'Life in Namibia' founder pays it forward
Fostering connections across diverse backgrounds
Karin Retief has dedicated her life's work to bridging divides through storytelling.
Karin Retief is a passionate storyteller with a deep love for Namibia. She has worked for over three decades in the media industry as a news photographer, writer and photojournalist. She also served as the chief photographer at the Cape Times newspaper, and her work has been widely published in prominent international magazines like Scientific American and the Reuters Foundation.She currently serves as the editor and creator of Life in Namibia (LIN) – a digital lifestyle magazine she founded in 2014. According to Retief, she has lived in Namibia more than her birth country, South Africa, where she grew up in a typical Afrikaans community in the 1980s. When she founded LIN, she wanted to “pay tribute to the wonderful people and the sheer joy of living in Namibia.”
Retief believes Namibia has so much positive energy, which is why her LIN articles often highlight inspiring individuals. “I have a special love for artists, musicians and all other performing arts. I feel they do not always get the exposure they need in mainstream media. LIN’s first print edition was in 2014, and I published five print editions before I transitioned LIN to a fully digital platform in 2019,” she said.
Bridging societal gaps
Having worked in the media during the apartheid era deeply influenced her perspectives and shaped her awareness of people's prejudiced perceptions of the 'other.' With a conscious effort, she selects stories for LIN that aim to serve as a bridge, fostering connections across diverse economic, social, religious and cultural backgrounds.
Her dedication is evident in her ability to handle LIN as a one-woman show. "I do everything – from writing editorial stories, editing, photography, shooting and editing videos for YouTube. I also designed and manage my website and all social media outlets. You're never too old to learn new skills!"
Tangible change
Throughout her illustrious career, she took time to pay it forward by teaching photography workshops for kids in informal settlements and offering shadow work, where aspiring journalists can go out on stories with her. Her contributions have transcended mere storytelling to effect tangible change.
Her photo exhibition on domestic workers’ abuse at the hands of their employers provided MP Germina Shitaleni with material to use in Shitaleni’s initiative to improve salaries and working conditions for domestic and farm workers. She added that covering the pre- and post-apartheid political landscape in South Africa was exciting and historic, and she got to meet remarkable figures like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
A shift in perspective
According to Retief, "a shift occurred when I had my children. I could no longer bear to cover stories about human suffering. This led to the creation of life in Namibia. My work is part of me, like brushing your teeth in the morning. I cannot imagine doing anything else; the days are just too short!"
Finding a balance for LIN between paying clients and those stories she feels passionate about can sometimes prove challenging. "I would prefer to focus solely on the arts, but as I do not charge artists a fee to profile them, I need to find 'bread and butter' stories as well!"
As Retief looks back on her incredible journey and life in Namibia, she feels grateful for the many friendships she's made. She worked hard to tell important stories, bringing people together and sharing voices that often don't get heard. Karin's magazine, Life in Namibia, keeps growing, and she remains focused on celebrating the strength and togetherness of the people in Namibia.
- www.lifeinnamibia.com