Table of Contents
What led to the Windhoek massacre?
Their forced removal to the newly established township Katutura, initiated during the late 1950s, provoked resistance, popular demonstrations and escalated into violent clashes between the residents and the police. These resulted in the killing and wounding of many people on 10 December 1959.
Why did South Africa invade Namibia?
The annexation was an attempt to forestall German ambitions in the area, and it also guaranteed control of the good deepwater harbour on the way to the Cape Colony and other British colonies on Africa’s east coast.
What are the consequences of the Windhoek massacre?
The crime committed and carried out by the South African administration in accordance with apartheid legislation, entailed the forced removal of the city’s African inhabitants from the Old Location, and the subsequent razing of all the buildings that had stood there.
Why Namibian did not want to move to Katutura?
For a number of reasons most residents did not want to move: They had owned the erven in Old Location whereas in Katutura all land belonged to the municipality. This event is known as the Old Location uprising, it is the reason for the declaration of December 10, Human Rights Day, as a Namibian national holiday.
What was Namibia called?
South West Africa
It was formerly known as South West Africa The country became Namibia in 1990 when it was granted independence from South Africa, which had taken over the territory during the First World War.
Who founded Namibia?
The first European that landed in Namibia was the Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão, who came ashore north of Swakopmund at Cape Cross in 1484. Parts of Namibia are notoriously dry and much of the country is made up of the Namib Desert and the Kalahari.
Why did Germany want to take over Namibia?
The reason Germany selected Namibia as its “protectorate” was influenced by the fact that a tobacco merchant from Bremen, Franz Luderitz, bought up coastal land in the area in 1882. This resulted in Germany actively establishing itself in the African country by 1884. They occupied Herero lands.
How important was apartheid in the history of Namibia?
South African apartheid laws were extended to Namibia and prevented black Namibians from having any political rights, as well as restricted social and economic freedoms. The aim of South Africa’s rule over Namibia was to exploit the mineral resources by white South Africa.
What is Windhoek the capital of?
Windhoek, town, capital of Namibia, located roughly in the centre of the country. It lies at an elevation of 5,428 feet (1,654 metres) and is about 400 miles (650 km) north of the Orange River and 760 miles (1,225 km) north of Cape Town, South Africa.