. Sexism. Ableism. Misogyny. Racism. Homo-bi-transphobia.
'They', are the ones who f*cked with the wrong generation.”
As an act of self-reflection and internal housekeeping the book will also address the #ShutItAllDownNamibia scandal, the toxicity within civil society and social justice movements (from the friendships to the leaders themselves), cancel culture and more.
Set for release on 2 September and already available for pre-order, 'You F*cked with the Wrong Generation: An Ode to Modern Day Activism in Namibia' will soon be accessible in leading local bookstores.
“My hope is that the book grants us all permission within civil society, politics and social justice movements to analyse things more critically,” says Nthengwe. “To organise and exist more ethically in our institutions. And to step back when we need a chance to breathe.”
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
