Through a virtual walk for hope and healing, held under the theme ‘We mourn with Namibia’, the Rehoboth community on Saturday honoured and remembered those who were murdered at Okahandja recently.
The 5km walk hosted by the Step Up Ark Community Organisation, a nonprofit based at Rehoboth, started at 07h00 at Kaap Agri, along the gravel road to Oanob Dam.
“We mourn deeply with the community of Okahandja following the recent tragic killings. Their lives mattered. These heartbreaking losses are one of the main reasons we are walking. We walk to honour them, to raise our voices for justice and to ensure no more lives are lost in silence.
“We walked together honouring lives lost, raising our voices against gender-based violence and standing in unity for a safer Namibia,” said Step Up Ark Community Organisation founder Martha McNab.
McNab said the walk is a community-driven awareness campaign aimed to bring attention to gender-based violence (GBV) and raise funds for the construction of a safe shelter for women and children.
“The walk aims to raise awareness about GBV, and honour victims and survivors. We’re also gathering funds for a shelter in the Hardap region. It’s also about uniting people, educating communities and pushing for change. It’s not about how far you walk, but about walking with purpose and standing together.
“We walk to break the silence and to build hope. When we walk together, we show survivors that they are not alone, and we send a message that violence has no place in our homes or communities,” McNab said.
She said the event was inspired after a personal experience.
“After my personal journey walking across the Hardap region in 2023, I saw how each step can open hearts and spark conversations,” she said.
McNab said the walk is was not the first of its kind.
“Each Saturday in May, we walk together in unity. The walks are aimed at sharing stories, remembering victims and showing support for survivors. Everyone is welcome on these walks,” she said.
Community member Margrit Swarts said she joined the walk not only because she enjoys walks, but she wanted to show support to the recent victims.
She believes honouring the lives of those who have died can provide a sense of community, remembrance and healing.
“Walking is certainly beneficial. Walking together offers a space for processing emotions and finding comfort amid grief. We have to come together and inspire people to love and care for one another instead of hurting and killing each other. Each one’s lives matter,” Swarts said.
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