Introducing: A True Me in Words: An Anthology of Poems by Anneli Nghikembua

Macmillan Education Namibia Publishers, now Namibia Publishing House, have a long history of cooperating with the National Arts Council and supporting young Namibian authors.

It is reassuring to know that poetry, as a genre, is no longer read by just a few “chosen” who are able to understand it. It is also practised on many levels by young and old in Namibia, especially now that Ministry of Education holds regular writing competitions in which poetry takes central stage, and National Arts Council sponsors poetry publications of poets such as Thaniseb, Kahengua and Nghikembua.

In her recently launched poetry anthology, Anneli Nghikembua speaks of life as it is. The poem “Pride of an African Woman” or “Cry not” touches us deeply with images of hardships women go through every day.

In the light of gender violence, inequality and all other social illnesses, it is hard to be a woman in Africa. In her poems, Anneli bears her soul. She gives us a glimpse into her complex nature. Her dreams, fears, disappointments and wishes for simple things like love, safety and stability could be any woman’s dreams and fears. They are all laid out before us so effortlessly and every woman is able to find something there for herself. 

But it’s not all negative.

In “My Grandmother’s Hat”, she honours the elderly woman with all her wisdom and quirkiness; in “Ain’t I”, she gives praise to those who courageously “stand for their future”, “ leave the bad behind and stay focused”, just as she did.  She speaks with confidence and courage, qualities she pleads all women must have.

Although very personal and sad at times, these poems celebrate women. They may be young students, or single mothers, or victims of abuse, but they are women who, despite being vulnerable, are proud of who they are today.

I would recommend this anthology to all women who need encouragement in their lives and to all men who would benefit from understanding the struggles women go through in today’s world.

A True Me in Words is available at Book Den in Windhoek. 

Anneli with Mike Mukete of the Bank of Namibia and another guest
at the launch of her book at the National Archives on 5 July 2013