With unemployment figures rising across Europe, is there still a place…
Life 8 - Trawler Girl
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Johanna is Namibia's first female trawler captain. She trained with the Namibian Maritime Fisheries Institute and became skipper after eight years service as an officer and chief mate. Now in command of a crew of 23, she finds that men are not used to a woman at the wheel. Namibia signed up to the Millennium Development Goals that aim to cut poverty by half in 2015. These goals include specific targets for women on education, reproductive health and equality. Johanna is an example of targets fulfilled--but what about her friends and relatives back home?
'There is a continuous challenge of trying to strike a balance in the film: being a woman in a man's world, being a professional and leader at work and being an ordinary woman back home with no title or recognition of being a leader. There are internal dilemmas that happen in daily life to all, in this case, being a mother and being a successful career woman. Johanna brings a message of hope to many, a message that needs to be heard. Life is a challenge but those challenges need to be taken head on by both males and females. The film is good teaching material and is likely to motivate youngsters who would see Johanna as their role model.' Teboho Moja, Clinical Professor of Higher Education, New York University
Citation
Main credits
Akwaake, Abius (Director)
Bradshaw, Steve (Narrator)
Other credits
Music, Ndasuunje Papa, Shikengeni, Audio Network; camera, Nathan Levine-Heaney; editors, Mike-Steve Adeleye, Edward Radford.
Distributor subjects
African Studies; Anthropology; Developing World; Education; Gender Studies; Labor and Work Issues; Millennium Development Goals; Poverty; Psychology; Sociology; Women's StudiesKeywords
WEBVTT
00:00:02.434 --> 00:00:03.767
Bradshaw: Five years to go
00:00:03.801 --> 00:00:05.434
before the Millennium
Development Goals
00:00:05.467 --> 00:00:08.534
set by world leaders
are supposed to be met.
00:00:08.567 --> 00:00:10.834
Now, we\'ve had reports
and we\'ve had surveys,
00:00:10.868 --> 00:00:13.167
but what\'s the view
from the streets,
00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:15.634
from the people
who live on the edge?
00:00:15.667 --> 00:00:20.033
In this case,
on the edge of a continent.
00:00:20.067 --> 00:00:44.033
[dramatic music]
00:00:52.434 --> 00:00:55.133
We\'re at the edge
of the Namib Desert
00:00:55.167 --> 00:00:57.567
on Africa\'s southwest coast,
00:00:57.601 --> 00:01:01.968
a world of drought,
danger, shipwreck,
00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:05.467
but also fish.
00:01:05.501 --> 00:01:11.400
Luderitz Harbor, an old port
rebuilt for fishing boats.
00:01:11.434 --> 00:01:17.200
The industry is one of the
pillars of Namibia\'s economy.
00:01:17.234 --> 00:01:20.501
It\'s a man\'s world.
00:01:20.534 --> 00:01:24.601
Almost eight out of ten
fishery workers are men.
00:01:27.367 --> 00:01:30.734
Women, normally allowed
on these great Atlantic trawlers
00:01:30.767 --> 00:01:32.734
only as visitors,
00:01:32.767 --> 00:01:35.501
may be taking a turn
at the wheel.
00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:41.534
Johanna Kwedhi
is going aboard the Kanus,
00:01:41.567 --> 00:01:45.100
one of the fleet\'s
largest vessels,
00:01:45.133 --> 00:01:50.667
except Johanna is not coming
on board as a guest.
00:01:50.701 --> 00:01:54.567
Johanna is Namibia\'s
first female trawler skipper.
00:01:54.601 --> 00:01:57.567
[pleasant upbeat music]
00:01:57.601 --> 00:02:05.667
? ?
00:02:13.767 --> 00:02:21.167
- As a captain, I normally work
on standby for 24 hours.
00:02:21.200 --> 00:02:25.701
I wake up about 6:00.
00:02:25.734 --> 00:02:30.200
We are having six-hour shifts.
00:02:30.234 --> 00:02:33.234
At the bridge, we are threeÑ
00:02:33.267 --> 00:02:35.200
me as the captain,
00:02:35.234 --> 00:02:38.667
a chief mate,
and the second mate.
00:02:42.667 --> 00:02:46.234
Bradshaw: Men are not used
to a woman at the wheel.
00:02:46.267 --> 00:02:48.834
Women don\'t normally
chart the course,
00:02:48.868 --> 00:02:52.400
literally or metaphorically,
00:02:52.434 --> 00:02:55.133
or give orders,
however pleasantly.
00:02:55.167 --> 00:02:57.901
- Now we are approaching
to the fishing grounds.
00:02:57.934 --> 00:03:03.100
Bradshaw: And the crew knows
their lives are in her hands.
00:03:03.133 --> 00:03:05.300
- I\'ve been working
with Miss Johanna Kwedhi
00:03:05.334 --> 00:03:07.734
as my captain for two years.
00:03:07.767 --> 00:03:09.667
She is the one
who gives an order,
00:03:09.701 --> 00:03:13.400
what has to be done for the day,
everything like that.
00:03:13.434 --> 00:03:18.167
So everythingÑthe orders
came from himÑI mean from her.
00:03:19.634 --> 00:03:20.968
Bradshaw:
Johanna trained
00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:24.200
with the Namibian Maritime
Fisheries Institute.
00:03:24.234 --> 00:03:25.567
She got to be a skipper
00:03:25.601 --> 00:03:29.234
eight years after serving
as an officer and chief mate
00:03:29.267 --> 00:03:33.067
under a Spanish captain.
00:03:33.100 --> 00:03:37.200
Her company now has four more
women coming through the ranks.
00:03:41.667 --> 00:03:47.000
- My responsibility
is to command.
00:03:47.033 --> 00:03:52.868
Since I have 23 crew members
on board,
00:03:52.901 --> 00:03:56.968
they are all under my authority.
00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:01.300
Some of the people, they have
this mentality of saying,
00:04:01.334 --> 00:04:05.534
\"I can\'t be told to do this
by a woman.\"
00:04:05.567 --> 00:04:11.934
Since a man is a pillar
or a head of the house,
00:04:11.968 --> 00:04:13.767
it\'s not working anymore.
00:04:13.801 --> 00:04:16.434
It\'s not working anymore.
00:04:21.400 --> 00:04:22.567
- [speaking native language]
00:04:22.601 --> 00:04:25.234
- I have many years
of experience at sea.
00:04:25.267 --> 00:04:27.834
This is a man\'s world.
00:04:27.868 --> 00:04:31.300
Since the beginning,
it\'s been a man\'s world.
00:04:31.334 --> 00:04:34.501
If your leadership
is not appropriate for the crew,
00:04:34.534 --> 00:04:37.267
you will not earn their respect.
00:04:41.501 --> 00:04:44.400
- My shipmates
on board the vessel,
00:04:44.434 --> 00:04:46.968
they are wonderful.
00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:50.334
Where do I go?
Where do I go?
00:04:50.367 --> 00:04:51.801
- [speaking indistinctly]
00:04:51.834 --> 00:04:56.000
- Each and everybody
has his duty,
00:04:56.033 --> 00:05:00.067
and we have procedures
whereby we have to follow,
00:05:00.100 --> 00:05:01.601
and if we don\'t,
00:05:01.634 --> 00:05:05.567
then we will see
what we have to do with that.
00:05:07.567 --> 00:05:09.033
Bradshaw:
For the older fishermen,
00:05:09.067 --> 00:05:10.367
it\'s a novelty to have
00:05:10.400 --> 00:05:15.300
an educated black Namibian
as skipper.
00:05:15.334 --> 00:05:18.434
- We have never seen a black
person in charge of a ship.
00:05:18.467 --> 00:05:20.968
It\'s always been
a Spanish person.
00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:24.200
Now that black people
are here in command,
00:05:24.234 --> 00:05:25.734
we are very proud.
00:05:25.767 --> 00:05:28.467
Since we do not know
the foreign languages,
00:05:28.501 --> 00:05:31.434
they can now communicate
on our behalf.
00:05:31.467 --> 00:05:35.567
Today I can just ask Johanna
for anything.
00:05:35.601 --> 00:05:39.033
Bradshaw: A ship
is like a world of its own.
00:05:39.067 --> 00:05:41.701
Here it\'s easy to think that,
as a Namibian woman,
00:05:41.734 --> 00:05:46.767
Johanna\'s cracked it
as an equal and as a leader.
00:05:46.801 --> 00:05:51.033
But her working life is
on the edge of a vast continent,
00:05:51.067 --> 00:05:52.968
and she\'s about to be reminded
00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:56.634
that life on land
can be very different.
00:06:00.033 --> 00:06:04.200
Back in the harbor,
Johanna brings in the catch.
00:06:04.234 --> 00:06:08.167
She knows she has to make every
day at sea a profitable one.
00:06:08.200 --> 00:06:11.167
[upbeat African music]
00:06:11.200 --> 00:06:15.234
? ?
00:06:15.267 --> 00:06:19.834
She\'s employed
by a big Spanish company.
00:06:19.868 --> 00:06:23.834
Fishing at sea
is risky and dangerous.
00:06:23.868 --> 00:06:26.000
- Hola, Carlos.
00:06:26.033 --> 00:06:29.133
Bradshaw: It\'s also
a capital-intensive business.
00:06:29.167 --> 00:06:31.467
- Buh-bye.
- Ciao, adios.
00:06:31.501 --> 00:06:33.300
- Good-day, Captain.
How are you?
00:06:33.334 --> 00:06:34.400
Bradshaw:
For the company,
00:06:34.434 --> 00:06:37.133
having a female captain
is not an exercise
00:06:37.167 --> 00:06:38.701
in filling quotas.
00:06:38.734 --> 00:06:43.234
Johanna is responsible for
the return on a huge investment.
00:06:43.267 --> 00:06:44.367
- That is very good.
00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:46.801
And the quality is much better.
00:06:46.834 --> 00:06:47.801
Thank you very much.
00:06:47.834 --> 00:06:48.934
- That\'s my pleasure.
00:06:48.968 --> 00:06:52.067
- I hope you enjoy your time off
on the land.
00:07:03.734 --> 00:07:08.901
Bradshaw: Back on land, Johanna
is like any other woman...
00:07:08.934 --> 00:07:11.667
at least one with a paid job.
00:07:14.501 --> 00:07:19.601
But she\'s not only shopping
for herself.
00:07:19.634 --> 00:07:22.968
She\'s taking care
of her small family.
00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:24.634
[Johanna laughing]
00:07:24.667 --> 00:07:28.667
- I have a young boy
of 14 months.
00:07:28.701 --> 00:07:31.334
He\'s lovely.
00:07:31.367 --> 00:07:34.234
And he\'s a strong boy,
00:07:34.267 --> 00:07:40.801
because we are out at sea
from 7 days up to 15 days,
00:07:40.834 --> 00:07:44.934
so it\'s quite long
for a young boy.
00:07:44.968 --> 00:07:49.868
I met Innocent\'s father on land,
although we are working at sea.
00:07:49.901 --> 00:07:54.501
We didn\'t get an opportunity
to work in the same vessel
00:07:54.534 --> 00:07:57.701
because we have the same rank.
00:07:57.734 --> 00:08:00.767
This is my cousin, Aguste.
00:08:00.801 --> 00:08:06.234
So she\'s taking care of my boy
when I am out at sea.
00:08:06.267 --> 00:08:11.567
Bradshaw: And she\'s out at sea
for 336 days of the year.
00:08:11.601 --> 00:08:15.200
Johanna is fortunate.
00:08:15.234 --> 00:08:18.033
Her relatives are happy
to take care of her son
00:08:18.067 --> 00:08:20.467
while she\'s at sea.
00:08:20.501 --> 00:08:22.367
[laughter]
00:08:22.400 --> 00:08:24.767
But not being fully in charge
while on land
00:08:24.801 --> 00:08:29.067
still takes
some getting used to.
00:08:29.100 --> 00:08:30.934
The attention which I get
at sea,
00:08:30.968 --> 00:08:34.501
it\'s more than
what I get on shore,
00:08:34.534 --> 00:08:36.701
because they pass by:
00:08:36.734 --> 00:08:38.567
\"Hi, hi, Miss Johanna.\"
00:08:38.601 --> 00:08:42.167
But here on shore when I say hi,
it\'s just hi.
00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:44.300
Because some people,
they used to come here,
00:08:44.334 --> 00:08:48.067
found me with my cousin, say:
00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:51.167
When they come to me, say:
00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:54.200
[giggling]
00:08:56.567 --> 00:08:58.634
But I don\'t blame them at all.
00:08:58.667 --> 00:09:03.634
I just take it as,
life is beautiful, yeah.
00:09:06.567 --> 00:09:10.601
Bradshaw: But how beautiful
for other women back on land?
00:09:10.634 --> 00:09:13.434
Namibia signed up to the
Millennium Development Goals,
00:09:13.467 --> 00:09:14.667
the MDGs,
00:09:14.701 --> 00:09:19.501
which aim to cut poverty by half
by 2015.
00:09:19.534 --> 00:09:22.367
The goals include
specific targets for women
00:09:22.400 --> 00:09:27.667
on education, reproductive
health, and equality.
00:09:27.701 --> 00:09:31.167
Johanna\'s an example
of targets fulfilled,
00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:35.567
but going back home, how about
her friends and her relatives?
00:09:38.767 --> 00:09:40.601
- And my Bible.
00:09:40.634 --> 00:09:42.167
Bradshaw:
As she prepares for her trip,
00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:46.067
she takes solace
in her belief in God.
00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:49.534
- I am preparing
just for tomorrow morning,
00:09:49.567 --> 00:09:52.267
because I\'m leaving with my son,
00:09:52.300 --> 00:09:57.167
so I\'m trying to put everything
in order.
00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:00.434
So this is the book
which keeps me going.
00:10:00.467 --> 00:10:02.000
I can\'t survive without them.
00:10:02.033 --> 00:10:05.300
I can survive
without other things on Earth,
00:10:05.334 --> 00:10:07.934
But this one,
while I\'m on Earth,
00:10:07.968 --> 00:10:10.534
I\'m living with this one.
00:10:10.567 --> 00:10:14.834
[speaking foreign language]
00:10:14.868 --> 00:10:18.234
I\'m going to my auntie
just to say, you know,
00:10:18.267 --> 00:10:21.667
we are leaving tomorrow morning
with my son,
00:10:21.701 --> 00:10:24.234
because I\'m now on leave.
00:10:24.267 --> 00:10:26.000
So I have to say good-bye
00:10:26.033 --> 00:10:29.133
so she can give me some
blessings, you see.
00:10:29.167 --> 00:10:30.467
[laughs]
00:10:34.567 --> 00:10:36.167
Bradshaw:
En route to her aunt,
00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:38.601
Johanna\'s reminded
of her humble beginnings,
00:10:38.634 --> 00:10:41.300
when she first came
to Luderitz.
00:10:48.934 --> 00:10:51.701
Most people flock
to this coastal town
00:10:51.734 --> 00:10:54.567
in search of job opportunities.
00:10:54.601 --> 00:10:57.167
Once here, they\'re forced
to live in shantytowns
00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:59.334
with no running water
or electricity
00:10:59.367 --> 00:11:01.801
and no proper toilets,
00:11:01.834 --> 00:11:05.634
at least until they can make
a better life for themselves.
00:11:05.667 --> 00:11:08.667
[woman shouting joyfully]
00:11:15.701 --> 00:11:19.434
- This is the place
where I stayed
00:11:19.467 --> 00:11:22.567
for six years
when I came to Luderitz.
00:11:22.601 --> 00:11:25.968
For the six years,
I stayed in this house,
00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:28.801
where there\'s no electricity,
00:11:28.834 --> 00:11:31.033
there\'s no bathroom,
there\'s no toilet.
00:11:31.067 --> 00:11:32.434
We used to go to the mountains.
00:11:32.467 --> 00:11:35.734
With peace of mind,
I was just happy with this.
00:11:35.767 --> 00:11:37.167
And people, they said, \"Wow,
00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:38.968
an officer staying
in the shantytown?\"
00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:42.067
I say, \"No, to be there
with peace of mind,
00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:46.400
that makes me healthy,
and life goes on like that.\"
00:11:46.434 --> 00:11:47.567
- [speaking native language]
00:11:47.601 --> 00:11:48.734
- God will protect your paths.
00:11:48.767 --> 00:11:50.501
He will even all your paths
00:11:50.534 --> 00:11:53.534
and make ways
wherever you may go.
00:11:53.567 --> 00:11:55.133
Bradshaw:
Johanna\'s aunt Ester
00:11:55.167 --> 00:11:58.901
has always helped Johanna
with her Bible studies.
00:11:58.934 --> 00:12:01.133
Ester still compares conditions
00:12:01.167 --> 00:12:03.667
with the days
before independence
00:12:03.701 --> 00:12:05.834
and the times
when the movement of women
00:12:05.868 --> 00:12:09.601
was severely restricted.
00:12:09.634 --> 00:12:12.934
- In the past, women were
not allowed to go down south.
00:12:12.968 --> 00:12:16.067
We only stayed in the north.
00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:20.534
We have now the rights
to do work just as men do.
00:12:20.567 --> 00:12:23.267
If, as a woman,
I feel strong enough
00:12:23.300 --> 00:12:24.667
to go work at sea,
00:12:24.701 --> 00:12:28.167
then I should be allowed
to work at sea.
00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:31.701
I am really very proud
of my niece working at sea,
00:12:31.734 --> 00:12:35.734
because many people
are afraid of the sea.
00:12:38.367 --> 00:12:41.133
- We\'ve never seen
a woman at sea.
00:12:41.167 --> 00:12:44.467
We\'re just told that if you work
at sea, you\'ll go crazy.
00:12:44.501 --> 00:12:46.200
But this is all just a lie.
00:12:46.234 --> 00:12:49.234
[laughing]
00:12:55.434 --> 00:12:58.234
Bradshaw: But Johanna\'s a child
of the villages,
00:12:58.267 --> 00:12:59.901
not the shantytowns,
00:12:59.934 --> 00:13:03.968
and her journey home
is 1,500 kilometers.
00:13:09.934 --> 00:13:12.467
[horn blaring]
00:13:25.601 --> 00:13:28.534
Johanna, Namibia\'s
first trawler captain,
00:13:28.567 --> 00:13:32.734
is going home after being away
for more than nine months.
00:13:36.033 --> 00:13:39.267
It\'s a long journey
in this contrasting, harsh,
00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:41.133
yet beautiful land,
00:13:41.167 --> 00:13:44.767
a country three times the size
of Great Britain.
00:13:50.334 --> 00:13:53.868
More than 70% of Namibians
are subsistence farmers
00:13:53.901 --> 00:13:56.534
and live close to the land,
00:13:56.567 --> 00:13:59.167
including Johanna\'s parents.
00:14:00.834 --> 00:14:05.534
- Since last year in September,
I have not been home.
00:14:05.567 --> 00:14:08.133
But now we are home.
00:14:08.167 --> 00:14:10.901
We are back home with my boy.
00:14:10.934 --> 00:14:13.934
[woman shouting gleefully]
00:14:18.567 --> 00:14:20.767
Bradshaw: Johanna was raised
by her grandmother,
00:14:20.801 --> 00:14:23.434
who still has a big influence
on her.
00:14:23.467 --> 00:14:31.300
- Oh, this is my grandmother
on my mother\'s side, so...
00:14:31.334 --> 00:14:33.734
[speaking foreign language]
00:14:37.934 --> 00:14:41.701
Bradshaw: Here we learned
Johanna had a twin brother
00:14:41.734 --> 00:14:46.100
who died at birth.
00:14:46.133 --> 00:14:48.467
Her parents
feared for her life too,
00:14:48.501 --> 00:14:50.901
so they brought her
to her grandmother\'s.
00:14:50.934 --> 00:14:55.734
- She told me my mom brought me
here when I was young.
00:14:57.000 --> 00:15:01.300
So she\'s the one
who took care of me.
00:15:01.334 --> 00:15:08.601
Then she teach me many things,
traditional things.
00:15:11.901 --> 00:15:15.667
I was the only lady
in the house.
00:15:15.701 --> 00:15:18.601
There was no boy.
00:15:18.634 --> 00:15:22.133
In Oshiwambo they say:
00:15:24.434 --> 00:15:29.200
So my granny says, no,
I just have to try.
00:15:29.234 --> 00:15:33.067
Then I just used
to chop the wood on my own
00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:37.367
and look after the cattle
after school.
00:15:37.400 --> 00:15:40.834
All of those things
I have learned from Granny.
00:15:40.868 --> 00:15:43.467
[women speaking
foreign language]
00:15:43.501 --> 00:15:46.033
Bradshaw: 43% of Namibia\'s
unemployed
00:15:46.067 --> 00:15:48.000
are considered homemakers,
00:15:48.033 --> 00:15:53.400
and 70% of homemakers are women.
00:15:53.434 --> 00:15:58.667
Most women remain trapped
in the rural poverty cycle.
00:15:58.701 --> 00:16:02.267
But women like Johanna
are quietly breaking the mold
00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:06.400
and helping
her family back home.
00:16:06.434 --> 00:16:07.968
[laughter]
00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:10.267
- You mean this little one.
00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:16.234
She came here
when she was very small,
00:16:16.267 --> 00:16:20.067
from her mother\'s breast.
00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:24.434
They brought her here,
and I raised her into an adult.
00:16:27.234 --> 00:16:29.167
Now, like they say,
00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:32.868
a chick also needs to learn
how to fend for its mother.
00:16:32.901 --> 00:16:36.033
Now she is taking care of me.
00:16:36.067 --> 00:16:40.000
- She teach me to be strong.
00:16:40.033 --> 00:16:43.868
She said, \"I have my house
and I take care of you,
00:16:43.901 --> 00:16:48.567
so if you go there,
you have to work very hard.\"
00:16:48.601 --> 00:16:49.968
See, and I\'m very happy.
00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:53.767
I am just who I am
because of my grandma.
00:16:53.801 --> 00:16:55.834
I\'m happy for her.
00:17:01.133 --> 00:17:04.968
Bradshaw: The fireplace
is special in every family.
00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:08.634
It\'s round here
that stories are told.
00:17:08.667 --> 00:17:11.934
For Johanna,
it\'s time to remember childbirth
00:17:11.968 --> 00:17:15.200
and becoming a mom.
00:17:15.234 --> 00:17:19.267
- They say giving birth is not
as easy as passing wind.
00:17:19.300 --> 00:17:21.734
A foul smell can be blown away.
00:17:21.767 --> 00:17:25.133
Being a mother
is a huge responsibility.
00:17:25.167 --> 00:17:29.367
A child does not just appear
and then disappear.
00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:31.934
If you don\'t prepare for it,
00:17:31.968 --> 00:17:35.767
you just attract problems
for yourself.
00:17:38.033 --> 00:17:40.534
The big challenge
in this country
00:17:40.567 --> 00:17:43.100
is for the young people.
00:17:43.133 --> 00:17:47.567
It\'s the failed pregnancy
in the early age.
00:17:47.601 --> 00:17:51.000
So they say,
\"No, just try abortion.\"
00:17:51.033 --> 00:17:57.234
Without education,
then your life, it\'s behind.
00:17:57.267 --> 00:18:00.133
It\'s meaningless.
00:18:06.767 --> 00:18:10.868
When it was time for me
to deliver my Innocent,
00:18:10.901 --> 00:18:14.067
it was quite complicated...
00:18:17.501 --> 00:18:22.067
Because when I experienced
labor pain,
00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:24.400
I went to my doctor
and she said,
00:18:24.434 --> 00:18:27.534
\"No, I think you need
an operation.\"
00:18:27.567 --> 00:18:31.400
So she referred me to Windhoek,
00:18:31.434 --> 00:18:33.467
because here in Luderitz
00:18:33.501 --> 00:18:37.334
the hospital, it doesn\'t have
enough equipment.
00:18:40.968 --> 00:18:43.501
Bradshaw:
Johanna was born at home.
00:18:43.534 --> 00:18:46.434
But her mother developed
complications during birth
00:18:46.467 --> 00:18:50.200
and had to be brought to
Onandjokwe, the local hospital.
00:18:50.234 --> 00:18:51.934
Many aren\'t so lucky.
00:18:51.968 --> 00:18:54.234
Maternal mortality has proved
one of the hardest
00:18:54.267 --> 00:18:57.033
Millennium Development Goals
for Namibia to meet.
00:18:57.067 --> 00:18:58.701
A recent report suggests
00:18:58.734 --> 00:19:01.801
maternal deaths
actually increased.
00:19:01.834 --> 00:19:03.968
That may be because of HIV,
00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:06.501
but many poor women
still have problems
00:19:06.534 --> 00:19:10.334
accessing medical care
during pregnancy and childbirth,
00:19:10.367 --> 00:19:15.000
and the newborn death rate
is still 1 in 50.
00:19:15.033 --> 00:19:20.601
- Here in Namibia,
the death rate of small children
00:19:20.634 --> 00:19:25.133
is caused because young people,
during their pregnancy,
00:19:25.167 --> 00:19:26.734
they don\'t understand.
00:19:26.767 --> 00:19:29.367
They don\'t go to their clinic.
00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:31.801
Some of them don\'t know
the importance
00:19:31.834 --> 00:19:36.434
of going to their clinic
during their pregnancy.
00:19:36.467 --> 00:19:40.934
Some,
the have financial problem,
00:19:40.968 --> 00:19:45.434
and the hospital,
it\'s very far.
00:19:45.467 --> 00:19:47.133
And some, they just ignore.
00:19:47.167 --> 00:19:50.100
They say, \"No, what for?
00:19:50.133 --> 00:19:53.601
\"I can even deliver at home.
00:19:53.634 --> 00:19:58.534
\"My mom and my grandmother,
they just delivered here,
00:19:58.567 --> 00:20:01.334
and I can\'t just waste
my money there.\"
00:20:01.367 --> 00:20:05.734
Because they are not working,
and they did not plan for that.
00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:13.300
Bradshaw:
Johanna is taking Innocent
00:20:13.334 --> 00:20:15.734
to see his grandparents.
00:20:15.767 --> 00:20:18.567
Johanna\'s parents
are not quite retirement age.
00:20:18.601 --> 00:20:21.501
Her father still works
in Walvis Bay as a driver,
00:20:21.534 --> 00:20:24.100
while her mother takes care
of the home in the village.
00:20:24.133 --> 00:20:29.734
- At a tender age,
I just found myself being closer
00:20:29.767 --> 00:20:32.534
to my father than my mom.
00:20:32.567 --> 00:20:38.868
So I can tell him everything,
but to my mom, I can\'t.
00:20:38.901 --> 00:20:42.467
- She told me that she is
the only female on the vessel,
00:20:42.501 --> 00:20:43.734
working with men.
00:20:43.767 --> 00:20:45.300
It is new to us.
00:20:45.334 --> 00:20:47.267
I think it is a good thing.
00:20:47.300 --> 00:20:51.667
Here in Namibia, we only knew
of Angolans working at sea.
00:20:51.701 --> 00:20:55.234
Now more Namibians are starting
to work at sea.
00:20:55.267 --> 00:20:58.267
[laughter]
00:21:00.801 --> 00:21:05.367
- This one is my one and only
brother I have in life.
00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:08.200
So his name is Hosea Kwedhi.
00:21:08.234 --> 00:21:11.000
So he is my elder brother.
00:21:11.033 --> 00:21:13.801
Bradshaw: The neighbors come out
to greet Johanna.
00:21:13.834 --> 00:21:18.434
So does one of her
former teachers.
00:21:18.467 --> 00:21:22.634
- I met Johanna just when
she completed her grade seven
00:21:22.667 --> 00:21:24.701
at our school.
00:21:24.734 --> 00:21:27.701
We also happen
to be neighbors too.
00:21:27.734 --> 00:21:29.534
She was a hard-working student,
00:21:29.567 --> 00:21:34.601
and that\'s why she has managed
to achieve so much.
00:21:34.634 --> 00:21:36.868
[bell ringing]
00:21:36.901 --> 00:21:39.367
Bradshaw: Johanna used
to walk 14 kilometers
00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:40.968
to Onyeka school.
00:21:44.267 --> 00:21:47.834
She learns there are now more
girls enrolling than boys.
00:21:50.300 --> 00:21:54.501
And there are also more girls
completing secondary education.
00:21:54.534 --> 00:21:56.934
- Johanna Kwedhi.
00:21:56.968 --> 00:21:59.100
How can I help you?
00:21:59.133 --> 00:22:02.434
- So there are more boys
than girls at this school.
00:22:02.467 --> 00:22:06.634
Who between the two are more
serious with their school?
00:22:06.667 --> 00:22:07.934
- The girls are more serious.
00:22:07.968 --> 00:22:10.801
Even though they are fewer
at this school,
00:22:10.834 --> 00:22:13.300
they are very serious.
00:22:13.334 --> 00:22:15.167
The boys are so-so.
00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.434
- How do you mean?
00:22:16.467 --> 00:22:19.634
The boys just all want
cell phones?
00:22:19.667 --> 00:22:24.601
- This area within the Oshana
region is much more rural,
00:22:24.634 --> 00:22:26.701
and people here
are concentrating
00:22:26.734 --> 00:22:28.100
more on their cattle,
00:22:28.133 --> 00:22:31.434
so the boys are taking care
of the cattle.
00:22:31.467 --> 00:22:33.667
The boys are not so serious.
00:22:37.434 --> 00:22:41.968
Bradshaw:
School enrollment is critical,
00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:46.667
but the lesson from the captain
is you have to finish too.
00:22:46.701 --> 00:22:48.834
- She is the first
female captain.
00:22:48.868 --> 00:22:50.868
Do you know boats?
00:22:50.901 --> 00:22:52.534
This was our student.
00:22:52.567 --> 00:22:53.834
What\'s the name again?
00:22:53.868 --> 00:22:55.000
- Johanna Kwedhi.
00:22:55.033 --> 00:22:57.400
- Johanna Kwedhi.
00:22:57.434 --> 00:22:59.701
Bradshaw: Most girls here
will most likely end up
00:22:59.734 --> 00:23:01.400
as teachers and nurses.
00:23:01.434 --> 00:23:04.868
Most boys will probably remain
at the cattle post,
00:23:04.901 --> 00:23:07.634
taking care
of the family\'s animals.
00:23:07.667 --> 00:23:11.300
- Who knows me here?
00:23:11.334 --> 00:23:13.501
A show of hands.
00:23:13.534 --> 00:23:17.734
Bradshaw: For girls and boys,
Johanna\'s a role model.
00:23:17.767 --> 00:23:19.734
- When steering the boat,
00:23:19.767 --> 00:23:22.067
aren\'t you afraid
to make a mistake
00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:25.200
and then water
might get inside it?
00:23:25.234 --> 00:23:28.601
- Perhaps if you have a crash
with another boat.
00:23:28.634 --> 00:23:30.200
- When steering a boat,
00:23:30.234 --> 00:23:32.567
does your boat have
rearview mirrors like in a car
00:23:32.601 --> 00:23:35.767
to help you look in front
and at the back?
00:23:35.801 --> 00:23:36.767
- No.
00:23:36.801 --> 00:23:39.133
A boat has no rearview mirrors.
00:23:39.167 --> 00:23:41.901
The bridge has windows
on each sides
00:23:41.934 --> 00:23:43.634
to make the view easier,
00:23:43.667 --> 00:23:45.467
also windows at the back.
00:23:45.501 --> 00:23:49.434
It is big,
just like this room.
00:23:49.467 --> 00:23:51.634
Bradshaw: Johanna\'s stories
are a reminder
00:23:51.667 --> 00:23:54.267
of the value of education.
00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:57.801
But academic qualification
is still no substitute
00:23:57.834 --> 00:23:59.934
for seeing the world.
00:24:01.067 --> 00:24:02.767
- [speaking native language]
00:24:02.801 --> 00:24:06.033
- I teach geography
very, very well.
00:24:06.067 --> 00:24:10.200
But honestly speaking,
I have never seen the sea.
00:24:10.234 --> 00:24:13.534
I am teaching about neap tide
and high tide
00:24:13.567 --> 00:24:15.734
but have never seen the sea.
00:24:15.767 --> 00:24:19.667
This is like a dream.
00:24:19.701 --> 00:24:22.434
Bradshaw: Coming home
has shown Johanna the problems
00:24:22.467 --> 00:24:25.000
that still confront other women,
00:24:25.033 --> 00:24:29.033
even if her story proves
they can be overcome.
00:24:31.467 --> 00:24:33.100
On her way back to Luderitz,
00:24:33.133 --> 00:24:35.234
Johanna is asked
to help her company
00:24:35.267 --> 00:24:38.501
open a cold storage depot
in Walvis Bay,
00:24:38.534 --> 00:24:42.367
Namibia\'s biggest harbor.
00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:45.634
It\'s her first chance to meet
Namibia\'s first captain
00:24:45.667 --> 00:24:48.701
of the ship of state
00:24:48.734 --> 00:24:53.767
Sam Nujoma,
in charge at independence.
00:24:53.801 --> 00:24:57.601
- You see, if we have more women
participating in the economy,
00:24:57.634 --> 00:25:00.334
the economy
will grow faster also,
00:25:00.367 --> 00:25:02.834
because women don\'t go
to kambashu.
00:25:02.868 --> 00:25:06.434
[laughter]
00:25:06.467 --> 00:25:09.534
Bradshaw:
That\'s slang for bars.
00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:17.267
- Before I conclude my remarks,
00:25:17.300 --> 00:25:22.501
I would like to invite
the female captain
00:25:22.534 --> 00:25:24.634
for everybody to see.
00:25:24.667 --> 00:25:27.667
[applause]
00:25:30.234 --> 00:25:35.667
- When the founding president
called me to go in front,
00:25:35.701 --> 00:25:39.801
I felt shocked a bit, you know?
00:25:39.834 --> 00:25:44.868
And later I said
\"No, let\'s just go there.\"
00:25:44.901 --> 00:25:46.901
I was very happy.
00:25:46.934 --> 00:25:49.634
I was very much happy.
00:25:52.934 --> 00:25:56.267
Bradshaw: Johanna\'s time
on land has ended.
00:25:56.300 --> 00:26:00.868
She just wants to catch fish,
earn a living,
00:26:00.901 --> 00:26:02.834
and bring up her child.
00:26:02.868 --> 00:26:05.767
But in a man\'s world,
00:26:05.801 --> 00:26:10.267
she\'s also making a point
not everyone wants to hear.
00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:12.367
- We have to do it.
00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:15.868
Just do it,
and among men.
00:26:15.901 --> 00:26:19.100
And, yeah,
you\'re up there on top,
00:26:19.133 --> 00:26:20.567
operating the wheels.
00:26:20.601 --> 00:26:21.901
They are down there.
00:26:21.934 --> 00:26:24.100
Some are saying,
\"What a young lady.\"
00:26:24.133 --> 00:26:25.734
I feel, \"Yes!\"
00:26:25.767 --> 00:26:27.367
It\'s a way of showing the men
00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:30.501
that we are capable of doing
something at the end of the day.
00:26:30.534 --> 00:26:32.601
I enjoy it.
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 27 minutes
Date: 2011
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: 10-12, College, Adult
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
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