(no subject)
Although many are not aware of it, Namibia is an amazingly unique country. Overshadowed by the legacy of the famed country South Africa, Namibia is actually right next to it geographically. Similarly to many African countries, Namibia has a history of sorrow and oppression. However, this country was able to survive and establish itself as independent. Here follows an account of the fascinating country.
Namibia has an array of geographical features, but it can be separated into three general areas. (CIA, 9/26) To the west, and occupying Namibia’s entire coastline, is the Namib Desert belt. This dry but cool area is composed of mainly sand dunes. (Microsoft, 9/25) The contrast between the reddish-tan sand and the piercing blue ocean is extremely beautiful. The second major land distinction is the central plateau that occupies much of the eastern side. The borders of the plateau rise sharply and house a slice of savanna, and then give way to the third area, the Kalahari Desert. Namibia has only four rivers, and apart from these it has no access to water on its surface. (Microsoft, 9/25) The different areas of Namibia were originally inhabited by different types of people.
For hundreds of years, the people of Namibia were as separate as its geography. The Khoisan or Bushmen people lived from the central areas of Namibia to the more southern areas, while the Bantu-speaking tribes lived in the northern areas of Namibia. (Berat, 9/27) The people in Namibia lived well off the wildlife in Namibia. However, they were later invaded by Europeans, which is the sad story of many African countries. In 1488, Namibia was “discovered” by a lost Portuguese sailor named Bartolomeu Dias. Since then, the beauty of Namibia as well as its abundant mineral resources such as diamond and lead made it the envy of many Europeans. Eventually the Germans became the most prominent in that area. (Microsfot, 9/25)
In 1884, European control had grown so strong that the area came to be known as German West-Africa. The newly-formed country was subject to tyrannical European rule for nearly three decades. During those thirty bloody years, the people of West-South Africa tried very hard to end the tyrannical European control in their beloved country. The best-known fighter of oppression in those times was the tribe of Herero, which led a massive-scale revolt against the ruling Germans. The result was a rebellion that took four years to crush, starting in 1904 and ending with the loss of over 60,000 lives. (Berat, 9/27) Most of the deaths were those of blacks simply wishing for their basic rights.
In 1915, during World War I and the devastating defeat that crippled and debilitated Germany, the Germans were forced to relinquish their hold on the country. (Microsoft, 9/25) Five years later, the League of Nations gave a mandated rule of the territory to the South African government, on behalf of the United Kingdom. (We must understand that at this point apartheid was very strong in South Africa.) Under its rule, West-South Africans were subjected to various forms of apartheid. (Berat, 9/27)
After the end of World War II, the United Nations (UN) took over the dysfunctional League of Nations. The mistreatment of black West-South Africans came to the attentions of the UN and they appealed for the removal of the South African influence and the installation of a committee of UN members to govern the territory. But South Africa refused to comply. South Africa, in fact, requested several times that West-South Africa be made part of South African territory. In 1949 South Africa attempted to solidify its rule over West-South Africa by spreading more of its racist laws. However, shortly after the installment of the laws, it became apparent that the deed would not be legal without the consent of the UN. The UN gave no consent, as there were many reports of South African hostilities and racist acts. Later, after repeated reports of aggression towards the Africans, the UN investigated West-South Africa but determined that nothing was wrong and the blacks were not being mistreated. (Microsoft, 9/25) We must wonder if the UN representative was truthful or racist.
In October 1966 the apartheid laws of South Africa became legal in West-South Africa. In that same year a guerilla union, led by young activist Sam Nujoma, called SWAPO (South-West Africa People’s Organization) tried to push out South African bigotry. (Berat, 9/27) And in 1971 the International Court of Justice decided that it was illegal for South Africa to impose their laws on a mandated territory. But South Africa did not relinquish its control.
Invigorated by the outlaws of injustice, West-South Africa took up another stand to battle the injustices of apartheid and hoped to win their independence, free from any other’s rule. This brave act was led by Sam Nujoma, and supported by the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Finally, the people of West-South Africa won their freedom in December of 1988, and the people elected Nujoma as their president. (Microsoft, 9/27) Under his guidance, the newly-christened Namibia took the steady steps towards true independence.
Today, Namibia is a strong country. Regardless of some health- related issues, Namibia is taking steps towards becoming extremely successful, including having raised the literacy rate and lowered the mortality rate. (CIA, 9/26) Through farming and mining, Namibia’s economy is strong. Namibia has one of the strongest gem-quality diamond industries. (Berat, 9/27) Many other essential minerals are found in Namibia. Namibia was the first country in the world to take steps towards protecting areas of land. 14% of Namibia is under protection. (CIA, 9/25) The people want to make their home safe. There is only a 7% white population, although they have most of the money. But through Nujoma’s three terms as President, steps are being taken to becoming equal.
Namibia has an array of geographical features, but it can be separated into three general areas. (CIA, 9/26) To the west, and occupying Namibia’s entire coastline, is the Namib Desert belt. This dry but cool area is composed of mainly sand dunes. (Microsoft, 9/25) The contrast between the reddish-tan sand and the piercing blue ocean is extremely beautiful. The second major land distinction is the central plateau that occupies much of the eastern side. The borders of the plateau rise sharply and house a slice of savanna, and then give way to the third area, the Kalahari Desert. Namibia has only four rivers, and apart from these it has no access to water on its surface. (Microsoft, 9/25) The different areas of Namibia were originally inhabited by different types of people.
For hundreds of years, the people of Namibia were as separate as its geography. The Khoisan or Bushmen people lived from the central areas of Namibia to the more southern areas, while the Bantu-speaking tribes lived in the northern areas of Namibia. (Berat, 9/27) The people in Namibia lived well off the wildlife in Namibia. However, they were later invaded by Europeans, which is the sad story of many African countries. In 1488, Namibia was “discovered” by a lost Portuguese sailor named Bartolomeu Dias. Since then, the beauty of Namibia as well as its abundant mineral resources such as diamond and lead made it the envy of many Europeans. Eventually the Germans became the most prominent in that area. (Microsfot, 9/25)
In 1884, European control had grown so strong that the area came to be known as German West-Africa. The newly-formed country was subject to tyrannical European rule for nearly three decades. During those thirty bloody years, the people of West-South Africa tried very hard to end the tyrannical European control in their beloved country. The best-known fighter of oppression in those times was the tribe of Herero, which led a massive-scale revolt against the ruling Germans. The result was a rebellion that took four years to crush, starting in 1904 and ending with the loss of over 60,000 lives. (Berat, 9/27) Most of the deaths were those of blacks simply wishing for their basic rights.
In 1915, during World War I and the devastating defeat that crippled and debilitated Germany, the Germans were forced to relinquish their hold on the country. (Microsoft, 9/25) Five years later, the League of Nations gave a mandated rule of the territory to the South African government, on behalf of the United Kingdom. (We must understand that at this point apartheid was very strong in South Africa.) Under its rule, West-South Africans were subjected to various forms of apartheid. (Berat, 9/27)
After the end of World War II, the United Nations (UN) took over the dysfunctional League of Nations. The mistreatment of black West-South Africans came to the attentions of the UN and they appealed for the removal of the South African influence and the installation of a committee of UN members to govern the territory. But South Africa refused to comply. South Africa, in fact, requested several times that West-South Africa be made part of South African territory. In 1949 South Africa attempted to solidify its rule over West-South Africa by spreading more of its racist laws. However, shortly after the installment of the laws, it became apparent that the deed would not be legal without the consent of the UN. The UN gave no consent, as there were many reports of South African hostilities and racist acts. Later, after repeated reports of aggression towards the Africans, the UN investigated West-South Africa but determined that nothing was wrong and the blacks were not being mistreated. (Microsoft, 9/25) We must wonder if the UN representative was truthful or racist.
In October 1966 the apartheid laws of South Africa became legal in West-South Africa. In that same year a guerilla union, led by young activist Sam Nujoma, called SWAPO (South-West Africa People’s Organization) tried to push out South African bigotry. (Berat, 9/27) And in 1971 the International Court of Justice decided that it was illegal for South Africa to impose their laws on a mandated territory. But South Africa did not relinquish its control.
Invigorated by the outlaws of injustice, West-South Africa took up another stand to battle the injustices of apartheid and hoped to win their independence, free from any other’s rule. This brave act was led by Sam Nujoma, and supported by the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Finally, the people of West-South Africa won their freedom in December of 1988, and the people elected Nujoma as their president. (Microsoft, 9/27) Under his guidance, the newly-christened Namibia took the steady steps towards true independence.
Today, Namibia is a strong country. Regardless of some health- related issues, Namibia is taking steps towards becoming extremely successful, including having raised the literacy rate and lowered the mortality rate. (CIA, 9/26) Through farming and mining, Namibia’s economy is strong. Namibia has one of the strongest gem-quality diamond industries. (Berat, 9/27) Many other essential minerals are found in Namibia. Namibia was the first country in the world to take steps towards protecting areas of land. 14% of Namibia is under protection. (CIA, 9/25) The people want to make their home safe. There is only a 7% white population, although they have most of the money. But through Nujoma’s three terms as President, steps are being taken to becoming equal.