Voices from the Kavango explores the contribution that the life
histories and the voices of the contract labourers make to our
understanding of the contract labour system in Namibia. In particular it
asks: is it possible to view the migration of the Kavango labourers as a
progressive step, or does the paradigm of exploitation and suppression
remain the dominant one? The study highlights contract labourers
engaging in a defeating activity and their disappointment with the
little rewards which were non-lasting solutions to their problems. The
realization of their entrapment under the contract system and the
eventual frustrations led to the political mobilization for independence
by SWAPO.