Freedom, peace & well-being . . .

This is what we all long for, whoever we are and wherever we live - peace in the home and the world, and the freedom to grow, live, love and be.

The word ‘peace’ is present in many names found throughout Namibia and appears on gravestones (‘Peace Perfect Peace’ is my favourite), in the names of shebeens like ‘Peace-full Star’ and ‘Peace Bar’, and in the names of many farms dotted around our beautiful country.

I always think how lucky we are to live in an era of peace. Our parents and grandparents weren’t as fortunate and may have lived through wars within the country, the world wars and the turbulent years leading up to Namibian independence. Although independence in 1990 brought a more stable period, many of the farm names remain from the previous century and allude to this desire for peace. The names ‘Vrede’ – ‘Peace’, ‘Vredelus’ – ‘A longing for peace’, ‘Vryheid’ – ‘Freedom’ and ‘Vredeshoop’ – ‘Hope for peace’ ring with the universal wish for a quiet, calm and harmonious life.