Why the Namibian struggle for independence succeeded by 1990

·         Why the Namibian struggle for independence succeeded by 1990

·          

·         The political events in Namibia led to the emergence of African political movements, which gradually led to independence in March 1990. The success to the struggle can be attributed to the following factors;

·         The formation of nationalist movements like SWANU in 1955, OPO/C 1957 and SWAPO 1960. They acted as vehicles to organize the people and awaken external help to fight against South Africa.

·         The resort to violence, as peaceful legal methods had failed. This forced them to use militant methods, which proved more successful for instance; organizations were formed to carryout guerrilla warfare. In 1966, 1968 and 1980-s attacks were carried out on South African bases in Namibia.

·         International pressure for instance in 1971 the Court of Justice of the UNO ruled that South Africa should end her occupation of Namibia. These undermined her grip over Namibia until independence was achieved in 1990. It even imposed sanctions on the racist South African regime.

·         Constant pressure from leading African states and the determination of the mass of nationalists in Namibia for years. With this and the coming to power of F.W. De'Klerk helped her independence who lessened his policies in Namibia.

·         The determination and loyalty of those struggling helped the Namibians to victory over every obstacle on their way to independence and freedom. In the words of Ja-Toivo while on a treason trial in 1968, he said; "Only when we are granted our independence will the struggle stop; only when our dignity is restored to us as equals to the whites will there be peace between us ".

·         In 1960 the OPO became SWAPO, which encouraged the South West Africans to join together no matter what race or colour.

·         The ruthless South African rule for instance the 1971 suppression of a general strike and the consequent terror strengthened the Namibian struggle. By 1976 guerrilla war training in Angola increased external support of SWAPO.

·         The OAU also recognized SWAPO and arms were given by member states to SWAPO guerrilla’s during the struggle.

·         The continued pressure of the South African government for the pull out of Cuban troops in Angola estimated at 15,000 and 20,000 resulted also in the South African pull out of Namibia and there after independence was granted.

·         While Namibia was struggling for its independence, in South Africa, there was a series of unrest by the blacks in protest against apartheid. Such problems diverted attention of South Africa from Namibia. Afterwards independence was granted to handle the internal problems of South Africa

·         The dynamic charismatic and competent leadership of Sam Nujorna. He was determined for the independence of Namibia.

·         The efficient organization of SWAPO as a liberation movement which operated within Namibia, Angola, Russia and other front line states.

·         The breakup of the alliance between Zimbabwe, Portugal and South Africa. This dug a political drive for South Africa out of Namibia.

·         The relaxation of cold war politics, which was an ideological conflict between the East commanded by Russia and the western powers seconded by USA. These powers supported decolonization of Namibia.

·         The independence of neighboring states like Mozambique and Angola through armed struggle.

·         The external support SW APO got from the communist states who trained guerrillas like USSR, China, Cuba, Korea; others were Zambia, Algeria and Tanzania which strengthened SW APO.

·         The resort to violence or armed struggle and guerrilla warfare with massive tactics of hit and run from 28th August 1966.