South West Africa

Quick Facts: Who was South West Africa?

Subject:

South West Africa

Known for:

Former German colony, administered by South Africa, now independent Namibia.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

South West Africa was a territory under South African administration from 1915 to 1990. Renamed Namibia by the United Nations in 1968, once the country became independent the name was formally adopted on 21 March 1990. South West Africa bordered Angola (a Portuguese colony before 1975), Botswana (Bechuanaland before 1966), South Africa, and Zambia (Northern Rhodesia before 1964).

Career & Major Achievements

During its administration, South Africa applied its own apartheid system in the territory of South West Africa. A German colony known as German South West Africa from 1884 to 1915, it was made a League of Nations mandate of the Union of South Africa following Germany's defeat in the First World War. Although the mandate was repealed by the United Nations on 27 October 1966, South African control over the territory continued.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The territory was administered directly by the South African government from 1915 to 1978, when the Turnhalle Constitutional Conference laid the groundwork for semi-autonomous rule. During an interim period between 1978 and 1985, South Africa gradually granted South West Africa a limited form of home rule, culminating in the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1884: 1884 Milestone — A German colony known as German South West Africa from 1884 to 1915, it was made a League of Nations mandate of the Union of South Africa following Germany's defeat in the First World War.
2. 1915: 1915 Milestone — South West Africa was a territory under South African administration from 1915 to 1990.
3. 1966: 1966 Milestone — Although the mandate was repealed by the United Nations on 27 October 1966, South African control over the territory continued.
4. 1968: 1968 Milestone — Renamed Namibia by the United Nations in 1968, once the country became independent the name was formally adopted on 21 March 1990.
5. 1975: 1975 Milestone — South West Africa bordered Angola (a Portuguese colony before 1975), Botswana (Bechuanaland before 1966), South Africa, and Zambia (Northern Rhodesia before 1964).
6. 1978: 1978 Milestone — During an interim period between 1978 and 1985, South Africa gradually granted South West Africa a limited form of home rule, culminating in the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: South West Africa

True or False: “True or False: South West Africa was directly administered by the South African government from 1915 until the UN mandate was repealed in 1966.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While South African control was continuous, the direct administration period was complex, and the UN mandate was repealed in 1966, but control continued until the transition to home rule.

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Frequently Asked Questions about South West Africa