Namibia Travel Guide

Namibia — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Southwest Africa.
Language: English is the official language but is the first language of only 7% of the population. Afrikaans, the lingua franca, is the first language of most of the white population. German, Herero, Kavango, Nama and Ovambo are also spoken.
Area: 824,292 sq km (318,261 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the South African three-pin type (two small round pins over one larger round pin).
Population: 2.11 million (2009).
Population Density: 2.6 per sq km.
Capital City: Windhoek. Population: 300,000 (2009).
Government: Republic. Gained independence from South Africa in 1990.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Nahas Angula since 2005.
Head of State: President Hifikepunye Pohamba since 2005.
Religion: Christian (80 - 90%) and indigenous beliefs (10 - 20%).

Recent History

Namibia's ruling party, SWAPO (the South West Africa People's Organization), has maintained an unbroken majority of over two thirds since 1990, when the country was granted independence from South Africa. In the most recent presidential elections, held in 2004, Hifikepunye Pohamba won a landslide victory. He was inaugurated in March 2005, taking over from Sam Nujoma, Namibia's first president. Pohamba intends to put himself forward for a second term at the next general elections, due to take place in November 2009.

Pohamba has promised to pursue the land reforms formulated before independence and sought by Nujoma. However, the process of redistribution of land from the white minority to previously landless communities is hampered by the fact that the Namibian constitution does not permit land to be seized from landowners unwilling to sell.

Until the global financial crisis, Namibia, whose economy is closely linked to that of South Africa, was enjoying slow but steady economic growth, with tourism becoming an increasingly significant source of revenue. The government is taking steps to tackle the onslaught of HIV/AIDS and improve educational opportunities for ordinary Namibians, around half of whom are subsistence farmers and herders with minimal cash income.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +264.

Mobile Telephone

As Namibia is such a remote country, carrying a mobile phone of some description is definitely sensible. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is limited to urban areas. MTN is the local mobile provider, and it's possible to buy phone cards at petrol stations and general stores.

Internet

There are internet cafés in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Windhoek. Most youth hostels and some game lodges will offer internet services.

Media

Press freedom is provided for by the constitution and largely respected by the government. Opposition views are broadcast.

Post

Good postal service. Airmail to Europe takes approximately four days to two weeks.Mon-Fri 0800-1600; Sat 0830-1200.

Press

• Newspapers are printed Monday to Friday.
• English-language dailies include The Namibian.
• Weeklies include the Windhoek Observer.
• Die Republikein is a daily Afrikaans-language newspaper.
• Allgemeine Zeitung is published daily in German.

Radio

• State-run radio is operated by NBC.
• Private music stations include Radio Kudu, Radio 99 and Radio Energy.
• BBC World Service and Voice of America broadcast on short wave.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
10 Dec International Human Rights Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Family Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Mar Independence Day
21 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Workers’ Day
4 May Cassinga Day
25 May Africa Day
2 Jun Ascension Day
26 Aug Heroes’ Day
10 Dec International Human Rights Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Family Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Mar Independence Day
5 Apr Good Friday
8 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Workers’ Day
4 May Cassinga Day
16 May Ascension Day
25 May Africa Day
26 Aug Heroes’ Day
10 Dec International Human Rights Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Family Day