'Time is up': Rundu learners demand end to violence
Kavango East governor Hambyuka Hamunyera has urged parents and elders to take responsibility for protecting children, following the shocking killings of two young girls and a teenager in Okahandja that have sparked national outrage.
Speaking during a learner-led protest march to his office in Rundu yesterday, Hamunyera said parents must step up as the first line of defence against violence targeting children.
“When we say enough is enough, we are making an oath – and that oath must ensure the protection of our kids,” he said. “Most of us standing here survived because our elders protected us. Today we are the elders, and we must do the same. Children must also speak up when they feel unsafe.”
The governor vowed to submit the petition to the relevant authorities.
The protest, organised by learners from several schools in Rundu, comes after the brutal murders of three girls – Ingrid Maasdorp (5), Roswinds Fabianu (6) and Beyonce !Kharuxas (15) – in Okahandja.
Marching through town, the learners carried placards and chanted slogans demanding justice and urgent government intervention.
Enough is enough
Kavango East education director Christine Shilima condemned the killings, saying schools should be safe spaces for learners.
“As a directorate and ministry, we are not happy and we are dismayed by what is happening. Learners should not feel afraid that they won’t make it home safely,” she said.
Shilima said safety must be the concern of every Namibian. “Your solidarity today is a signal to those committing these crimes – enough is enough. We cannot tolerate these killings anymore.”
Noordgrens Secondary School head boy McDonald Mwashekele delivered a powerful message on behalf of the learners.
“We are gathered here with shattered hearts and anger in our bones for the innocent girls brutally murdered. They were not just headlines – they had dreams and futures. To those in power and to those murdering our children: time is up. We need change,” he said.
Speaking during a learner-led protest march to his office in Rundu yesterday, Hamunyera said parents must step up as the first line of defence against violence targeting children.
“When we say enough is enough, we are making an oath – and that oath must ensure the protection of our kids,” he said. “Most of us standing here survived because our elders protected us. Today we are the elders, and we must do the same. Children must also speak up when they feel unsafe.”
The governor vowed to submit the petition to the relevant authorities.
The protest, organised by learners from several schools in Rundu, comes after the brutal murders of three girls – Ingrid Maasdorp (5), Roswinds Fabianu (6) and Beyonce !Kharuxas (15) – in Okahandja.
Marching through town, the learners carried placards and chanted slogans demanding justice and urgent government intervention.
Enough is enough
Kavango East education director Christine Shilima condemned the killings, saying schools should be safe spaces for learners.
“As a directorate and ministry, we are not happy and we are dismayed by what is happening. Learners should not feel afraid that they won’t make it home safely,” she said.
Shilima said safety must be the concern of every Namibian. “Your solidarity today is a signal to those committing these crimes – enough is enough. We cannot tolerate these killings anymore.”
Noordgrens Secondary School head boy McDonald Mwashekele delivered a powerful message on behalf of the learners.
“We are gathered here with shattered hearts and anger in our bones for the innocent girls brutally murdered. They were not just headlines – they had dreams and futures. To those in power and to those murdering our children: time is up. We need change,” he said.
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