The pre-independence psychological experiences of the Namibian children of the liberation struggle: a qualitative study

Abstract

The Independence of Namibia in 1990 witnessed the voluntary repatriation of exiled Namibian people back home. Children of the liberation struggle is the term used to refer to the grown-up children of veterans who were under the age of 18 years before Namibian Independence. Since 2008, demonstrations and demands for jobs from government by the children of the liberation struggle have taken place regularly, drawing harsh criticism about the behaviour and demands of the children of the liberation struggle from the general private and public Namibian domain. This study aims to explore the pre-Independence psychological experiences of the Namibian children of the liberation struggle in an attempt to understand their conduct. A qualitative approach was employed where in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 employed children of the liberation struggle in the Khomas region. The collected data were categorised by means of thematic analysis. The results revealed themes which demonstrate that most children of the liberation struggle experienced adversities like growing up separated from their parents, in unstable conditions, having experienced maltreatment, constantly afraid of the enemy and having endured traumatic war-related situations. The study recommends sensitisation of the broad Namibian public on the lived experiences of the children of the liberation struggle. Psycho-education programmes and psychological interventions in the form of therapeutic group sessions and individual sessions with children of the liberation struggle can assist with reflection on the past, making sense of it and find healing to move on with their lives. Government and the private sector should cooperate in rendering training and job opportunities for the children of the liberation struggle.