| 1981 | The NUDO Progressive Party
(NUDO-PP) (also known as "Jo’horongo") is formed under Johannes Karuaihe
after a split in NUDO, and NUDO-PP forms an alliance with the FCN. Barney Barnes becomes new leader of the LP , causing Joey Julius to lead a breakaway faction to form the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in 1982. The National Assembly is given extended powers (Dirk Mudge is still its Chairman). Military service becomes compulsory for all male citizens of Namibia between the ages of 18 and 24. Hidipo Hamutenya becomes SWAPO’s Secretary for Information and Publicity. South Africa now declares a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles from the shore and a fishing zone of 200 nautical miles, but the new limits are not recognised internationally, with the result that foreign vessels are able to plunder the rich fish resources of Namibia without let or hindrance. The value of the pre-independence hake catch (before 1990) can give some idea of the value of the depleted Namibian fish. From 1965 to 1989, according to the declared catch reflected in The value of the pre-independence hake catch (before 1990) can give some idea of the value of the depleted Namibian fish. From 1965 to 1989, according to the declared catch reflected in International Commission for the South-East Atlantic Fisheries (ICSEAF) statistics, 10 664 600 tonnes of hake were removed from Namibian waters, valued at 1996 prices at US$ 15 084 million. Virtually nothing of this accrued to Namibia. Television is introduced in Namibia. Initially it is relayed from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), or as a cassette service, flown in daily for rebroadcast. This service is gradually complimented by some Namibian local programmes. Later this service is extended to Oshakati and Walvis Bay and broadcasts are usually a day or two late. |
| January | The second pre-implementation conference for SC Resolution 435 held in Geneva is abortive because SA and the "internal parties" introduce the issue of "UN impartiality". The Western Five envisage three-phase negotiations on the Namibia question, but a breakdown is imminent when the DTA presents the UN with a list of seven demands relating to the UN’s alleged bias towards SWAPO. |
| 19.01. | Administrator-General Hough announces that "the inhabitants of SWA/Namibia will have to find solutions to the problems themselves". |
| February | The Ipelegeng Democratic Party
(IDP) is formed under the leadership of Gates Mootseng after a split in the Seoposengwe
Party. RP member of the "white" Legislative Assembly, Staby, supports the language policy of the IG to give the German language official status. The motion is, however, defeated by the NP of SWA (10 votes against seven). However, in June 1984 the NP supports the German language rights. German thus becomes official language on the ethnic "white" second level. |
| April | After the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Chester A Crocker, visits 10 African countries, including SA, the US tries to normalise relations between these countries and SA. |
| 15./18.04. | Some PLAN soldiers, Sagarius, Jason and Malambo, attack the farm Sachsen, near Tsumeb. They are charged in terms of the provisions of the Terrorism Act, No. 83 of 1967 and sentenced to high prison terms. |
| June | US (William Clark, Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs) introduces the issue of "linking" the withdrawal of Cuban
troops from Angola to the successful implementation of SC Resolution 435, as part of the
US "constructive engagement" policy in relation to SA, after Ronald Reagan was
inaugurated as US President on 10.01.1981. SWAPO rejects this "linkage" outright. The influence of the other Western Five members in relation to the Namibia dispute begins to wane. The Anglican seminar and school at St. Mary’s mission at Odibo in the Uukwanyama area is partly destroyed by South African troops. |
| August to September | In "Operation Protea" an estimated 15 000 SA soldiers invade Angola, moving 120 km into Angolan territory backed by tanks and the SA Air Force. The Angolan Government estimates that over 700 Angolans are killed and 130 000 left homeless in the fighting. |
| October | The Western Contact Group visits Namibia. |
| 03.10. | The Communist Party of Namibia (initially known as the "Party of Jacob Morenga" (on the 74th anniversary of Jakob Marengo’s death)) is formed in Angola in alliance (1989) with the Socialist Alliance of Namibia (SAN)(Hiskia Uanivi is founder). The Communist Party’s Secretary-General is Rirua Karihangana. |
| November | In "Operation Daisy" SA
undertakes search-and-destroy activities against SWAPO fighters in Angola. The Namibia Federation of Trade Unions (NFTU) is established in northern Namibia to represent mine workers there. The Government Service Staff Association (GSSA) is founded. |
| December | Hans Feddersen takes over the Allgemeine Zeitung. |
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