The Journey to ‘Paths to Freedom’

The documentary film ‘Paths to Freedom’ by Richard Pakleppa will soon grace Namibian screens when it launches at the National Theater of Namibia (NTN) on 27 July.

‘Paths to Freedom’ covers an important period in Namibia’s history, her path to national consciousness and her formation. In the film, prominent Namibian leaders and activists including Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Founding President Sam Nujoma, President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Mzee Kaukungwa, Helao Shityuwete, John Nankudthu, Kambo Shixungileeni, Ben Amathila, Gerson Veii and many others tell how they organised the struggle from the beginnings in labour struggles and protest, to the launch of the armed struggle at Omugulugwombashe in 1966.

Women including Lahya Iyambo, Priskilia Tuhadeleni, Justina Amalwa and others tell of how they and their families provided crucial support for the freedom fighters.

‘Paths to Freedom’ was made over a period of four years and came about “when Comrade Shityuwete was very ill in hospital in Cape Town,” said Pakleppa.

“We spoke about how much of our history has yet to be recorded and that we are losing the living custodians of the past every day,” added the struggle icon and former Robben Island detainee Helao Shityuwete.

“The film not only follows the ‘usual suspects’ but also sheds lights on those untold stories of mothers who helped their sons and daughters go off into exile, who opened up their homes to combatants, put themselves at huge risk and all those other players in the people’s war,” said Pakleppa.

Utilising extensive archive footage and archive still images found in Namibia, South Africa and Germany as well as recently declassified South African Military documents, the film covers many key experiences in the formation of Namibia’s modern history up to 1966: the degrading experience of contract labour, the movement of peasants to find work all over Namibia and Southern Africa, the politicising and uniting impact of contract labour, the formation of Owamboland People’s Congress, Owamboland People’s Organisation and Swapo, the Old Location shooting in 1959, the exodus of Swapo activists and leaders to Tanganyika, events at the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, the conflicts with South African appointed tribal leaders, the visit of UN Investigator Carpio in the early 60s, the return of the first Swapo fighters to Namibia in 1965 and 1966, preparations for war and the Battle of Omugulugwombashe on 26 August 1966.

The documentary contains rare interviews with struggle heroes John Nankudthu and Priskilia Tuhadeleni who passed away during the course of the production. The film also contains a unique interview with Philemon Shuuya Castro who was deputy commander of Swapo’s army in 1966 before being removed from his post in late 19 67.

The film’s fascinating interviews are supported by a poetic visual narration and an original sound track created by Hishishi Papa and Philippa Miller. The narrative voice of the film is Johannes ‘Chops’ Tshoopara.

As part of the sponsorship provided in the production of ‘Paths to Freedom’, 1300 copies of the DVD will be distributed for free to schools, museums, multi purpose centres and educational institutions nationwide. The DVDs will be accompanied by a Facilitators Guide. Beyond this, the film will be available for sale with half the proceeds of all sales going to the Robben Island Veterans Trust Fund.

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