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Namibia learns hard lessons of independence

Ten years ago, Namibians learnt the results of elections that led to the territory's independence from South Africa.

There were unprecedented scenes of celebration when the Swapo liberation movement at the last moment overtook what was seen as the colonial party, the DTA.

The elections also marked a turning point for southern Africa as a whole.

Swapo supporters poured into the streets to celebrate news of their victory. There was huge excitement.

People had walked great distances and queued for hours in blistering heat for the chance - in most cases their first - to vote.

Formal independence did not come for another four months, but Namibians felt that the elections had set them free.

South Africa agreed to give up Namibia as part of a regional peace accord involving the withdrawal of Cuban forces from Angola.

This reflected the end of the Cold War and the use of Africa as a proxy battleground by the superpowers.

It amounted to a second wind of change for the region.

Nelson Mandela was released from jail three months later, paving the way for the end of white minority rule in South Africa.

And within five years, United Nations-supervised elections had ended the civil wars in Mozambique and, briefly, in Angola.

Disappointments

But not all Namibians feel they have much to celebrate today.

Theo-Ben Gurirab, foreign minister since independence, says there have "disappointments, mainly in the area of job creation".

"But you don't see any demonstrations on the streets of any of our major towns, you don't see Namibians leaving the country for jobs elsewhere.

"And that is the barometer - that, while we have not met our own targets, we have not done too badly either."

Until recently, most people would have agreed. Namibia has at least been relatively peaceful.

But indignation over official corruption is growing and the army's involvement in the Congo war is unpopular.

A once-close ally of President Sam Nujoma has set up a rival party to contest next month's elections.

It is the greatest challenge to Swapo's rule in a decade.

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