Assessment for Europeans in Namibia
Publisher | Minorities at Risk Project |
Publication Date | 31 December 2003 |
Cite as | Minorities at Risk Project, Assessment for Europeans in Namibia, 31 December 2003, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/469f3ab61e.html [accessed 3 November 2019] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
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Risk Assessment | Analytic Summary | References
Risk Assessment
Europeans in Namibia have a low risk of rebellion. They do not have a history of protest; nor do they experience government repression. The group is also highly advantaged. In addition, the Namibian government is democratic and stable. Factors that could encourage greater protest is the issue of land distribution. Thus far, the Namibian government has taken great care to ensure that land reforms are not as antagonistic in Namibia as they have been in South Africa. Should this change (for example, due to pressure from black squatters), there is potential for discontent amongst Europeans.
Analytic Summary
Europeans in Namibia are found throughout the country, mostly in urban areas (GROUPCON = 1). They are ethnically distinct from other groups in Namibia, and they have their own social customs. Europeans in Namibia are descendents of German and South African colonizers. They are white and speak mostly Afrikaans (RACE = 3, LANG = 2).
Germany ruled Namibia, then South West Africa, from 1884 until World War I. Then, South Africa invaded in 1915 and was granted administrative authority by the Allied powers in 1919. Namibia did not gain independence until 1990. During the colonial period, they occupied all posts in the government, businesses, and industry. As a result of this history, Europeans in Namibia are an economically advantaged minority (ECDIFXX = -2). While there are affirmative action policies in favor of blacks, the majority of judges of the Constitutional and High Courts remain white and male. Similarly, there is a disproportionate representation of whites in media ownership and other professions.
As an advantaged minority, Europeans in Namibia do not encounter any disadvantages or repression (POLDIS03 = 0, ECDIS03 = 0).
Europeans' main grievance is protecting land from redistribution. In 1994, a Land Reform Bill was passed by parliament. It allowed the government to purchase any land on the market at any price determined by the Minister of Land, Resettlement, and Rehabilitation. The legislation also gave the government the right to force farmers to give up land, but only if they were not fully utilizing it or if they had an extensive numbers of farms. As of yet, no major implementation of these policies has occurred. The government lacks the cash to purchase land for redistribution and willing sellers are hard to find. Furthermore, the government seems loath to act more aggressively for fear of capital flight and economic dislocation. However, it is a sore point between the two groups and the current situation in Zimbabwe has heightened awareness of the issue.
Some Europeans, particular those belonging to low-income groups, are concerned about the impact of affirmative actions in favor of black and coloreds. High crime rates on farms are also an issue. Many white farmers believe that they have been targeted for racial and political reasons; most police and academic studies show that perpetrators are common criminals motivated by financial gain. The other area of concern is protection of group language and culture.
Europeans in Namibia have pursued their interests through traditional political channels (GOJPA03 = 2). There is no history of rebellion. Since 1989, protest has ranged from verbal opposition to symbolic resistance, to small demonstrations. In 2001-2003, the only recorded instance of group protest was a verbal statement by a white supremacist group (PROT01 = 1). The white Farmer's Union has been at the forefront advocating for the interests of white landholders. In addition, there are a few parties that represent white interests including the Action Christian National alliance (CAN comprised of the National Party of South West Africa and the Deutsche Aktion/Deutsche Sudwest Committee), the Monitor Action Group (MAG), and the multi-ethnic Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA). The Namibia Beyond 2000 Movement was formed by a group of black and white farmers to address the difficult issue of land reform.
In 2001-2003, there were no instances of intergroup or intragroup conflicts (INTERCON01-03 = 0, INTRACON01-03 = 0). However, some black Nambians have been agitating for speedier land redistribution and higher taxes on commercial property. This could lead to intergroup conflicts in the future.
References
African Research Bulletin. 1980-1994. Published Monthly.
Cliffe, Lionel. 1994. The Transition to Independence in Namibia. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Europa. 1995. Africa South of the Sahara.
Schoeman, Elna. 1982. The Namibian Issue 1920-1980: A Select and Annotated Bibliography.
Various Lexis/Nexis reports from BBC, Reuters, etc.