CHAPTER FOURTEEN: A HISTORY OF NAMIBIA
GERMAN OCCUPATION OF NAMIBIA
(a) How did the Germans get Namibia? (South West Africa)
1. German occupied Namibia as a result of the colonial competition of Europeans in Africa.
2. In 1884, German was officially recognised as the coloniser of Namibia since no other power had claimed Namibia.
3. German used force over the Nama and treachery against the Herero.
4. It was the German agent Hendrick who took over the country on behalf the German.
5. German first annexed the Coastal strip aided by the activities of explorer Lerr Inderitz based at Angla Paquenft.
6. Later, by 1884; German imperialism extended inland into the Nama and Herero areas.
7. The conflicts between the Nama and Herero welcomed German attention.
8. The Herero leader Khama Herero went and asked for German protection.
9. Later the missionaries joined the Herero to request for German take over because the instabilities were disturbing their activities.
10. The German parliament was forced as a result to clear the way for the conquest of Namibia
11. After 1884; the German commissioner was sent to organise the colony and to protect Africans.
12. The traders also did a lot in persuading the German government to take over Namibia.
(b) What were the results of Germany rule on the Africans.
1. It was strongly resisted by the Nama and Herero because of its brutality.
2. Africans lost their fertile land and weren't allowed to ownland.
3. Africans lost cattle to the Germans in form of taxations.
4. African chiefs lost power and respect to the Germans.
5. African chiefs were killed e.g. Witboi, Cooper etc.
6. African economic activities were disrupted.
7. Africans were divided e.g. the Herero never combined with the Nama to fight the Germans
8. Loss of lives.
9. Africans were depopulated.
10. Africans were forced into reserves with terrible conditions.
11. Africans totally lost their independence until 1990 when very brave men e.g. Hosea Kutako led them to the independence.
12. Africans paid taxes for the Germany benefit.
13. Africans were enslaved forcefully on Germany firms.
14. The number of the* German settlers increased both at the coast and in the interior.
15. It led to the growth of African nationalism.
16. Passbooks Were introduced restricting the freedom of movement of the Africans.
17. Africans were impoverished (made poor)
18. Misery and suffering of the Africans increased.
19. A better infrastructure including schools were established in Namibia.
20. Some Africans got poorly paid employment.
(c) What were the causes of Nama-Herero rebellion? ,
1. It was a rebellion among the Nama and Herero against German rule in Namibia or South west Africa.
2. The Herero were the first to rebel followed by the Name 6 months
3. It was organised and led by Samuel Khama Herero, Jacob Mulenga and Hendrick Witboi.
4. Africans wanted to regain their lost independence.
5. Africans wanted to regain their lost land from the the Germans.
6. Africans were fed up of the Germany over taxation.
7. The Germans undermined the authority of traditional rulers.
8. The Germans undermined traditional values and practices.
9. The hatred between the Africans and the whites.
10. The Germany rule was very harsh with a lot of flogging (beating), imprisoning and murder of Africans.
11. The increased Germany population of over 3000 by 1903 worried the Africans.
12. Loss" of cattle through stealing and rinderpest made the Africans unhappy
13. Forced labour on plantation sometimes with less pay annoyed the Africans.
14. The Germans were weakening the pastoral economy of the Africans
15. The set up of the Herero reserve in 1903 led to a lot of suffering.
16. The government order for the Africans to pay their debts in form of cattle was so hurting.
17. The bad methods of implementing government directives incited hatred and resistance.
18. Construction of the railway line through African land caused panic and fear'
19. The fear of being disarmed yet the Germans were still armed to the teeth.
20. The temporary with draw of Germany forces caused anxiety.
21. The prophetic influence of Starman encouraged rebellion.
And why did it fail?
WHY THE REBELLION FAILED:-
1. Lack of total unity as the Nama refused to join the Herero to fight together.
2. Germany military was far superior to that of the Africans because they were better trained.
3. Africans had inferior weapons i.e. out dated weapons yet the majority had spears.
4. Africans lacked a constant food supply and other materials because of backward economies.
5. Loss" of cattle through stealing and rinderpest made the Africans unhappy.
6. Forced labour on plantation sometimes with less pay annoyed the Africans.
7. The Germans were weakening the pastoral economy of the Africans.
8. The set up of the Herero reserve in 1903 led to a lot of suffering.
9. The government order for the Africans to pay their debts in form of cattle was so hurting.
10. The bad methods of implementing government directives incited hatred and resistance.
11. Construction of the railway line through African land
12. The fear of being disarmed yet the Germans were still armed to the teeth.
13. The temporary with draw of Germany forces caused anxiety.
14. The prophetic influence of Starman encouraged rebellion.
(d) What were the results of the rebellion
1. Loss of lives.
2. Africans lost their independence
3. Africans lost their land.
4. African leaders lost their power and they were killed e.g. Witboi Khama Herero, Jacob Molenga etc.
5. The wars led to depopulation.
6. They led to destruction of property especially cattle.
7. Africans, economic activities were disrupted.
8. Africans were divided.
9. Africans were forced into reserves with poor conditions.
10. Loss of dignity by Africans
11. Africans became poor.
12. Africans were enslaved forcefully on German farms.
13. African freedom of movement was restricted and all males above 8 years had to carry pass books.
14. It became illegal for the Africans to own land and cattle.
NAMIBIA AFTER 1920
It should be noted that after the end of the 1st World War German lost all her overseas colonies including Namibia. The League of Nations, which took over Namibia as a mandate colony, handed Namibia over to South Africa around 1920.
How and why South Africa took over Namibia alter 1920.
1. German was the first European country to colonize Namibia and by'1910 had extended into the interior from the coast.
2. German was however defeated by the allies in the World War.
3. The Versailles settlement of 1919 forced German to loose all her overseas colonies including Namibia
4. Namibia was taken over by South Africa as a mandate colony after German's humiliation.
5. Britain in 1920 accepted the mandate status of Namibia on behalf of South Africa.
6. South Africa convinced the League of Nations that she was going
7. South African also convinced the League of Nations that she will respect the mandate status of Namibia.
8. Unfortunately South Africa incorporated Namibia into her republic and started ruling it as part of South Africa.
9. After World War II however, UNO replaced the disgraced League of Nations
10. The UN gazetted, Namibia as a Trustee territory of UNO and South Africa was to be responsible to the UN organs over Namibia.
11. In 1960 UN revoked South Africans right to administer Namibia.
12. The Hague conference held in 1971 ordered South Africa to pull out from Namibia but refused.
13. Besides Namibia had economic potentials making South Africa more determined to turn it into her colony i.e.
(i) The rich soils of Namibia
(ii) Her rich fishing grounds
(iii) Her minerals wealth etc.
Politically South Africa had a high stake in Namibia because;
(a) A free Namibia would be used by ANC and PAC rebels
(b) Namibia would be used as a base by the pro- apartheid elements outside South Africa like Savimbi.
(C) Cuba USSR and China would use a free Namibia to spread communism and fight South Africa
Why South Africa ruled Namibia for long despite efforts to throw her out?
1. Economically Namibia was rich in minerals like diamond uranium, gold, and copper, which increased South Africa's determination to cling to it.
2. The South African companies that dealt in Namibian minerals ably funded the apartheid regime.
3. The area had a favourable agricultural potential especially in the north where fruits, wheat and livestock were in plenty.
4. The area had very rich fishing grounds that could not just be left. :
5. South Africa had to protect the many investments set up by South Africans in Namibia,
6. It was a market for South African goods in face of the global sanctions against African goods. Politically a free Namibia could provide Africans from ANC with bases to disrupt South Africa's peace.
7. The Afrikaners threatened to vote out the government if it gave away Namibia.
8. The need to protect the Afrikaner settlers in Namibia encouraged government stay.
9. There was need to use Namibia to aid pro-apartheid elements like Savimbi in Angola
10. South Africa feared that Cuba, USSR and China Would Use a free Namibia to spread communism and fight South Africa.
11. SWAPO the leading national movement in Namibia was a communist organization and hence lacked credible and strong support from the powerful capitalist west.
12. USA Britain, France and Canada continued helping South Africa against Namibia.
13. South Africa was a very rich country to ably contain the frontline states and Namibia herself.
14. The double standards exhibited by the UN, which took long to take firm measures against South Africa also encouraged them.
15. OAU which would have spear headed the attempts to free Namibia was weak
16. Divisions among Africans where some countries like Malawi and Zaire openly supported South Africa.
17. The weaknesses in the national movements in Namibia i.e. in SWAPO and SWANU.
18. The role of people like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.
19. The apartheid policies like Bantustans and a harsh and brutal police network in Namibia weakened resistance.
20. Lack of strong Nationalism among the Namibians delayed Namibia's independence.
21. The strong military machinery of the white in South Africa delayed Namibia's independence.
22. The strong military machinery of the whites in South Africa delayed Namibia's independence.
Efforts That Were Made To Achieve Namibia's Independence
(a) Describe the effort* undertaken to secure Namibia's independence
(b) How did Namibia attain her
1. The struggle was part of along story that started with the Nama and Herero resistance.
2. Later there was growth of internal opposition within Namibia from SWAPO and SWANU.
3. Angola's independence in 1975 later boosted the SWAPO guerillas who were given a base there
4. There was increased threat from UN Security Council from 1962 that forced South Africa to give way for independence.
5. The fighting from the armed wing of SWAPO within Namibia was becoming too costly for the whites.
6. POQO and the spear of Nation were straining the whites in South Africa holding them away from able intervention in Namibia.
7. The pressure from other African states especially the frontline states like Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
8. The examples from Ethiopia's resistance against colonialism boosted nationalists in Namibia.
9. The activities of the International court of justice in condemning South African rule in Namibia boosted the independence struggle
10. The role by South African Prime Minister Vooster who promised and started working towards Namibia's independence.
11. Roles of African leaders like Hosea Kutako the Herero chief, Sam Nujoma and Jacob
12. The 1972 constitutional reforms that set up advisory council as a way forward.
13. In 1977 the whites increased African representation
14. By 1971 however, the Ovambo, Herero and other groups had increased their pressure through strikes and other violent means to free Namibia.
15. The formation of the Ovambo lands people's organization later SWAPO was a big boost in the independence struggle.
16. 16. The effective representation of Namibia at the UN by Reverend Michael Scot and later Kevin was another boost
17. The role of OAU cannot be under estimated.
18. In 1990 free and fair elections were organized and SWAPO won leading Namibia to independence
19. Sam Nujoma became the new president.
Role of Sam Nujoma and SWAPO In Namibia's Struggle For Independence
1. Nujoma belonged to the elite nationalists group and was Ovambo by tribe.
2. In 1959 formed the Ovamboland people's organization with Jacob Kahenge.
3. In 1960 the party was transformed into SWAPO at the request of Kevin the Namibian representative at the UN.
4. In 1960 SWAPO launched an armed struggle against South Africa,
5. SWAPO boycotted participation in politics because the apart heid regime had continued grabbing African land.
6. They led strikes against job discrimination
7. They petitioned world bodies for the attainment of independence.
8. SWAPO cooperated with SWANU to coordinate efforts against the whites.
9. SWAPO mainly mobilized the dense northern population against the apartheid regime.
10. They campaigned for Namibia's independence and the establishment of a non-racial state.
11. They campaigned for justice, liberty and human dignity to prevail.
12. They campaigned against the violation of the terms of the trusteeship that South Africa violated.
13. From 1973 onwards SWAPO disrupted whites activities in the homeland of Ovambo and Kavambo.
14. After MPLA's victory in Angola in 1975 SWAPO opened up military bases in Angola and increased military pressure.
15. SWAPO opposed the Tornhalle proposals which never supported a fully independent Namibia.
16. They also led Africans not to participate in elections proposed by Tornhalle and persuaded many voters to boycott the polls.
17. SWAPO looked for help from fellow national movements of MPLA, FRELIMO etc towards the independence struggle.
18. Finally SWAPO's attrition struggle against South Africa won independence in 1990.
19. Sam Nujoma who had led SWAPO though all these hard times became the first president up to day 2003.
Problems Faced By Early Nationalist In Namibia
1. They lacked financial support to carryout their activities.
2. They suffered from divisions e.g. SWAPO against SWANU, Ovambo against Herero etc.
3. The South African regime ha'i a very strong presence in Namibia.
4. Many Nationalists were arrested and killed by the whites.
5. They lacked very strong leaders Kutako and Nujoma came very late.
6. Strong grassroot leaders who could mobilize commoners were very rare.
7. Some nationalists championed tribal conflicts e.g. SWAPO was originally for the Ovambo.
8. SWAPO lacked strong military support.
9. The whites put up many restrictions, which made it hard for the nationalist to operate.
10. Later the South African regime annexed Namibia as the fifth province of the union.
11. The apartheid politics-which were extended into Namibia derailed national movements.
12. The whites were stubborn and refused to bow down to the UN and OAU pressure.
13. The whites from South Africa usually raided SWAPO camps in Angola especially from 1978.
14. The divide and rule policy, which went with the Bantustans, divided up the people.
15. African governments were not united in their condemnation against the whites e.g. Malawi and Zaire.
16. Initially OAU did not strongly support national struggles in Namibia.