Possibly, the first on territory of South West Africa the people, ancestors modern a dignity (bushmenov), Namibia living in the northeast and the northwest of Botswana have come kojsanojazychnye. They have been organised in small related groups and attended to hunting and collecting, thus each group had a extensive territory.
Avaricious and fragmentary data of archeology, linguistics and oral tradition allow to make only approximate picture of migrations of tribes till 19 century Possibly, most important migrations were stretched in time for some centuries. Separate breeding groups nama, moving ahead in northern direction in southern areas of plateau, totaled from several tens to several thousand persons. They combined hunting with primitive cattle breeding, as well as namajazychnye mountain damara in the north of plateau and within the central part of the Big Ledge. Gererojazychnye cattlemen migrated on the south in plateau Kaoko area (tribes himba, tdzhimba) and in the central areas of a plateau (gerero, mbanderu). All of them were cattlemen and have not created the centralised sociopolitical organisation. Groups of hunters and cattlemen constantly moved in search of pastures and water, overcoming huge distances.
Otherwise there was a situation in the north. Migrating here ovambo osedlo were settled along the rivers Cunenes and Okavango and on the internal jellied plains possessed between them. So there were the areas of constant settlements divided by large forests. Depending on an environment in these areas could live from several hundreds persons (in the droughty West) to several tens thousand persons (in more humidified northeast areas) where there were the "kingdoms" which developed over matrilinejnymi by clans and have made a basis of the traditional social and economic organisation of the population. Further to the east as the basic trading ways and routes of migrations the rivers Okavangos and Zambezi served. Tribes ovambo attended to copper extraction on plateau Otavi, iron ore in Kassinge and salts in extensive besstochnoj to a hollow – saline soil Etosha.
18 centuries which have begun with the end advancement of Europeans from the Cape colony have compelled some partially Europeanized groups of local population to be forwarded for a right bank of the river Orange. The people to eagles were settled among nama up to a northwest part of plateau Kaoko. Their intrusion has infringed a traditional way of life of local population and fragile sociopolitical balance in this country. The goods which they could exchange for the European industrial items were necessary to eagles. They used the technical superiority over local population (the bull teams and fire-arms) for grab of the unique goods which were in demand at Europeans – belonging gerero cattle. In 1830-1850th years the leader to eagles Jonker Afrikaaner has subordinated many tribes nama and gerero and has created the military-territorial education which power extended on бoльшую a part of the central areas of modern Namibia. Jonker Afrikaaner operated this education from the rates in Windhoek and Okahande. Then the European dealers and missionaries have got into internal areas of a southern part of Namibia, after 1840 greatest activity here showed the Rhine missionary company. After death Jonkera Afrikaanera in 1861 its state has broken up, however general interest in normal trade constrained interstine collisions and cattle stealing.
Conditions aggravation in the north, connected with two roads of people Jonkera and the first attempt of Portugueses to seize internal areas of southern Angola, have disturbed leaders ovambo which have started to arm. In 1860-1870th years the ivory, however was a main subject of barter when elephants have been exterminated, the local nobility began to make attacks on northern neighbours and to steal at them cattle, and also has established the specific tax on cattle. There was even a special layer of military chiefs, lenga, concentrated in the hands the significant power.
In 1878 Great Britain has seized area of Walvis Bay, having attached it in six years to the Cape colony. But the first decisive step to colonisation of internal areas of Namibia has made in 1884 Germany, declaring protectorate over territorial acquisitions of Bremen merchant Ljuderitsa which has purchased from the leader of one of tribes nama bay Angra-Pekena and area adjoining to it. Then Germans have managed to impose to local leaders so-called « Agreements for protection », i.e. about protectorate, and soon under the control of Germany there was a significant part of territory. For management of new possession« the German colonial company of South West Africa », existed apprx. 10 years has been created. When to Company was beyond the power to cope with armed resistance namibijtsev, official Berlin has directed there the governor, Teodora Lejtvejna, then to Namibia to profit the first white poselentsy. In 1897–1898 in Namibia epidemic of a plague of the horned livestock, brought huge disasters to local rural population has burst. As a result of extortionate actions of white dealers and the further grabs of the earth the policy of gradual selective grabs spent by the governor and replacement of Africans in economically unpromising areas has failed. In January 1904 on struggle against German colonizers were lifted gerero. After a decisive victory at Vaterberhe the commander of German parts Lotar background Trota has given the order on physical destruction of all gerero. In the end of the same year under leadership of leader Hendrika Vitboja against Germans the people of southern Namibia have acted. By the moment of the termination of operations in 1907 losses namibijtsev have made apprx. 100 thousand persons, or 60 % of the population living within plateau.
The German colonial administration has established a rigid mode of compulsory labour in a so-called police zone, having confiscated at local population the earth and cattle. Placing on the "released" earths white poselentsev was in every possible way encouraged, and in 1913 their number has exceeded 1,3 thousand persons. The colonial authorities did not aspire to establish a direct control mode over well armed ovambo, that partially spoke a labour scarcity for railway building, and also for jobs new mines in TSumebe (extraction of copper with 1906) and for extraction of diamonds in the south of desert Namib (with 1908). In such situation solve a problem attraction of workers-migrants from northern areas could only. To 1910 annually 10 thousand workers-ovambo departed to a long and dangerous way on the south.
In 1914 South African Union (JUAS) has entered on the party of the Great Britain the First World War and next year has crushed colonial armies of Germany in territory of Namibia. In 1920 Namibia it has been transferred under control JUAS as a mandated territory of League of the nations which has acquired the right to execute here legislative, executive and judicial functions (the complete mandate of a category "With"). Transition of Namibia under control JUAS and an attack on it Portugueses from territory of Angola have predetermined an establishment in Ovambolende a colonial rule. It has coincided with hunger 1915–1916 which, together with burst in two years later a flu epidemic, has carried away in a tomb about a quarter of population Ovambolenda. In 1917 during the South African retaliatory expedition leader N.Mandume who the last year the board aspired to association of all ovambo has been killed. Still twice JUAS used military force (already including air bombardments) for local population suppression – in 1922 for revolt suppression bondelsvartov (one of ethnic groups nama) in the south and in 1932 against one of leaders ovambo Ipumbu.
In 1920th years to Namibia the South African policy of a racial discrimination consisting in creation rezervatov for maintenance white poselentsev by a cheap labour, the control over inflow of rural population in the cities, directed on restriction of settling of cities by Africans, reservation for white jobs in certain spheres, introduction of admissions for the control over movement of the black population, a curfew establishment in cities at night days began to extend. Northern areas of the country where lived apprx. 70 % of all population, have been isolated from a police zone. There not numerous colonial administration supervised the leaders nominated as the colonial authorities who carried out direct administrative functions. In a police zone the northerners having at the contract on job by term from 12 till 18 months were supposed only.
In 1945 instead of League of the nations the United Nations have been created. Next year the United Nations has rejected request JUAS for inclusion in its structure of territory of South West Africa. In answer JUAS has refused to pass this territory under United Nations guardianship, having begun thereby long proceeding in the International court of the United Nations. In 1966 International court 13 negative votes 12 has given up in the petition to two former members of League of the nations, Ethiopia and Liberia, about deprivation of the republic of South Africa (republic of South Africa) of the mandate on management of Namibia, having decided, that these two countries have no right to take legal action on the given question. The general assembly of the United Nations cancelled the mandate of the republic of South Africa and has passed Namibia under United Nations aegis. In 1971 International court has confirmed legitimacy of this step.
During the intermilitary period movement of the anticolonial protest was headed by leaders of tribes nama and gerero. In 1950th years the first student's associations and other modern political organisations have been created. After collision in Windhoek on December, 10th 1959 when policemen have killed 13 demonstrators protesting against compulsory resettlement of Africans in new taunship Katutura, the leaders of the Organization of people Ovambolenda incited against a colonial mode have made the decision on transformation of this organisation in the National organisation of South West Africa (SVAPO). Circulations in the United Nations about declaration of independence acted from leaders of tribes, representatives of clergy and leaders of gaining in strength national-liberation movement. After failure of the International court of the United Nations in 1966 to deprive of the republic of South Africa of the mandate on management of Namibia SVAPO has begun guerrilla war which proceeded 23 years. After wreck in 1974 colonial modes in the next Angola military actions have acquired more rigid character.
The decision of the International court 1971 about transfer of Namibia under United Nations guardianship, strike of workers-contract employees and activer sharing of churches in a political life have marked the beginning of the period of mass resistance to colonial board. To the middle of 1970th years of the republic of South Africa it has been compelled to recognise the right of Namibia to independence. In 1975–1977 at the initiative of the republic of South Africa in a gym of Windhoek Turnhalle there passed so-called «the constitutional conference» including obedient to the South African authorities of political groups. The constitution based on administrative division of the country to an ethnic sign has been produced. The transition government founded at this conference has started to carry out scanty reforms, but and has not managed to take favourable position of "golden mean" between the South African colonizers and radical SVAPO. Under the pressure of the western allies, councillors of safety of the United Nations – the USA, the Great Britain, France, the Western Germany and Canada, after formed so-called « Cotact group », in April 1978 republics of South Africa has agreed on cease-fire and realisation in Namibia of elections under United Nations supervision. However a little bit later it has rejected the plan of the United Nations based on offers of the countries of the West. Further the item of the republic of South Africa has even more become tougher after in 1980th years the administration of the USA has made a demand about coordination of a conclusion of the South African armies from Namibia with a conclusion of the Cuban armies from Angola, that for 10 years has delayed the decision namibijskoj problems.
The republic of South Africa, having suffered military defeat in southern Angola, in 1988 at intermediary of the USA and the USSR has gone on negotiations with Angola and Cuba of settlement of a situation in the south of Africa. Since April, 1st 1989 according to the resolution №435 Security councils the transition of Namibia calculated for year to the independence, carried out under the United Nations control has begun.
The United Nations group on rendering assistance in a transition period (JUNTAG) consisted of 8 thousand persons from 26 states of the world and switched on military, police and civil quota. Leaders SVAPO and more than 40 thousand their supporters have returned to a transition period from exile home, there has passed registration of political parties and 95 % of potential voters; at last, 97 % of voters have participated in elections in the Constituent assembly, the United Nations spent under supervision on which for SVAPO 57 % of voters have voted. The constituent assembly has developed and has accepted the constitution of Namibia. On March, 21st 1990 Namibia has been proclaimed by independent republic, and leader SVAPO Sam Nujoma who in 1970-1980th years was in exile became its first president.
Namibia has required returning to it of a zone Walvis Bay with which as a part of Namibia with 1922 on 1977 operated the republic of South Africa (then it has been switched on in structure of Cape Province by the republic of South Africa). In 1992 republics of South Africa has agreed on a joint management of this enclave, and on March, 1st 1994 has passed all territory of Walvis Bay of Namibia.
After declaration of independence the situation in Namibia as a whole was peace and quiet. Achievement of national reconciliation, a social equality and economic development were state policy mainstreams. On elections 1994 SVAPO has even more strengthened the political items. Moderate economic growth in sphere of foreign tourism, fishery and a manufacturing industry, reached first of all at the expense of the state investment was scheduled. By the end of the first decade of independence most challenges of Namibia there was a strike movement, discontent of peasants with a land reform course, unemployment.
The period of independent development. In 1997 the external debt of Namibia inherited from the colonial period has been written off. Financial aid was rendered by Germany, China and Spain.
In November 1998 the amendment to the constitution according to which the first president of republic Sam Nujoma has acquired the right to be re-elected on the third term is accepted. On presidential elections 1999, having received 76,8 % of voices of voters, it has been selected again by the head of the state. In 1998–1999 in strip Kaprivi (the country northeast) the separative armed revolt organised «Movement for clearing Kaprivi» is suppressed.
On the parliamentary elections which have taken place on November, 15-16th 2004, convincing victory has gained SVAPO (55 of 72 places). «The congress of democrats» has received 5 places, «Democratic alliance Turnhalle of Namibia» – 4 places, and consignments «Democratic organisation of national unity» and «Incorporated democratic front» – on 3 places each. By the speaker of National assembly it is selected CHitendero Mozes (Mozes Tjitendero). On March, 20th 2005 on this post it is selected Gurirab Teo-Ben (Theo-Ben Gurirab). In a parliament National board, selected works on November, 29-30th, 2004 24 places (from 26) also has received SVAPO, the others 2 places – «Democratic alliance Turnhalle of Namibia» and «Incorporated democratic front». The chairman of the National board became Kapere Asser (Asser Kapere).
After signing by president S.Nujomoj of the agreement with Russian company "АЛРОСА" about joint investigation and extraction of diamonds (April 1998) "De Bierce" has lost monopoly for extraction namibijskih diamonds. In 1999–2000 parliament are accepted «the Law on diamonds» and amendments to «to the Law on investigation and extraction of minerals», the foreign investments which have facilitated access into diamond-mining branch and strengthened the state control over extraction of diamonds.
In 2004 of gross national product has made 14,76 billion US dollars, its growth – 4,8 %. The same year investments have made 19,6 % from gross national product, and inflation – 4,2 %. Under forecasts, in 2005 inflation should make 3,9 %. In 2005 external bond debt makes 12 billion namibijskih dollars (2 billion US dollars). The external help acts from Belgium, Germany, Iceland (training of personnel and research activities in fishing sphere), France and Sweden.
The government economic policy is directed on the further development mining and a manufacturing industry by means of attraction of foreign investments. One of the acute problems of internal policy still has earth redistribution. The realisation of the land reform which has begun in second half 1990, has led to an aggravation of social intensity in the country. Events in the next Zimbabwe (grab of the farms belonging to white citizens) has compelled the government of Namibia to search for agrarian question conciliatory proposals.
Serious problems are also growth of disease by AIDS and unemployment (apprx. 40 %). The government pays the big attention to a problem of an equality of sexes in all spheres of a life of the country and struggle against corruption. In May 2005 for discussion the administration bill of 65 million appropriation namibijskih dollars for realisation of the state pension scheme is born.
