Book Review and Reflection: The Eyes of Light: An Anthology by Sharon Mutjavikua

Sharon kindly reached out and gifted me a copy of this book and I am grateful and honored. All views are my own.

The Eyes of Light is a collection of poetry, arranged in seven parts, complete with meaningful illustrations throughout. All the poems speak to important elements of life – love, education, history, hope and much more.

I loved all the poems, but some really stood out to me. The first is “Purposefully Broken”, the second poem in the anthology (part 1). I loved this piece because while it speaks of brokenness, it also speaks of hope and thriving. It is complete with fitting images of a woman made of cracking pieces coming undone and eventually blooming, with flowers growing in the cracks – A lovely analogy for the poem, and this extract on page 18 was particularly beautiful:

Still, I know I am alive
The sun told me so this morning.
So I gather these wandering thoughts,
lift my voice upward and plead,
“Heaven, attend to my cause.”

I also really enjoyed “I Blinked Twice” with its transformative illustration (part 1) and “A Donkey With An Attitude” with the accompanying sassy donkey illustrations (part 2).

Part 5 is really special, particularly for Namibians. The poem “We Remember” is dedicated to the Nama/Ovaherero Genocide, a catastrophe in Namibian history that is often overlooked or minimised. “Me African” is an ode to Africans and our history of colonialism, as well as our hope, strength and land. “Sing Our Heroes” is another beautiful dedication to those who watered our Freedom in Namibia, some of whom are explicitly named. I appreciated that Anna Mungunda was included, as she, like many women who contributed just as meaningfully to our liberation struggle, whether inside or outside Namibia, are often silenced.

Namibia commemorated Heroes’ Day on 26 August 2026, and I was elated to read the poems dedicated to our forefathers and foremothers, paying beautiful tribute to our ancestors who fought in the Nama/Ovaherero Genocide and, more broadly, for our eventual freedom.

Overall, as a Namibian woman, I thought this collection of poems was a beautiful love letter to Namibia, Africa and our peoples. There are many poems that resonate and Sharon’s writing is precise yet enchanting and captivating. The issues addressed are contemporary yet anchored in history and therefore relatable and accessible to people from different walks of life.

This was my first poetry collection in a long time, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you very much, Sharon, for reaching out and giving me a free copy of your beautiful book.

About the Author

Sharon Mutjavikua is an award-winning author, poet, and literary advocate. Her book series, Kwaima, was published in The Namibian newspaper and received a nomination for the AARA Awards. She is also a recipient of the Clevenard Global Authors Recognition Award.

As the founder of Women with Oil Global Mission, Sharon leads initiatives that empower women through tailored conferences and seminars focused on leadership, personal growth, and purposeful living.

A gifted performer, Sharon has presented her poetry on prominent national platforms, including Genocide Remembrance Day, World Book Day, Africa Day, Heroes’ Day, and Independence Day. Her compelling poetry and commanding stage presence have earned her recognition across diverse audiences. One of her notable works, Ethics, was featured in the GIPF Annual Newsletter.

Beyond her literary achievements, Sharon enjoys gardening and travelling. She is a mother of four and, together with her husband, shares a passion for literary development, proofreading, publishing, and nurturing emerging talent. Despite her public accomplishments, Sharon is widely known for her introverted nature, a characteristic that often surprises those who encounter her influential work and dynamic presence. The Eyes of light is available at +264814851584. Request for E-book or hardcopy at edwardsharon@gmail.com