| 1993 |
In spite of
favourable political and economic parameters and the prevailing peace and
stability, foreign investments are generally still lacking, with the
exception of single projects in the tourism and fishery sectors (this year
employment in the fishery sector has more than doubled since 1991, rising to
11 500 employed). The existing fishing rights which were granted in 1987 for
a seven year period terminate at the end of this year. Following the
granting of new rights during 1993, 93% of all companies are either wholly
or majority-wise owned by Namibians.
The Government undertakes to assist the ailing mining sector (still 11 500
workers) with R 240 million. The European Community helps with a further ECU
40 million from the Sysmin Fond.
The Development Brigade Corporation (DBC) is established to train
demobilised jobless Ex-PLAN soldiers in various areas such as agriculture,
forestry, construction and brick-making. The DBC is controlled by the
Minister for Trade and Industry, Hidipo Hamutenya. About 53 000 PLAN
combatants had to be demobilised before Independence but could hardly find
any jobs due to a lack of skills, which are required on the Namibian labour
market. |
| 11.01. |
In order to
rationalise the Public Service, the Government establishes a Cabinet
Committee for the Rationalisation of the Public Service. The Frank
Commission which was established before independence in order to fight
corruption in the Public Service is, however, abolished (July). The result
of the Frank Commission is the dismissal of 311 corrupt civil servants
between January and September. |
| 12.01. |
The Minister of
Finance, Gerd Hanekom, suspends all petrol supplies to government vehicles
due to the non-payment of deliveries to the Government Garage. The Deputy
Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, maintains
that the non-payment over the Christmas period is not a question of
excessive use of Government vehicles or state monies not being available but
rather one of administrative and technical nature. However, the embargo on
fuel supplies is lifted on 14.01. Although, the ever increasing misuse of
state vehicles (GRN vehicles) has become a major problem for the Government
since independence. |
| 15.01. |
The in Pretoria
(28.08.1992) agreed Joint Administrative Authority of Walvis Bay and the
Atlantic offshore islands takes up its work. |
| 22.01. |
To the annoyance of
many Namibians, the offensive swastika-symbol of the Nazi era, is still on
sale in various forms. Klaus Dierks is prepared to lay charge against an
incident he witnesses in a pub at Swakopmund (Nazi symbols displayed on a
beer mug). He takes strong exception to the display and sale of Nazi
symbols, which are a symbol for racial hatred and genocide as well as the
superiority of a specific race above others. He maintains that such symbols
are in contravention of the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act (Act No 26
of 1991). |
| 23.01. |
Namibia becomes the
19<sup>th</sup> member state of the Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and
Southern Africa (PTA). |
| 25.01. |
Prime Minister Hage
Gottfried Geingob leads a government delegation to Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire.
The delegation consists of the Ministers of Defence, Peter Hilinganye
Mweshihange and Finance, Gerd Hanekom, the Deputy Minister for Mines and
Energy, Jesaya Nyamu, the Deputy Minister for Wildlife, Conservation and
Tourism, Ben Ulenga, the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and
Communication, Klaus Dierks, Navin Morar, the President of the Namibian
Chamber of Commerce and Maxton Joseph Mutongulume. Geingob signs a technical
agreement with Egypt. In Abidjan the delegation meets the President of Côte
d’Ivoire, Felix Houphouët-Boigny. |
| February |
The President of
Uganda, Yoveri Museveni, visits Namibia.
The Ford Foundation of the USA opens an office in Namibia. |
| 01.02. |
Fanuel Tjingaete
becomes the new Auditor-General and succeeds Jan Jordaan. |
| March |
The Labour Act (Act
No. 6 of 1992) creates the base for a newly established Labour Advisory
Council. The roof organisation of the Namibian trade union, the NUNW,
declines, however, to participate in the Council. |
| 13.03. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, declares in the
National Assembly that in future road users have to pay what they consume
and therefore an equitable, fair, cost-reflective and transparent road user
charging system will be put in place in due course. This will would remove
the burden of financing the road system from the general taxpayer. The
envisaged road pricing system would establish the link between the supply of
and the demand for transport facilities from road users. |
| 24.03. |
Klaus Dierks
announces that illegal flights over Namibian soil could be monitored if
Namibia goes ahead with plans to buy primary and surveillance radar systems. |
| 01.04. |
The Deputy Minister
for Youth and Sport, Reggie Diergaardt (Member of the National Assembly for
the UDF) resigns. He is succeeded by John Mutorwa, the former Deputy
Minister of Water Affairs in the Office of the President. |
| 04.04. |
Dirk Mudge, veteran
political leader in the NP of SWA and present Chairman of the DTA, retires
from public life. |
15.04.
|
President Nujoma
makes known his third cabinet re-shuffle. The Minister for Information and
Broadcasting, Hidipo Hamutenya, becomes the new Minister for Trade and
Industry. The present Minister for Trade and Industry, Ben Amathila, becomes
the new Information Minister. This change of portfolios causes some
irritation because Ben Amathila is not informed beforehand and has to be
persuaded on the highest level to accept the new appointment. |
| 18.04. |
Namibia appoints five
members for the United Nations Observer Mission for the Elections in
Cambodia. |
| 23.04. |
After the University
of Namibia was established in September 1992, the new university is
officially inaugurated. In the presence of President Robert Mugabe from
Zimbabwe, the first Chancellor is elected, the President of the Republic of
Namibia, Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma. First Vice-Chancellor is Peter Katjavivi. |
| 26.04. |
A catalogue for the
promotion of investments and far reaching tax relieves are announced, in
order to strengthen the industrial development. |
| 28.04. |
After the governments
of Botswana and Namibia have reached an agreement regarding the
establishment of a Joint Commission to Repatriate Persons of Namibian Origin
from Botswana in June 1991, the first group returns to Namibia. The people
to be repatriated are the descendants of Ovaherero who fled during the
Ovaherero-German War of 1904/06 to British Bechuanaland. The Ovaherero are
re-settled in the area of Gam, south-east of Tsumkwe. The re-settlement
process experiences various organisational and logistic problems. |
| 02.05. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, travels with the
Permanent Secretary for Finance, Godfrey Gaoseb, to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
There they conclude a loan agreement for R 30 million with the African
Development Bank (ADB). The financing will be used for the completion of the
Trans Kalahari Highway from Gobabis to Mamuno at the border with Botswana. |
| 07.05. |
Klaus Dierks reveals
that two unregistered airfields (Judaea East in the Uhlenhorst area and
Voigtskub, west of Kalkrand) were used for clandestine and ulterior flights
(smuggle of ostriches). |
| 11.05. |
The second house of
Parliament, the National Council which was elected during the elections for
the Regional Councils and Local Authorities in 1992, commences his work.
First Chairman of the House becomes Kandy Nehova. |
| 27.05. |
The Minister for
Finance, Gerd Hanekom, tables the Budget for the Financial Year 1993/94. He
puts the budget under the slogan "fiscal discipline and restraint". While
the real growth during 1992/93 was 3.5%, Hanekom now predicts a growth of
only 2%, caused by the drought and a global recession. The budget makes
provision for an expenditure of R 3 366 million (a decrease of 5% against
1992/93 caused by the commercialisation of Telecom Namibia) against an
expected revenue of R 3 009 million, including foreign donor assistance of
92 million and R 835 million (R 735 million for 1992/93) from customs and
levies from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The expected deficit
of R 357 million represents 5,7% of the GDP of R 7,8 billion. R 347 million
will be covered from credits. The Operational Budget utilises R 2 735
million. Capital projects to the tune of R 553 million (1991/92: R 669
million), are envisaged. Hanekom makes known some tax decreases (the highest
tax class is lowered from 40% to 38%, lower income groups get more tax
gains). He further announces the lowering of the General Sales Tax from 11%
to 8% and the introduction of a new Additional Sales Tax (0%/5%/10%/15%)
with the highest taxes on luxury items. |
| End May |
Some hundred young
Namibians who were in exile in Cuba and the CSSR are repatriated. |
| 04.06. |
Namibia plays an
important role in the peace process in Angola. The Namibian Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Theo-Ben Gurirab, initiates peace negotiations between the
foreign minister of Angola, V. de Moura and South Africa, Pik Botha in
Windhoek. |
| 09.06. |
The President of
Zambia, Frederick Chiluba, visits Namibia. |
| 10.06. |
Namibia sends its
first High Commissioner (High Commissioner Shapua Kaukungua, Political
Councillor: Pius Dunaiski) to South Africa. |
| 31.07. |
An agreement is
reached between the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of South Africa on
the revised Oranje River border which now, after demarcation, follows the
river’s thalweg and no longer the high-water level on its northern
bank. This agreement is at present (September 2002) not finalised and
implemented. |
| 01.08. |
The new chief for the
Yeyi ( Mayeyi) area, Shikati Boniface Lutibezi
Shufu is inaugurated at Sangwali. |
| 16.08. |
Namibia achieves her
greatest success in her foreign policy so far, the re-integration of Walvis
Bay and the Atlantic offshore islands. It is agreed between Namibia and
South Africa that the disputed enclave should return to the motherland at
midnight, the 28.02.1994. The Namibian delegation is led by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Theo-Ben Gurirab. The decision is taken after intense
last-minute behind the scenes negotiations at the World Trade Centre at
Kempton Park (Johannesburg). The final resolution is based on a compromise
proposal by the African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General, Cyril
Ramaphosa, backed by the Pan African Congress (PAC) (Patricia de Lille).
This proposal contains a provision that Namibia should pay compensation for
SA government assets in the port city. At the end it is South Africa’s
Foreign Minister, Pik Botha, who makes the remarkable statement: "The
National Party always rejected colonialism. That means we don’t have any
business with Walvis Bay and the Off-Shore Islands". |
| 05.09. |
The Deputy Minister
for Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Kaire Mbuende, is elected as
new Executive Secretary for the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) in Gaborone/Botswana. Stan Webster becomes his successor. |
| 15.09. |
Namibia gets its own
currency, consisting of the Namibia Dollar and Cents (the great resistance
fighter against the German colonial power, Hendrik Witbooi, is pictured on
the papaer money). The new currency is equivalent to the SA Rand which still
remains legal tender in the country. This means that Namibia has a currency
that is independent in name only. The money supply, the exchange rates,
inflation and interest rates remain under the control of the South African
Reserve Bank. Consequently decisions that directly impact Namibia’s economy
are being made by South Africa in response to South African needs, not those
of Namibia. The advantage of continued linkage to the SA Rand is the signal
that Namibia is committed to maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment. |
| 26.09. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, explains the criteria
according to which state projects are allocated to Consulting Engineers
since independence. The conditions are the following: The general experience
of the consulting concern; the track record of the consulting concern with
the Ministry; the spreading of the work evenly among the consulting
profession taking into account the capacities and capabilities of the
concerned firms; the application of Affirmative Action and the
Namibianisation of foreign firms. |
| 28.09. |
A Special Cabinet
Meeting, held at State House and not in the normal Cabinet Chambers, decides
on the future organisational format of the Walvis Bay Port Authority. The
Namibian state owned transport company TransNamib under the chairmanship of
Johann-Albrecht Brückner (CEO: Francois Uys) had fought in the previous
weeks a formidable power struggle to bring the port under TransNamib’s
control. They were supported in this by the Minister for Works, Transport
and Communication, Marco Hausiku. Cabinet now decides to accept a proposal
by the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks,
to create an efficient, new autonomous port authority, the Namibia Port
Authority (NamPort). Dierks is supported by the President Nujoma and the
Minister for Fisheries, Helmut Kangulohi Angula. Hausiku is absent during
this Cabinet meeting and protests the outcome later.
It is decided to implement a new policy on running of the Namibian ports, as
later reflected in the Namibian Ports Authority Bill of 1994. This Bill
envisages to create a government-owned legal person to operates the ports
and it opens up many opportunities for the private sector. The idea is that
the future Namibia Port Authority (NamPort) to focus its activities on the
public dimensions of the Port of Walvis Bay, the infrastructure, safety and
environmental protection, whilst operating as a financially sustainable
business entity. This Namibian ports model makes Walvis Bay one of the most
efficiently operated ports in the world.
Consequently negotiates Dierks a grant from the German Government (Kreditanstalt
für Wiederaufbau (KfW)) to finance a planning study to develop the Port
of Walvis Bay into a major transport player along the African west coast and
the end point of the Walvis Bay Corridor to South Africa as a more efficient
alternative to the South African ports. |
| End September |
At his first
national congress the NUNW confirms its links with the ruling party SWAPO. |
| October |
The Norwegian oil
company, Norsk Hydro, drills a first off-shore borehole for oil
explorations. Until 1996 three boreholes are planned, with a total
investment of US$ 45 million. |
| 01.10. |
The second definitive
stamp series with butterflies (no watermark) and the new Namibian currency
(Namibia Dollar) is issued.
The Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks,
propagates the idea of a Trans Kalahari Railway Line from South Africa via
Botswana to the Port of Walvis Bay. During an official visit to the United
States during August he manages to involve a group of influential business
people to take a renewed interest in this century project. The possibility
of such railway line would depend upon the economic feasibility of various
mineral deposits in Botswana, especially the huge coal fields in eastern
Namibia (Aranos) and western Botswana.
A Cabinet Committee to make proposals to re-organise the Government Garage
and to fight the misuse of state-owned vehicles, under the chairmanship of
Klaus Dierks, makes far reaching suggestions for a new Government Garage. |
| 20.10. |
Before the
Engineering Profession’s Association of Namibia (EPA) Dierks gives a
critical evaluation of foreign donor assistance. He cautions against taking
soft loans and leaving a legacy of debts for subsequent generations: "Africa
has a sad history of dependency on handouts and the final objective in
accepting loans whether it contributes towards stimulating development. If
we talk about donor assistance then we have to talk about a highway of debts
... donor assistance is best with as little strings attached and the
challenge facing the developing world is to break out of the cycle of debt." |
| 25.10. |
Fishing quotas of 775
000 tonnes in total are approved: 125 000 tonnes (1992: 115 000 tonnes) of
pilchard, 150 000 tonnes (1992: 120 000 tonnes) of hake and 500 00 tonnes
(1992: 450 000 tonnes) of mackerels are allocated by the Ministry of
Fisheries. 120 applicants, out of a total of 316, get 159 licenses (out of a
total of 565 applications). Only Namibians or firms with Namibian partners
get allocations. The fishing sector gives 9 000 people employment (6 000 at
independence). |
| 01.11. |
Frieda-Nela Williams
becomes the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Transport and
Communication. She succeeds Peingeondjabi Shipoh who becomes Permanent
Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. |
| 10.11. |
After the DTA (Anna
Frank) had tabled two motions in the past in the National Assembly on the
changing of time according to the Namibian geographic position, the Deputy
Minister of Home Affairs, Nangolo Ithete, tables the Namibia Time Bill (Bill
39 of 1993) which makes provision to set the future Namibian time to the 15<sup>o</sup>
degree eastern meridian which is on the meridian passing through Namibia
which means that the new Namibian time will differ one hour from the present
South African time which is set according to the 30<sup>o</sup> degree
meridian in South Africa. The Bill also provides for a summer time which
commences at 02h00 on the first Sunday of September every year and ends at
02h00 on the first Sunday of April in the following year. The new Namibian
Standard Time comes into effect on the 03.04.1994. |
| Second half of
November |
Although the diamond
oversupply from Angola comes to an end and the diamond production of the
Consolidated Diamond Mines (CDM) increases, the 3 500 workers of CDM call a
strike which at the end result in a wage increase of 10%. This is the first
labour dispute which is resolved in terms of the new Labour Act (Act No. 6
of 1992). |
| 20.11. |
The private German
airline LTU undertakes its inaugural flight from Windhoek to Munich and
Düsseldorf (via Durban in South Africa and Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania).
The guests of honour on the flight are the Deputy Minister for Works,
Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks and the Namibian Ambassador in
Germany, Nora Schimming-Chase. |
| 23.11. |
The Minister of
Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Anton von Wietersheim, leaves the
Cabinet meeting in protest, after Cabinet has cancelled an initiated
punishment by Von Wietersheim of one of his ministerial officials (Otto
Hübschle, husband of Michaela Hübschle, SWAPO member of the National
Assembly), due to a pending investigation in this case. |
| 24.11. |
Von Wietersheim is
dismissed by President Nujoma. He is succeeded by Nangolo Mbumba, until now
the Namibian Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Administrative Authority
for the Walvis Bay Enclave. |
