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The famous Land of the Brave

Introduction

Khomas is one of the thirteen regions of Namibia. The capital city of Namibia, Windhoek is situated in this region and for this reason it provides superior transportation infrastructure. It has well-developed economical, financial, and trade sectors. This region has the highest population density of 7.0 persons per square kilometers. With an area of 36 805 km2 it is characterized by mountains, hilly areas, dry riverbeds and the rugged Khomas Hochland. Typically Namibian bushveld with shrubs, bushes and Acacia trees is common in this area.

History of Namibia

Windhoek (/ˈvɪnt.hʊk/ VINT-huuk; German: Windhuk^ⓘ) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level. The population of Windhoek in 2011 was 322,500 and grows continually due to an influx from all over Namibia.

The town developed at the site of a permanent spring known to the indigenous pastoral communities. It developed rapidly after Jonker Afrikaner, Captain of the Orlam settled here in 1840 and built a stone church for his community. However, in the decades thereafter multiple wars and hostilities led to the neglect and destruction of the new settlement such that Windhoek was founded a second time in 1890 by Imperial German army Major Curt von François.

Windhoek is the social, economic, and cultural centre of the country. Nearly every Namibian national enterprise, governmental body, educational and cultural institution is headquartered there.

History

Pre-colonial

Around 1840, Jonker Afrikaner established a settlement at Windhoek. He and his followers stayed near one of the main hot springs, located in the present-day Klein Windhoek suburb. He built a stone church that held 500 people, which was also used as a school. Two Rhenish missionaries, Carl Hugo Hahn and Franz Heinrich Kleinschmidt, started working there in late 1842 and were two years later driven out by two Wesleyans, Richard Haddy and Joseph Tindall. Gardens were laid out and for a while Windhoek prospered, but wars between the Nama and Herero eventually destroyed the settlement. After a long absence, Hahn visited Windhoek again in 1873 and was dismayed to see that nothing remained of the town's former prosperity. In June 1885, a Swiss botanist found only jackals and starving guinea fowl amongst neglected fruit trees.

Colonial era

Windhoek at the end of the 19th century

Stamps for German South West Africa postmarked Windhuk

Sanderburg, one of the three castles of Windhoek

In 1878, Britain annexed Walvis Bay and incorporated it into the Cape of Good Hope in 1884, but Britain did not extend its influence into the hinterland. A request by merchants from Lüderitzbucht resulted in the declaration of a German protectorate over German South-West Africa in 1884. The German colony came into being with the determination of its borders in 1890 and Germany sent a protective corps, called the Schutztruppe under Major Curt von François, to maintain order. Von François stationed his garrison at Windhoek, which was strategically situated as a buffer between the Nama and Herero, while the twelve strong springs provided water for the cultivation of food.

Present-day Windhoek was founded on 18 October 1890, when Von François fixed the foundation stone of the fort, which is now known as the Alte Feste (Old Fortress). After 1907, development accelerated as people migrated from the countryside to the city. There was also a larger influx of European settlers arriving from Germany and South Africa. Businesses were erected on Kaiser Street (presently Independence Avenue), and along the dominant mountain ridge over the city. At this time, Windhoek's three castles, Heinitzburg, Sanderburg, and Schwerinsburg, were built.

South African administration after World War I

The German colonial era came to an end during World War I when South African troops occupied Windhoek in May 1915 on behalf of the British Empire. For the next five years, a military government administered South West Africa. Development of the city of Windhoek and the nation later to be known as Namibia came to a virtual standstill. After World War II, Windhoek's development gradually gained momentum, as more capital became available to improve the area's economic climate. After 1955, large public projects were undertaken, such as the building of new schools and hospitals, tarring of the city's roads (a project begun in 1928 with Kaiser Street), and the building of dams and pipelines to finally stabilize the water supply. It also introduced the World's first potable re-use plant in 1958, treating recycled sewage and sending it directly into the town's water supply.

Since Namibian independence

With Namibia's independence from South African administration in 1990, Windhoek was recognised as the capital city of South-West Africa as administered by the South African government. It continues to be the capital city of the Republic of Namibia, as well as the provincial capital of the central Khomas Region. Since then the city experienced accelerated growth and development.

Political Governance

Khomas Region is divided into nine constituencies. The governor of Khomas Region is Laura Mcleod and the Chief Regional Councillor is Ms.S. Haindongo both of the Swapo Party of Namibia.

Ethnic Groups in Namibia.

Baster People

The Rehoboth Basters are a branch of this new race. The term “Baster” is the preferred term and used with pride by the Baster Community. They adopted the language and culture of their forefathers which included the observance of Christian beliefs. Early missionaries recognized their strong Christian leanings and were sympathetic towards them, often being of assistance in their efforts to find peace and security

San / Bushmen People

The San, a small ethnic group, numbering about 40,000, are more commonly known as Bushmen and comprise of one larger and four smaller groups. The largest group is that of the !Kung, found in Kavango in the northeast and down the eastern side of Namibia to the Gobabis district. They are also found across the border in western Botswana The Bushman is the only ethnic group in Namibia which has no traditional area which they call home. For perhaps thousand of years they have followed the migratory routes of the animals they hunted although these activities curtailed with the agricultural developments that took place.

Caprivi People

The population of the Caprivi, estimated at a little under 100,000 is distributed along the river banks, alongside the major roads of the Caprivi and in and around the main centre Katima Mulilo and the villages of Sibinda, Sangwali, Linyanti, Chinchimane, Bukalo, Ngoma and Isize. There are two main tribal groups, the Fwe in the wet and the Subia in the east. The Fwe include several smaller communities of Yeyi, Totela and Lozi, (Malan, J.S.: Peoples of Namibia)

Coloured People

It is estimated that there are about 80,000 coloured people residing in Namibia. The majority of those now living here were born in Namibia to coloured parents.Their origin in South Africa goes back to the days of early settlements at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa when many of the European men intermarried and interbred with Khoisan women and then subsequently workers from the East, brought to the Cape by the Dutch to help develop the remote outpost, as well as replenish ships sailing to and from the East. In those days there were virtually no women of European descent and of marriageable age in the Cape or its hinterland, and as a result, men of European descent also interbred with the female offspring of the slave labourers from the East. Children born of slaves automatically became the property of the slave owner and thus it was that many of those born as a result of this miscegenation, were exposed to the Christian religion and the culture of their “owners”.

Damara People

The Damara make up a component of 8.5% of the Namibian nation. The majority live in the northwestern regions of the country but others are found widely across Namibia, where they live and work in towns, on commercial farms, on mines, as well as at the coast.They have no cultural relationship with any of the other tribes anywhere else in Africa. It is believed that the Damara left their original abode in northwestern Africa long before other tribes started their migrations to western and southern Africa. They no longer possess their traditions of origin, nor former linguistic and cultural affiliations.

Herero People

The Herero nation moved south into Namibia, it is thought, during the 16 th century. According to their oral history they came from an area of much water and grass and many reeds, probably west of Lake Tanganyika, and entered Namibia between the Kunene and Okavango Rivers. There is no certainty however, about the timing or the route followed by those who moved south from Kaokoland into the south western and central regions of Namibia. That there was contact with the Bechuana, who in earlier times were in areas northeast of Okahandja, is generally accepted as the time of their arrival in the Okahandja district, which is estimated as about 1790.

Himba (Ovahimba) People

In 1978 during a visit to one of the Himba villages in Kaokoland by a group of international journalists, one of them remarked, “Look at how uncivilized and backward these people are. It’s shocking!” His remark was translated from English into Herero. One of the Himba present, dressed traditional loin cloth and smeared with animal fat mixed with red ochre , after a short exchange between himself and the interpreter responded in fluent Afrikaans, “Our life is good. We have no fighting, no crime, no hunger, no hatred. We are satisfied. Do you live as well in your land?” . The Himba indeed have the appearance of having been forgotten by the rest of the world but this is only as a result of their extreme isolation and conservative way of life.

Kavango People

This large nation of riverine people has often been described as one of the friendliest in Africa. The Kavango people comprise five distinct tribal groups, of whom nearly all live along the Kavango River from Katwitwe in the west to Bagani in the east. A small number of the Kavango people live in the major drainage area in the south of the Kavango, while some are temporary residents alongside the main road between Grootfontein and Rundu, where many hand-made goods are offered for sale. The Kavango People practice agriculture on the narrow strip of fertile soil along the Kavango River, from which they harvest large numbers of fish. The men do the hard work of clearing and preparing the lands each year. The women do the planting and weeding and the men take over again to harvest and do the threshing.

Nama People

Previously there was differentiation between the local Khoi peoples and those who moved into Namibia from South Africa. Today, however, both are referred to as Nama. There are 15 Nama tribes in Namibia: Rooi nasie, Topnaars, Bondelswarts, Fransmanne, Kopers, Veldskoendraers, GrootDoden, Swartboois, Keetmanshoopers, Bethaniers, Afrikaners, Lamberts, Amraals, Bersebaer and Witboois. At Vaalgras, Herero prisoners-of-war, when they wer released at the end of the hostilities in the early 1900’s, stayed in the area and mingled with the local Nama. Today they live like the Nama and speak the Nama language.

Owambo People

After Namibia’s independence in 1990, the area previously known as Owamboland was divided into the regions of Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto. The population, estimated at between 700,000 and 750,000 fluctuates remarkably. This is because of the indiscriminate border drawn up by the Portuguese and Germans during colonial rule, which cut through the Kwanyama tribal area, placing some in Angola and others in Namibia, which results in regular cross-border movement. The main tribes are the Kwanyama (which means eaters of meat), the Ndonga, the Kwambi, the Ngandjera, the Kwaluudhi, the Mbalanthu, the Nkohonkadhi and the Eunda, who are within the tribal area of the Nkolonkadhi. Each has its own dialect but there are only two written languages, namely, OshiNdonga and OshiKwanyama. Their languages are quite similar to the Herero language. The Owambo are agriculturists and cattle breeders. They plant mahango, a type of millet, which is their staple diet and which they very much prefer above maize. Mahangu is used for brewing beer which is commonly enjoyed. Other crops include maize and sorghum, beans, melons and onions. When the floodwaters from Angola fill the low-lying areas (oshonas), fishing becomes and important economic activity and when the waters subside, the cattle graze on the fresh grass.

Tswana People

The Tswana people are associated with the country of Botswana, whose name means "Land of the Tswana." But most of the people of this language group live in the northeastern part of South Africa. This densely populated area is called Bophutatswana, meaning "The Place of Gathering of the Tswana." Lehurutse, Mafeking and Mmabatho are major cities on the South African side. Gaberone and Lobatse are major Tswana cities in Botswana. Most of Botswana is desert, including the great Kalahari. A few thousand Tswana also live in the neighboring area of Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Tourism

Most travel groups bring tourist to the capital city which is Windhoek in the Khomas Region most popular tourist destination in the khomas region is found in this place. In Windhoek tourists visit the Alte Feste, the Christ church, Wernhil Mall, Maerua Mall, the Namibia Breweries Limited, Parliament Gardens, Kalahari Sands hotel, Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino, Zoo Park etc. Windhoek is known for being the modern city in Namibia. Majority of the luxurious hotels, shops, restaurants are found here.

Economy

The Khomas Region has one of the highest employment rates among the other regions in Namibia. The unemployment rate in Khomas is 30 percent . The lifestyles of people in the Khomas Region are standard. Most of them are working so they are able to provide food, shelter and other necessities for their families. There is a strong interaction between the farming community in the hinterveld of Windhoek and the City. Not only are most of the farming products marketed in or through Windhoek, but it is also the most important farming supply centre. Villagers in Khomas Region practice semi-commercial agriculture. Majority farmers have cattle, goats, chicken, pigs and sheep. Others grow crops for consumption such as maize, groundnuts, omahangu etc. and others have large –scale plantations for fruit and vegetables trees. Large scale commercial plantations produce potatoes, carrots, mangoes, oranges, grapes and cotton.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure of Windhoek is well developed compared to other regions in the country. The potential for further development of light industries and new settlement areas seem presently be unlimited.

Early Childhood Development ( ECD)

There are crèches/kindergartens day care centers/nursery school and per-primary . They cater for children 2-5 years of age. Children learn social skills such as how to play with others, wash their hands etc and are also prepared for primary school. They are mainly situated in urban areas and serve as preparatory courses before entry into grade one or primary education cycle. Pre-primary cater for children of 5 to 6 years old. Access to ECD is much better in urban areas with one out of five children compared to one out of then children in rural areas. Slightly more girls than boys are enrolled in ECD programmes in both rural and urban areas. At a regional level, a much higher proportion of children attended ECD programmes in Erongo (24.2 per cent) and Khomas (22.9 per cent) than in Hardap, Kunene and Omaheke, attendance was about seven per cent

Education

This year Namibia has achieved the goal of the Millenum Development Goals to offer Free Universal Primary Education in all Namibian Schools including Khomas Region. Namibia has compulsory free education for 10 years between the ages of 6 and 16 . Grades 1–7 are primary level, grades 8–12 secondary. In 1998, there were 400,325 Namibian students in primary school and 115,237 students in secondary schools. The pupil-teacher ratio in 1999 was estimated at 32:1, with about 8% of the GDP being spent on education. Curriculum development, educational research, and professional development of teachers is centrally organised by the National Institute for Educational Development of Namibia (NIED) in Okahandja. Most schools in Namibia are state-run, but a few private schools are also part of the country's education system. There are four teacher training colleges, three colleges of agriculture, a police training college, the Polytechnic of Namibia, and the University of Namibia.

Literacy

One out of three Namibians either had no formal education or had left school without completing primary education. The literacy rate in Namibia between five years and above is 85.3 per cent. The literacy rate is marginally higher for men (85.4 per cent) compare to women (5.1 per cent). Literacy rates are higher in urban (93 per cent) than in rural (79 per cent) areas. Khomas Region has the highest rate of literacy (95 per cent) compared to other regions in the country.

Water and Sanitation

98 precent of all households in Khomas has access to safe water. Slightly more than one out of 5 households in Khomas has no toilet facility. The people in Khomas region get water from Avis and Friedernau dams.