| 1991 |
One of the major
challenges for the new government is to restructure the Civil Service. At
Independence, there were a total of some 42 500 filled posts in the public
service. Until 1991, an increase of about one third or roughly 15 000 public
servants could be recorded, bringing the total of filled posts to about 57
500. The main reason for this that new ministries like Defence and Foreign
Affairs had to be created. The new government structure is thus set up on
the two axes of a theoretical design for tasks so far tackled by the
colonial power and so far untested against a national policy or plan, and an
inherited Apartheid administration from the pre-independence era. The new
post-independence administration structure is extremely centralised and
centralising, partly by inheritance and in accordance with the limited
manpower resources in Namibia, partly to act against the fragmentation
practised by Apartheid. In conformity with Article 141 of the Constitution
and the principles of national reconciliation, the government is unable and
unwilling to reduce the staffing or make major structural changes such as
those that would be implied by radical decentralisation. As a result, the
state structure is merely expanded, but not really transformed and soon
reaches unbearable proportions.
The new Namibian fishing policy on the utilisation of Namibia’s fisheries
resources has its roots in the 1990 Constitution of Namibia. The "White
Paper on Fisheries Policies, 1991", reflects the constitutional provisions
which are in turn given expression in the Sea Fisheries Act, 1992 and the
associated Sea Fisheries Regulations, 1993. |
| 02.01. |
The definitive stamp
series (fourth decimal definitive pre-independence issue) with mineral and
mining pictorials as themes (no water mark) dated 16.11.1989 is re-issued as
first definitive series of the independent state, now with the name
"Namibia". |
| Early January |
The Foreign
Investment Bill creates the foundation for a free market economy. Approved
foreign investments are guaranteed and get free access to foreign
currencies. Foreign investments are protected and conflict resolutions
follow international practices. |
| 21./24.01. |
President Nujoma pays
his first official visit to Angola. The visit centers around a technical and
economic co-operation between the two countries, especially Energy and Water
matters arising from the border river Kunene. |
| 25./27.01. |
Sam Nujoma visits the
Peoples Republic of Congo. |
| 31.01. |
The donation of one
million Rand to the African National Congress (ANC), announced by Prime
Minister Hage Geingob on 14.12.1990, is handed over to the ANC President
Nelson Mandela. |
| 30.01./01.02. |
The Consultative
Conference of Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)
takes place in Windhoek. |
| 03./06.02. |
An International
Investors’ Conference is held in Windhoek. |
| 12.02. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, announces that an
organised and willful destruction has laid the former South African military
base of Bagani I, Bagani II and Bagani III (Buffalo Base) in ruins. The
Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication was only alerted to the
destruction of the base on 09.02., after President Nujoma had visited the
place. The Bagani base was to be used as part of an ambitious programme of
resettling destitute people from other rural areas. A Presidential
Commission of Enquiry has been appointed to investigate the destruction of
the base. The devastation is caused by willful actions of some officials of
the Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism and missing commitment
and coordination between the ministries of Defence and Home Affairs, both
which have bases nearby. |
| 13.02. |
A mistaken Angolese
bomb attack on Namibian soil in the northeast (near Bagani) leads to
excitement and irritation. This attack was directed against UNITA forces and
results in four Namibian injuries (after a first such incident on
05.01.without any injuries). Angola apologises officially and offers
compensation. |
| 19.02. |
President Nujoma
announces his first cabinet re-shuffle. Two new Ministries are created. The
new Ministry of Fisheries is taken out from the Ministry of Agriculture,
Water and Rural Development. The new Minister is Helmut Kangulohi Angula,
the former Deputy Minister for Mines and Energy which is replaced by Jesaya
Nyamu. The new Ministry for Youth and Sport is taken out from the Ministry
for Education and Culture. The new Minister is the former Deputy Minister
for Wildlife and Tourism, Pendukeni Iivula Ithana. The outgoing Deputy
Minister for Trade and Industry, Reggie Diergaardt (Member of the National
Assembly for the UDF) is appointed as Deputy Minister. Frieda-Nela Williams
becomes Permanent Secretary. The new Deputy Minister for Wildlife and
Tourism is Ben Ulenga, the former Secretary-General of the Mineworkers Union
of Namibia (MUN)(NUNW affiliate). Anton von Wietersheim (SWAPO Member of the
National Assembly) is appointed as the new Deputy Minister for Trade and
Industry. |
| 01./07.03. |
As a result of a
state visit to Cuba, President Nujoma brings back 20 Cuban medical doctors. |
| 04.03. |
Under the
chairmanship of the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication,
Klaus Dierks, delegations from Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana meet
at Katima Mulilo in order to discuss the impact of the planned Trans Caprivi
Highway on the economies of the four countries and the integration of the
four road systems in the area. One aspect is the in loco inspection
for the possible location of a new bridge across the Zambezi River near
Katima Mulilo, which will provide the essential road link between Namibia
and Zambia. Furthermore it is announced by Dierks that the construction of
the Trans Kalahari Highway will commence during the current year. The 103 km
long section between Gobabis and the Botswana border at Mamuno will cost R
40 million. The 590 km between the border and Jawaneng, southwest of
Gaborone, is financed by Botswana. The new road connection shortens the
distance between Namibia and Johannesburg with more than 400 km. |
| 14.03. |
A first round of
talks between Namibia and South Africa with respect to the re-integration of
Walvis Bay and the Atlantic offshore islands into the Republic of Namibia
takes place in Cape Town (The strong Namibian delegation is led by the
following ministers: Theo-Ben Gurirab, Hidipo Hamutenya, Ernest Ngarikutuke
Tjiriange, Otto Herrigel, Ben Amathila, Helmut Kangulohi Angula, Hartmut
Ruppel, Vekuui Rukoro and Klaus Dierks). This conference ends without
concrete results. |
| 25.03. |
A further three
Spanish fishing trawlers fishing illegally in Namibian waters are captured
by the Namibian authorities, this time with assistance from the South
African Marine. |
| 27.03. |
A bilateral
assistance agreement between the USA and Namibia to the tune of US $ 35
million to support the Namibian education system is concluded. |
| 10.04. |
The Windhoek High
Court rules that the five Spanish fishing trawlers including their fishing
cargo, valued at R 115 million altogether, which were fishing illegally in
Namibian waters and caught on 25.11.1990, are to be transferred to the
Namibian government. Consequently the European Community breaks off all
negotiations with the Namibian authorities regarding fishing quotas and
concessions (The EC is pressurising Namibia to allow a much higher fishing
quota. 70% of the EC allowed fishing quota is reserved for Spain.). The EC
decision goes not undisputed among some EC member states, but the Spanish
delegate insists on it due to the dispute between Spain and the Namibian
government. The captains and officers of the Spanish fishing trawlers are
sentenced by the Windhoek High Court on 24.09.
The new Uukwambi King , Elenga (Enene) (Oshivambo traditional title),
Herman Iipumbu, is sworn in at Uukwangula. |
| 22./25.04. |
Sam Nujoma officially
visits Tanzania. |
| 25./28.04. |
An official visit to
Zimbabwe follows. A planned state visit to Lesotho (28./30.04.) is cancelled
at the very last moment. |
| May |
An agreement is
reached between the Angolese rebel movement UNITA and the ruling party MPLA
on a cease fire to end the civil war, a new constitution guaranteeing human
and political rights, the fusion of the two armies, and the holding of
multiparty elections before the end of 1992. The 1992 election gives the
MPLA most of the votes, but not enough to avoid a run-off with UNITA, which
comes in second. UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi rejects the results, however,
and civil war flares anew. In spite of several international peace efforts,
the war in Angola continues until the death of Savimbi on 02.02.2002 in the
Moxico Province in southeastern Angola. |
| 03.05. |
Fumu
(traditional title in the Kavango) Erwin Mambo Munika is inaugurated as King
of the Mbukushu area in Mukwe in the Kavango Region. |
| 07./08.05. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, presents the first
group of Namibian infrastructural projects for implementation during an
extra-ordinary meeting for the UN's Transportation and Communication Decade
in Africa (UNTACDA II) in Addis Ababa: 1. The construction of the Trans
Caprivi Highway; 2. the upgrading of the highways between Namibia and Angola
to the Port of Namibe (Namibe Corridor); 3. the building of the Trans
Kalahari Highway; 4. the planning for a new connection road between the
Trans Caprivi and Trans Kalahari highways through the Omaheke and
Otjozondjupa regions; 5. the completion of the Keetmanshoop to Lüderitz
highway (Aus to Goageb section); 6. the planning for a direct link road
between Aus or Lüderitz to Oranjemund; 7. the planning for the Trans-Caprivi
railway line from Grootfontein to Zambia; 8. the realisation of several
international telecommunication projects like an optical fibre link between
Grootfontein and Katima Mulilo, an optical fibre link between Ondangwa and
Lubango in Angola and a micro wave link between Windhoek and Ghanzi in
Botswana. |
| 17.05. |
A second round of
talks between Namibia and South Africa with respect to the re-integration of
Walvis Bay and the Atlantic offshore islands into the Republic of Namibia
takes place in Windhoek. It is agreed that a joint administration of the
disputed enclave should be established by the two countries. Furthermore
agreement is reached in principle on the revised Oranje River border which
should follow the river’s thalweg and no longer the high-water level
on its northern bank (although still not finalised in September 2002). |
| 23.05. |
The Minister for
Finance, Otto Herrigel tables the Budget for the Financial Year 1991/92.
Herrigel calls the budget "cautiously expansive".The budget makes provision
for an expenditure of R 3 120 million against an expected revenue of R 2 423
million, a real increase of nine percent in comparison with the financial
year 1990/91. The deficit will be covered from savings from the last
financial year (R 200 million), R 78 million from interests and R 105
million from donor assistance. The remainder is covered by credits but no
foreign credits are planned. Again, no tax increases are envisaged. Capital
projects to the tune of R 554 million, an increase of 66% against 1990/91,
are envisaged. 61 Million go to the agricultural rural development of the
formerly neglected areas in the north, furthermore to the Ministry of Works,
Transport and Communication, mainly for road projects (R 156 million
altogether), R 32 million for the Trans Kalahari (US $ 14 million for the
total project), Trans Caprivi (57 US $ million for the total project) and
the Aus to Goageb highways as well as the expansion of the
telecommunications infrastructure in the north. Other infrastructural
projects contain the provision for low-cost housing, the expansion of rural
electrification and water supply systems. They are also financed from the
development budget. Further capital projects are planned in the health
sector (R 15 million) and for the educational sector (R 52 million). Lower
expenditures are announced in the defence budget (R 184 million) and police
(R 210,9 million). A negative effect is still evident by the over
proportional size of the civil service, a heritage of the former colonial
administration. The real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 1990/91 shows an
increase of 5,1% due to the growth in the diamond (56% increase) and fish
productions (84% increase). Other mining products, however, show a decrease,
especially in the production of the Rössing Uranium. The fish production
gets a special booster by the opening of the Pescanova fishing factory at
Lüderitz (Middle of May 1991) with an investment of R 28 million and 500 new
employment possibilities. The inflation rate increases from 10% at the
beginning of 1990 to 18,1% at the end of the year, with an average inflation
rate of 11,9%. |
| 07.06. |
The Minister for
Education, Culture and Sport, Nahas Angula, tables in the National Assembly
a report: "Pedagogy in Transition: The Imperatives of Educational
Development in the Republic of Namibia". This report paves the way for the
abolition of the old South African and the introduction of new syllabi at
Namibia’s secondary schools. The new syllabus is based on a programme
developed by an agency of the University of Cambridge. This new system
results in new examinations: International General Certificate for Secondary
Education (IGCSE). The syllabus results in many problems for the learners in
the coming years. |
| 11.06. |
Prime Minister Hage
Geingob rejects growing criticism of Sam Nujoma’s official trips to foreign
countries and refers to the many benefits of bilateral agreements arising
from such journeys. |
| 16.06. |
The governments of
Botswana and Namibia reach an agreement regarding the establishment of a
Joint Commission to Repatriate Persons of Namibian Origin from Botswana. The
target group to be repatriated are the descendants of Ovaherero who fled
during the Ovaherero-German War of 1904/06 to British Bechuanaland. |
| 19.06. |
The Broadcasting Act
(Act No. 9 of 1991) legalises the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)
which came into being in May 1990 as successor of the South West African
Broadcasting Corporation (SWABC). The company has the freedom to decide on
programmes and editorial policies. It assumes the important role, to
educate, inform and entertain the people of Namibia. The corporation has the
responsibility to foster unity between Namibians, promote national
reconciliation, economic and cultural development, peace and stability. The
first Managing Director as from 1990 is Nahum Gorelick. Since its
establishment the NBC makes significant improvements to its transmitter
systems so that by the end of 1990s it has the capacity for the radio
network to reach about 95% of the population while television reaches just
reaches about 40%. 1996 almost all NBC radio services are available on FM
frequencies, and high power FM transmitters are installed in Opuwo, Rundu,
Epukiro, Rietfontein, Aminuis and Terrace Bay. Television transmitters are
installed at Oshakati, Opuwo, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Terrace Bay, Epukiro,
Aminuis, Stampriet, Brukkaros and Oranjemund. Radio signals are carried via
35 transmitter sites and TV signals over 30 transmitter sites country wide. |
| 18./20.06. |
ANC President Oliver
Tambo visits Windhoek. |
| 26.06./01.07. |
The long awaited Land
Conference, chaired by Prime Minister Hage Geingob, takes place with 500
delegates in Windhoek. The conference ends with 23 resolutions which have
only recommending and not binding effect. The status-quo in the sensitive
land issue is maintained. The existing imbalance in the land distribution is
also kept. Demands for the return of land on ground of historical claims are
excluded. Transfer of land is only possible for just compensation in
accordance with the Namibian Constitution. |
| 07.07. |
The Namibian National
Students Organisation (NANSO) which to date was affiliated with SWAPO
decides on its annual congress to terminate the affiliation with the party. |
| 08.07. |
A shocking racist
incident is taking place at the Onduri Hotel in Outjo. The Deputy Minister
for Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism, Ben Ulenga, is booted out of the
hotel by the owner, Mr. Burkhard Friedrichsmeier. The incident is witnessed
by the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks,
who lays charge against the hotel owner. This incident leads to two court
cases (Onduri Court Cases) and the promulgation of the Racial Discrimination
Prohibition Act (Act No 26 of 1991) later this year. |
| 25.07. |
After a disclosure by
the South African secret agent, N Basson, the South African Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Pik Botha, admits that South Africa had set up a massive
"slush fund" of 100 million Rand to fund all opposition parties in an effort
to defeat SWAPO in the UNO supervised elections in 1989.
The contract for the construction of the second phase of the Trans Caprivi
Highway from Takwasa to Nyangana (48 km) is, for R 33 million, after an
international tender procedure, allocated to the company Stocks & Stocks
Namibia.
The Trans Caprivi Highway near Mupapama, km 45
east of Rundu, Kavango Region, December 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
The Trans Caprivi Highway at the Omuramba Omatako,
Section: Takwasa - Nyangana, km 60 east of Rundu, View to the East, Kavango
Region, December 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
The Trans Caprivi Highway at the Omuramba Omatako,
Section: Takwasa - Nyangana, km 60 east of Rundu, View to the West, Kavango
Region, December 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
The Trans Caprivi Highway, Section: Takwasa -
Nyangana, km 75 east of Rundu, View to the West, Kavango Region, December
2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
The Trans Caprivi Highway, Section: Takwasa -
Nyangana, km 95 east of Rundu, near Ndiyona, View to the East, Kavango
Region, December 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks |
| 08.08. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, announces that an
in-depth investigation into national transport policy is carried out and
that it will result in a substantially liberalised entry into the road
transport industry. A "White Paper on Transport Policy" will be released
before the end of the year. |
| 26.08. |
Prime Minister Hage
Geingob visits France, South Korea and the People’s Republic of China in
order to ask for donor assistance and private investments. |
| September |
Konrad Lilienthal
sells the Namibia Nachrichten (NN) (last editor-in chief: Hartmut
Rodenwoldt) to the Republikein Group (later Democratic Media Holding
and Partners) of the DTA Chairman, Dirk Mudge. Mudge had already in August
bought, after the death of Diether Lauenstein in December 1990, the
publishing house John Meinert including the Deutscher Verlag with the
Allgemeine Zeitung. |
| 19.09. |
An agreement with
Canada is signed in order to train Namibian soldiers in Canada. |
| 20.09. |
A Namibian-South
African Technical Committee for Walvis Bay is established. |
| 26./27.09. |
Rössing Uranium, a
transnational firm of parent company Rio Tinto Zinc, is forced to retrench
750 employees, due to the low Uranium world prices. The loss of income for
the Namibian government is estimated with R 100 million. The Rössing
management expresses the hope that as from 1994 a new agreement with
Electricité de France will improve the situation. |
| 05./06.10. |
Zambian President
Kenneth Kaunda officially opens the 33th Agricultural Show in Windhoek. This
is one of his last official tasks before the newly elected Zambian President
Frederick Chiluba takes office. |
| 08./10.10. |
The British Queen,
Elizabeth II, pays a state visit to Namibia. |
| 16./22.10. |
During the
Commonwealth Summit Meeting at Harare, which is attended by President Nujoma,
a resolution is adopted which demands the re-integration of Walvis Bay and
the Atlantic offshore islands into the Republic of Namibia. |
| 29.10. |
President Nujoma
announces the establishment of a Diplomatic Mission (Interest Office) in
South Africa. To date Namibia has 13 Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in
foreign countries. |
| End October |
The first census
after independence results in a Namibian population of 1,4 million. Further
statistics were the following: Annual per capita income: R 3 000 (1988),
whereby "whites" had an annual per capita income of R 41 250 while 55% of
the mainly "black" population has to live with an annual per capital income
of only R 212. |
| 01.11. |
The unilateral
Namibian establishment of a border post between Zambia and Namibia in the
Caprivi Region causes some irritation between the two countries. |
| 07.11. |
The Swedish
International Development Agency (SIDA), together with the Ministry for
Works, Transport and Communication, announces the commercialisation of the
Department of Post and Telecommunication. The two services should improve
their efficiency and service performance and convert losses into profits.
The Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks,
makes known that Windhoek should get its own telecommunication satellite
station. This station will be used to direct overseas connections via
satellite and not any more via South Africa. New post offices in Ovamboland
are under construction at Ohangwena, Outapi and Tsandi. The telephone
services in the formerly neglected northern areas will be drastically
improved. |
| 02.12. |
The DTA changes from
a party alliance to a consolidated party. The acting president, Mishake
Muyongo, becomes the new president of the party. Dirk Mudge remains
chairman. |
| 04./05.12. |
The newly elected
President of Zambia, Frederick Chiluba, visits Namibia. |
| 07./11.12. |
The SWAPO Congress
takes place in Windhoek. A new Party Constitution and a new political
programme are adopted. This programme paves the way for the change from a
liberation movement to a political party. Moses Makue
5Garoëb is
confirmed as Secretary-General and replaces Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo. Hendrik
Witbooi becomes Vice President. A new Central Committee is elected. Two
"white" members manage their way into the highest party body for the first
time: Hartmut Ruppel and Klaus Dierks. |
| 13.12. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, signs a contract with
Grinaker Namibia (Pty) Ltd. for the construction of the last section of the
Keetmanshoop to Lüderitz highway (100 km: Aus-Goageb). This road project is
the first paved highway project to be built by partly labour-intensive
means. Furthermore it is announced by Dierks, that the construction of the
Trans Kalahari Highway from Gobabis to the Botswana border has commenced. At
the beginning of next year the highway from Windhoek to the International
Airport (38 km for R 7 million) will be widened. |
