Telling the Untold
…Amplifying Namibian Voices at Global Genocide Conference
The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) Conference took place from 21–24 October 2025 at the Genocide and Holocaust Centre in Johannesburg. Held under the theme “The Challenge of ‘Never Again,’” the gathering brought together more than 200 scholars, educators, and activists from around the world to reflect on genocide prevention, memory, and justice.
Among the presenters was Alexandra Tjiramanga, a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Communication and Languages at NUST, who delivered a paper titled “Trauma and Resilience in Mama Penee: Transcending the Genocide by Kapombo Katjivena.” Her work offered a powerful literary examination of personal and intergenerational trauma stemming from the 1904–1908 genocide against the OvaHerero people. Drawing on trauma theory, postcolonial perspectives, and literary analysis, she explored how the novel depicts survival, remembrance, and the enduring strength of women through the figure of Mama Penee, the author’s grandmother.
Her presentation sparked meaningful dialogue on gendered experiences of trauma and the critical role of African literature in preserving survivor narratives. “Literature like Mama Penee not only documents traumatic experiences, but illustrates unwavering resilience grounded in cultural tradition, self-awareness, and a proactive mindset,” she emphasised.
