By Patience Makwele

Human rights activist and former Member of Parliament Rosa Namises continues to make her voice heard in Namibia, decades after first stepping into activism. From her early days in Windhoek’s Old Location to her current advocacy work, Namises has remained committed to justice, equality, and community empowerment.

Born on 20 April 1958 in what was then called !Arexa-!nab, Namises spent her early years moving between her parents’ households. She recalled meeting her mother only at the age of seven. “I grew up with my father from 3 months old and was introduced to my mother on my seventh birthday,” she shared. Adding, “I frequently visited my mother’s family and became part of the Namises household,” she said, reflecting on her childhood experiences that shaped her understanding of family and community.

Her education was interrupted by the forced removals to Katutura, however, she pursued learning persistently. After attending several primary and secondary schools, she completed correspondence courses with Sukses College in South Africa and later earned diplomas from the University of South Africa, the University of London, and other institutions.

Recounting how her first job experience as an office attendant’s early experience of discrimination in the workshop pushed her towards activism, she shared how it shaped her into the woman she is today. “After three weeks of employment, I was chased from the premises for daring my white boss to take his cup to the washing basin and remove the ashes from the tray,” she said. “I later joined the nursing fraternity and served it for a good 32 years,” she added, her tenure came to an end in 1985 when she was dismissed due to her political involvement. She described the dismissal as her road opener, “the dismissal opened new doors for me to this day, change was indeed good,” she said.

Her political and activist journey began in the 1970s during Namibia’s liberation struggle. She shared that she joined SWAPO but left in 1990, citing human rights violations and the abuse of power within the movement. “I left because of human rights violations and the silence of truth and new characters of power syndrome and abuse,” she explained.

In 1999, she co-founded the Congress of Democrats (CoD) after ten years of experience in civil society and NGO work. Namises served as a Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2005 and again from 2010 to 2012. Throughout her political career, she remained vocal on human rights, gender equality, and LGBTQI+ rights.

Outside Parliament, Namises has consistently focused on community-based initiatives. Founding director of Women’s Solidarity Namibia, an organisation addressing gender-based violence, and the founder of Dolam Children’s Home, which provides care for vulnerable children. She also serves on the advisory board of the Global Ecovillage Network and is an Ambassador for Trauma-Informed Leadership.

She has also promoted cultural preservation and practical empowerment initiatives. She explained that she has started community gardens in rural areas to strengthen women’s economic base and food security. “Through recalling good traditions and cultural practices, I work with women to secure food to eat and to strengthen their livelihoods,” she said.

In 2024, Namises sought to participate in the national elections as an independent candidate. However, administrative challenges with the Electoral Commission of Namibia prevented her registration. Despite this setback, she remains committed to political engagement and plans to register The Voice of Namibia, a movement she hopes will foster accountable leadership and support the development of future Namibian leaders.

She currently continues to appear on radio programs and public forums to advocate for peace, education, equality, and unity. She emphasised on the importance of Indigenous languages in these discussions, ensuring that her messages are accessible to all communities.

Her work and advocacy have earned her recognition as one of Namibia’s most influential women. “I will continue to speak and act for what is right,” she emphasized. “Namibia needs leaders who stand for the people not for power.”

For Namises, leadership is measured by impact rather than title. Her life demonstrates that consistent activism, community engagement, and courage are essential to driving change. Through decades of advocacy, she remains a visible and respected voice in Namibian politics and social justice, inspiring young women to participate in leadership and public service.