Namibia's Independence

A detailed Summary of Namibia's Independence


Namibia is a country on the southwestern tip of Africa. The geography of Namibia has shaped its course through history. Characterized by two deserts, it was assumed Namibia had little to offer. Despite its low population when Germany took it as a colony in the early 1900's, it still bitterly revolted. Likewise, when South Africa began an attempt at cheap migrant workers for the region's diamond and gold mines, nationalist sentiment caused Namibia to fight for its freedom. Freedom was a long and hard struggle, but after overcoming many hard trials, the country of Namibia gained its independence from external powers in 1990.

Namibia's earliest occupants were the San people (also known as bushmen). They lived in the area now know as Namibia as early as 8000 BC. Although they were the first inhabitants, they were eventually pushed aside by Bantu-speakers, who, with the advanced technology of iron working for them, pushed the bushmen into the Kalahari. The Bantu-speakers spread throughout the country, and had varied governments in various places. There were villages with chiefs, kingdoms with hereditary succession, and cattle-raisers. These various people occasionally traded goods and had various conflicts with each other.


The struggle for the independence of Namibia was long and hard, involving much bloodshed. The leaders of the land now know as Namibia switched hands throughout the centuries, but the fighting to resist change continued. The increasing occupation of Europeans in the 1800's brought about a major change. When Germany received Namibia as a colony, the Namibian people revolted against it, only to fall from the pot into the fire. South Africa immediately took over the reigns of leadership, bringing about increasing amounts of painful segregation. Only in 1990, when South Africa finally backed down did Namibia fully gain its independence, holding an election, and starting a new government with Sam Nujoma as president.

SWAPO continued to push the UN to enforce several resolutions that gave Namibia independence and rights to elections. However, the UN showed little interest at the time. PLAN and its supporters continued to fight, and then in 1987 a major breakthrough occurred. Angolan and Cuban forces defeated South Africa in a major battle and forced South Africa withdraw. In 1989, South Africa agreed to implement the UN resolutions, and the elections were set for the following year. In 1990, independence was reached with Sam Nujoma becoming president of the Republic of Namibia.

At the Berlin Conferenc

Some common words found in the essay are:
South Africa, Ultimately Africans, Republic Namibia, Kalahari Bantu-speakers, , Nama Damara, Europeans Americans, Berlin Conference, South African, Africans Africans, south africa, south african, nama damara, people's organization, sam nujoma, south west, white community, plan people's,

Approximate Word count = 886
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics

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