DOCSLIB.ORG

Apartheid Namibia: a Focus on State Sponsored Cultural Festivals in Kavango Region

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Apartheid Namibia: a Focus on State Sponsored Cultural Festivals in Kavango Region THE FORMATION OF 'NATIONAL CULTURE' IN POST- APARTHEID NAMIBIA: A FOCUS ON STATE SPONSORED CULTURAL FESTIVALS IN KAVANGO REGION. MICHAEL UUSIKU AKUUPA STUDENT NO: 2559867 Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Anthropology) at University of the Western Cape PROMOTER: PROF HEIKE BECKER 2011 1 ABSTRACT This dissertation investigates colonial and postcolonial practices of cultural representations in Namibia. The state sponsored Annual National Culture Festival in Namibia was studied with a specific focus on the Kavango Region in northeastern Namibia. I was particularly interested in how cultural representations are produced by the nation-state and local people in a post-colonial African context of nation-building and national reconciliation, by bringing visions of cosmopolitanism and modernity into critical dialogue with its colonial past During the apartheid era, the South African administration encouraged the inhabitants of its „Native Homelands‟ to engage in „cultural‟ activities aimed at preserving their traditional cultures and fostering a sense of distinct cultural identity among each of Namibia‟s officially recognized „ethnic groups‟. This policy was in line with the logic of South African colonial apartheid rule of Namibia, which relied upon the emphasis of ethnic differences, in order to support the idea that the territory was inhabited by a collection of „tribes‟ requiring a central white government to oversee their development. The colonial administration resorted to concepts of „tradition‟ and „cultural heritage‟ in order to construct Africans as members of distinct, bounded communities („tribes‟) attached to specific localities or „homelands‟. My central argument is that since Namibian independence in 1990, the postcolonial nation-state has placed emphasis on cultural pride in new ways, and on identifying characteristics of „Namibian-ness‟. This has led to the institution of cultural festivals, which have since 1995 held all over the country with an expressed emphasis on the notion of „Unity in Diversity‟. These cultural festivals are largely performances and cultural competitions that range from lang-arm dance, and „traditional‟ dances, displays of „traditional‟ foodstuffs and dramatized representations. The ethnographic study shows that while the performers represent diversity through dance and other forms of cultural exhibition, the importance of belonging to the nation and a larger constituency is simultaneously highlighted. However, as the study demonstrates, the festivals are also spaces where local populations engage in negotiations with the nation-state and contest regional forms of belonging. The study shows how a practice which was considered to be a „colonial representation‟ of the „other‟ has been reinvented with new meanings in postcolonial Namibia. The study demonstrates through an analysis of cultural representations such as song, dances and drama that the festival creates a space in which „social interaction‟ takes place between participants, spectators and officials who organize the event as social capital of associational life. KEY WORDS: Post-colonial state, reconciliation, Anthropology, culture, globalization, nationalism, cultural festivals, cultural diversity, national identity, media 2 DECLARATION I declare that „THE FORMATION OF 'NATIONAL CULTURE' IN POST- APARTHEID NAMIBIA: A FOCUS ON STATE SPONSORED CULTURAL FESTIVALS IN KAVANGO REGION‟ is my own work, that it has not been submitted before for any degree or examination at any other university, and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged as complete references. Michael Uusiku Akuupa November 2011 Signed………………… 3 DEDICATION This study is dedicated to all those that participated in culture festivals in Kavango Region. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Firstly, I thank God for the strength, courage and ability to do this work. Equally so, I express my profound gratitude and appreciation to my promoter Professor Heike Becker for your superior guidance and encouragement in writing of this thesis. It was a long journey and we have reached the destination. Furthermore, I thank Professor Olajide Oloyede „the elder‟ for your outstanding academic support and listening to me when I did not make sense, during weekends on end. You made me believe in myself. I also thank Professor Diana Gibson „auntie‟ for your encouragement and our critical deliberations on „performance‟ and „trance‟. I thank Dr. Sakhumzi Mfecane „Bra Saki‟ for your academic support and being a friend. I also acknowledge Dr. Emile Boonzaier for your insights on matters of Anthropology. I also thank the entire staff in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology for being good colleagues and their critical input during seminars when I presented my work. I thank Professor Meredith Mckittrick for reading my chapter drafts on numerous times. I want to acknowledge my academic friend and brother Kletus „Mukashirongo‟ Likuwa for being very supportive and constructively critical to this scholarly work. We have worked, laughed, and suffered together during this journey. You are a true friend „Likiti‟. I am highly indebted to Dr. Herbert Ndango Diaz the director at National Heritage and Culture Programmes (NHCP) for the opportunity you gave me to work as an intern at Maria Mwengere Culture Center in Kavango, and Mr. Simon Indongo for giving me crucial information about the festival. At Maria Mwengere Culture Center, I thank Mr. Thomas Shapi, Tamwa Mbambo, Valesca Kazanga, Donaveltha Bashir, Gelasia Shikerete, Seraphina, Theresia, Nangombe and all others for making my stay enjoyable at the center. I am equally indebted to the people of Rundu who participated in this study for their time and willingness to contribute to the wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much for working with me. I also thank my social friends Tate Jason Ambole, John Sivute, Gerre Kakonda, Nyerere Shanghala, Mukuve Hausiku, Maggy Nepaya, Nehoa Kautondokwa, and Michael Shirungu for 5 keeping in touch when I secluded myself during this academic project. I also thank everybody that contributed in any way to this study, but wished to remain anonymous. I am also grateful to Luccio Schlettwein and the Carl Schlettwein Foundation specifically, for its generous financial support during the first three years of my PhD research without which this study would have never come to fruition. Thank you for your kind support. Finally, I would thank my family especially my wife Mwengere for your support in this endeavor. I am also grateful to my parents, brothers and sisters and my children for being patient with me, I know that you needed my attention, but I could not afford it all to you fully. 6 Table of Contents Chapter 1: The festive „moment‟ of Namibia ........................................................................................... 9 Introduction and Background ................................................................................................................. 10 Aims and objectives of the study ............................................................................................................ 15 PhD research and setting ......................................................................................................................... 18 Limitations .............................................................................................................................................. 20 Ethical Consideration .............................................................................................................................. 22 Chapter outline ........................................................................................................................................ 24 Chapter 2: On „doing‟ and „performing‟ „culture‟ at State sponsored culture festivals .......................... 27 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 27 Anthropology and Performance .............................................................................................................. 28 Performance theory in context ................................................................................................................ 31 Theory of Performance: A critical look .................................................................................................. 34 Postcolonial nationalism: „One Namibia One Nation‟............................................................................ 40 Festival making in postcolonial Africa ................................................................................................... 45 Culture and making the nation ................................................................................................................ 47 Festival with new social meaning and function ...................................................................................... 50 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................. 54 Chapter 3: “Whose child are you?” the dynamics and politics of ekoro/likoro in doing ethnography at home ........................................................................................................................................................ 57 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Unimagined. Unexpected. Unexplored
    Unimagined. Unexpected. Unexplored. OFFERING AN UNEXPECTED, OTHER- WORLDLY EXPERIENCE BOTH IN ITS LANDSCAPE AND THE REWARDS IT BRINGS TO TRAVELLERS, THE ARID EDEN ROUTE STRETCHES FROM SWAKOPMUND IN THE SOUTH TO THE ANGOLAN BORDER IN THE NORTH. THE ROUTE INCLUDES THE PREVIOUSLY RESTRICTED WESTERN AREA OF ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, ONE OF NAMIBIA’S MOST IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS WITH ALMOST ALL VISITORS TO THE COUNTRY INCLUDING THE PARK IN THEIR TRAVEL PLANS. The Arid Eden Route also includes well-known tourist attractions such as Spitzkoppe, Brandberg, Twyfelfontein and Epupa Falls. Travellers can experience the majesty of free-roaming animals, extreme landscapes, rich cultural heritage and breathtaking geological formations. As one of the last remaining wildernesses, the Arid Eden Route is remote yet accessible. DID YOU KNOW? TOP reasons to VISIT... “Epupa” is a Herero word for “foam”, in reference to the foam created by the falling water. Visit ancient riverbeds, In the Himba culture a sign of wealth is not the beauty or quality of a tombstone, craters and a petrified but rather the cattle you had owned during your lifetime, represented by the horns forest on your way to an on your grave. oasis in the desert – the Epupa Waterfall The desert-adapted elephants of the Kunene region rely on as little as nine species of plants for their survival while in Etosha they utilise over 80 species. At 2574m, Königstein is Namibia’s highest peak and is situated in the Brandberg Mountains. The Brandberg is home to over 1,000 San paintings, including the famous White Lady which dates back 2,000 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Liste Des Indicatifs Téléphoniques Internationaux Par Indicatif 1 Liste Des Indicatifs Téléphoniques Internationaux Par Indicatif
    Liste des indicatifs téléphoniques internationaux par indicatif 1 Liste des indicatifs téléphoniques internationaux par indicatif Voici la liste des indicatifs téléphoniques internationaux, permettant d'utiliser les services téléphoniques dans un autre pays. La liste correspond à celle établie par l'Union internationale des télécommunications, dans sa recommandation UIT-T E.164. du 1er février 2004. Liste par pays | Liste par indicatifs Le symbole « + » devant les indicatifs symbolise la séquence d’accès vers l’international. Cette séquence change suivant le pays d’appel ou le terminal utilisé. Depuis la majorité des pays (dont la France), « + » doit être remplacé par « 00 » (qui est le préfixe recommandé). Par exemple, pour appeler en Hongrie (dont l’indicatif international est +36) depuis la France, il faut composer un Indicatifs internationaux par zone numéro du type « 0036######### ». En revanche, depuis les États-Unis, le Canada ou un pays de la zone 1 (Amérique du Nord et Caraïbes), « + » doit être composé comme « 011 ». D’autres séquences sont utilisées en Russie et dans les anciens pays de l’URSS, typiquement le « 90 ». Autrefois, la France utilisait à cette fin le « 19 ». Sur certains téléphones mobiles, il est possible d’entrer le symbole « + » directement en maintenant la touche « 0 » pressée plus longtemps au début du numéro à composer. Mais à partir d’un poste fixe, le « + » n'est pas accessible et il faut généralement taper à la main la séquence d’accès (code d’accès vers l'international) selon le pays d’où on appelle. Zone 0 La zone 0 est pour l'instant réservée à une utilisation future non encore établie.
    [Show full text]
  • The Main Vegetation Types of Kaokoland, Northern Damaraland and a Description of Some Transects of Owambo, Etosha and North Western South West Africa
    THE MAIN VEGETATION TYPES OF KAOKOLAND, NORTHERN DAMARALAND AND A DESCRIPTION OF SOME TRANSECTS OF OWAMBO, ETOSHA AND NORTH WESTERN SOUTH WEST AFRICA Rui Ildegario de Sousa Correia June 1976 ~ € id Tdi MAIN VEGETATION TYPES OF KAOKOLAND, NORTHERN DAMARALAND AND A DESCRIPTION OF SOME TRANSECTS OF OWAMBO, ETOSHA AND NORTH WESTERN SOUT WEST AFRICA The general ecological conditions that influence the vege- tation types of the study area have already been described in a previous report. The main factor influencing vegetation here, is rainfall. Topography plays a very important paralel role related with an additional distribution of rainwater by the superficial drainage of hills and mountains to the neighbouring flats " and slopes. Concerning the soils, it appears that the physical structure is of more importance than the chemical composition, as this (the structure) determines the availability of water for root development. - Iu some specific instances the soil seems to have a marked effect on the vegetation such as the superficial calcareous layer in south-eastern Kaokoland. The influence of the watersheds is also well marked in deter- mining vegetation types, whether floristic or physiognomic. In addition both physiognomic features and floristic composi- tion have been used to determine the boundaries of the various vegetation types as described. Judicious use/..... ‘co Judicious use was also made of "indicator" species, whether by its occurence or by its absence. The following have been used-<« Baikeea plurijuga - Typical of red “alahari sands in the me~- dian and higher rainfall areas (300 - 700 mm/2),“- Spirostachys africane - Usually appears on the edge of pans (such as Owambo and Southern Angola) and along seasonal rockey c : or sandy dry water courses exept in the desert country courses.
    [Show full text]
  • 4 October 1985
    other prices on page 2 MPC plans UK foreign office BY GWEN LISTER PLANS HAVE REACHED an advanced stage to open an office with an undisclosed status in London to promote the interim government abroad. The Head of the Department of Interstate Relations, Mr Carl von Bach, and the new co· ordinator of the London venture, Mr Sean Cleary, have ar· rived in london to prepare for the new operation. The interim government's Minister of Justice and Information, Mr Fanuel Kozonguizi, has confirmed that the London office will be elevat­ ed to a new status, but the interim Cabinet must still take a final de­ cision on the modalities of the new campaign. It was not yet cl ear whether Mr Cleary will be permanently stationed in London. 'It is up to him' Mr Kozo nguizi said. He added that the 'extern~ l poli­ cy' o f the interim admini stration till had to be established. At this stage they would no~be.~eeking 'inter.na­ tional recognition', Mr Kozonguizi said. A fo rmer So uth African diplo­ mat, Mr Sean Cleary took over from Mr Billy Marais as Public Relations Consultant fo r the interim govern­ POLICE WATCH burning barricades in Athlone, Cape Town, the scene of continuing vio ment on October 1. In that position this week. he will be controlling public relations See inside today for the story of dramatic protests at the University of the Western Cape. MR SEAN CLEA RY - interim (Photograph by Dave Hartman of Afrapix). government's 'rovi ng ambassador'. Continued on page 3 Ministers may boycott Council BIG SPRING BY GWEN LISTER net, the participation of two vote in a Cabinet meeting ofSep­ COMPETITION groups in the Constitutional tember 11.
    [Show full text]
  • National Namibia Concerns ~ ~ 915 East 9Th Avenue· Denver, Colorado 80218 • (303) 830-2774
    National Namibia Concerns ~ ~ 915 East 9th Avenue· Denver, Colorado 80218 • (303) 830-2774 November 15, 1989 Dear friends, One Namibia! One nationl That has been the rallying cry for years as we worked to bring an end to South Africa's illegal occupation of Namibia. Last week, the Namibian people took a long step toward that goal, with their whole-hearted participation in elections that have been certified as "free and fair" by the United Nations. Enclosed are reports which show the final voting results as well as the names of the delegates from each party who will meet to draft the constitution for a free Namibia. There was surprise in some quarters about the size of the vote that went for the DTA--the South African supported political party. Indeed there were some anxious hours as the DTA actually led in the vote count until the ballots from Ovamboland came in. We feel that SWAPO's 57% was very good considering that the voter registration laws, drawn up by South Africa, permitted non-residents to vote, and that .thousands of South Africans and Angolans entered Namibia to vote for the DTA. Generally, there seems to be a feeling of rejoicing--as reflected in the statement by Bishop Kleopas Dumeni ...Joy that the elections have been held and thankfulness that there was so little violence during the week of voting. In a country that has known so much violence for so many years, the relative peacefulness of the past ten days is something that we hardly expected, and for which we are deeply grateful! We plan to publish a Namibia Newsletter within the next two weeks and hope to have more stories and pictures of the election week.
    [Show full text]
  • The Internal Settlement: a Counterinsurgency Strategy by Thomas G
    Conflict Quarterly The Internal Settlement: A Counterinsurgency Strategy by Thomas G. Mitchell INTRODUCTION Internal settlements are especially applicable to Southern Africa where the independent settler colonies of Namibia, Rhodesia, and South Africa had/ have locally born settler elites facing insurgencies from the majority black populationandinternationaleconomicsanctions. Thisarticleexaminescooption through internal settlements as a political counterinsurgency strategy. It will discuss why and when internal settlements occur, who is involved in them, what their goals are and why they failed to achieve them. It will concentrate on internal settlements in Rhodesia, Namibia and South Africa, under white settler regimes, but the article is also relevant to Central and possibly South America, Northern Ireland, and East Asia. Internal settlements are particularly suited to settler regimes and pariah states — often these two groups have overlapping membership.1 Settler regimes are found where a particular ethnic or racial group has entered an area and established control over the indigenous population. Settler states exist throughout Latin America wherever a white minority or mestizo rules over a majority black, Indian or mestizo population.2 Internal settlements have a very poor track record of achieving the goals that their authors set for them and thereby serving as a successful counterinsur­ gency (COIN) warfare strategy. Because of the desire to retain power, there is always a strong temptation among ruling settler elites, especially those that are international pariahs and face economic sanctions, to resort to them in an attempt to see sanctions lifted or to avoid their implementation.3 There are abundant theoretical studies on counter-insurgency strategy and methods, most of them having been written since the early 1960s.
    [Show full text]
  • HC-MD-CIV-MOT-REV-2016/00257 in the Matter B
    REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA HIGH COURT OF NAMIBIA MAIN DIVISION, WINDHOEK JUDGMENT Case no: HC-MD-CIV-MOT-REV-2016/00257 In the matter between: ESTER NDATALA NGHIDIMBWA APPLICANT and SWAPO PARTY OF NAMIBIA FIRST RESPONDENT HELAO NAFIDI TOWN COUNCIL SECOND REPONDENT NANGOLO MBUMBA THIRD RESPONDENT ELIASER NGHIPANGELWA FOURTH RESPONDENT LUCIA NGHILILEWANGA FIFTH RESPONDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF NAMIBIA SIXTH RESPONDENT Neutral Neutral Citation: Nghidimbwa v SWAPO Party of Namibia (HC-MD-CIV-MOT-REV- 2016/00257) [2017] NAHCMD 298 (16 October 2017) Coram: ANGULA DJP Heard: 21 June 2017 Delivered: 16 October 2017 2 Flynote: Applications and Motion Proceedings – Application to set aside the decision of a political party withdrawing a member as councilor from the Council of a local authority – An order declaring the decision as unlawful – Relationship between a political party and its members is contractual – Section 13(1)(g) of the Local Authorities Act – Decision to withdraw a member of a political party without first affording her a hearing – Principles of natural justice, the audi alteram partem rule applied. Summary: The applicant, a councillor for the Council of the town of Helao Nafidi and a member of the first respondent (Swapo Party) was withdrawn as a councillor on purportedly exercising its power in terms of section 13(1)(g) of the Local Authorities Act, 1992. The applicant filed an application to this court seeking an order setting aside the decision of the Swapo Party to withdraw her as councillor from the Council for the town of Helao Nafidi; and a further order declaring the said decision as unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid.
    [Show full text]
  • Study on the Effects of Climate Change in the Cuvelai Etosha Basin and Possible Adaptation Measures
    Study on the effects of Climate Change in the Cuvelai Etosha Basin and possible adaptation measures FINAL REPORT Juliane Zeidler, Laudika Kandjinga and Asellah David Integrated Environmental Consultants Namibia Submitted on 08 November 2010 1 | Page Table of Contents 1. A brief introduction to the study and consultative workshop ..................................................... 3 2. What does the science say? The projected climate change risk related to the Cuvelai Etosha Basin........................................................................................................................................................ 4 3. What are the expected climate change impacts and our vulnerability? ..................................... 9 4. Framework for an holistic adaptation approach ........................................................................ 14 5. So what is it that we can do? Learning from existing coping mechanisms and adaptation innovation ............................................................................................................................................. 16 6. Planning for communication outreach – a plan of action and description of a possible information campaign .......................................................................................................................... 20 Annex 1: Terms of Reference ............................................................ Fehler! Textmarke nicht definiert. Annex 2: Some useful web‐based resources .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Report to the Survival Service Commission, IUCN and The
    Elephant Volume 1 | Issue 4 Article 15 12-15-1980 Report to the Survival Service Commission, IUCN and the Endangered Wildlife Trust: Kaokoland, South West Africa / Namibia Clive Walker Endangered Wildlife Trust of South Africa Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/elephant Recommended Citation Walker, C. (1980). Report to the Survival Service Commission, IUCN and the Endangered Wildlife Trust: Kaokoland, South West Africa / Namibia. Elephant, 1(4), 161-163. Doi: 10.22237/elephant/1521731752 This Brief Notes / Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Open Access Journals at DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion in Elephant by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@WayneState. Fall 1980 WALKER - EWT: KAOKOLAND 161 REPORT TO THE SURVIVAL SERVICE COMMISSION, IUCN AND THE ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST: KAOKOLAND, SOUTH WEST AFRICA / NAMIBIA* by Clive Walker It is with the utmost urgency that I draw your attention to my recent visit to Kaokoland with Professor F.C. Eloff's expedition during September 1978, with the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Kaokoland is in the northwestern part of South West Africa/Namibia and covers an area of some 5½ million hectares (22,000 square miles) and at present is under the control of the South African Government and falls under the Minister of Plural Relations, Dr. C. Mulder. The most striking topographic feature of the region is the many mountains, from the dolomite hills in the south to the stark ridges and isolated eminences rising from the highland plains and to the towering peaks of the Northern Baynes and Otjihipa ranges.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing Land Cover Change in Namibia's Kavango East Region: A
    Bois et Forêts des Tropiques – ISSN : L-0006-579X Volume 344 – 2e trimestre – juillet 2020 – p. 17-32 CHANGEMENT D’OCCUPATION DES SOLS / LE POINT SUR... 17 Assessing land cover change in Namibia’s Kavango East region: a multi-date object approach Edward Muhoko1, 2 Carlos de Wasseige3, 4 Vera De Cauwer5 1 Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Directorate of Forestry Private Bag 13306, Windhoek, Namibia 2 University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER) Department of Plant Ecology Universitätsstrasse 30 95447 Bayreuth, Germany 3 Namibia University of Science and Technology Department Geo-Spatial Sciences and Technology Private Bag 13388, Windhoek, Namibia 4 Systèmes d’information à référence spatiale (SIRS) 27, rue du Carrousel, Parc de la Cimaise 59650 Villeneuve-d’Asq, France 5 Namibia University of Science and Technology Department Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences Private Bag 13388, Windhoek, Namibia Auteur correspondant / Corresponding author: Edward Muhoko – [email protected] Photo 1. The forest stand is part of the broad-leafed savanna biome of the Kavango East region, Namibia. Photo E. Muhoko. Doi : 10.19182/bft2020.344.a31897 – Droit d’auteur © 2020, Bois et Forêts des Tropiques © Cirad – Date de soumission : 8 juillet 2019 ; date d’acceptation : 24 avril 2020 ; date de publication : 1er juin 2020. Citer l’article / To cite the article Muhoko E., de Wasseige C., De Cauwer V., 2020. Asses- sing land cover change in Namibia’s Kavango East region: Licence Creative Commons : a multi-date object approach. Bois et Forêts des Tropiques, 344: 17-32. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
    [Show full text]
  • 25 October 1985
    other prices on page 3 Manure 'bomb' and missing invitation THE EDITORIAL STAFF of The Namibian were not invited to at­ Apparently all the local press, with the exception of The Namibian, tend the Administrator General's annual 'garden party' on Wednes­ were in attendance, and a message was left at the gate to 'let us in' day, which - accordin2 to those present - was a lavish affair with if we chose to arrive. the Windhoek 'Who's Who' all there. Whether the invitation 'oversight' was an omission or deliberate, the fact is that it never arrived, and neither was there any explanation from Some of those who attended expressed surprise that The Namibian Mr Pienaar's office regarding the snub. had not been invited, but officials claimed it had not been a snub and A 'bomb scare' preceded the function, but the mysterious parcel that Mr Louis Pienaar was 'not one to bear grudges'. side the front gates of SW A House turned out to be manure. BY GWEN LISTER THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT Cabinet was deeply divided today after an eleventh hour settlement which will mean setting aside the appointment of Mr Pieter van der Byl as a Judge. The deal struck last night avoided a bitter and costly courtroom clash between Cabinet Ministers. And the settlement is a blow to the fincH throes of asettlement , but Finance Minister Mr Dirk Mudge there are loose ends to be tied up'. who supported the appointment of a South African Justice Depart­ Asked about the 'Constitution­ ment official as a Judge of the al Council', he said: 'We must now Supreme Court and Chairman of find a chairman' .
    [Show full text]
  • Namibia QER Q1 2020 Namibia Quarterly Economic Review January-March 2020
    Namibia QER Q1 2020 Namibia Quarterly Economic Review January-March 2020 Quarter News Key Data Special Summary Highlights Economic Trends Feature Variables 1 5 9 12 14 Quarter Summary Macroeconomic Situation – going into an unprecedented global crisis from a position of extreme weakness The latest preliminary national accounts for 2019 confirm what everyone suspected – Namibia’s economy has experienced four of its worst years since Independence. 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 GDP growth 4.5% -0.3% -0.3% 0.7% -1.1% Recent pronouncements by local and international authorities that 2020 will see the resumption of modest growth have now been overtaken by events. The corona virus pandemic will, in the short to medium-term at least, severely affect economic performance and put significant strain on Namibia’s public finances which were already in poor shape. Efforts to get the economy through the immediate crisis will take precedence over efforts at reform. Namibia went into the global financial crisis in a relatively strong position from a fiscal and monetary point of view. This time is very different. New Cabinet Appointed On 16 March President Geingob announced a new government structure and on 22 March announced his new Cabinet and related appointments. The two Cabinets and appointments are summarised below taking into account the resignations of Bernhard Esau and Sacky Shangala over Fishrot and Katrina Hanse-Hamarwa over corruption in 2019. Old Cabinet New Cabinet Office of the President Office of the President 1 The Namibia Quarterly Economic Review is compiled by the Institute for Public Policy Research and is financially supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
    [Show full text]