Wambo Location Relationships

I believe the term Wambo Location originated during the colonial era, as this was where many Oshiwambo people came to settle.

The photo above was taken in Windhoek on Shanghai Street, which lies on the border between Wambo 10, Donkerhoek, Shandumbala and Swawek. These areas are essentially one and the same, commonly known as Wambo Lokasie or Ondjambo.

What is truly fascinating is how people (women) from these locations share similarities in their way of life.

There are countless stories about relationships from Wambo Location. They say if a man dates or marries someone from there he is in trouble, serious financial trouble. I am not sure whether it’s a myth or just pure lies, but I am convinced there is some truth to it.

Many years back, during my university days, I dated a girl from Donkerhoek and, because I was in university at the time, I was seen as ‘potential’. One day I found myself sitting in their living room with the aunties and ouma – and that is when I knew I was in deep.

Luckily, I was smart enough to make a quick exit before things got too serious.

It may sound funny, but it’s true. At some point, I even started buying electricity for their house with my own pocket money, plus russian and chips from the Hakahana service station. You just couldn’t show up empty-handed.

Regardless of everything else, the treatment was unmatched. The whole family supported the relationship. They would cook for me, bring me water and even send the children to buy me cooldrink whenever I visited. It felt nice, like I was part of the family, however, without realising it, I was being recruited.

Two years into the relationship I was completely drained; she was just too dramatic. Although that wasn’t the main reason I left, it was more about the burden of carrying their entire household. They worked together to make sure I stayed, and that in itself was extreme.

That’s my story, and I know there are many others just like mine.

The place has a strange history when it comes to relationships: they never seem to last, because many women saw men as a source of income, a mindset that has somehow been passed down from generation to generation.

He must pay, pay and keep paying and if he doesn’t, they are told to leave him and find another one who will. It has become such a deep-rooted mindset that it’s almost a way of life.

In that community, every second house seems to share a strange pattern: the men either die mysteriously, or the house has not had a man living there for years.

For some reason, the women seem to do something to them and over again.

Rumour has it that some of the ladies prefer to live happily with their children alone and inherit the house once the man is gone – a dark reality many have whispered about.

I even know of a man who was warned not to marry someone from this location. He ignored the advice, went ahead, and three years later, he fell off the back of a slow-moving bakkie. The vehicle was full of people but he was the only one who fell.

Again, another example of a mysterious death.

I am simply saying listen, observe and trust your instincts. Don’t dismiss what you hear, but don’t believe everything blindly either. Learn to filter the truth for yourself.

And to my fellow gents, if you can stay away, do so. If you can’t, keep your eyes open and plan your escape wisely. Maybe go date and marry a village girl.

– Meneer_SK is a passionate voice for men, advocating on issues that matter to men. Follow him on Instagram: @Meneer_SK
The views expressed here are that of the author and not of The Namibian.

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