Gister se onthou
Abstract 1: Koevoet Experience and Counter‑Insurgency Operations: This section recounts first‑hand experiences accompanying Koevoet teams during counter‑insurgency operations in northern Namibia. The narrative highlights the tactical differences between Koevoet and the SADF, the intensity of spoor‑tracking, and the dangers of improvised explosive devices. A vivid description of a patrol ambush illustrates the suddenness of violence: “Then there were an explosion and shrapnel whistled through the air.” The account also reflects on the cooperation between units, the role of helicopters, and the emotional impact of casualties, including the death of a tracker. Abstract 2: Pastoral Duties, Rural Infiltration and Civilian Vulnerability This portion describes the author’s pastoral responsibilities during periods of insurgent infiltration in farming districts. Farmers were restricted from using roads, making the pastor the primary link to town. The narrative conveys the constant threat of landmines and ambushes, as illustrated by the soldier who “sat with his nose almost against the window” while scanning for disturbed soil. The text also recounts earlier attacks on farms, the psychological strain on visitors, and the uneasy coexistence of danger and routine community life. Abstract 3: Divine Protection, Attacks on Oshakati, and Human Resilience This section reflects on multiple mortar and rocket attacks on Oshakati between 1985 and 1987, emphasizing moments of perceived divine protection. Mortars fell on both sides of the house, yet “not a single window was broken.” The narrative includes encounters with unexploded ordnance, narrowly avoided ambushes, and the emotional aftermath requiring psychological support. It also recounts the 1988 Oshakati bank bombing and the pastoral role in supporting bereaved families. The closing anecdotes introduce moments of humour amid tension, illustrating the resilience of communities living under constant threat.
