Placido Hilukilwa
KLEOPAS Petrus, the 32-year-old visually impaired campaigner against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and youth unemployment who last month walked from Okahandja to Windhoek, is at it again.
On Wednesday, he will walk from Iihwali village in the Oshikoto Region, departing at around 06:00 to cover a distance of about 50 kilometres to Oshakati in the Oshana Region, where he is expected to arrive at the Governor’s Office before or at around 14:00.
He is advocating for the cause of People Living With Disabilities (PLWD), child victims of GBV, and unemployed youth.
He said: “The challenge of GBV, youth unemployment, and issues related to PLWD should be tackled consistently and persistently on a proactive basis and not on an ad hoc basis, as it appears to be the case currently.”
Petrus, who has lived with sight impairment since the age of 24, has visited 334 schools countrywide to raise awareness and advocate for change.
Referring to the mysterious killings of minors at Okahandja and the recent killing of two children allegedly by their biological father in the Oshikoto Region, Petrus said that public condemnations, warnings, and expressions of solidarity that follow only after a terrible incident has already occurred are not helpful. “A more proactive approach is needed,” he said.
Photo: File
