BiAS 7 – The Bible and Politics in Africa
Despite these disturbing figures for Namibia, it is indicated that the
country has been and is experiencing pro-poor growth. (This means that,
despite the poverty rates in the country, there has been a slight reduction
in poverty, given the definition of the poverty line.)
The position of women has to be especially mentioned in a report on
poverty in Namibia. “Women are the primary caregivers, providers and
protectors in the family” (Jauch, Edwards & Cupido 2009:13).
“Because of labour migration, poverty and AIDS mortality, the rural matri-
focal family often takes the form of the Elderly Female Headed Household
or grandmother and her grandchildren that various children left behind due
to migration or mortality. Often the state-provided pension is the only
source of cash income to these families” (Ibid.:14).
HIV/AIDS and poverty may count as the biggest, but numerous other
problems are also faced in the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and
poverty, apart from problems that all children face anyhow whilst grow-
ing up. Platt (in Ecumenical Papers Series 01/06) lists many such other
problems that the child faces, even without taking into account the ever-
present threat of HIV/AIDS. Such problems include a lack of education,
children used for work, drugs and related substances, violence, sexual
abuse, and poor health care. (See also DHS 2006-07, and a recent report
in Die Republikein, June 14, 2010, which quotes UNICEF as saying that
there are now 150 Million children under 14 years of age who are used
for work world-wide). Platt relates the problems he mentions to a large
extent to the lack of ecumenical will between churches and church lead-
ers. The problems have dire effects on children. In an interview with
Magdalena Sitoris in In die Welt für die Welt 1/2006:7-8 about children’s
rights in Asia, she notes that the churches must recognize the problems
of children and says the following: My church, the HKBP, a very large
church, does not really do anything for the protection of children.” The
above-mentioned UN Report (2004:62) quotes Foster as follows:
“Many (children) experience depression, anger, guilt and fear for
their futures. This experience can lead to serious psychological prob-
lems such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, alcohol and drug
abuse, aggression and even suicide.”
“Struggle Kids”
Namibia has also inherited a large number of so-called “struggle kids”.
These are children who were born during the struggle for independence
or who were left orphaned because their parents were killed in the war