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Namibian Homelands

Homelands: Bushmanland - Damaraland - Hereroland - Kaokoland (Kaokoveld) - Kavangoland - Lozi (East Caprivi) - Namaland - Ovamboland - Rehoboth (Basterland) - Tswanaland

 
Map of Namibian Homelands

Note: Beginning in 1968, homelands similar to those in South Africa were established on the basis of then existing 17 native reserves for the different groups in Namibia, and eventually three areas, East Caprivi, Ovamboland and Kavango, were granted self-government. In Jul 1980 the system was changed to one of separate governments on the basis of ethnicity only, and not geography. These governments were abolished in May 1989 at the start of the transition to independence.

Party abbreviations: CDA = Christian Democratic Action for Social Justice (split from DTA, 1982-1989, merged into UDF); DC = Damara Council (est.1972, as party from 1980); DTA = Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (SWAPO opposition, merger of LP, SP, Christian Democratic Union, NUDO, etc., est.1977); FCN = Federal Convention of Namibia (merger of RBDP and NUDO Progressive Party, est.1988); NUDO = National Unity Democratic Organization (1964-1991, merged into DTA); RBDP = Rehoboth Bevryder Demokratiese Party (Rehoboth Free Democratic Party, merged into FCN, in 1988); SP = Seoposengwe Party (formerly Tswana Alliance, 1975-1980, merged into DTA); UDF = United Democratic Front of Namibia (mainly Damara alliance incl. DC, est.1989) 



Bushmanland

[Bushmanland
                        unofficial flag to 1989 (Namibia)]
Unofficial

Headquarters: Tsumkwe
Population: 3,828 (1991)

1986                       Bushman Advisory Council established, no self-government.



Damaraland

[proposed flag of
                          Damaraland, 1979-1989 (Namibia)]
2 May 1979 - 21 Mar 1990 Unofficial

Headquarters: Khorixas
Population: 32,938 (1991)

Chairman of the Executive Committee
29 Dec 1980 - May 1989     Justus Garoëb                      (b. 1942)             DC


Hereroland

[Hereroland
                        Unofficial flag to 1989 (Namibia)]
Unofficial

Headquarters: Okakarara
Population: 44,079 (1991)

Chief Councillors (the paramount chiefs of the Ovaherero)
20 Jul 1970 - 27 Mar 1978  Clemens Mutuurunge Kapuuo          (b. 1923 - d. 1978)
 7 Jun 1978 - Jul 1980     Kuaima Isaac Riruako               (b. 1935 - d. 2014)

Chairmen of the Executive Committee

 5 Dec 1980 - Sep 1984     Thimoteus Tjamuaha            
Sep 1984 - Aug 1987        Erastus Tjejamba (1st time)        (b. 1936)
Aug 1987 - Oct 1987        Gottlob Hengombe Mbaukua (1st time)(b. 1935)
Oct 1987 - Feb 1988        Erastus Tjejamba (2nd time)        (s.a.)
Feb 1988 - May 1989        Gottlob Hengombe Mbaukua (2nd time)(s.a.)



Kaokoland (Kaokoveld)

Headquarters: Opuwo
Population: 26,313 (1991)

1980                       Included in the Herero administration.



Kavangoland

[flag of
                          Kavangoland 1974-1989 (Namibia)]
1974 - 1989

Headquarters: Rundu
Anthem Text
(1971-1989)
Population: 136,592 (1991)

Oct 1970                   Kavangoland homeland administration established.
 
9 May 1973                Self-government granted.

Chief Councillor
Oct 1970 - 11 May 1973     Linus Shashipapo                   (b. 1929 - d. 1985) 
Chief ministers
11 May 1973 - Nov 1973     Linus Shashipapo                   (s.a.)
Nov 1973 - 20 Jan 1981     Alfons Majavero                    (b. 1934 - d. ....)   DTA
Chairman of the Executive Committee
20 Jan 1981 - May 1989     Sebastiaan Kamwanga                (b. 1929 - d. 1999)   DTA



Lozi (East Caprivi)
 
[East Caprivi
                          1975-1977 flag (Namibia)]
1975 - 1977
[Lozi (East
                          Caprivi) 1977-1989 (Namibia)]
1977 - 1989
Headquarters: Katima Mulilo
Population: 70,782 (1991)

Mar 1972                   East Caprivi homeland administration established.
Mar 1976                   Self-government granted.
 1 Apr 1976                Renamed Lozi.
 1 Jul 1984 - May 1989     Administered by the central government.

Chief Councillor
Mar 1972 - Mar 1976        Josiah Moraliswane                 (b. 1914 - d. 1996)
Chief ministers
Mar 1976 - 20 Sep 1976     Josiah Moraliswane                 (s.a.)
21 Sep 1976 - 31 Mar 1981  Richard Temuso Muhinda Mamili      (b. 1932 - d. 1987)  DTA
Chairmen of the Executive Committee
 1 Apr 1981 - 30 Jun 1984  Josiah Moraliswane                 (s.a.)
 1 Jul 1984 - 29 Aug 1984  H.J. Becker
30 Aug 1984 - 18 Mar 1986  F.P.J. Visagie
19 Mar 1986 - 19 Aug 1986  I.J. van der Merwe
20 Aug 1986 - May 1989     A.G. Visser



Namaland
 
Headquarters: Gibeon
Population: 16,234 (1991)

Chairmen of the Executive Committee
 1 Jul 1980 - 31 Mar 1985  Cornelius Cloete                   (b. 1945)             DTA
 1 Jun 1985 - May 1989     Daniel Luipert                     (b. 1937)             DTA



Ovamboland

[flag of
                          Ovamboland 1973-1989 (Namibia)]
1973 - 1989

Headquarters: Ondangwa
Local Anthem
"Ovamboland National Anthem"
Population: 615,057 (1991)

 2 Oct 1968                Ovamboland homeland administration established.
 1 May 1973                Self-government granted.

Chief Councillors
 2 Oct 1968 - 14 Jan 1972  Uushona Shiimi                     (b. 1919 - d. 1972)
Jan 1972 -  1 May 1973     Filemon Elifas                     (b. 1932 - d. 1975)
Chief ministers
 1 May 1973 - 16 Aug 1975  Filemon Elifas                     (s.a.)
16 Aug 1975 - Jul 1980     Cornelius Thuhageni Njoba          (b. 1930 - d. 1982)
                             (acting to 26 Aug 1975)
Chairmen of the Executive Committee
Jul 1980 - Oct 1981        Cornelius Thuhageni Njoba          (s.a.)                DTA
Oct 1981 - May 1989        Peter Tanyangenge Kalangula        (b. 1926 - d. 2010)   CDA

Commissioners-general for the Indigenous People of South West Africa
Jan 1964 - Jan 1965        Johannes Petrus van Schalkwyk      (b. 1914 - d. 1967)
                             Bruwer
Jan 1965 - 1970            Martie J. Olivier
1970 - Sep 1977            Johannes "Jannie" Marthinus de Wet (b. 1927 - d. 2011)



Rehoboth (Basterland)

[Rehoboth
                        (Basterland)(Namibia)]
Unofficial to 1989

Headquarters: Rehoboth
Population: 34,372 (1991)

Chairman of the Executive Committee (Captain of the Basters)
 2 Jul 1979 - Jun 1989     Johannes "Hans" Diergaardt         (b. 1927 - d. 1998) RBDP;1988 FCN



Tswanaland
 
Headquarters: Aminuis
Population: 9,992 (1960)

Chairman of the Executive Committee
19 Dec 1980 - May 1989     Constance Letang Kgosiemang        (b. 1946 - d. 2012)  SP;1980 DTA






© Ben Cahoon