ABSTRACT
The article Journal of Namibian Studies explores how Hudson-Weems’ Africana Womanism, a family-centered paradigm, played a major role in aiding the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, with the assistance of the Self-Help Housing and the Federation membership, ultimately bringing their goals to fruition. The article highlights the basic characteristics of Africana Womanism, actively embraced by these women who emerged as role models. When one looks at the economic problems within the Africana family, one invariably comes back to the problem and interference of racism, which strongly impacts upon the economic realities of the Africana family and community. Exemplifying the role-playing of the Africana women is the mother in The Joys of Motherhood by African novelist, Buchi Emecheta. To be sure, the dominant culture would then be more appreciative of and sensitive to the true dilemma of others as shared by the insiders from an authentic Africana-Melanated perspective.
