International
Capital in Namibia
Dr. Franz J. T. Lee
Executive Member of the „Pan
African International“ and Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the
Technical University College in Darmstadt
in
„Review of International Affairs“,
Vol. XXIV, No. 569, December 20, 1973
In
1883 the wholesale merchant, Adolf Lüderitz, from Bremen bought a part of
Namibia from a Khoikhoin-Chief, Josef Fredericks, for 100 pounds sterling and
200 guns. A year later „South West Africa“ became a colony under the protection
of the German Reich. Till 1913 about 14000 Germans emigrated to Namibia in the
hope of becoming rich within a short period of time. Most of these immigrants
settled down as Karakul-farmers. Between 1884 and 1890, after the Berlin Conference,
the demarcation lines were officially agreed upon, as far as Angola and the
Cape Colony were concerned.
In
1904 the famous rebellion of the Herero-people against German colonialism broke
out. Under Gen. von Trotka reinforcement troops arrived and massacred 78300 of
the 100000 Hereros, then living in Namibia - most of them were shot, others
died of thirst in the semi-desert. The 21700 who outlived this genocide were
then dispossessed of their lands by the German colonial administration. In 1907
the Khoikhoin-peoples rebelled against this Herrenvolk rule and they were
slaughtered by Gen. Deumling in a similar manner. Around 1890 about 20000 Nama
people lived in Namibia, due to this mass destruction policy of the Germans, by
1911 the Nama only numbered officially 9800. Hundreds of Namibian freedom
fighters died in the concentration camps of Swakopmund and Shark Island, near
Luderitzbucht. According to official estimations about 45% of the interned
Namibians died in these camps - about 7700 prisoners. During this period of
rebellion (1904-1911) the German colonialists destroyed the subsistence economy
and one third of the labour power of the African autochthonous.
During
World War I South African troops entered Namibia and occupied the whole
territory in 1915. At the end of the War, in 1918, Namibia was entrusted to the
Union of South Africa as a „C Mandate“ by the League of Nations. More and more
the „native policies“ of South Africa were introduced in Namibia. In 1925 the
white population was granted internal self-government. The African population
was deprived of all human rights. After World War II and the dissolution of the
League of Nations, South Africa continued to administer Namibia as a mandate.
In 1949, after the Boer „Nationalist Party“, after the South African variation
of
Nazism,
carne into power, Namibia was illegally annexed. After many manoeuvres, court
proceedings, gymnastics of international law etc., the United Nations
terminiated the mandate of South Africa on October 27, 1966, declaring that
Namibia was hence-forth the immediate responsibility of the UN. An eleven
member UN Council for Namibia was formed to study means and ways for future
administration. Already in 1968 South Africa did not allow Council members to
enter the territory. In May 1972, after a visit of the UN Secretary-General,
Dr. Waldheim, to Namibia, South Africa agreed to the appointment of a UN
commissioner for Namibia, provided that he had his seat in New York, from where
he could visit the territory and make reports. Thus all legal and peaceful
methods to solve the „Namibian question“ were thwarted by the Republic of South
Africa.
The
economy of Namibia is a mixture of European industries and African subsistence
economy. The industrial sector is dominated by fishing, mining and agriculture.
In the mining industry are engaged the huge companies financed by foreign
capital. The white colonial settlers own huge farms, which are run by cheap
Black labour. In the socalled „homelands“ or „Bantustans“ the Africans live on
the bread line, trying to exist on an anachronistic subsistence economy. The
rich farmlands, the natural resources, the mineral wealth, sea-ports and means
of modern communication are all reserved for the minority of whites. Although
it seldom rains in Namibia, nevertheless the country is suitable for cattle and
sheep farming. Next to fishing, mining is a very important industry. Uranium,
copper, lead, tin, zinc and diamonds belong to the most richest mineral deposits.
The black Namibians, however, by no means profit from this natural wealth. De
Beers Consolidated Mines of S.A. Ltd exploits the diamonds. The Karakul-skins
are sold on auctions in England, the milk products and meat are sent to South
Africa, also the fish are exported by South African controlled firms. In 1965
the gross national income of Namibia was 200.000.000 DM as compared to a total
gross income of about 1.000.000.000 DM.
Since
1965 South Africa did not publish any official economic figures about Namibia
anymore, nevertheless it is sure that foreign capital has concentrated itself
in the mining industry ever since.
The
following international finance companies are engaged in the exploitation of
the wealth of Namibia:
Charter
Consolidated Co. Ltd. of the UK; Consolidated Gold Fields Ltd. of the UK;
Selection Trust Ltd. of the UK; American Metal Climax Inc. of the US; Navarro
Exploitation Co. of the US; Newmont Mining Corp. of the US; Falconbridge
Nickel-Mines of Canada; Anglo-American Corp. of S.A.; De Beers Consolidated
Mines Ltd. of S.A.; Consolidated Diamond Mines Ltd. of SWA; Federale
Volksbeleggings of S.A.; Iron and Steel Corporation of S.A.
The
following international companies are prospecting for oil and other minerals:
British
Petroleum Co. of the UK; Shell Co. of the UK; Chevron Oil of the US; Texaco of
the US; Gulf Oil Co. of the US; H. M. Mining and Exploration Co. of the US;
Phelps Dodge of the US; United States Steel Corp.; Brilund Mines of Canada;
Société Miniere et Métallurgique de Perranoya of France; Societe Nationals de
Petiole d’Aquitaine of France.
These
firms pay large sums of money in form of taxes to the South African government.
In 1970 145.000.000 dollars entered the South African Treasury in Pretoria as
tax from Namibia, the lion’s share came from foreign companies exploiting
Namibia. Mining alone contributes 70% of the national income of Namibia. The
Herero-chief Kapuuo fears that by the time that Namibia has emancipated itself
from foreign rule, all its mineral wealth will have been exploited. Experts
also warn that the intensive exploitation could rob Namibia of its natural
resources within the next 25 years.
The
CDM is by far the greatest foreign investment company in Namibia and at the
same time the biggest producer in the world of jewelry. It monopolises the
diamond industry, the most important mineral resource of Namibia.
5000
African migrant workers, mainly from Ovamboland, are employed by CDM; they earn
an average monthly income of 50 dollars. CDM controls the life of these
workers: when the labourers enter or leave the controlled zones, they are
searched by CDM, to check that they have not swallowed diamonds, they are
regularly X-rayed, they may only use radios with permission of the company,
they cannot use private cars in the controlled areas, at week-ends they can
only use buses of CDM.
Till
2010 CDM has obtained the rights to exploit diamonds in Namibia, in an area
which comprises 200 miles length and 60 miles breadth. Together with Tsumeb
Corporation CDM produces 90% of metal products in Namibia. Of diamonds alone
CDM exploits 95% of the total production - also 80% of the Republic of South
Africa. Alone in 1969 2.034.292 carats of diamonds were won in Namibia, of
which only about 400000 carats were exploited by other firms.
In
1969 the profits of CDM were double the state budget of Namibia. By a profit of
73,9 mill. dollars the dividends paid out were 33,5 mill. dollars - nearly
every cent flowed to South Africa.
This
is just one example of foreign exploitation in Namibia, which means mass
exploitation of the Namibian peoples, forcing them to live on and under the
bread line.
The
results are that the infant mortality rate in Namibia is 35%; 50% of the
Namibian children do not reach the age of six. The average life expectancy is
31 years for Black men, 33 for Black women, 65 for White men and 72 for White
women. To compare: the average for men in the Federal Republic of Germany is
67, for women 72 years.
Although
Namibia comprises an area of 824000 km2, the equivalent of West
Germany and France together, yet its population is less than a million; the
ratio of white to black is 1:7. The black majority only has 100 hospitals, the
white minority 35. In the „homelands“ where the bulk of the population lives,
there are only clinics for Blacks; here a white doctor visits his patients once
a month for about 5 hours. Usually one doctor is available for 5000 to 8000
patients.
From
the statistics we gather the following picture: For the whole of Namibia: 94;
medical doctors Ratio: 1:5400; The police zone: 87; 1:3100, The northern reserves: 7; 1:35700.
In the
Federal Republic of Germany 1 doctor takes care of approx. 680 patients. In
Indonesia we have the same ratio as in the northern reserves of Namibia. In
1970 there were only 4 Black doctors as compared to 90 White doctors in
Namibia. Due to these catastrophic medical services hundreds of Namibians die
annually mainly because of diseases like diphteria and tuberculosis.
At
best the strategy and intrigues of international capital can be demonstrated by
the notorious Cunene River scheme project. The Cunene River forms the northern
border between Angola and Namibia. This project is a cooperation of Portugal
and South Africa in order to consolidate economically „white power“ in Southern
Africa. With this strategy for subjection, it can effectively exploit the
agricultural and mineral resources of Namibia by extensive irrigation and hydro-electricity.
This is just another variety of Cabora Bassa in Mozambique.
The
cost of this imperialist manoeuvre will be 250.000.000 pounds sterling; 27 dams
and power stations, canals, pipelines, power lines, settlements and roads are
to be constructed. This scheme will exclusively serve the benefits of the white
farmers and industrialists in southern Angola and northern and central Namibia.
Over 125000 hectares will become cultivable and another 173000 will be suitable
for ranchland.
Cheap
power will be generated by this scheme, which will at the same time be
complemented by cheap Black labour, guarantees for super-profits in Namibia.
The
Namibian people has a long tradition of struggle against German colonialism and
South African apartheid. The courageous upheaval of the Ovambo, Nama and other
peoples at the end of 1971 demonstrates the revolutionary will of the Namibians
to attain their freedom at all costs.
Since
June 1960, under the leadership of the „South West African People’s
Organisation“ (SWAPO) they are determined to fight with all possible means for
their total emancipation. On August 26, 1966 SWAPO decided to enter the phase
of guerilla warfare. Since then it was supported by freedom fighters on an
international scale. In an interview which I had with Sam Nujoma, the President
of SWAPO, at the airport of Frankfurt on the Main on September 18, 1973, he
formulated the future revolutionary tasks of SWAPO inter alia as follows:
a) to
extend the people’s war from northern Namibia to other parts;
b) to
coordinate the revolutionary struggle in Southern Africa;
c) to
gain maximum medical, financial and military support for the struggle;
d) to
propagate the democratic aims and revolutionary successes of SWAPO on an
international scale; and
e) to
obtain recognition of Namibia as the legal and legitimate possession of all
Namibians.