In the land of Namibia, in the far north territory lived a boy named Kawanda. He was tall and strong with dark, dark hair. His face was serious most of the time. The village he lived in was called Katamba and was only a short distance from his school. Kawanda walked to school every day but his favourite thing was running. He was an excellent athlete, often winning races. When he won he smiled.
Kawanda was trusted in school and worked hard. He would often be called on when teachers needed something special. He could raise the flag in the morning and fold it away carefully as the school closed each day.
Kawanda did not yet know he was a hero.
The school had a beautiful setting with tall trees of many varieties. The earth was fine golden sand. Small evergreen hedges made gardens outside each classroom. The school environment was kept well tended by all of the pupils who worked hard to keep it clear of grass and weeds.
A large group of noisy helmet shrikes had built their nests in the tree nearest to the school office and lilac breasted rollers used the branches to flit across the school yard.
Pumpkin plants with huge green leaves and yellow tendrils were running wild across one of the class gardens, leaves and fruit training, stretching and inter-twining across the sand.
Many secret creatures lived in the school and only came out when everyone was gone; when it was quiet and peaceful; when it was safe!
One night, just before dawn a snake, a very dangerous snake found a very safe place to hide where he could sleep all day, basking in the hot sun until he came out again to hunt. The place was so secret, and his camouflage so clever, that he looked just like the colours of the hollow in the tree he found. The zigzags on his skin matched the shadows and rough texture of the tree bark and he slithered out of sight to rest and wait.
The very next day a happy group of boys and girls came out of school to play before they went home. One sharp-eyed boy saw the secret in the hollow in the tree. He was not scared but knew that snakes can be very dangerous. He thought he would be a hero and took up a short snake and began to prod the sleeping snake.
The children screamed every time he touched the snake and every time he touched the snake he dropped the stick ------ just in case!
A teacher heard the commotion and came out to investigate – a snake, a dangerous snake she thought.
Help is needed – see the secretary – too busy typing
Help is needed – see the cleaner – too frightened to come alone
Help is needed – see the teacher – who shall come
All the children working on, unaware that Kawanda is about to be a hero!
“Step back – here he comes. Step back I say and watch”
Kawanda finds a very long and very sharp stake from the fence nearby. A friend in green comes to look and help.
They peer into the hollow to see the sleeping snake.
“Step back – he is here. Step back I say and watch”
Kawanda takes aim with his spear-stake, tries it out for size; looks again. “Where’s its head?”
With one mighty thrust he swiftly move the stake into the hollow of the tree; into the sleeping venomous creature. He pins the snake and the other friend finishes the slaughter. The children move forward to get a closer view of the wriggling body and severed head. “Is it dead?”
“I have killed many snakes in the village, Puff Adders, Pythons and Cobras but I don’t know the name of the snake I killed today. The Elders always ask me to help – I only killed three last week”.
Who knows where the snakes hide? Will you find them or will they find you?
Kawanda, the brave Kawanda, the skilful snake slayer has saved us, saved the children, saved us all.
Did you know?
Of the approximately 90 varieties of snakes in Namibia, only 11
are known to be able to deliver a lethal bite to a human. These are:
Black Mamba
Cape Cobra
Angolan Cobra
Zebra Snake (Spitting Cobra)
Black Spitting Cobra
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Boomslang
Twig Snake
Puff Adder
