Ellen Pakkies Coastal Tour

Rudi Bowe

A mother physically and emotionally abused by her drug addicted son over many years on a fateful day killed him. Residents of the coast will soon hear first-hand the dread and devastation drug abuse bring to families. The South African anti-drug activist Ellen Pakkies is coming to Namibia and coastal audiences will have the opportunity to meet with Pakkies during her Coastal Tour that takes place between 1 and 4 July.

The Ellen Pakkies Coastal Tour is presented in collaboration with the Jubilee Ministries and the Coastal Offenders Drug’s Awareness Campaign (CODAC).
Ellen Pakkies’ life was devastated by her son’s chronic drug abuse and the abuse she suffered subsequently as a mother. Physically and mentally abused by her drug addicted son, Pakkies on a day killed him. She was spared prison and convicted to community service. It was during those many hours of community service that Pakkies decided to spend the rest of her life a motivational speaker and anti-drug activist in order to try and prevent others from going through the suffering and pain she had to.
Pakkies will visit Walvis Bay Private High School, de Duine Secondary School as well as to fuel trans-porter XCCS in the harbour town on 1 July, the first day of the tour. That evening a gospel song evening at the Narraville Community Hall will conclude that first day. Attendance is free, but attendees who wish to do so can donate towards Pakkies’ expenses.
On Tuesday, 2 July, Pakkies will visit Namib High School and Swakopmund Secondary School. That same day she pays a visit to Namport and then in the evening it is back to Swakopmund for an evening with the community at the Swakopmund ESK Church.
On Wednesday (3 July), Pakkies visits Duinesig Combined School at Walvis Bay, Kuisebmond Secondary School and that evening a prayer dinner is hosted at the St. John’s AME Church (N$150 p.p.).
On 4 July it is back to Swakopmund where Pakkies visits West-side High School and Coastal High School. The coastal tour concludes with a visit to Manica and then Pakkies departs for Kari-bib where the next day (5 July) she visits Karibib Private School.