Isai Sipunga
In the heart of the Goreangab Dam informal settlement, amid the corrugated zinc shacks and bustling streets, resides Linea Ndadilepo Peter — a woman whose story embodies resilience in the face of adversity.
At 35, Peter’s days are spent navigating the harsh realities of unemployment with her elder sister and their four children. Together, they eke out a living by selling relish along the roadside, a meagre income that barely sustains their basic needs.
However, Peter’s journey is marked by a stark contrast — a journey that began with promise and academic achievement.
Armed with a diploma and a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Management from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), Peter envisioned a future filled with opportunity and fulfillment.
Despite her qualifications, her path has been littered with obstacles. Since graduating in 2017, she has faced a relentless struggle to secure a decent job.
Her diminutive stature, standing at just 1.4 metres, has proved to be the unexpected barrier in her quest for meaningful work.
“I’m caught in between,” a distraught Peter shares, her voice tinged with frustration. “I’m not short enough to qualify for a disability grant, yet I’m considered too short for certain job requirements.”
Her challenges mounted as she faced discrimination at her last workplace where she suffered ridicule from coworkers, forcing her to walk away from the job.
Repeated rejections from prospective employers only deepened her sense of despair.
Even her aspirations of obtaining a driver’s license were dashed, as she found herself disqualified due to her inability to reach the pedals — a cruel reminder of the limitations imposed by her stature.
In moments of despair, Peter confesses grappling with suicidal thoughts. Yet, amid the darkness, she finds glimmers of hope - the unwavering support of her mother, the steadfast love of her big sister, and the solace from reading the Bible - has kept her going.
Despite the odds against her, she remains determined to carve out a future filled with hope and possibility.
When contacted, the ministry of labour and employment creation said it was not in a position to comment on Peter’s case.
“The ministry would like to suggest to the lady to first
establish the reasons for not being shortlisted from the institutions where she applied for employment instead of basing her worries on assumptions,” was the response from labour spokesperson Maria Hedimbi.
Hedimbi added: “The law creates a level playing field for employment for qualified jobseekers in the form of Affirmative Action whereby people who were previously disadvantaged are now accorded equal opportunity to be mainstreamed in employment. Equally, discrimination in employment on whatever grounds is illegal in independent Namibia.”
- isipunga@nepc.com.na