Namibia

Bushmen, Damara and Namaqua people have lived in Namibia since early times with significant Bantu incursions occurring from 1300 AD onwards. The first Europeans to set foot on Africa’s south-west coast were Portuguese and included Bartolomeu Dias, but they did not put down any roots. Just crosses.

It was not until 1884 that the Germans declared Namibia a colony in order to stall the advancement of British interests, although the British kept control of Walvis Bay, the best port. German control lasted only until the South Africans occupied the territory during World War I and were subsequently granted a mandate to administer South-West Africa (as it was then known) after the war. Despite Germany’s relatively short colonial period, the German influence remains very strong. Indeed 50% of churchgoers in Namibia are Lutherans!

Namibia finally obtained its independence from South Africa in 1990 after a protracted war between SA government forces and SWAPO was finally resolved and culminated in a UN-supervised withdrawal.

Namibia has the second-lowest (after Mongolia) population density in the world. The dominant Ovambo people make up more than half the population, with their traditional homeland being in the north of the country along with the Herero and Damara people. In the less-populated centre and the south lives a mixture of Nama and Baster (or “Coloured”) with a significant white population including 30 000 Germans and 80 000 Afrikaners. While English is the only official language, Afrikaans is the lingua franca and German is still widely spoken.

Namibia’s economy depends heavily on the mining of uranium, lead and tungsten and on rich diamond deposits. Agriculture and manufacturing also play a significant role in the economy, as does tourism. The country offers some of the most spectacular open vistas and dramatic scenery in the world. If you need space, Namibia is where you will find it.