Who is Gelda Waterboer? Teacher whose ‘Private Parts’ song sparked online debate

Namibia-based teacher Gelda Waterboer is making headlines after her TikTok video went viral. In the clip, Gelda was seen singing a song with her students while teaching them about the body parts they shouldn’t allow others to touch.

In the video, Gelda and her students sang:
“These are my private parts, private parts, private parts, these are my private parts no one should touch them.”

While many people praised the video, others had mixed opinions. When a user commented, “Who wronged the teacher,” Gelda responded in another video, explaining why she made it.

According to People magazine (October 2, 2025), Gelda said she wants children to learn that it’s okay to say “no” because it helps protect them. She added that education can empower kids by making them aware of their right to refuse anything that feels wrong.

Gelda explained:
“Teaching our children to say ‘no’ is not just about manners – it’s about protection. Every child must know that their body belongs to them, and no one has the right to touch them in a way that feels wrong or uncomfortable.”

Mixed Reactions Online

The original video received over 160 million views, and many people appreciated her efforts. One user wrote, “She’s passionate about this, good job teacher, need more like you.” Another added, “This is what we need to be teaching our kids.”

However, some criticized her approach. A few users said the topic was “too s*xual” for public schools and claimed she went too far. One user commented, “This woman should be fired and arrested for lewd acts in front of minors.”

Gelda Shares Her Reason

In a follow-up video, Gelda shared that she grew up in a place where talking about such issues was not allowed, and many children in African households are scared to speak up.

She said, “I wish I had a teacher that would firmly tell me that it is okay to say no to people you also trust. That you have the right over your body, I take this personally because I wish I knew that growing up.”

Gelda added that she wants to be the teacher she never had:
“We have over 1 million views, this makes me realize there is a great need [for] awareness that needs to be spread when it comes to the safety of the kids. I wish I had a teacher like me growing up.”

Her first video has now crossed 90 million views in just a week, and according to the New York Post, Gelda Waterboer currently works at Rogate Primary School in Namibia.

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