Minorities in Independent Namibia
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report Minorities in Independent Namibia By James Suzman Acknowledgements Minority Rights Group International Minority Rights Group International (MRG) gratefully Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is a non- acknowledges the support of Cordaid and the European governmental organization (NGO) working to secure the Community and all the other organizations and individuals rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and who gave financial and other assistance for this report. indigenous peoples worldwide, and to promote cooperation Commissioning Editor: Tadesse Tafesse. Report Editor: and understanding between communities. Our activities are Katrina Payne. focused on international advocacy, training, publishing and outreach. We are guided by the needs expressed by our worldwide partner network of organizations which represent The Author minority and indigenous peoples. James Suzman is based at Cambridge University’s Centre for African Studies. An anthropologist specializing in issues MRG works with over 130 organizations in nearly 60 confronted by Kalahari peoples, Dr. Suzman has worked in countries. Our governing Council, which meets twice a year, Namibia since it won its independence. Over the past 10 has members from 10 different countries. MRG has years, he has managed a number of research projects in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Namibia on behalf of governmental and non-governmental Social Council (ECOSOC), and observer status with the organizations. He is the author of numerous books and African Commision for Human and Peoples’ Rights. MRG is articles, including Things from the Bush: A Contemporary registered as a charity and a company limited by guarantee History of the Omaheke Bushmen, Basel, Schlettwein under English law. Registered charity no. 282305, limited Publishing, 2000. company no. 1544957. © Minority Rights Group International All rights reserved Material from this publication may be reproduced for teaching or for other non-commercial purposes. No part of it may be reproduced in any form for commercial purposes without the prior express permission of the copyright holders. For further information please contact MRG. A CIP catalogue record of this publication is available from the British Library ISBN 1 897693 89 3 Published December 2002. Typeset by Kavita Graphics. Printed in the UK on recycled paper. Cover Photo Playing a traditional instrument, Namibia. Paul Weinberg/Panos Pictures. Minorities in Independent Namibia is published by MRG as a contribution to public understanding of the issue which forms its subject. The text does not necessarily represent in every detail and in all its aspects, the collective view of MRG. Similarly, the views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Community. Minorities in Independent Namibia By James Suzman Contents Map 2 Preface 3 Introduction 4 Minorities in Namibia 6 Historical context 7 Constitutional and legal rights of minorities in independent Namibia 11 Government and governance 15 Minority rights issues 19 Conclusion 29 MRG’s Recommendations 30 Relevant international instruments 32 Notes 33 Bibliography 35 Namibia ANGOLA ZAMBIA Kadma Mulilo Ruacana OHANGWENA Oshakati CAPRIVI Ondanqwa Rundu Kongola Opuwo o Bagani OSHANA tak OSHIKOTO ma OMUSATI O OKAVANGO u jo d n zo Tsumeb Otjo Sesfontein Okaukuejo Grootfontein Tsumkwe KUNENE Otawi Outjo OTJOZONDJUPA Khorixas Otjiwarongo Okakarara Kalkfeld Ugab Epata Uis E pukiro Omaruru Okahandja Karibib OMAHEKE ERONGO p ko Gobabis BOTSWANA a w Windhoek Swakopmund S eb is KHOMAS Walvis Bay Ku Rehoboth Aranos Kalkrand N o s Stampriet s NAMIBIA o b Mariental Maltahöhe HARDAP Bethanien Lüderitz Keetmanshoop Seeheim SOUTH Aroab KARAS ATLANTIC Grünau OCEAN Karasburg Oranjemund Orange SOUTH AFRICA 0 200 400 km 2 MINORITIES IN INDEPENDENT NAMIBIA Preface Namibia is the one of the youngest African nations, dards, the Namibian government has been widely criti- attaining its independence just 12 years ago. Those who cized for failing to redress and rectify the marginalization were present at the independence elections in 1989 recall of minority communities left behind by the apartheid it as a tense time, but also one of euphoria as the mem- policies of the former South West Africa Administration, bers of all the country’s diverse communities lined up to and for pursuing a series of ‘development’ policies which exercise their democratic rights. In retrospect, it was a are detrimental to minority communities. Contrary to the moment which also presaged equally momentous changes provisions of the United Nations (UN) Declaration on in neighbouring South Africa. the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Namibia, whose population is estimated to be less Religious and Linguistic Minorities, major ‘development’ than 2 million, is one of the driest yet most mineral-rich projects in Namibia have been formulated without con- countries in the region. In addition to the Owambo, sultation with minority groups and also without making up about half the population, the country is com- considering the impact on their lives. Such projects, if posed of peoples from some 10 other language groups and carried out, would carry a very high risk of negatively a range of different communities, including: Basters, affecting minority communities in the country. The case Caprivians, Damara, Herero, Himba, Kavango, Nama, of the Epupa Dam and Kalahari game reserve are two San and Setswana. These different ethnic groups reflect examples. not only a picture of a highly heterogeneous population, Disadvantaged communities in Namibia typically lack but also disparate traditions and different histories of or have restricted access to basic education, employment, ‘development’. Some of the above are hunter-gatherers, health services and shelter. Many minority communities, some are nomadic-pastoralists and others agro-pastoralists. due to marginalization, are used as sources of cheap The government of the South West African People’s Orga- labour and live in segregated conditions. More often than nization (SWAPO), which has been in power since not, other work sectors are also closed to them because of independence, has been accused of disregarding cultural a lack of educational and training opportunities to enable and ethnic indicators in order to build a new single them to compete. Minority women in Namibia face par- Namibian culture. ticular challenges. They are doubly disadvantaged, Despite the fact that Namibia is classified as a middle- generally poorer and more marginalized than the men. income country, it exhibits extreme disparities in wealth. Minorities in Independent Namibia, written by Dr The country’s wealth and economic opportunities remain James Suzman of Cambridge University, provides factual concentrated in the hands of a numerically small pre- description and analysis of the current situation of independence white economic elite, now joined by a minorities in Namibia, and describes how inter-group growing politically-connected black elite. While disadvan- relations affect them. The report discusses the historical tage is widely spread across many groups in Namibia, background, the liberation struggle, land rights, culture, some minority communities – in particular the San – development, education, gender, governance and affirma- constitute the poorest of the poor. Some communities of tive action, as well as Namibia’s involvement in the war in hunter-gatherers and pastoralists have been evicted from Angola. It also identifies key underlying problems and their land or are under threat of eviction. This will suggests policy recommendations for promoting change, deprive them of their means of livelihood and deny them consistent with international human rights standards, that access to ancestral land, infringing their economic, social will help make the hopes expressed at Namibia’s transition and cultural rights. to independence realizable for all. Although the Namibian Constitution incorporates a number of important international human rights stan- Mark Lattimer Director December 2002 MINORITIES IN INDEPENDENT NAMIBIA 3 Introduction In 1990, Namibia achieved independence from South fact reflected in their being returned to government in Africa. It was hoped that the South West African People’s 1999 with an absolute majority – indicative of support Organization (SWAPO)-led government would usher in well beyond SWAPO’s traditional Owambo constituency. an era of peace and prosperity, to heal the wounds inflicted During its first term in office, the government was during a 25-year liberation war. Few observers had any applauded for its transparency and efforts to foster a cli- illusions concerning the difficulty of the task facing the mate of national reconciliation. Further, the United new government or the potential problems that could Nations (UN)’s Human Development Index (HDI) and develop in the fledgling republic. A particular concern for Human Poverty Index (HPI) reveal that, with some many was the inevitably dominant position that would be exceptions, most Namibians enjoy a similar socio- assumed by Owambo peoples in national politics, given economic status regardless of their ethnic affiliations. that they comprised close to half of the national popula- These positive developments have, however, been off- tion and because of their prominence in the liberation set by the government’s increasingly authoritarian and movement.1 This concern was a reflection of the uncompromising