Namibia
Quick reference
General issues: Republic 1990-Present
Country name on general issues: Namibia
Currency: 1 Rand = 100 Cent 1990-1993, 1 (Namibia) Dollar = 100 Cent 1993-Present
Population: 1 339 000 in 1990, 2 303 000 in 2013
Political history Namibia
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Namibia is located in southern Africa. In the mid 19th century the future Namibia is populated by several Batu and Khoisan peoples. The British are the first Europeans to settle in Namibia – initially on the Penguin Islands off the coast of Namibia in 1866 and next in Walvis Bay in 1874. Both are annexed to and administered from Cape of Good Hope to become part of South Africa in 1910. The Germans first settle in Namibia in 1883. The Germans, in 1884, form the protectorate of German South West Africa that becomes the colony of German South West Africa in 1892.
During WWI, German South West Africa is, in 1915, occupied by South Africa, and in 1920 becomes a League of Nations mandated territory of South West Africa administered by South Africa. In 1946, the mandate is extended – South West Africa becoming the United Nations trust territory of South West Africa.
South Africa aims at annexing South West Africa to South Africa – an ambition that is not supported internationally. South Africa nonetheless administers South West Africa as a de facto province – among other things introducing the regime of apartheid. In 1966, the United Nations mandate is revoked, in 1968 the United Nations adopts a resolution renaming South West Africa to Namibia. The Southwest Africa Peoples Organization – SWAPO – has started a war of liberation, and in 1973 is recognized by the United Nations as the legitimate government of South West Africa. Finally, in 1990 South West Africa will gain independence as the republic of Namibia.
Namibia will develop into a relatively stable multi party democracy, although between 1994 and 1999, the Caprivi Liberation Army fights for independence of the Caprivi Strip in the northeast of Namibia. In 1994, the Penguin Islands and Walvis Bay are ceded by South Africa to Namibia. Namibia is one of the countries participating in the Second Congo War, in Congo, between 1998 and 2003 – Namibia supporting the government against rebel factions.
Namibia is one of the most scarcely populated countries in the world. The economy heavily depends on the extraction and processing of mineral resources.
Postal history Namibia
1990 – Commemorating independence
The first stamps used in current Namibia are the stamps of Germany from 1888 until 1897. Stamps are issued for German South West Africa from 1897 until 1915. From 1915, the stamps of South Africa will be used and, from 1923 until 1990, stamps will be used issued for the mandated territory of South West Africa. Namibia will issue its first stamps in 1990 – the first issue commemorating independence.
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Gerben,
the following facts of Namibia history not fully agreed with your SWH.
UN renamed South West Africa to Namibia at 12 June 1968. South Africa didnt recognize this.
UN stated that Namibia is illegal occupated by South Africa (resolution 276 of 30 Jan 1970). Gedi
Thanks Gedi. I updated the profile to reflect the name change.
Gerben, many states (territories) (Namibia among them) issue stamp without „number“ denomination. Various inscriptions are instead of denominations (a / A / 2nd / Z / standard mail / postcard / international etc.).
There are few sections in your stamps album (air mail / official / due stamps etc.). What about new section (stamps without numbers denominations) in your albums? If yes – are you interesting in full list of such inscriptions in Namibia stamps? Gedi
Gedi
Interesting suggestion. I think though, I’ll stick with the set up of the albums that I now have. First because changing things around would potentially be a lot of work – more and more countries seem to issue this type of stamp. Second because the sections in my albums represent a different type of use of the stamps rather than a different way to represent the ‘denomination’. I can see though that these issues might make an interesting field for a more specialized collection.