Browsing by Author "Iiyambo, Gabriel Iithembu"

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    An investigation of the contributions made by civilians during Namibia’s liberation: A case study of selected war narratives from Oshitudha in Omusati region, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2025) Iiyambo, Gabriel Iithembu; Shigwedha, Vilho
    Civilians from the Oshitudha village, in Omusati region, made immense contributions during the war for Namibia’s independence from apartheid South Africa’s rule of Namibia. The objectives of this study were to examine the role played by selected civilians in Oshitudha village by supporting members of the Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), who fought against apartheid South African forces in Namibia. A number of Oshitudha residents who witnessed the effect of war on Oshitudha civilians were interviewed. Their collective testimonies disclosed an amicable social and political interaction between the local population and PLAN combatants. Interviewees’ accounts also collaborated the mainstream local narratives regarding numerous atrocities that PLAN collaborators incurred in the hands of the South African Security Forces (SASF) in Namibia. The findings of the study established that many Oshitudha civilians supported PLAN combatants with food, water, civilian clothes, transport, medicine, shelter, and intelligence information about the SASF. The study also revealed that exile-bound civilians who, in most cases, came from western Owamboland were regularly accommodated by residents of Oshitudha village for weeks as they awaited the arrival of PLAN combatants to escort them to Angola. In efforts to stop civilians support for PLAN, the SASF unleashed terror on Oshitudha civilians, which resulted in loss of lives, disappearance, permanent injuries, and loss of properties. Nevertheless, the presence of PLAN combatants who were from Oshitudha solidified the support of Oshitudha civilians, who treated them as one would treat his or her biological children. The study concludes that the assistance that Oshitudha civilians gave PLAN combatants was vital for the continuation of the Namibian armed liberation struggle. Lastly, it recommends further areas of research, ii such as the official recognition of civilians who contributed immensely to the Namibian armed liberation struggle, as war veterans