Development Africa

Ethnicity, Ethnic Relations and Inequality in Namibia

Contact Dr. LeBeau Spence

Dr. Debie LeBeau Spence did her Master's thesis on ethnicity and ethnic stereotyping in post-independent Namibia. "World events of the 1990's have shown that no matter how repressive a government may be, and no matter how long ethnic identities may be erased by governmental decree, ethnic identities have a way of not going away. That apartheid policies of separate development misused ethnic group as a tool to exploit people is widely accepted. But with Namibian Independence and the removal of apartheid policies, for as long as 10 years during the interim pre-independence era, ethnic identities have not and will not go away" (Pendleton in LeBeau 1991). My ethnic stereotypes book available on this page examines the strength of ethnic stereotypes and ethnic relations at the time of Namibian Independence.

This statement is as true today as it was in 1991. Apartheid is gone, all ethnic people's in Namibia have the right to pursue their dreams, but as an article below will show, the rich have gotten richer and the poor have gotten poorer. There has been an enormous development push over Namibia's almost 20 years of Independence and there is ethnic and racial mixing that was not allowed under apartheid, but for many people, especially the poorest and those in the remote rural areas, life is a daily struggle to survive - and these are the same groups of people who were struggling 20 years ago.

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HIV and AIDS in Africa

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Gender Training and Research Programme (GTRP/ UNAM)

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In 1990 many stereotypes centered around the type of work people did. Under Apartheid many people were not allowed to work in certain positions. In this picture, taken in 2005, an african woman manages her staff. Under apartheid an african woman would not have been allowed in a management position.

The terms african, white, and coloured are not capitalized because they are used in this discussion to refer to 'racial' categorizations and not ethnic groups. There is a controversy today as to what constitutes an 'african' because many whites of European ancestry who were born on the continent contend they are 'africans' as well.

Dr Debie LeBeau with Owambo friends friends and colleagues

Under apartheid, whites were not allowed in the previously defined 'african homelands' (also referred to under apartheid as 'Bantu stands'). With Independence, any one who wants can visit friends and colleagues in the rural areas where the majority of africans live.

Mixed group party friends share time with new baby
In fact, people of different 'races' were not allowed to socialize under apartheid. They would have arrested me back then since the pictures above were taken at my wedding party in Namibia in 2005. Although ethnic and racial tensions still exist, the legal ability to have 'mixed' social gatherings means that when people get together they begin the process of breaking down stereotypes. A wedding is a time to celebrate and a new baby, is after all, cute.

Click here to go to my 1991 version of Ethnic Stereotypes in Namibia

Windhoek's Central Business District is the heart of Namibia's business and political life.

Church Development Group in Walvis Bay Development is an ongoing process in Katutura There are many development projects throughout Namibia. Participants, whether Namibian or foreigner, work for a better life for all Namibian. Development in Katutura (the poorest suburb of Windhoek) is an ongoing process.

A typical house in an upper class neighbourhood the poorest of households Many Namibian's live in middle to upper class homes, while the majority of Namibia's live in poverty. These pictures show the difference between an upper class home and the poorest of Namibian households.

Click here to go to a IPPR Report on Poverty and Inequality in Namibia

For other publications not found on this website go to:
http://unam-na.academia.edu/DebieLeBeauSpence

Contact Dr. Debie LeBeau
For further information and copies of publications contact:

By Phone or email:                                By Surface Mail:
                                                                         Debie LeBeau
PHONE: +1-915-988-2550                                      Silver Fern Ranch
EMAIL: lebeau@developmentafrica.com                   55013-B 62/180 HWY
                          or                                                       El Paso, Tx 79938
           dr_lebeau@yahoo.com (dr_lebeau)