#25. The Republic of Namibia

Could this have been the second level of colonization? How does a desert border the ocean? Home for the world's oldest desert, Namibia is a magnificently beautiful country. One of my current dreams is to have an experience of the tens of millions years old Namib Desert and also the Kalahari desert. It is devoid of surface water but it is bisected by many dry riverbeds. The shifting dunes and resilient biodiversity is an enough inspiration to push on. The country is endowed with some of the highest sand dunes in the world such as the Big Daddy that is over 350 metres high.

The country has so many foreign languages spoken in there possibly due to its cosmopolitan culture. Exhibited at the capital: Windhoek, Namibia has the most extensive meteorite shower! I am still in awe of the kind of rock art display by the San people (bushmen), being one of the largest in Africa, something critical lies behind the scenes of communication in art. Africa is a beautiful place!

The long history of humanity co-existing in nature with animals still has remains in Namibia where the highest population in the world of free-roaming cheetahs exist. There is still lots to learn and experience! Coupled by the second largest and the oldest extremely beautiful canyon in the world, the raw magnificent beauty of nature is breathtaking.

In the spirit of being resilient and firm in the old ways of life, the Himba tribe in the Kunene region of the country has strongly clung to their traditional ways and beliefs. They wear traditional clothes, eat traditional foods and even practice traditional religions. The women wear skirts and leave their upper bodies bare. Basically, they have been unaffected by modernism in any way. My thirst for the unique beauty of this country is drastically growing as I continue to question myself who actually came with the idea of "civilization" because it is not African.

Finally, given the dense fog and violent storms in the area, a large number of sailors have died in the coast of Namibia. The Skeleton Coast to the Atlantic Ocean is the world's largest gravesite for sailors and ships. It is also interesting that the Namibian dollar and the South African rand are used interchangeably in the country to easily facilitate trade.

Wow! I am curious of the behind-the-scenes of the national identity of Namibia. Let us see:=)

Brief history of the Namibian Flag

Could this be the second level of colonization? Where a former colonized country colonizes another? Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990. The political drama between the foreigners, South Africa and Namibia (the then South West Africa) has left my mind racing in thoughts and so many questions.

During a visit by the then German Secretary of State, Dr. Solf, to German possessions in Africa during 1912 - 1913, he noted that each of the British colonial territories had their own distinctive colonial emblem and urgently suggested the development of one for the German South West Africa.  The flags were to be based on the German horizontal tricolour of black, white and red charged in the centre with a distinctive shield of the colony. In the case of South West Africa, this was to be a blue shield bearing a silver ox's head and diamond. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 diverted attention to more pressing matters and the flags designed for Germany's colonial possessions were never taken into use, (shown below)

After which the Germans left in 1915, the Union of South Africa took control of this area. During World War I South African troops entered South West Africa in February 1915 and the German forces in the territory surrendered on 09 July 1915. South African forces thus occupied German South West Africa for and on behalf of the British Government. Here, they used the merchant flag, (shown below).

Under the mandate system, set out in Article 22 of the Versailles Treaty, ex-enemy territory would be governed by individual states, which later would be accountable to the League of Nations. South West Africa was mandated to South Africa and the South African Red Ensign (above) came to be flown in the territory until 31 May 1928, when the South African national flag (horizontal orange, white and blue stripes with flaglets in the centre) was adopted, (shown below).

The blue stripe was made lighter in 1982, (shown below)

After gaining independence from Germany in 1966, South Africa took over Namibia for resource exploitation and partially in shield from the guerilla war in Angola. After a long struggle, Sam Nujoma, one of my favorite African legends, established a movement to fight back for their social, political, and economic freedom. He led a campaign toward a historic change in their nation. The group fought with determination and resilience. However, it took them 24 years to finally gain the second part of their independence!

After gaining independence in 1990, the state organized a competition to determine a flag design for the Republic of Namibia. The then-leading group, South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), suggested the adoption of its green, blue, and red flag. They argued it was the best choice and would be highly influential. Citizens submitted about 835 other flag proposals. As a result, the government appointed a National Symbols Sub-Committee to work on these proposals and give technical advice on which symbols and colors to use on the new flag. This sub-committee finally settled on three designs by Theo Jankowski, Ortrud Clay, and Don Stevenson. This is the first country to see citizens give ideas on their national symbol: the flag and it is considered! Flag of SWAPO shown below.

The new design placed the blue-red-green SWAPO stripes diagonally and added white fimbriations (narrow borders) on either side of the red to set off the colours. A golden 12-pointed sun was added in the upper hoist corner to represent life and energy. The flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on February 2, 1990, and was first officially hoisted on independence day, March 21, that same year, (shown below)

Meanings fo the flag parameters

Red is considered to reflect the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity.

Green is for agricultural resources.

Blue is for the sky and the Atlantic Ocean.

White is for peace and unity

A golden 12-pointed sun represents life and energy.

The National Anthem of Namibia

Namibia, Land of the Brave

______________________

Namibia, land of the brave

Freedom fight we have won

Glory to their bravery

Whose blood waters our freedom

We give our love and loyalty

Together in unity

Contrasting beautiful Namibia

Namibia our country

Beloved land of savannahs,

Hold high the banner of liberty

Namibia our Country,

Namibia Motherland,

We love thee.

________________________

The National Anthem of Namibia was written and composed by Axali Doëseb.

The motto of Namibia: Unity, liberty, justice.

"Glory to their bravery. Whose blood waters our freedom". Sometimes I think we can hold on in loyalty just to honor they that did so much in fighting for the things we enjoy today. It is so easy to complain and feel that they made huge mistakes but that is just absolute selfishness. It is true that people went ahead of us and did something for our good even if that is not what screams from the outcomes of their efforts.

This is one reason why I wholeheartedly appreciate every hero in their own special way. A normal human being wishes the best for a certain group of people. My heart goes out to all Namibians in their victory. It could be late but better than if it did not come. You all have such a beautiful country that I look foward tasting its waters soon!

In the lens of stubborn optimism for the African continent, I see better days, life and energy just as the national flag constantly repeats every single day it flies over the land. In unity, liberty and justice we stand!

Refs: hymen-national.com, britannicca, wikiwand, crwflags.com, flag history, a-z animals.com, discover Africa, sahistory.org. etc.

Hey! Thanks for reading!

See you in the next country.

©Girl of the African Soil