Contract worker system was used by mining and industrial companies in Namibia in order to earn huge profits. This enabled the companies to employ workers under inhuman conditions, paying them rock bottom wages. By the 1950s, Namibian workers, mainly from the north of the country were employed in Namibia itself and even in South Africa.
Ovamboland People’s Congress
In 1957, some Namibian workers in Cape Town formed the Ovamboland People’s Congress (OPC). The leader and the primary organizer of the congress was Andimba Toivo ya Toivo. He worked as a gold miner and a railway worker while in South Africa.
The OPC campaigned on behalf of the Namibian migrant workers. It had close ties with the ANC and also received support from the communists and liberals. Toivo ya Toivo was able to send a taped message to the United Nations informing the international body about the living and working conditions of the migrant workers. The South African regime responded by deporting him back to Namibia, where he continued his political activities.
Ovamboland People’s Organization and the Birth of SWAPO
In 1959, Ovamboland People’s Organization (OPO), the forerunner of the SWAPO was formed in Namibia. Despite the name, it fought for the whole Namibian people. In effect, it was the OPC itself being established inside Namibia. The first president of the OPO was Sam Nujoma. The OPO campaigned among contract workers and set up branches in towns, factories, mines and other places throughout Namibia.
However, within a short period of time, the leaders of the OPO realized that trade unionist activism was insufficient to liberate the Namibians from South African oppression. An overall political change, in other words, independence from South Africa, was required. Therefore, they joined with some similar minded groups to form the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) on April 19, 1960, with Nujoma as the first president.
Other Namibian Groups
However, SWAPO was not the first organization to advocate national independence. For instance, the South West Africa Student Body (SWASB) was started by Namibian students returning from their studies in South Africa. The South West Africa Progressive Association (SWAPA) was largely a cultural organization which published the first black peoples’ newspaper in Namibia, South West News. Furthermore, in 1959, the SWAPA gave birth to what can be termed as the first political party in Namibia, South West Africa National Union (SWANU). This party was a radical organization strongly advocating independence.
SWAPO becomes the Sole Representative of Namibian People
However, SWANU was not as popular or widespread as SWAPO. Based in Windhoek, its membership never reached beyond a few hundreds. When SWAPO launched their armed struggle in 1966, SWANU lost many of its members and became politically insignificant, although the party is still active in Namibia.
After 1966, the Namibian independence struggle was led by SWAPO. In early 1970s, the UN General Assembly declared the SWAPO to be an authentic representative of the Namibian people. Soon, SWAPO was declared to be the sole authentic representative of Namibian people. It became an observer or even full member in international organizations.
Author Sunil S.
Ovamboland People’s Congress
In 1957, some Namibian workers in Cape Town formed the Ovamboland People’s Congress (OPC). The leader and the primary organizer of the congress was Andimba Toivo ya Toivo. He worked as a gold miner and a railway worker while in South Africa.
The OPC campaigned on behalf of the Namibian migrant workers. It had close ties with the ANC and also received support from the communists and liberals. Toivo ya Toivo was able to send a taped message to the United Nations informing the international body about the living and working conditions of the migrant workers. The South African regime responded by deporting him back to Namibia, where he continued his political activities.
Ovamboland People’s Organization and the Birth of SWAPO
In 1959, Ovamboland People’s Organization (OPO), the forerunner of the SWAPO was formed in Namibia. Despite the name, it fought for the whole Namibian people. In effect, it was the OPC itself being established inside Namibia. The first president of the OPO was Sam Nujoma. The OPO campaigned among contract workers and set up branches in towns, factories, mines and other places throughout Namibia.
However, within a short period of time, the leaders of the OPO realized that trade unionist activism was insufficient to liberate the Namibians from South African oppression. An overall political change, in other words, independence from South Africa, was required. Therefore, they joined with some similar minded groups to form the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) on April 19, 1960, with Nujoma as the first president.
Other Namibian Groups
However, SWAPO was not the first organization to advocate national independence. For instance, the South West Africa Student Body (SWASB) was started by Namibian students returning from their studies in South Africa. The South West Africa Progressive Association (SWAPA) was largely a cultural organization which published the first black peoples’ newspaper in Namibia, South West News. Furthermore, in 1959, the SWAPA gave birth to what can be termed as the first political party in Namibia, South West Africa National Union (SWANU). This party was a radical organization strongly advocating independence.
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SWAPO becomes the Sole Representative of Namibian People
However, SWANU was not as popular or widespread as SWAPO. Based in Windhoek, its membership never reached beyond a few hundreds. When SWAPO launched their armed struggle in 1966, SWANU lost many of its members and became politically insignificant, although the party is still active in Namibia.
After 1966, the Namibian independence struggle was led by SWAPO. In early 1970s, the UN General Assembly declared the SWAPO to be an authentic representative of the Namibian people. Soon, SWAPO was declared to be the sole authentic representative of Namibian people. It became an observer or even full member in international organizations.
Author Sunil S.
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