| 1990 |
Prior to independence, education in
Namibia was characterised by inequality and fragmentation. Apartheid in education,
training and culture led to differentiated access to employment and hence to wages.
Learner-teacher ratios varied from 13 to 1 in schools under the "Administration for
Whites" to 37 to 1 for schools under the "Administration for Ovambos".
Inadequate provision for teachers and buildings meant large classes, often in excess of 50
learners. Books and teaching aids were also in short supply. The result of such severe
limitation was a high drop-out rate and frequent repetition of grades. To change this
situation is only one of the numerous challenges facing the incoming government of
independent Namibia.
The diamond mine of Auchas at the Oranje River is brought into production. |
| 01.01. |
On New Year’s Eve the
Constituent Assembly votes unanimously for Namibia to become independent on 21 March 1990
(officially announced on 29.01.1990). This symbolic date must be seen as a remembrance of
the occurrences in Sharpeville, South Africa, in March 1960. |
| 10.01. |
TransNamib sells 40 locomotives,
without informing the newly created Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication. This
sale marks the beginning of TransNamib’s erosion of assets which leads ten years
later to the financial problems of the Namibian railway company.
South Africa unilaterally closes the border post at Mata Mata, the entrance point from
Namibia into the South African Kalahari Gemsbok Park. |
| 02.02. |
A national flag and symbols are
adopted for the new nation. 
|
| 07.02. |
After the appointment of the
Shadow Cabinet on 21.12.1989, a number of government ministers and senior officials attend
the Tripartite Working Group on the Bushmen Issue which was established in December 1989.
They plead to the Bushmen (San or Khoesan) that they are welcome to stay in Namibia and
that they could contribute as citizens, that their land rights would be protected, that
they could move and settle anywhere they want in Namibia and that the new Constitution
would fully protect them. Sam Nujoma reiterates this pledge by a letter to the Bushmen
groups. But, the Bushmen begin to realise that they cannot any more expect their former
high salaries paid by the South Africans and that they would be better off -so many
believe - in South Africa. |
| 08.02. |
The designated Minister for
Finance, Otto Herrigel, announces in his first official speech that independent Namibia
will follow a pragmatic economic course. Namibia intends to stay for at least three years
in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Furthermore he proposes the establishment of
an independent Central Bank (later Bank of Namibia). |
| 09.02. |
The Constituent Assembly
unanimously adopts a new Constitution. This symbolically and materially ends an era of
colonial oppression and resistance against foreign rule. It is adopted at an outdoor
ceremony before the facade of the Tintenpalast. This is covered by a huge banner
reciting the Preamble of the Constitution. Article 133 of the new Constitution provides
that the Constituent Assembly would become the first National Assembly of Namibia, the
first president being the person elected to that office in the Constituent Assembly.
Windhoek Municipality plans to celebrate Windhoek’s Centenary anger those people who
believe the festivities would be honouring colonialism, as Windhoek is much older than
hundred years. SWAPO declares that the liberation movement would have nothing to do with
the Centenary celebrations. This development leads later to the cancellation of the
planned Centenary celebrations. |
| 14.02. |
The South African Defence Force
(SADF) asks the ex-soldiers of the Bushmen (San or Khoesan) military units whether or not
they want to move to South Africa. A vote is taken in each Bushmen village. Overall, 327
want to go to South Africa, 77 to Botswana and 255 would like to remain in Namibia. Sam
Nujoma strongly rejects the idea of relocating Bushmen of Namibian origin, but the first
group is relocated to South Africa on 20.02.1990. Shadow Minister for Land, Resettlement
and Rehabilitation, Marco Hausiku, declares that it would be better if a period of time is
allowed to elapse during which the Bushmen could think the matter over after the intense
South African propaganda to which they had been exposed.
The Home Affairs Minister-Designate, Hifikepunye Pohamba, with just a few weeks of
UNTAG’s mandate to run, declares that SWAPO has approached seven countries (Canada,
Germany, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sweden), seeking the continuance of their
police, now members of UNCIVPOL, after the end of the mandate. Ghana, India, Nigeria and
Pakistan agree to provide police support for a time after independence. As regards the
establishment of a new National Army, there is a political need for a military nucleus by
independence day. Such a nucleus of the future Namibian Defence Force (NDF) is in fact
brought together and with, the help of the Kenyan battalion, given training by 21.03.1990. |
| 16.02. |
The Constituent Assembly
unanimously elects Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma President of the future independent state. |
| 20.02. |
The Deputy Minister designate for
Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, travels to Luanda/Angola, to prepare an
agreement in order to rebuild the destroyed road from Oshikango at the border between
Namibia and Angola to Lubango and Namibe (Namibe-Corridor). This is followed by a further
visit, together with the Angolan Ambassador to Namibia, Bento Ribiero, in July to finalise
the agreement. |
| 27.02. |
Dierks announces policy guidelines
for transport and communications for the independent Namibia. Firstly the transport and
telecommunications infrastructure between the two Namibias (first world and third world
Namibia) has to be balanced by the establishment of engineering infrastructure in the so
far neglected parts of the country, especially Ovamboland. Secondly the one-sided
transport link to South Africa (noose or lifeline transport situation) has to expanded by
the creation of new east-west-transport corridors to the landlocked neighbours in the
east, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe (Trans Kalahari and Trans Caprivi highways) and the
construction of the missing link between Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz, the Aus to Goageb
highway. Environmental and social issues have to be brought into the future planning
process of transport infrastructure. The unemployment has to be eased by the application
of labour-based construction methods. Furthermore efficiency in the transport sector will
be increased by deregulation and competition as well as a road sector reform based on
privatisation. The reintegration of the Walvis Bay enclave will be a top priority for the
new government.
Furthermore a commercial pilot training college is planned for Keetmanshoop. As far as any
future transcontinental air services of Namib Air (the subsequent Air Namibia) are
concerned, Dierks supports such an undertaking only with the back up of a strong
international airline partner which has the essential resources which Namib Air lacks now
and in the foreseeable future. He opposes Namib Air’s new flight between Windhoek and
Frankfurt/Germany without a strong airline partnership, although, for political reasons,
South African Airways (SAA) cannot be allowed to continue to use the traffic rights on
this route. Therefore, there is currently no alternative but to allow Namib Air to operate
this route. |
| 28.02. |
The !Kung Traditional Authority
appoints its Chief, ||’Aiha (traditional title) John N. Arnold in the Omatako
Valley, followed by the Ju|’hoansi Traditional Authority, which elects the
traditional leader, ||’Aiha Tsamkxao #Oma, in Tsumkwe on 05.07. |
| End February |
After an official visit to Angola
(21.01.) Nujoma calls on Congo, Algeria, Libya and Kuwait to thank these countries for the
support for Namibia’s liberation struggle. |
| 05.03. |
Angola’s Foreign Minister, Van
Dunem, reiterates Angola’s concern over the porosity of the Namibian frontier. He
speaks of the efforts to negotiate an end to Angola’s war with UNITA and to bring
about national reconciliation in Angola. However, UNITA is increasing its military
activities.
Meanwhile, the Angolan government is very much aware of developments in South Africa. Van
Dunem reports, that SA’s Foreign Minister, Pik Botha, had mentioned to him that South
Africa wants to establish conditions for peace and stability in all southern Africa
countries. Apartheid, Botha had said, has been "a very serious mistake",
and the whole system of "white" hegemony has to be abolished very quickly. |
| 07.03 |
At Omega (West Caprivi), members
from the Tripartite Working Group on the Bushmen Issue meet with Bushmen (San or Khoesan)
elders, then with about 150 ex-soldiers of the Bushmen. The SWAPO delegation leader, Peter
Naholo, says he has brought a message from President Nujoma, personally, of
reconciliation, protection and opportunities for all, without discrimination. The Bushmen
should recall that South Africa has its own problems, which are going to deepen. He says:
"It’s for you to decide. We are not forcing you one way or other. But, you
must understand that if you decide to go, there will be no coming back". Naholo
advise them to stay in Namibia in which they are genuinely welcome, rather than depart for
some foreign country. In reply, one Bushmen leader says that they had already taken their
decision. They feel they are being pressured. They have chosen their future one year ago,
and would not change their minds each time somebody visits Omega. At the Bushmen village
of Mangetti Dune the same routine and much of the same discussion takes place. The
leaders, when asked why the Bushmen want to leave their native country, refer to incidents
of discrimination and hostility towards Bushmen in Namibia. Because they have decided to
leave, they have sold their houses and cattle, and there is now only one way to go -
south. |
| 12./13.03. |
1 340 Bushmen and their dependants
- and one day later - 585 leave for Kimberley in South Africa. The move will be complete
on 16.03.1990, five days before Namibia’s independence. |
| 15.03. |
The Namibian Department of Post and
Telecommunications proposes the issuing of a set of stamps (designed in South Africa),
depicting the Namibian independence. This issue nearly causes a stir because the Deputy
Minister designate for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, rejects the stamp
design because the liberation struggle leading to the hard won independence is not
pictured. He insists on one of the three stamps on a motive of open hands releasing a dove
of peace with some broken chains around the wrists. This again is turned down by the South
African Government. Only after a threat by Dierks to make the issue public and not to
allow the publishing of the independence stamps, Dierks’ design is accepted and the
stamps released. |
| 21.03. |
The year of Namibia’s
independence brings historic rains to the country, one of the best rainy seasons in living
memory. Here, rain means not only growth and fertility: it means god is watching over you.
Today the Republic of Namibia is born, with Sam Nujoma its first President. Nujoma is
sworn in by UN Secretary-General, Javier Péres de Cuéllar. 30 000 spectators in the
Windhoek Sport Stadium view the great event. The independence celebrations are witnessed
by representatives of 147 countries including 20 heads of state. Extraordinary sights are
to be seen. Leaders meet whom international politics had previously precluded from
official meetings - FW De Klerk meets with Yassir Arafat, Kenneth Kaunda and the great
South African leader, just released from prison, Nelson Mandela who makes a precisely
timed arrival, immediately before proceedings begin. At the beginning of the proceedings
turmoil erupts. Security people push some Prime Ministers into their seats. The new
British High Commissioner lands on the lap of Karen Dierks. The turbulence results in some
delays. Independence is delayed by 15 minutes. And the new proud flag of independent
Namibia doesn’t fly because there is no breeze, and the South African flag droops
limply, just as does the Namibian flag, as it goes up.
A corner stone of the national policy of the new independent Namibia is the policy of
national reconciliation. The policy seeks to address the consequences of the legacy of
Namibia’s violent past, dating back to German colonial times, the South African
oppression and effects of the apartheid system together with human rights violations
committed during the liberation struggle. This policy of national reconciliation will also
redress economic disparities in order to achieve the fruits of the Namibian independence.
The 78 members (including six appointed members by the President) of the National Assembly
of the Republic of Namibia are sworn in. Mosé Penaani Tjitendero is the elected Speaker
of the lower house of Parliament. |
| 22.03. |
The last South African
Administrator-General Louis Pienaar is given an official farewell by President Sam Nujoma. |
| 28.03. |
UNTAG’s mandate is coming to
an end. When it pulls back from its 236 premises, it does so with remarkable speed. |
| 31.03. |
In order to protect her (by
foreign nations) depleted Atlantic Ocean fishing grounds, Namibia pleads to the
International Commission for South East Atlantic Fisheries (ICSEAF) to urge the member
states to withdraw all foreign fishing trawlers from Namibian territorial waters.
Subsequently Spain informs the European Community that this move risks 6 000 employment
possibilities on Spanish fishing trawlers. Countries like Spain, Germany, Japan, the
Soviet Union and the Scandinavian countries try intensively to obtain Namibian fishing
quotas.
The value of the pre-independence hake catch 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.
However, the combination of favourable environmental conditions and the implementation of
a sound Namibian fishing policy for the restoration of the stocks, brings about a marked
improvement in the fish stocks in the first part of the 1990s. |
| 01.04. |
Namibia is admitted to the
Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) as the tenth member state. |
| 10.04. |
The Minister Foreign Affairs,
Theo-Ben Gurirab, announces that Namibia will follow a pragmatic approach against South
Africa but will not send an ambassador as yet. The question of the reintegration of the
Walvis Bay enclave will not be taken up in the moment. Unofficially it is agreed that
Namibia will have free access to the Port of Walvis Bay. |
| 12.04. |
South Africa announces the
appointment of a permanent diplomatic representative in Windhoek. |
| 17.04. |
In UN SC Resolution 652 the UN
Security Council resolves to recommend to the General Assembly to admit the Republic of
Namibia as member to the world body. |
| 17./19.04. |
President Sam Nujoma visits
Zimbabwe. |
| 23.04. |
The General Assembly accepts with
GA Resolution S-18/1 (1990) Namibia as 160th member of the organisation. |
| 26.04. |
Namib Air inaugurates its first
transcontinental flight from Windhoek to Frankfurt, Germany. |
| 27.04 |
The first Parliamentarian Question
in the history of the new National Assembly (Member Barney Barnes of the DTA) deals with a
speech of the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, before
the International Tourism Fair in Berlin during March. Dierks demands a pragmatic attitude
by South Africa in the question of the reintegration of the Walvis Bay enclave. Otherwise
Namibia would refuse traffic rights for South African planes in the Namibian air space.
Although the speech sparks sharp criticism in the ranks of the opposition parties, a wide
range of Namibians applaud Dierks' sentiments. He is fully exonerated by both the Prime
Minister, Hage Geingob and the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Richard
Kapelwa-Kabajani. |
| 01.05. |
President Sam Nujoma announces
that the fight against unemployment enjoys top priority. He further declares the future
establishment of a mixed economy between state owned and private enterprises. |
| 05.05. |
The Namibian Broadcasting
Corporation (NBC) comes into being as successor of the South West African Broadcasting
Corporation (SWABC). First Managing Director is Nahum Gorelick. His deputy is Piet Coetzer
of the past SWABC. |
| 19.05. |
A Border Security Agreement is
concluded between Namibia and Angola. A Joint Border Commission will supervise the
agreement. This agreement is expanded by a Joint Cooperation Agreement for the Development
and Utilisation of the Kunene River Basin (18.09.). |
| 23.05. |
The National Assembly adopts the
Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone of Namibia Bill. This legislation creates
Exclusive Economic Zone (200 Miles) along the Atlantic coast will protect Namibia’s
fishing interests. |
| 28./31.05. |
Negotiations take place between
the governments of Namibia (Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, Nahas Angula) and
the German Democratic Republic (GDR)(Minister of Education, Prof. Meyer) in Berlin. The
topic is the return of several hundred Namibian children who found refuge in the GDR
during the liberation war (the so-called "GDR-Children"). 291 are school
children in a school (Schule der Freundschaft) at Staßfurt near Magdeburg. 134 are
pre-school children from the SWAPO children hostel at Bellin near Güstrow. Eight are
small children. The children are accompanied by 29 Namibian adults. |
| 29.05. |
The Namibian Government maintains
close ties with other African independence movements. Consequently Namibia takes up
diplomatic relations with the Algeria supported Frente Polisario. |
| 01.06. |
The Organisation for African Unity
(OAU) establishes a permanent diplomatic mission in Windhoek. |
| 04.06. |
During the first session of the
National Assembly Prime Minister Hage Geingob supports a parliamentarian motion by the DTA
and other opposition parties to establish an All-Party Commission to investigate the fate
of SWAPO detainees which allegedly are still being held in Angola (the so-called
"spy-crisis"). However, the Commission is not successful in completing its task.
Therefore, at the beginning of November the Prime Minister proposes a motion in the
National Assembly to ask the International Red Cross to look into the matter.
Namibia becomes a full member of the Tripartite Agreement between South Africa, Angola and
Cuba. |
| 05.06. |
A crisis looms in the Rehoboth
area. The former South African Policy of Apartheid is manifested in a demand by the
political leadership of the Baster, under the Baster Captain Diergaardt, for autonomy for
the Rehoboth area. During an unofficial Referendum, 84,1% of 9 289 Baster voters call for
a far reaching autonomy and special rights for the Baster. The conflict escalates because
Diergaardt refuses to vacate his official residence. A High Court decision (25.09.)
influences the Baster to accept the court ruling. A visit of President Nujoma on 03.11.
defuses the situation. |
| 11.06. |
The Navachab gold mine comes into
operation. It is envisaged to mine two tons of gold annually. The mine is run by the
Erongo Mining and Exploration Company Ltd. Further shareholders are the De Beers
Consolidated Mines, the Anglo-American Company, the Canadian Metal Mining Corporation (a
subsidiary company of the German Metallgesellschaft). Rössing Uranium concludes an
agreement with a French concern in order to mine 5 200 tons Uranium Oxide between 1995 and
2002. In spite of this Rössing Uranium has to curb its production to 75% of its capacity.
The tin production at the Uis Tin Mine is abandoned due to low tin world market prices.
Also Tsumeb Corporation Limited (TCL) announces losses due to low copper prices. |
| 12.06./15.06. |
The Southern African Transport and
Communications Commission (SATCC) (Maputo/ Mozambique) of the
Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)(founded 1980 at Gaborone,
Botswana), initiated by the Namibian Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and
Communication, Klaus Dierks, approves at Lilongwe, Malawi, road projects for the Trans
Kalahari and Trans Caprivi Highways, a Zambezi Bridge between Namibia (Katima Mulilo) and
Zambia (Sesheke), the Aus to Goageb highway and the Ovambo Road Network Master Plan. After
the meeting the ten SADCC Ministers of Transport are received by President Hastings Kamuzu
Banda in Blantyre. |
| 21.06. |
Shots are fired by unknown
offenders on the houses of the Ministers of Defence, Peter Mweshihange and Home Affairs,
Lucas Pohamba. |
| 21./22.06. |
The International Donor Conference
for Namibia takes place in New York. This conference is awaited with high expectations,
also to address the expected budget deficit inherited by the SA Colonial Administration to
the tune of R 500 Million. The pledged US $ 200 Million is not meeting the Namibian
expectations. President Nujoma appeals to the conference to grade Namibia as "Least
Developed Country", in spite of the relatively high average per-capita income of
US $ 1 044 (1988), and in the light of the extreme skew income relations
between the rich, mainly "white" and the poor, mainly "black" income
groups.
Namibia joins the European Community sponsored Lomé Agreement and gets subsequently
access to development aid to R 60 million by the European Community. Rand 14 million is
provided as budget assistance and a further R 14 million for five development projects.
Namibia also becomes a member of the European Community sponsored African/
Caribbean/Pacific member states. A compromise is found in the allocation of an beef export
quota (13 000 tons annually with 10 500 tons for 1991) to the European Community. |
| End June |
The Kenyan battalion of the former
UNTAG is replaced by the first Namibian infantry battalion. This marks the beginning of
the Namibian Defence Force which reaches 5 000 soldiers by the end of 1990. In the spirit
of the policy of national reconciliation , the battalion consists of members of the former
PLAN and the former SWATF forces. In the same vain also members of the former colonial
administration and the SWA Police are kept in the new Namibian Civil Service.
Namibia invites the Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC), Alfred Nzo. |
| 30.06. |
The newspaper The Namibian
reports that 500 "white" extremists of the former colonial dispensation plan to
overthrow the new Namibian Government. On 05.08. a bomb is thrown on the Namibian.
Later (end of August, beginning of September and on 12.10.) ten "white" men are
arrested. Before the court case for high treason can be opened on 08.10., most of them
manage to flee to South Africa. |
| 06.07. |
The Minister for Finance, Otto
Herrigel tables the Budget for the Financial Year 1990/91. The budget makes provision for
an expenditure of R 2 576 million against an expected revenue of R 2 336 million. No tax
increases are envisaged. The major share of the total budget goes to the Ministry of
Works, Transport and Communication (R 550 million), followed by the Ministry of Education,
Culture and Sports (R 469 million), the Ministry of Finance (R 379,5 million) and the
Ministry of Health and Social Services (R 352 million). The biggest part of the capital
expenditure of R 261 million goes to the Ministry of Works, Transport and
Communication, mainly for road projects as proposed and planned by the Deputy Minister for
Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, (Trans Kalahari and Trans Caprivi
highways, the Aus to Goageb highway and a new surfaced road between Gibeon Station to
Gibeon). |
| 17.07. |
The Cabinet of the Republic of
Namibia approves new consolidated political and administrative regional structures for the
country. According to the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission, chaired by
Gerhard Tötemeyer, Namibia will be subdivided into 13 regions. These regions form the
base to select the second chamber of Parliament, the National Council. The elections have
to take place within two years. For the Region of Caprivi the Cabinet decides on the name Liambezi.
Regional maps and plans are successively printed, but some tribal complaints result in the
later retention of the colonial name Caprivi. Some regional names, as suggested by the
Commission, are rejected by Cabinet. Mopane Region becomes Omusati, Maroela becomes
Ohangwena and Waterberg makes headway for the Otjozondjupa Region. During the same cabinet
session, Namibia’s new national anthem is accepted which was written and composed by
Axali Doeseb: "Namibia land of the brave - Freedom fight we have won - Glory to
their bravery - Whose blood waters our freedom". On 11.11.1991 Namibia’s
national anthem is adopted by the National Assembly (National Anthem of the Republic of
Namibia Bill).
The Cabinet also approves the opening of 18 Namibian Embassies and Diplomatic Missions, of
which nine will be established in the near future. These include High Commissions in
London, Lagos and Lusaka, Embassies in Moscow, Washington, Addis Ababa and Stockholm, a
Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and a Permanent Mission to the
European Union in Brussels. Further Diplomatic Missions are envisaged in Berlin (GDR)(the
Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, has already received
a principal assurance from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, that Namibia
could obtain the former SWAPO Embassy in Berlin, Wilhelmsruhe for a
nominal price but this is later not followed up by the Permanent Secretary of Foreign
Affairs, Andreas #Guibeb), Paris, Harare, Beijing, Algiers, New
Delhi, Tokyo and Luanda. By this time Namibia already has signed more than 100 agreements
on the establishment of Diplomatic missions in Namibia (21 credentials of Ambassadors and
High Commissioners are received to date). |
| 23.07. |
President Ketumile Masire from
Botswana is the first head of state on a state visit to Namibia. His top priority is the
speedy completion of the Trans Kalahari Highway. The Deputy Minister for Works, Transport
and Communication, Klaus Dierks, hands over to him his planning study for a Trans Kalahari
Railway Line from South Africa via Botswana to the Port of Walvis Bay. |
| 01.08. |
In subsequence of the Cabinet
Decision dated 17.07. the Government appoints Regional Commissioners for the 13 regions.
In the spirit of the policy of national reconciliation members of other political parties
and former SWAPO detainees are also appointed.
The Namibian Central Bank (later Bank of Namibia) is established with a founding capital
of R 40 Million. The Minister for Finance, Otto Herrigel, announces that Namibia will get
her own currency (Namibia Dollar) within two years. |
| 02./05.08. |
President Sam Nujoma visits
Zambia. |
| 03.08. |
TransNamib changes the name
"Namib Air" into "Air Namibia". |
| 26./31.08. |
The "GDR-Children" are
brought back to Namibia. They are accompanied by two members of the last, democratically
elected GDR Parliament (Volkskammer): Anne-Katrin Glase (Christian Democratic Party
(CDU)) and Jürgen Leskien (Partei Demokratischer Sozialisten (PDS)). The return is
organised by the Repatriation, Resettlement and Reconstruction Committee (RRR Committee).
The children are initially accommodated in the Peoples Primary School at Katutura
(Windhoek). After the re-unification of Germany (03.10.1990) assists the Government of the
Federal Republic of Germany in the education of the "GDR-Children". |
| 27./30.08. |
Prime Minister Hage Geingob visits
Mozambique. |
| Beginning September |
The Interessengemeinschaft
Deutschsprachiger Südwester (IG) holds its 13th annual congress. The IG is
now named Interessengemeinschaft Deutschsprechender für Namibia (IG). |
| 03./07.09. |
President Sam Nujoma visits
Botswana. |
| 11.09. |
The UN Council for Namibia
dissolves itself. |
| 18.09. |
President Nujoma meets
Angola’s President, dos Santos, in Lubango, Angola. |
| 20.09. |
Nujoma announces that an
attractive investment climate will be created and that a pilot training college is planned
for Keetmanshoop by British Aerospace (as initiated by the Deputy Minister for Works,
Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks). The declared Exclusive Economic Zone (200
Miles) along the Atlantic coast will protect Namibia’s fishing interests and benefits
the economy. |
| 27.09. |
During the 45. Session of the UN
General Assembly President Nujoma renews his appeal from the International Donor
Conference for Namibia in New York (21. to 22.06.) to grant Namibia "Least Developed
Country" status. Subsequently several countries grant donor assistance. Germany
becomes with US $ 60 Million the biggest donor, followed by Sweden (US $ 16 Million),
Norway (US $ 11 Million), Finland (US $ 10 Million), the USA (US $ 10 Million) and Denmark
(US $ 6 Million). Other countries like Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, Italy and
South Africa pledge various levels of donor assistance. The organisational framework of
Namibia’s donor assistance is aggravated because the National Planning Commission is
still in its infancy. |
| 23.10. |
The former Chief of the Secret
Service of PLAN, Solomon "Jesus" Hawala becomes the Commander of the Namibian
Defence Force, after the Namibian Cabinet had disapproved such a move in August. Due to
his involvement into the treatment of former SWAPO detainees in Angola, the Council of
Churches in Namibia (CCN) criticises the appointment. The NUNW supports Hawala’s
engagement. |
| End October |
The Deputy Minister for Works,
Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, announces at Swakopmund concrete plans to
increase the efficiency in the transport sector by deregulation and competition as well as
a road sector reform based on privatisation. He stresses that road maintenance costs have
to be cut by ensuring that existing regulations on axle loads are complied with and that
the Namibian rail system has to play a full part in freight operations. Road users have to
pay what they consume and therefore an equitable, fair, cost-reflective and transparent
road user charging system has to be put in place. As an initial step a Transport Advisory
Board has to be established as a new statutory body representing all transport interests.
Reserved goods permits for road hauliers will be phased out and the road haulier market
will be opened to all Namibians. |
| Beginning November |
Air Namibia announces new regional
flights to Gaborone, Harare and Lusaka. |
| 01.11. |
In order to balance "the two
Namibias", Dierks makes known a major road upgrading programme for the formerly
neglected Ovamboland. This programme will be put into effect in six phases. Phase one
consists of the immediate rehabilitation of 450 km of gravel and earth roads in order to
provide a skeleton network of acceptable secondary roads. Roads to be improved are the
Oshakati to Okahao road with a link to Oshikuku, the Omafu to Mpungu (Kavango regional
border) road via Eenhana and Elundu, the Omafu to Okalongo road via Engela and Ongenga,
the Onethindi to Eenhana road via Oniipa and Oshigambo, the Onethindi to Olukonda road,
the Onathinge to Elundu road via Okankolo, the Outapi (Ombalantu) to Okahao road via
Tsandi, the Outapi to Okalongo road, the Tsandi to Onesi road and the Okahao to Onaanda
road. Special emphasis is laid on the concept of appropriate engineering standards for low
volume roads which are cost-optimised and economically and financially feasible, taking
into account social problems like unemployment, gender balance and environmental
arguments. To this effect labour-based construction methods will be used. Two labour-based
test sections (Spoorbaan test section near Oshakati and the Okahao
to Onaanda road) are initiated during this year. This basic road backbone network has to
be completed within the next five years. Phase two consists of the Ovambo Road Network
Master Plan, pointing out priorities for the construction, upgrading and maintenance
standards to stimulate economic growth in Ovamboland and capacity building mechanisms. The
emphasis also lies on new road links to Angola (Namibe Corridor) and a new link road to
the Kavango. Phase three focusses on the speedy construction of two highways, the Oshakati
to Ongenga road via Okatana, Endola and Omungwelume and the Oshikuku to Okalongo roads.
Phase four concentrates on new feeder roads to agricultural growth points like a road
between Oshikango to Odibo. This phase also includes the further upgrading of some
projects to bituminous standards in the next five years. Phase five deals with the
development of appropriate engineering standards for the construction and maintenance in
Ovamboland with a special emphasis on solutions to the peculiar road building material
problems experienced in Ovamboland. Phase six again focusses on the upgrading of existing
paved roads in the area. Some of these roads carry among the highest traffic loads in
Namibia. The financing of these ambitious projects has to be realised from Namibian budget
allocations and donor assistance from various countries. The realisation of all these
ambitious projects in the next ten years comprises one of the greatest successes of the
SWAPO-Government. |
| 05.11. |
President Nujoma warns that
foreign fishing trawlers violating Namibian territorial waters would be punished.
The private German airline LTU tries to land at Windhoek International Airport, without
landing rights or any air services agreement between Namibia and Germany in place.
Temporary landing rights are granted by the Namibian Government as an exception and in the
interest of the passengers. |
| 25.11. |
Five Spanish fishing trawlers
fishing illegally in Namibian waters are captured by the Namibian Authorities. They
transport Namibian fish to the value of R 15 million. The five captains are arrested and
the crew released from prison on 15.12. |
| 26.11. |
After the President has until now
proclaimed Namibian public holidays such as the commemoration of the "Old Location
Uprising (10.12.1959)", the battle of Omugulu-gOmbashe (26.08.1966) or the South
African raid on Cassinga (04.05.1978), the National Assembly passes the Public Holidays
Bill. |
| 27.11. |
The Cabinet approves the
development of the Namibe-Corridor between Angola and Namibia. |
| 14.12. |
Prime Minister Hage Geingob
announces that the Namibian Government donates one million Rand to the African National
Congress (ANC). |
| 15.12. |
The Deputy Minister for Works,
Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, makes known a major telecommunications
programme in the so far neglected north, especially in Ovamboland. He announces that
Namibia with 5,4 telephone lines per 100 inhabitants does not compare too bad with the
world average of 19,1 lines, but this figure has to be balanced between "the two
Namibias" and brought to 10 lines within ten years. |
|
New Roads in
Ovamboland, built after Independence
District Road 3605 from Oluno to Uukwiyo in the Oshana Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
District Road 3625 between Oshigambo and Ondobe (Ohangwena
Region) in the Oshikoto Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Main Road 110 between Elundu, east of Eenhana, and Okongo in the
Ohangwena Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
District Road 3608 between Engela and Ongenga in the Ohangwena
Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
District Road 3609 between Ongenga and Oshakati in the Ohangwena
Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
District Road 3608 between Okalongo and Anamulenge in the
Omusati Region: Dry Season
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
District Road 3615 between Oshikuku and Elim in the Omusati
Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
District Road 3626 between Okahao (Ongandjera) and Etilyasa in
the Omusati Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
Main Road 123 between Outapi and Tsandi in the Omusati Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
District Road 3633 between Tsandi and Omugulu-g'Ombashe in the
Omusati Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
District Road 3617 between Onesi and the Kaokoveld in the
Omusati Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks |
