The Occupation of Namibia

The Occupation of Namibia analyzes the historical factors that led to the initial occupation of Namibia by South Africa in 1915, and explores the diplomatic and legal arguments used to justify this occupation. The author offers a unique perspective on Namibian history that has been ignored by both apologists for South Africa as well as by critics of white minority rule. While most studies concentrate on whether the United Nations had the legal authority to assume responsibility over the mandate for Namibia, this book argues that there were British colonial regulations that took precedence over any claim by South Africa to possess the Namibian mandate independently of Britain or the U.N. This study documents how South Africa attempted to remove British influence from Namibia, and how Namibian history was falsified by South Africans to justify their rule over Namibia. This analysis promises to influence the nature of the negotiations that will occur between an independent Namibian government and the republic of South Africa over the future status of Walvis Bay, Namibia's primary port, which remains under South African occupation.