Tribute - In memory of Lukhanyo Xavier Slinger-Bobie

 In memory of Lukhanyo Xavier Slinger-Bobie aka Baumann

Departed on: 05 February 2025 

 

Tribute from the Baumann Family

Delievered on: 

12 February 2025 - Namibia - Baumann Residence 

15 February 2025 SADA  – South Africa- Bobie-Slinger Residence 

I stand before you today with a heart heavy with sorrow yet filled with love and gratitude for the life of Lukhanyo Slinger. It is deeply painful to say these words, but it is also an honor to pay tribute to him on behalf of our family.

Lukhanyo was my sister Nancy’s firstborn—a brilliant young man with a poetic view of life, a creative spirit, and a relentless drive to achieve his dreams. He carried himself with quiet determination, embracing the beauty of life while navigating its challenges with unwavering faith.

One memory that I will always treasure is the time he visited his grandmother in his early twenties. He had traveled from Queenstown to Windhoek by Intercape bus, determined to see his loved ones. When he arrived, he got into a taxi and simply said he was going to Independence Avenue. Not realizing how long the street was, he was dropped off at a filling station known as Groot Winkels. It was 8 a.m., and he found himself unsure of where to go next. 

Thankfully, the shop’s owner, Oupapa David—our longtime neighbor—noticed him when he asked for help and called me, asking if I knew a young man looking for the Baumann house. 

When I spoke to him, he simply said, “Aunty, it’s me.” I asked, “Who is me?” and he replied, “It’s me, Lukhanyo.” I was taken aback and asked how he had arrived without letting us know, whether the family even knew he had left for Namibia. But in true Lukhanyo fashion, he brushed my questions aside and said, “I came home. I want to see Gogo and my siblings, Carlos and Khadidja.” I immediately made my way to pick him up.

That visit spoke volumes about who he was—family meant everything to him. Despite life’s struggles, he never lost faith and always found his way back to his loved ones.

Through all of life’s ups and downs, Lukhanyo never forgot where he came from. He nurtured bonds with his siblings, extended family, and most importantly, his children. They were the light of his life, and he worked tirelessly to create a loving home for them. 

His greatest wish was to one day bring them to meet their great-grandmother, a testament to his deep love for family.

His grandmother shared these words

"My child has found rest and begun a new journey with his mother, my daughter. I know he is safe. As his grandmother, I release him with love. God has His reasons, and He will give us the strength to carry on. Lukhanyo will live on in our hearts, his spirit forever with us. Rest well, my grandchild."

His Aunt Felicity shared

"My heart is shattered. You were taken from us in a way we could never have imagined, yet all I can remember is your warm smile, your laughter, and the joy you brought into our lives. These memories will stay with us, cherished forever."

Aunt Daphne shared

"Lukhanyo, losing you has left an ache that words cannot express. But I believe in the connection between the living and the departed, and I choose to celebrate you and the beautiful moments we shared."

His brother Carlos expressed his pain

"Growing up miles apart, we lost time, but we worked hard to rebuild our bond as brothers. Now, I feel like I am losing you all over again, just when we had begun to create new memories. Your passing reminds me of the loss of our mother, and it is unbearable that I must say goodbye to you, too. Both of you were taken from us due to the reckless actions of others, and I struggle to comprehend that. My heart is heavy, my mind overwhelmed, but I will hold onto the moments we shared. I know you will continue to watch over us. Please celebrate with Mom in heaven and know that my love for you remains unshaken as I walk this life without you." 

His Sister Khadidja

Lukhanyo, being miles away from home, has made this difficult time even harder, as sharing in this moment of grief only deepens the realization of all we could have done together. I am grateful for the calls and the bond we shared over the years, yet losing you so suddenly, without the chance to say goodbye, is heartbreaking. My love for you will always remain—please send all my love to Mom.

 

His cousins Sean and Milton

Losing you, our beloved, is deeply painful, shaking us to our core. The path ahead feels uncertain, as we had milestones to celebrate together. Yet, our love lives on in the memories we shared. Until we meet again on the other side.

For me, as your aunt, I will miss your calls—especially when I was passing through Johannesburg and those unique requests only you would make. I can still hear your laughter and your voice saying, “Ah, Aunty Linda, you know mos—I’m a hustler, and I know you understand.” That voice will stay with me always.

As we prepare to lay you to rest, the pain deepens. Losing you in this way is an ache beyond words, a wound that feels impossible to heal. Yet, through it all, we seek strength. We find comfort in the love and light you so effortlessly shared with us.

Your radiant smile, your boundless energy, and your unwavering love will continue to guide us forward. I miss you with every breath, and I always will.

Rest in Power and Peace, my beloved son. 💔

Written and Read by: Aunty Linda 

 

 

 

My lost sleep

 I keep tossing and turning at night,

I know I'm asleep but I also know I am awake

Exhausted I feel as I wake to start the day

Because I keep tossing and turning at night 

Side to side, from pillow to pillow,

Whenever I find myself conscious, it's in-between turns, trying to find my comfort

Comfort that seems not to appear, comfort so far I keep tossing and turning at night 

Body aches, neck stiff,

Not how sleep is supposed to feel

Because I keep tossing and turning at night

By: Linda Magano Baumann 

16 January 2023

20h15 

Examine

Examine your future

Scout for the purpose that leads you on your path each day

Search for the answers to all questions in your mind
For answers only surface after the lessons learnt or maybe if your patient and silent enough

The answers will glide in one by one
Voyager, traits need to be second nature
For nothing can be as satisfying as diving deep into the ocean of your subconscious or climbing the mountain of uncertainty and fear

White sleeping in the 5 star hotel of reality and thought search for your own treasure within
Become the voyager you need examine your future.

By: Linda Magano Baumann
14 April 2022
00h48

My Past - My Reflection

 I thought about you today And I guess I still wonder how it would have been had I stayed I sometimes think about you and how we used to be 

And though it can be hard to see I really did have love for you And maybe just maybe I wonder how it would have been had I not left 

Had I just gotten over myself and tried one more time Would you really still be mine Would we have fulfilled our dreams Would we still be a team 

At times I smell your scent and for a second I look around hoping to see you After reality hits I forget and it's like we never met

I sometimes wonder how you are, if you're okay, mentally and physically 

Then I see your face and I try and recreate the emotions and expressions from my memory 

At times I asked myself if I really did do enough. I wronged you so bad and never had the patience for you to deal with it I wonder if I apologised enough 

We weren't perfect but I know you loved me and I know I loved you, but at times I wonder if  we both honored that enough. 

I took you for granted too I wonder if you think of me like I think of you,   I wonder if you still remember my scent or my smile or the way I am.... 

As i think of you i know i wish you happiness and love, for I still treasure all the good....

By: Linda RM Baumann

05 May 2021 

23h56

You Make Me Feel

 In your arms,

I'm in my safe haven.
With you holding me tight,
I have no other craving.

All I need
is that one look
that says you're always there,
just like in a fairy tale book.

Your eyes talk to me
as the world stands still.

Your eyes tell me
that you'll love me every day.
No matter what may come,
you'll be there to stay.

I tell you everything
and never with a lie:
all my worldly secrets
and everything that once made me cry.

Everything in my past,
with you I can forget it all.
I know I can trust you
to catch me if I fall.

If only I could explain
how much love I have for you. 

By: Linda Magano Baumann
19h16
18 June 2021

Reflecting on women, Feminism and development in Namibia ( 31 years of Independence)

 What are the vital issues that women and feminist in Namibia today consider to be burning importance?

 

It is vital to reflect on the ideology of feminism and the advancement of women’s rights. These concepts carry close intersectional relations as feminism is advocating for equality, non-discrimination and justice for all irrespective of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status. Furthermore, the women’s right advances the recognition and protection of women’s human and legal rights. 

 

The intersectional relations of these terminologies have been misunderstood by men who foresee feminism as a women’s agenda setting. However, it is imperative to interrogate the concepts of patriarchy as it carries a culture within the social setting and the social system which impacts on the injustices experienced by women. 

 

The Namibian women and girl’s experience a number of issues that we can translate as challenges and these realities experienced has been generational of which over year’s reform have been key in advancing constitutional provisions of equality, non-discrimination and equity for all.

 

It is however noticeable that Namibia has made great strides in amplifying gender equality in all forms by ensuring policy and legislative reform improves the social economic standards of women and girls.  

 

These realties have been advocated by the activists and the women’s movement of which we continue to advance issues such as eradication of poverty, access and improvement of education and training, access to land-housing, access to justice, political participation, improved policy and legislative frameworks that promotes bodily autonomy-protection and integrity, inequality in employment, harmful cultural practices, access economic market decision making and participation ,  lack of gender budgeting and consistent gender mainstreaming. 

 

These issues are prudent to ensuring all people’s human rights are recognised, respected and protected to ensure social justice is attained and socio-economic development 

 

What are Namibian women and feminist concerns about?

 

As mentioned above the realities and issues are key elements that shape the narrative that defines the women’s movement’s concerns. However just to contextualise these concerns in perpective of the current burning experiences…

 

We the women’s movement believe that government can do more to improve access to information by ensuring good governance, transparency and accountability by public service is a priority as this shall ensuring the reality of reform within the system and social setting is attained. 

 

The recognition of women and girls vulnerabilities to sexual and gender based violence, the exclusion and lack of recognition of sexual and gender diverse persons within service provisions, the need to redress the basis of macro-economic policies that favour men and boys at the expense of the other gender, the lack of comprehensive mental health care and social service , the lack of improved and strategic advancement of women and girls in policy influencing, lack of advancing access to justice for women and girls and the lack of women equal participation, representation and compensation of women in labour, Lack of recognition and improvement of women and girls mainstreaming in agricultural and technological development.  And finally Namibia needs to commit to implement cross cutting gender budgeting and mainstreaming within in all departments of state, private and civil society. 

 

What has been the biggest challenge for you as a feminist over the years. 

 

As a feminist, human rights and communications activists it has been evident that transformational change and development requires intersectional dialogues and critical thinking. However, the advocacy work has proven that the social realities and system reforms still carry high practice of patriarchy of which directly impedes on the voice, representation and affirmation of women and girls. This consistently requires us as women’s rights activists to contain our resilience towards violations experienced based on one’s gender. 

 

Working with women, girls and sexual minority groups have proven that the indivisibility of their humanity vs their challenges has manifested that a lot of community engagements, leadership engagement and visibility on key issues are streamed to ensure consistent dialogue and interrogation however self-censorship, cultural, political and ideological differences has always deflected humanitarian consideration on the issues in discussion. 

 

I have also realised that the objectification of women and girls remains a major challenge as power dynamics have override the autonomy and dignity of us. Furthermore, I find policy, legal reform and justice for women, girls and sexual and gender minorities redresses very slow as whilst our lives keep deteriorating due to the challenges that keeps piling up. 

 

And finally there is a need to revive the women’s and girls’ movements in the country in order for us to set a collective national agenda that would be streamlined into action and direct tracking. Currently we have elements of activists and organisations advancing issues concerning our communities and the nation however as women to need to become strategic and bold in the what we envision to better our lives and the country we live in. This collectiveness should also encourage the women’s movement to engage the men’s movement in order for direct dialogue and partnerships to emerge by ensuring men do not fear feminists and understand that all men who seek reform, equality and justice for all part are with no doubt part of the feminist ideology and narrative of change. 

By: Linda Magano Baumann 

19 March 2021

20h48

 

My Africa... Happy Africa Day

Today let us celebrate as Africans our pride, our roots and our heritage. Within our diversity and existence of our ancestral connections let us remember the challenges we continue to face as Africans.

The realities of inequalities, injustices and discrimination has never deterred us from amplifying our humanity. 

So Africa, ohh, Africa my mother land...

Her soil that is layered in our blood, defines our inner wisdom and encourages us to amplifying our greatest achievements. 

Thank you Africa for being a Continent who has embraced the past and pushes through to tomorrow.

#HappyAfricaDay

By: Linda RM Baumann 

25 May 2020

12h16

Thank You Hamsion aka Meide Ham for the poster .. I appreciate and value you my sista.