NORA'S NAMIBIA
Seven Decades of a Political Life
THE BOOK - NORA'S NAMIBIA
Seven Decades of a Political Life
Nora drew an elaborate mind map to outline her life, decade by decade. Each served as a chapter that recounts her own story against the backdrop of Namibia's history to give the reader an intimate look at the lives behind well-known names and events.
This was her vision. Over the next few months we will slowly flesh out these chapters for all to enjoy. The last few chapters are an addition not planned by Nora herself, but have been added by her family to record her work & impact in one place.
Any anecdotes, stories, images or materials about Nora's life are welcome and can be submitted via the contact form at the bottom of the page.
CHAPTER 1: EARLY DAYS
Old Location
At Kutako’s feet
M H Greef
Sundays Maneli
Christmas et al
A true daughter of the soil. Nora was born in the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek on December 01, 1940. Her lineage - a kaleidoscope of Damara, Herero and German during the apartheid times saw her being classified as a ‘coloured’. She was a true Namibian and spoke several languages - Afrikaans, English, German, French, Damara/Nama and Herero. Her father, Otto Ferdinand Schimming was already a respected member of Namibian society and was tasked by the Herero chief Hosea Kutako to share the plight of Namibians in Namibia with the United Nations - paving the way for diplomatic negotiations on Namibia’s liberation from the racist South African regime. He was tested at each step, however it is her mother, Charlotte ‘Lotte’ Schimming nee Freise, of Damara/German descent who instilled the passion for justice and freedom for all.
CHAPTER 2: SECOND DECADE
Trafalgar High School
CPSU
SOYA
OPO NEUM
UCT
Breaking the Colour Bar
Swanu OPO – Sam
Holidays at home
10th December
Her visionary parents knew that an education was at the time, at least one way in which people of colour could liberate themselves from their circumstance and their children needed a chance to achieve the great things that they were destined for. Otto and Charlotte worked hard, built a business, farmed and sought to liberate themselves, their families and their people. Their children deserved a chance and so they invested in their education and the children completed high school in Cape Town.
Active in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Nora participated in Politics in the Western Cape from her high school days. She spent holidays in Namibia, and joined the liberation struggle in Namibia.
CHAPTER 3: 1962
Exile
Tanganyika – Tanzania – Ball, Kozo-Putuse
Working for Goethe Institute
Sundays
Pawo
2 Scholarships
From +30oC to – 30oC overnight
Bonn - Liekendorf – Berlin
The exile years started in Tanganyika where she escaped to, after completing her first degree at UCT in Cape Town, joining many Southern Africans who were welcomed there during the liberation struggle. She stayed there for 9 months before obtaining a scholarship to study in Germany, at the Free University of Berlin. Here is where she was introduced to William Macdonald Chase by Libertine Amadhila.
CHAPTER 4: GERMANY
F. U. Berlin: Studies, Studentenheim, Siegmundshof.
Afro-Asian Latin-American
Brand and Mobutu
Neuss and Willy Brand
Commune
Ambrose - Nkrumah
Mac – Marriage – Saint Lucia
Mobutu visit
Kozo – me – Labour Party
Kenny
Socialist International
Swapo - Swanu – Stockholm
Fruehschoppen – Haefer
Rudi Dutsche SDS
Commune
Exhibition – “Bushman”
Kandukovaherero
UN Visit with Afra
Hakkie
CHAPTER 5: TANZANIA
Tennis partners the late David Merero?
Mamma
The OAU Connection
International School Headmistress
Mwalimu – Uganda
Trying to leave (Amnesty)
Home – SWANU Congress
CHAPTER 6: HOME AT LAST
SWANU, Jail
AG 8 and AG 26 Sondoro Terrorist - Dan
Toivo’s release
Chief’s funeral
St. Georges Board - Lamoela
Proximity talks
St. Pauls
NAWA
SATS COOPER – AK47
CCN – Helping people cross borders against conscription
Connecting to WCC
Ecumenical arm of SWAPO
CHAPTER 7: CROSS THE WATERS
WCC
Animator
CICARWS
CHAPTER 8: HOME AGAIN
Dobra – training
Getting to yes
Pik Botha Talks
CHAPTER 9: AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY
Ambassador France – Germany – Austria
Tourism Development, promise at Commissioning Ceremony
The Bonn Years
African Ambassadors
The Recall
Bundesverdienst Kreuz
CHAPTER 10: GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT
Foreign Affairs
Cod SAGA: From request to join to resignation.
M. P. Sub committee
Motions
Debates
IPU, SADC PF
Election Observer
Retirement
Distinguished Order of Merit
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Please enjoy these moments of her life and feel free to share your memories, anecdotes and experiences with her.