:Namibia Government
Long-form name:
Republic of Namibia
Type:
republic
Capital:
Windhoek
Administrative divisions:
the former administrative structure of 26 districts has been abolished and
14 temporary regions are still being determined; note - the 26 districts
were Bethanien, Boesmanland, Caprivi Oos, Damaraland, Gobabis, Grootfontein,
Hereroland Oos, Hereroland Wes, Kaokoland, Karasburg, Karibib, Kavango,
Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Maltahohe, Mariental, Namaland, Okahandja, Omaruru,
Otjiwarongo, Outjo, Owambo, Rehoboth, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Windhoek
Independence:
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
Constitution:
ratified 9 February 1990
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Executive branch:
president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
bicameral; House of Review (upper house, to be established with elections in
late 1992 by planned new regional authorities); National Assembly (lower
house elected by universal suffrage)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990)
Political parties and leaders:
South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; Democratic
Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), Dirk MUDGE; United Democratic Front (UDF), Justus
GAROEB; Action Christian National (ACN), Kosie PRETORIUS; National Patriotic
Front (NPF), Moses KATJIUONGUA; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Hans
DIERGAARDT; Namibia National Front (NNF), Vekuii RUKORO
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
President:
last held 16 February 1990 (next to be held March 1995); results - Sam
NUJOMA was elected president by the Constituent Assembly (now the National
Assembly)
National Assembly:
last held on 7-11 November 1989 (next to be held by November 1994); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) SWAPO 41, DTA 21, UDF 4,
ACN 3, NNF 1, FCN 1, NPF 1
Other political or pressure groups:
NA
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, CECA (associate), ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ILO,
IMF, ITU, NAM, SACU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, WCL, WFTU, WHO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Tuliameni KALOMOH; Chancery at 1605 New Hampshire Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20009 (mailing address is PO Box 34738, Washington, DC
20043); telephone (202) 986-0540
:Namibia Government
US:
Ambassador Genta Hawkins HOLMES; Embassy at Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St.,
Windhoek (mailing address is P. O. Box 9890, Windhoek 9000, Namibia);
telephone [264] (61) 221-601, 222-675, 222-680; FAX [264] (61) 229-792
Flag:
a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section,
and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the
triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow
white-edge borders
:Namibia Economy
Overview:
The economy is heavily dependent on the mining industry to extract and
process minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia
is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's
fifth-largest producer of uranium. Alluvial diamond deposits are among the
richest in the world, making Namibia a primary source for gem-quality
diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver,
and tungsten, and it has substantial resources of coal. More than half the
population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its
livelihood.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $2 billion, per capita $1,400; real growth rate
5.1% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
17% (1991 - Windhoek)
Unemployment rate:
over 25% (1991)
Budget:
revenues $864 million; expenditures $1,112 million, including capital
expenditures of $144 million (FY 92)
Exports:
$1,021 million (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities:
uranium, diamonds, zinc, copper, cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
partners:
Switzerland, South Africa, FRG, Japan
Imports:
$894 million (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment
partners:
South Africa, FRG, US, Switzerland
External debt:
about $250 million; under a 1971 International Court of Justice (ICJ)
ruling, Namibia may not be liable for debt incurred during its colonial
period
Industrial production:
growth rate - 6% (1990 est.); accounts for 35% of GDP, including mining
Electricity:
490,000 kW capacity; 1,290 million kWh produced, 850 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper, lead, zinc,
diamond, uranium)
Agriculture:
mostly subsistence farming; livestock raising major source of cash income;
crops - millet, sorghum, peanuts; fish catch potential of over 1 million
metric tons not being fulfilled, 1988 catch reaching only 384,000 metric
tons; not self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),
$47.2 million
Currency:
South African rand (plural - rand); 1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
South African rand (R) per US$1 - 2.8809 (March 1992), 2.7653 (1991), 2.5863
(1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987), 2.2685 (1986)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
:Namibia Communications
Railroads:
2,341 km 1.067-meter gauge, single track
Highways:
54,500 km; 4,079 km paved, 2,540 km gravel, 47,881 km earth roads and tracks
Ports:
Luderitz; primary maritime outlet is Walvis Bay (South Africa)
Civil air:
NA major transport aircraft
Airports:
137 total, 112 usable; 21 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways
over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 63 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns, wires
extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; broadcast stations -
4 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV
:Namibia Defense Forces
Branches:
National Defense Force (Army), Police
Manpower availability:
males 15-49, 320,277; 189,997 fit for military service
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 3.4% of GDP (FY 92)