People of Namibia. Chapter 1: Nikodemus Childhood

As an introduction, for me, Namibia is blessed by pure natural beauty, space and freedom, and the kindness, humility, and playful nature of its people.

It is the second least populated country in the world (after Mongolia) and, at the same time, Namibia is an incredible melting pot of people from different cultural backgrounds and tribes.

The majority tribe is Ovambo, other ethnic groups are mostly Kavango, Damara, Herero, White, Nama, Caprivian, San, Basters. Namibia is also the land of pioneers, explorers, entrepreneurs, and artists.

Namibia ranks as the 3rd wealthiest country in Africa per capita but also as the second most wealth inequality in the world.

This inequality is a little bit mitigated by tribal subsistence farming in communal land.

As Namibia is in a phase of exponential growth, expected to grow by 60% by 2032, from Oil & Gas, Green Hydrogen and renewable energy, there is great hope that, with a low population of 2.6m people, directly or indirectly, everybody should benefit.

In this context of great cultural diversity, which I find particularly fascinating, I thought it would nice and educational for me (and perhaps for you too), to better understand and appreciate the life of some local people in Namibia. So, here we start:

In Walvis Bay, we live in an apartment and Nikodemus is the gentleman who looks after the outside maintenance of our residence.

Around a cup of tea, Niko generously agreed to tell me about his childhood, education, his work at the farm, getting married, his move to the city and his life today.

CHAPTER 1: NIKODEMUS’ CHILDHOOD

On the 6th of June 1981, Nikodemus Swartbooi was born. (hereafter referred as Niko).

His parents chose his name Nicodemus from the esteemed rabbi in the bible.

As a matter of interest, 80% of Namibians are Christian (mostly Lutherans, which is a branch of Protestantism, and Catholics), and 20% follow Animism.

In most tribes, if you get married, you carry the husband’s surname but interestingly, if you have children together, the children usually carry the mother’s surname.

So, Niko’s surname Swartbooi, comes from his mother’s side and it means black boy.

Also, as soon as you are born, you get a nickname.

Niko’s nickname is “Oukrop” meaning the part of the dove’s throat which stores food to feed the babies (the crop). I interpret it as being the provider of the family.

When Niko grew up, he was very good at playing volleyball and soccer and was nicknamed Tiger by his school friends.

So now, most of his family and friends call him Tiger, which he likes.

Niko’s Mum, Helena, was born from 2 different but similar tribes, the Damara and Nama tribes.
She was a nurse and is now retired.

His father was born from the Herero tribe and died shortly after Niko’s birth. They had 2 children.
When Niko was 3 years’ old, his mother married Paul, and they had 4 children together.

Niko’s stepfather Paul, and his mother Helena

Niko’s stepfather, Paul, is from Deutsch descendant and is a coloured person.
Coloured means of various ancestry, including indigenous (Khoisan, Bantu and others), Whites (including Afrikaners), Indian, Malay…

Jeremia was Niko’s grandfather; he had a farm and was a garbage truck driver at Maltahohe village council from 1985 to 2000. Jeremia then retired and died in 2009 at the age of 68, which is quite an old age in Namibia, as life expectancy is around 62.

Niko spent most of his childhood and education in Maltahohe, a town in Southern Central Namibia of about 6000 inhabitants.

At school, Niko graduated to grade 12 and received his high school diploma.

In Namibia, this is a high level of education and equivalent to a year before A levels in the UK, and la terminale in France.

Local Namibians are very talented with languages and amazingly, Niko speaks Nama, Damara, English, Afrikaans, Baxa taw is sit id (English/Afrikaans in reverse).

To finish our first chapter, here is a little recording of Niko, speaking Damara.

Have a nice evening
Kind regards
Murielle