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Namibia

The Republic of Namibia is a country in southern Africa and a former German colony. It gained independence from South Africa in 1990, following the Namibian War of Independence.

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Mama Penee — surviving a German colonial genocide

After German forces crushed Herero and Nama fighters in colonial-era Namibia, survivors faced great hardship.

Namibia's President Nangolo Mbumba greets presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia's ruling party SWAPO

Namibia's President Nangolo Mbumba greets presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia's ruling party SWAPO

AfricaLink News December 4, 2024

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to become Namibia's first female president +++ DRC battles deadly mysterious disease

Namibia's president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah raises her fist outside a polling station in Windhoek, Namibia on November 27, 2024.

Namibia's president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah raises her fist outside a polling station in Windhoek, Namibia on November 27, 2024.

Who is Namibia's first female president, Nandi-Ndaitwah?

Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has won Namibia's election. She'll be Africa's fourth female leader.

Namibia's vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, of the ruling South West Africa People's Organization, (SWAPO) casts her vote in a presidential election, in Windhoek, Namibia, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024

Namibia's vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, of the ruling South West Africa People's Organization, (SWAPO) casts her vote in a presidential election, in Windhoek, Namibia, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024

Namibia elects Nandi-Ndaitwah as first woman president

Namibia's election commission says Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party won in the first round with 57%.

Voters queue at a polling station in Hochland Park, Windhoek

Voters queue at a polling station in Hochland Park, Windhoek

Namibia votes for new president and parliament

The southwest African state's vice president is in the running to become the first female president.

Namibians queue to cast their votes in a presidential election in Windhoek, Namibia

Namibians queue to cast their votes in a presidential election in Windhoek, Namibia

Namibia's ruling party challenged in tense election

Namibia's SWAPO party is seeking to extend its 34-year rule amid growing poverty and unemployment.

Namibians stand in queue outside a polling station to cast their votes.

Namibians stand in queue outside a polling station to cast their votes.

Namibian election: SWAPO faces new challenges in tight race

Namibia's SWAPO, in power since 1990, may see a decline in Wednesday's elections but faces no imminent collapse.

Videostill | Sendung | 77 Percent | Voxpops

Videostill | Sendung | 77 Percent | Voxpops

How does colonialism affect you today?

Youth on the streets Windhoek and Lagos talk about whether colonialism still matters.

DW AfricaLink

DW AfricaLink

Namibia's post-colonial relationship with Germany

Not every Namibian is happy with the €1.1 billion fund from Berlin.

A patient has their blood taken via needle

A patient has their blood taken via needle

HIV treatment breakthroughs: Namibia's success story

For Namibians like Anna Engomba, the arrival of new, life-saving HIV and AIDS medication cannot come quickly enough.

DW AfricaLink | Podcastcover: 67715110

DW AfricaLink | Podcastcover: 67715110

How close are we to finding an HIV vaccine?

An anti-HIV compound is already in use, but how can these advances in HIV-treatment benefit African countries?

Namibia's president 'committed to green hydrogen program'

Interim Namibian leader Mbumba talks to DW about clean energy projects and dealing with colonial era atrocities.

Singapore skyline with green parks and futuristic buildings

Singapore skyline with green parks and futuristic buildings

How Singapore got a grip on water scarcity

Water has influenced conflict and the economy in Singapore. Now the country leads the way in managing a scarce resource.

Stills aus der DW-Sendung "Sendung: Sports Life" Portrait der Surferin Heidi Ulrich

Stills aus der DW-Sendung "Sendung: Sports Life" Portrait der Surferin Heidi Ulrich

Heidi Ulrich — the fastest woman on a surfboard

Sports Life follows Heidi Ulrich on her next speed surfing world record attempt.

Elephants, oryx, giraffes, zebra and elephants at a watering hole.

Elephants, oryx, giraffes, zebra and elephants at a watering hole.

Can Namibia's strategy to cull animals save them?

Does Namibia's plan to kill animals to save them, and help the human population from ongoing drought, stack up?

Namibias Minister Tom Alweendo in a blue suit (left) and Germany's Hylron-CEO Johannes Michels also in a dark suit (right) in front of a blue placard

Namibias Minister Tom Alweendo in a blue suit (left) and Germany's Hylron-CEO Johannes Michels also in a dark suit (right) in front of a blue placard

Namibia's hydrogen ambitions take shape

A German delegation attended a Namibian hydrogen summit, highlighting the growing collaboration between the two nations.

An elephant is seen amid other wild animals

An elephant is seen amid other wild animals

Namibia to cull wild animals amid drought

The controversial decision will allow hunters to kill the animals and distribute the meat to the rural population.

A Namibian flag in the wind

A Namibian flag in the wind

Will Namibia's new visa policy backfire?

Namibia will impose visas on over 30 countries that do not reciprocate visa-free entry.

Namibia | Drei Wanderer fotografieren einen abgestorbenen Baum in der Salz-Ton-Pfanne

Namibia | Drei Wanderer fotografieren einen abgestorbenen Baum in der Salz-Ton-Pfanne

Will Namibia's new visa policy do more harm than good?

Namibia is imposing new visa rules on over 30 countries it says do not share the ease of entry it grants their citizens.

DW Sendung Afrimaxx

DW Sendung Afrimaxx

Afrimaxx - Modern African Lifestyle

The woman behind Nigeria's Winter Olympics uniform and how recycled plastic is turned into art.

Large trays of dried mopane worms at a food market near Windhoek.

Large trays of dried mopane worms at a food market near Windhoek.

Take a culinary tour of Namibia's capital — with a twist

Want to know where the locals gather in Windhoek for the most delicious food?

A small South Sudanese flag appears around the neck of an athlete in Rio de Janeiro

A small South Sudanese flag appears around the neck of an athlete in Rio de Janeiro

Why independence isn't enough for some African nations

When it comes to development, independence has rarely been enough to propel any new African country forward — but why?

Portrait of Girley Jazama in front of a wall-sized photograph of the leaders of the struggle for independence from South Africa inside the Namibia Independence Museum.

Portrait of Girley Jazama in front of a wall-sized photograph of the leaders of the struggle for independence from South Africa inside the Namibia Independence Museum.

The woman to bring Namibia's colonial past to the screen

Girley Jazama is a name that stands out in the world of cinema.

People hold banners in support of LGBTQ rights in Windhoek, Namibia,

People hold banners in support of LGBTQ rights in Windhoek, Namibia,

Namibia strikes down laws criminalizing gay sex

A high court said banning the so-called sodomy and unnatural sexual acts was unconstitutional.

People participating in Swakopmund Gay Pride shout and wave rainbow flags.

People participating in Swakopmund Gay Pride shout and wave rainbow flags.

AfricaLink News: 21 June 2024

Namibia declares law criminalizing gay sex unconstitutional +++ Protests in Kenya over finance bill leave one dead

An African woman carries the flag with the rainbow colors with the slogan: Support Namibian LGBTQ Rights.

An African woman carries the flag with the rainbow colors with the slogan: Support Namibian LGBTQ Rights.

Namibia: Major win for LGTBQ+ community

A Namibian court has overturned an anti-gay law. But members of the LGTBQ+ community still live in danger.

Dozens of people cheer and dance as they take part in the Namibian Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual (LGBT) community pride in Windhoek on July 29, 2017.

Dozens of people cheer and dance as they take part in the Namibian Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual (LGBT) community pride in Windhoek on July 29, 2017.

Namibia court says laws banning gay sex unconstitutional

A high court in Namibia declares two colonial-era laws that criminalized same-sex acts between men as unconstitutional.

DW Afrimaxx Sendungslogo

DW Afrimaxx Sendungslogo

Afrimaxx - Modern African Lifestyle

The South African version of doughnut, how to boost mental health and queer inclusive fashion.

Hydrogen storage tanks are visible at the Iberdrola green hydrogen plant in Puertollano

Hydrogen storage tanks are visible at the Iberdrola green hydrogen plant in Puertollano

Germany partners with Africa on green hydrogen energy

Green hydrogen energy could one day replace fossil fuels in the race for sustainable energy transition.

DW Afrimaxx Sendungslogo

DW Afrimaxx Sendungslogo

Afrimaxx - Modern African Lifestyle

Jollof, the king of rice, handcrafted bikes from Namibia and South African DIY queen Amantle Tshweu.

Afrimaxx | Namibia | Onguza Fahrräder

Afrimaxx | Namibia | Onguza Fahrräder

Why the world needs an African bike brand

These handcrafted bicycles are made to measure and for rocky terrain.

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, designed by architect Peter Eisenman, in Berlin.

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, designed by architect Peter Eisenman, in Berlin.

Germany: Controversy over 'culture of remembrance' reform

The coalition government wants to expand its remembrance culture to include the history of German colonialism.

DW Sendung Afrimaxx

DW Sendung Afrimaxx

Afrimaxx- Modern African Lifestyle

The most curious reports on Afrimaxx coming from Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal and Namibia.

A sign on a beach demarcates a "Whites only" area in South Africa during the 1970s

A sign on a beach demarcates a "Whites only" area in South Africa during the 1970s

Scientific racism's roots in colonization

Anthropologists used Germany's colonial conquest in Africa to promulgate racist theory, and create racial hierarchies.

German troops prepare for war in this archive photograph

German troops prepare for war in this archive photograph

When colonial Germany committed genocide in Namibia

Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial authorities committed genocide of Ovaherero and Nama people in Namibia.

Namibia's capital Windhoek is a pioneer in water treatment and production.

Namibia's capital Windhoek is a pioneer in water treatment and production.

Namibia's capital Windhoek is a pioneer in reusing water

Windhoek is between two major deserts, the Kalahari and the Namib, making water a scarce commodity.

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The 20th century's first genocide in Namibia

German troops went from fighting OvaHerero and Nama to causing the 20th century's first genocide.

Skulls from the anthropological collection of Rudolf Virchow. Right and left are Microcephalic skulls, in the center a normal-sized skull.

Skulls from the anthropological collection of Rudolf Virchow. Right and left are Microcephalic skulls, in the center a normal-sized skull.

How Germany is handling human remains in museum collections

German museums and universities still hold thousands of colonial-era human remains. Can their origins still be traced?

Aerial photo of Victoria Falls

Aerial photo of Victoria Falls

Why some African countries have strange shapes

Mosts of Africa's borders today were drawn up in Berlin in the late 19th century – and the consequences are drastic.

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Why does Namibia have a panhandle?

African borders drawn up in Berlin in late 19th century are still intact today – and have had very drastic consequences.

Shadows of German Colonialism / EP9c

Shadows of German Colonialism / EP9c

Unsettling continuities – from colonial racism to Nazism

Respected German anthropologists divided people by race, a new branch of science that put Europeans at the top.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier bowing to the casket of late Namibian president Hage Geingob, which has been covered with the Namibian flag

Frank-Walter Steinmeier bowing to the casket of late Namibian president Hage Geingob, which has been covered with the Namibian flag

Steinmeier: 'High time to tender apology to Namibian people'

The German president's visit to Namibia has heightened expectations about a possible apology for colonial-era genocide.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2nd R) arrives at Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia, February 24, 2024 for the memorial service for late Namibian President Hage Geingob.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2nd R) arrives at Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia, February 24, 2024 for the memorial service for late Namibian President Hage Geingob.

Germany's Steinmeier pays tribute to Namibian late president

Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Hage Geingob will be remembered for reaching out "across the dark abyss of our history."

DW Shadows of German Colonialism | Episode 10

DW Shadows of German Colonialism | Episode 10

Why African nations still fight over colonial era borders

African borders drawn up in late the 19th century are still intact today – and have had drastic consequences.

DW Shadows of German Colonialism | Episode 4

DW Shadows of German Colonialism | Episode 4

How German colonization of Namibia resulted in genocide

German officers directed violent persecution of Herero and Nama people, resulting in the 20th century's first genocide.

People walking while other sit at a city square in Namibia's capital Windhoek.

People walking while other sit at a city square in Namibia's capital Windhoek.

Namibia: What next after President Hage Geingob's death?

After the death of Namibian President Hage Geingob, interim leader Nangolo Mbumba says he won't run for president.

Hage Geingob arrives at the UN General Assembly in New York

Hage Geingob arrives at the UN General Assembly in New York

Namibian President Hage Geingob dies, aged 82

The president of Namibia, Hage Geingob, has died at the age of 82 after returning from treatment abroad for cancer.

Buddha protected by the Naga at the Guimet Museum, Museum of Asian Arts, France (2013)

Buddha protected by the Naga at the Guimet Museum, Museum of Asian Arts, France (2013)

Will Europe ever return 'looted' Asian artifacts?

There is growing pressure on European museums to return artifacts taken from Southeast Asia during colonial times.

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Shadows of German Colonialism Series Trailer

Shadows of German Colonialism sheds light on Germany's devastating colonial history across Africa.

Namibian President Hage Geingob speaks during a plenary session at the COP28 in December 2023

Namibian President Hage Geingob speaks during a plenary session at the COP28 in December 2023

Namibia: Germany 'unable to draw lessons from history'

Namibia's president Geingob accused Germany of supporting genocide in Gaza, drawing reaction at home and abroad.