Katutura which means “the place we do not want to live” in
Windhoek, Namibia exists due to the fact that “the ‘black’ people” of Namibia, previously
known as South West Africa before Independence 25 years ago, were forced to abandon
their homes forcefully in the 60’s at the “Old Location” which was declared a
Museum after the Independence of Namibia, to re-locate to their “new location”,
christened by them as Katutura then. The “Old Location” is a popular tourist “must
see” attraction to start off an interesting Katutura day tour for many a guest
from anywhere in the world.
The time and money spend is worth it once visitors find
themselves guided by a local driver whilst being able to experience and see the
reality of poverty, hope, dreams, results and prosperity of those that never
gave up as quitting was and never is an option in Katutura. No-one can or wants
to leave Katutura without the overwhelming feeling and realization of being
humble and thankful.
Penduka, meaning “Wake Up” is an organization that was
started as a humble beginning to empower the women of Katutura and has since grown
to a formidable organization which exports to countries such as the Netherlands
and Germany to only mention a few.
This organization is situated along the Goreagab Dam,
teaches and assists women from all over Namibia already to make use of their
fantastic ability creating artwork through their own handwork, such as sewing
garments, handmade embroidery items, handmade crockery, using recycling
materials such as glass bottles to create the most beautiful jewelry and much more.
Penduka is an organization where dreams become reality;
poverty turns to hope and creates results which leads into prosperity,
especially for the women of Namibia. Any visitor to Namibia is usually in a dream-world
of their own while being guided through the whole process by the women of
Penduka that keeps the dream alive and well. Accommodation and a restaurant,
also a dream come true is available to assist visitors and there is a factory
shop open on the same premises with the handmade craftsmanship of women with
dreams and a goal to become totally independent.
No wonder Katutura is such a popular destination for
tourists to visit. As the tour progress, visitors experience Eveline Street,
the street in Katutura that never sleep. Imagine you are part of an ant group,
always busy working…day in…day out…night in…night out. This is the most well-known
street in the whole of Windhoek, never sleeping, always negotiating, selling,
washing vehicles with one bar after the other and plenty “Shebeens”(liquor
stores) operating 24 hours a day when they have only half a chance. Within the “Buzz”
of it all, there is a Church which can be missed easily in all the excitement of
vehicles moving up and down the street and people gathering in groups all over…heck,
should your toilet have a sudden problem you may even be able to buy the
necessary parts exhibited on the side of the street.
Any visitor will find time to pass quickly but oh, before we
leave the inner-center of Katutura one must see the reality of humble
beginnings where people build “shacks” after arriving in Windhoek with their
dreams been a burning desire to achieve success one way or another. “Shacks”
are built with any kind of material they may be able to lay their hands on such
as carton (paper boxes), old material fabrics, plastic, old iron roof sheets,
tin and any other material that could be used to build something they call “home”
for a short time; which in many cases become a life-long home.
The Katutura Tour will have an impact on any visitor’s mind
and heart and will most certainly give anyone many reasons to be thankful for
what they have. Katutura, “the place we do not want to live”, re-named and
called by some already today to Matutura, “the place we want to live”. Come and
live the reality of poverty, hope, dreams, results and prosperity of a Nation
that never quitted and most certainly never gave up…whilst still reaching for
the stars…
