Your own kind of hero

I remember being asked who my hero was when I was in Grade three and having to draw them too. I'd always pick someone that did something nice for me that day, like my cousin who helped me solve a simple subtraction sum as I was never a numbers person. Or my sister who helped me to cover for me because I stayed out playing way passed my outside hours. Yes, times where hard on us I'm telling you! But as the years went by the question became more and more difficult to answer since my ability to think critically was kicking in and heroes were more than the personal favourite people of the week that did minor favours for me.
So then what and who does one define as a hero? Under what circumstances and criteria do they fall? Does your hero necessarily have to be mine? And more importantly, what is their use to you? I know of so many people who have felt bad because they got laughed at for not having or knowing their heroes. The things we laughed at though. But nonetheless I would define a hero as someone who is admired for their courage or outstanding achievements, just like Google! So my Grade three heroes were heroes after all! So then these are usually characters from books like the Cinderellas or Batmans of the world, people that have done something extraordinary like the founding father of the land of the brave takekulu Sam Nujoma. He showed the way and he didn’t do it for fame but for his country. He inspired many and is still an inspiration to many.
In the entertainment industry those that are regarded as heroes are those that have paved the way for many to be where they are now. The likes of Jackson Kaujeua, Ras Sheehama, Tunakie for introducing the genre Shambo to the Namibian entertainment industry, Tate Butti, and Sandy Rudd for putting the Namibian theatre production in the centre, raising it like her baby and moulding so many actors and actresses. Today I would like to honour these and many more people, dead or alive as their legacies are being written or already have been; they have done a lot that needs to be applauded. For the fallen, your light still shines onto many and is carried forward in our hearts. It’s really hard work and dedication that is needed for one to be regarded as a hero. If your intent is to make the world a better place, do it and then your name will surely be written on the walls of heroes of the future.
Be your own kind of hero.
June Shimuoshili
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