--- title: Namibia — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 4 description: Wikipedia's «Namibia», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/4/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Namibia # Namibia · page 4 From Wikipedia, [«Namibia»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/3/) **4** [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/5/) About 4,000 commercial farmers own almost half of Namibia's arable land.[\[156\]](../../page/5/#ref-156 "note 156")[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") The United Kingdom offered about $180,000 in 2004 to help finance Namibia's [land reform](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_reform) process, as Namibia plans to start expropriating land from white farmers to resettle landless black Namibians.[\[157\]](../../page/5/#ref-157 "note 157")[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") Germany has offered €1.1bn in 2021 over 30 years in reparations for the genocides in the early 20th century but the money will go towards infrastructure, healthcare and training programmes not land reform.[\[158\]](../../page/5/#ref-158 "note 158")[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") An agreement has been reached on the [privatisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privatisation) of several more enterprises in coming years, with hopes that this will stimulate much needed foreign investment, but reinvestment of environmentally derived capital has hobbled Namibian per capita income.[\[159\]](../../page/5/#ref-159 "note 159")[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") One of the fastest growing areas of economic development in Namibia is the growth of [wildlife conservancies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communal_Wildlife_Conservancies_in_Namibia).[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Mining and electricity Main article: [Mining in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Namibia) Providing 25% of Namibia's revenue, mining is the single most important contributor to the economy.[\[160\]](../../page/5/#ref-160 "note 160")[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") Namibia is the fourth largest exporter of non-fuel minerals in Africa and was the world's fourth largest producer of [uranium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium).[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") There have been significant investment in [uranium mining](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium_mining) and Namibia planned to become the largest exporter of uranium by 2015.[\[161\]](../../page/5/#ref-161 "note 161")[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") However, as of 2019 Namibia continued to produce 750 tons of uranium annually making it a smaller than average exporter in the competitive world market.[\[162\]](../../page/5/#ref-162 "note 162")[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") Rich [alluvial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alluvium) diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds.[\[163\]](../../page/5/#ref-163 "note 163")[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") While Namibia is known predominantly for its gem diamond and uranium deposits, a number of other minerals are extracted industrially such as [lead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead), [tungsten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungsten), [gold](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold), [tin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin), [fluorspar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorspar), [manganese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manganese), [marble](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marble), [copper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper) and [zinc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc).[285](../../285/ "tree and pragmatics") Country's gold production in 2015 was 6 metric tons.[\[164\]](../../page/5/#ref-164 "note 164")[286](../../286/ "tree and pragmatics") There are offshore gas deposits in the Atlantic Ocean that are planned to be extracted in the future.[\[165\]](../../page/5/#ref-165 "note 165")[287](../../287/ "tree and pragmatics") According to "The Diamond Investigation", a book about the global diamond market, from 1978, [De Beers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Beers), the largest diamond company, bought most of the Namibian diamonds, and would continue to do so, because "whatever government eventually comes to power they will need this revenue to survive".[\[166\]](../../page/5/#ref-166 "note 166")[288](../../288/ "tree and pragmatics") Although much of the world's diamond supply comes from what have been called African [blood diamonds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_diamonds), Namibia has managed to develop a diamond mining industry largely free of the kinds of conflict, extortion, and murder that have plagued many other African nations with diamond mines.[289](../../289/ "tree and pragmatics") This has been attributed to political dynamics, economic institutions, grievances, political geography, and the effects of neighbourhoods, and is the result of a joint agreement between the government and [De Beers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Beers) that has led to a taxable base, strengthening state institutions.[\[167\]](../../page/5/#ref-167 "note 167")[290](../../290/ "tree and pragmatics") Estimates updated in 2022 suggest that two exploration wells in the offshore Orange Basin could hold 2 and 3 billion barrels of oil, respectively.[291](../../291/ "tree and pragmatics") The expected revenue could transform Namibia's domestic economy and facilitate sustainable development goals.[\[168\]](../../page/5/#ref-168 "note 168")[292](../../292/ "tree and pragmatics") Domestic supply voltage is 220 V AC.[293](../../293/ "tree and pragmatics") Electricity is generated mainly by thermal and hydroelectric power plants.[294](../../294/ "tree and pragmatics") Non-conventional methods of electricity generation also play some role.[295](../../295/ "tree and pragmatics") Encouraged by the rich uranium deposits, in 2010 the Namibian government planned to erect its first nuclear power station by 2018.[296](../../296/ "tree and pragmatics") Uranium enrichment was also envisaged to take place locally.[\[169\]](../../page/5/#ref-169 "note 169")[297](../../297/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Tourism Main article: [Tourism in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Namibia) Tourism is a major contributor (14.5%) to Namibia's GDP, creating tens of thousands of jobs (18.2% of all employment) directly or indirectly and servicing over a million tourists per year.[\[170\]](../../page/5/#ref-170 "note 170")[298](../../298/ "tree and pragmatics") The country is a prime destination in Africa and is known for [ecotourism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism), which features [Namibia's extensive wildlife](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_of_Namibia).[\[171\]](../../page/5/#ref-171 "note 171")[299](../../299/ "tree and pragmatics") There are many lodges and reserves to accommodate ecotourists.[300](../../300/ "tree and pragmatics") Sport and [trophy hunting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trophy_hunting) is also a large and growing component of the Namibian economy, accounting for 14% of total tourism in the year 2000, or 19.6 million U.S. dollars, with Namibia boasting numerous species sought after by international sport hunters.[\[172\]](../../page/5/#ref-172 "note 172")[301](../../301/ "tree and pragmatics") In addition, extreme sports such as [sandboarding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandboarding), [skydiving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skydiving) and 4x4ing have become popular, and many cities have companies that provide tours.[302](../../302/ "tree and pragmatics") The most visited places include the capital city of [Windhoek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windhoek) [corpus](../../../Windhoek/ "in our corpus"), [Caprivi Strip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caprivi_Strip), [Fish River Canyon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_River_Canyon), [Sossusvlei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sossusvlei), the [Skeleton Coast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeleton_Coast) Park, [Sesriem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesriem), [Etosha Pan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etosha_Pan) and the coastal towns of [Swakopmund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swakopmund), [Walvis Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walvis_Bay) and [Lüderitz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lüderitz).[\[173\]](../../page/5/#ref-173 "note 173")[303](../../303/ "tree and pragmatics") Windhoek plays a very important role in Namibia's tourism due to its central location and close proximity to [Hosea Kutako International Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosea_Kutako_International_Airport).[304](../../304/ "tree and pragmatics") According to The Namibia Tourism Exit Survey, which was produced by the [Millennium Challenge Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Challenge_Corporation) for the Namibian Directorate of Tourism, 56% of all tourists visiting Namibia in 2012–13 visited Windhoek.[\[174\]](../../page/5/#ref-174 "note 174")[305](../../305/ "tree and pragmatics") Many of Namibia's tourism related parastatals and governing bodies such as Namibia Wildlife Resorts and the [Namibia Tourism Board](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia_Tourism_Board) as well as Namibia's tourism-related [trade associations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_association) such as the [Hospitality Association of Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitality_Association_of_Namibia) are headquartered in Windhoek.[\[175\]](../../page/5/#ref-175 "note 175")[306](../../306/ "tree and pragmatics") There are also a number of notable hotels in Windhoek, such as [Windhoek Country Club Resort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windhoek_Country_Club_Resort), and some international hotel chains, such as [Hilton Hotels and Resorts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilton_Hotels_&_Resorts).[307](../../307/ "tree and pragmatics") Namibia's primary tourism related governing body, the [Namibia Tourism Board](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia_Tourism_Board) (NTB), was established by an Act of Parliament: the Namibia Tourism Board Act, 2000 (Act 21 of 2000).[308](../../308/ "tree and pragmatics") Its primary objectives are to regulate the tourism industry and to market Namibia as a tourist destination.[\[176\]](../../page/5/#ref-176 "note 176")[309](../../309/ "tree and pragmatics") There are also a number of [trade associations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_association) that represent the tourism sector in Namibia, such as the Federation of Namibia Tourism Associations (the umbrella body for all tourism associations in Namibia), the [Hospitality Association of Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitality_Association_of_Namibia), the Association of Namibian Travel Agents, Car Rental Association of Namibia and the Tour and Safari Association of Namibia.[\[177\]](../../page/5/#ref-177 "note 177")[310](../../310/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Water supply and sanitation Main article: [Water supply and sanitation in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Namibia) The only bulk water supplier in Namibia is [NamWater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NamWater), which sells it to the respective municipalities which in turn deliver it through their reticulation networks.[\[178\]](../../page/5/#ref-178 "note 178")[311](../../311/ "tree and pragmatics") In rural areas, the directorate of Rural Water Supply in the [Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Agriculture_%28Namibia%29) is in charge of drinking water supply.[\[178\]](../../page/5/#ref-178 "note 178")[312](../../312/ "tree and pragmatics") The [UN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations) evaluated in 2011 that Namibia has improved its water access network significantly since independence in 1990.[313](../../313/ "tree and pragmatics") A large part of the population can not, however, make use of these resources due to the prohibitively high consumption cost and the long distance between residences and water points in rural areas.[\[178\]](../../page/5/#ref-178 "note 178")[314](../../314/ "tree and pragmatics") As a result, many Namibians prefer the traditional wells over the available water points far away.[\[179\]](../../page/5/#ref-179 "note 179")[315](../../315/ "tree and pragmatics") Compared to the efforts made to improve access to safe water, Namibia is lagging behind in the provision of adequate sanitation.[\[180\]](../../page/5/#ref-180 "note 180")[316](../../316/ "tree and pragmatics") This includes 298 schools that have no toilet facilities.[\[181\]](../../page/5/#ref-181 "note 181")[317](../../317/ "tree and pragmatics") Over 50% of child deaths are related to lack of water, sanitation, or hygiene; 23% are due to diarrhea alone.[318](../../318/ "tree and pragmatics") The UN has identified a "sanitation crisis" in the country.[\[179\]](../../page/5/#ref-179 "note 179")[319](../../319/ "tree and pragmatics") Apart from residences for upper and middle class households, sanitation is insufficient in most residential areas.[320](../../320/ "tree and pragmatics") Private flush toilets are too expensive for virtually all residents in [townships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Township) due to their water consumption and installation cost.[321](../../321/ "tree and pragmatics") As a result, access to [improved sanitation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improved_sanitation) has not increased much since independence: in Namibia's rural areas 13% of the population had more than basic sanitation, up from 8% in 1990.[322](../../322/ "tree and pragmatics") Many of Namibia's inhabitants have to resort to "flying toilets", plastic bags to defecate into, which after use are flung into the bush.[\[182\]](../../page/5/#ref-182 "note 182")[323](../../323/ "tree and pragmatics") The use of open areas close to residential land for urination and defecation is very common[\[183\]](../../page/5/#ref-183 "note 183") and has been identified as a major [health hazard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_in_Namibia).[\[181\]](../../page/5/#ref-181 "note 181")[324](../../324/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Demographics Main article: [Demographics of Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Namibia) Namibia has the second-[lowest population density](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population_density) of any sovereign country, after [Mongolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia) [corpus](../../../Mongolia/ "in our corpus"), as well as having the lowest population density of any sovereign country with a coastline.[\[184\]](../../page/5/#ref-184 "note 184")[325](../../325/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2017 there were on average 3.08 people per km2.[\[185\]](../../page/5/#ref-185 "note 185")[326](../../326/ "tree and pragmatics") The [total fertility rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_fertility_rate) in 2015 was 3.47 children per woman according to the UN which is lower than the average TFR in sub-Saharan Africa of 4.7.[\[186\]](../../page/5/#ref-186 "note 186")[327](../../327/ "tree and pragmatics") Namibia conducts a census every ten years.[328](../../328/ "tree and pragmatics") After independence the first Population and Housing Census was carried out in 1991; further rounds followed in 2001, 2011, and 2023 (delayed two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and financial constraints).[\[187\]](../../page/5/#ref-187 "note 187")[329](../../329/ "tree and pragmatics") The data collection method is to count every person resident in Namibia on the census reference night, wherever they happen to be.[330](../../330/ "tree and pragmatics") This is called the de facto method.[\[188\]](../../page/5/#ref-188 "note 188")[331](../../331/ "tree and pragmatics") For enumeration purposes the country is demarcated into 4,042 enumeration areas.[332](../../332/ "tree and pragmatics") These areas do not overlap with constituency boundaries to get reliable data for election purposes as well.[\[189\]](../../page/5/#ref-189 "note 189")[333](../../333/ "tree and pragmatics") The 2011 Population and Housing Census counted 2,113,077 inhabitants.[334](../../334/ "tree and pragmatics") Between 2001 and 2011 the annual population growth was 1.4%, down from 2.6% in the previous ten-year period.[\[190\]](../../page/5/#ref-190 "note 190")[335](../../335/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2023, the [Namibia Statistics Agency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia_Statistics_Agency) conducted another census, which counted 3,022,401 inhabitants.[\[191\]](../../page/5/#ref-191 "note 191")[336](../../336/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Ethnic groups Namibia has many ethnic groups.[\[3\]](../../page/5/#ref-3 "note 3")[337](../../337/ "tree and pragmatics") The majority of the Namibian population is made of [Bantu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantu_peoples) and [Khoisan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khoisan) peoples.[338](../../338/ "tree and pragmatics") The Bantu groups include the [Owambo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owambo_people), [Herero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herero_people), [Kavango](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kavango_people), [Lozi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lozi_people), [Tswana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people) and [Himba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himba_people) peoples.[339](../../339/ "tree and pragmatics") The Khoisan groups encompass the [Damara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damara_people), [Nama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nama_people), and [San](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_people) peoples.[340](../../340/ "tree and pragmatics") There is also a mixed ancestry population consisting of [Coloureds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coloured_people_in_Namibia) (2.1%) and [Basters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basters) (1.5%).[\[3\]](../../page/5/#ref-3 "note 3")[341](../../341/ "tree and pragmatics") There is a substantial [Chinese minority in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_people_in_Namibia); it stood at 40,000 in 2006.[\[192\]](../../page/5/#ref-192 "note 192")[342](../../342/ "tree and pragmatics") [Whites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Namibians) (being mainly of [Afrikaner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikaner_people), German, British and [Portuguese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_diaspora) origin) make up 1.8% of the population.[343](../../343/ "tree and pragmatics") Although their proportion of the population decreased after [independence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_Namibia) due to emigration and lower birth rates, they still form the second-largest population of [European ancestry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_groups_in_Europe), both in terms of percentage and actual numbers, in [Sub-Saharan Africa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-Saharan_Africa) (after South Africa).[\[3\]](../../page/5/#ref-3 "note 3")[344](../../344/ "tree and pragmatics") The majority of [Namibian whites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Namibians) and nearly all those who are of [mixed race](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basters) speak [Afrikaans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikaans) and share similar origins, culture, and religion as the white and coloured populations of South Africa.[345](../../345/ "tree and pragmatics") A large minority of whites (around 30,000) trace their family origins back to the [German](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Namibians) settlers who colonised Namibia prior to the South African invasion during the First World War, and they maintain German cultural and educational institutions.[346](../../346/ "tree and pragmatics") Nearly all Portuguese settlers came to the country from the former [Portuguese colony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_West_Africa) of Angola.[\[193\]](../../page/5/#ref-193 "note 193")[347](../../347/ "tree and pragmatics") The 1960 census reported 526,004 persons in what was then South West Africa, including 73,464 whites (14%).[\[194\]](../../page/5/#ref-194 "note 194")[348](../../348/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Education Main article: [Education in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Namibia) See also: [List of schools in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_schools_in_Namibia) Namibia has free education for both primary and secondary education levels.[349](../../349/ "tree and pragmatics") Grades 1–7 are primary level, grades 8–12 are secondary.[350](../../350/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1998, there were 400,325 Namibian students in primary school and 115,237 students in secondary schools.[351](../../351/ "tree and pragmatics") The pupil-teacher ratio in 1999 was estimated at 32:1, with about 8% of the GDP being spent on education.[352](../../352/ "tree and pragmatics") Curriculum development, educational research, and professional development of teachers is centrally organised by the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) in Okahandja.[\[195\]](../../page/5/#ref-195 "note 195")[353](../../353/ "tree and pragmatics") Among sub-Saharan African countries, Namibia has one of the highest literacy rates.[\[196\]](../../page/5/#ref-196 "note 196")[354](../../354/ "tree and pragmatics") According to [CIA World Factbook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIA_World_Factbook), as of 2018 91.5% of the population age 15 and over can read and write.[\[196\]](../../page/5/#ref-196 "note 196")[355](../../355/ "tree and pragmatics") Most schools in Namibia are state-run, but there are some private schools, which are also part of the country's education system.[356](../../356/ "tree and pragmatics") There are four teacher training universities, three colleges of agriculture, a police training college, and three universities: [University of Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Namibia) (UNAM), [International University of Management](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_University_of_Management) (IUM) and [Namibia University of Science and Technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia_University_of_Science_and_Technology) (NUST).[357](../../357/ "tree and pragmatics") Namibia was ranked 91st in the [Global Innovation Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Innovation_Index) in 2025.[\[197\]](../../page/5/#ref-197 "note 197")[\[198\]](../../page/5/#ref-198 "note 198")[358](../../358/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Religion Main article: [Religion in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Namibia) The Christian community makes up 80%–90% of the population of Namibia, with at least 75% being [Protestant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant), of which at least 50% are [Lutheran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheranism).[359](../../359/ "tree and pragmatics") Lutherans are the largest religious group, a legacy of the German and [Finnish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland) [corpus](../../../Finland/ "in our corpus") missionary work during the country's colonial times.[\[32\]](../../page/5/#ref-32 "note 32")[360](../../360/ "tree and pragmatics") 10%–20% of the population hold [indigenous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples) beliefs.[\[199\]](../../page/5/#ref-199 "note 199")[361](../../361/ "tree and pragmatics") Missionary activities during the second half of the 19th century resulted in many Namibians converting to Christianity.[362](../../362/ "tree and pragmatics") Today most Christians are [Lutheran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheran), but there also are [Roman Catholic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic), [Methodist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodism), [Anglican](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglicanism), [African Methodist Episcopal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Methodist_Episcopal_Church), and [Dutch Reformed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Reformed_Church).[363](../../363/ "tree and pragmatics") [Islam in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Namibia) is subscribed to by about 9,000 people,[\[200\]](../../page/5/#ref-200 "note 200") many of them Nama.[\[201\]](../../page/5/#ref-201 "note 201")[364](../../364/ "tree and pragmatics") Namibia is home to a small [Jewish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism) [community](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Namibia) of about 100 people.[\[202\]](../../page/5/#ref-202 "note 202")[365](../../365/ "tree and pragmatics") Groups such as the [Latter-day Saints](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints) and [Jehovah's Witnesses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses) are also present in the country.[366](../../366/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Languages Main article: [Languages of Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Namibia) The majority of Namibians can speak and understand English.[367](../../367/ "tree and pragmatics") Up to 1990, English, [German](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_language_in_Namibia), and [Afrikaans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikaans) were official languages.[368](../../368/ "tree and pragmatics") Long before Namibia's independence from South Africa, SWAPO was of the opinion that the country should become officially monolingual, choosing this approach in contrast to that of its neighbour South Africa (which granted [all 12 of its major languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_South_Africa) official status), which it saw as "a deliberate policy of ethnolinguistic fragmentation."[\[203\]](../../page/5/#ref-203 "note 203")[369](../../369/ "tree and pragmatics") Consequently, SWAPO instituted English as Namibia's sole official language, though only 2.3% of the population speaks it as a home language, but understood by most generally.[370](../../370/ "tree and pragmatics") Its implementation is focused on the civil service, education and the broadcasting system, especially the state broadcaster NBC.[\[204\]](../../page/5/#ref-204 "note 204")[371](../../371/ "tree and pragmatics") Some other languages have received semi-official recognition by being allowed as medium of instruction in primary schools.[372](../../372/ "tree and pragmatics") Private schools are expected to follow the same policy as state schools, and "English language" is a compulsory subject.[\[204\]](../../page/5/#ref-204 "note 204")[373](../../373/ "tree and pragmatics") Some critics argue that, as in other postcolonial African societies, the push for monolingual instruction and policy has resulted in a high rate of school drop-outs and of individuals whose academic competence in any language is low.[\[205\]](../../page/5/#ref-205 "note 205")[374](../../374/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/3/) **4** [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/5/) - ← previous: [page 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/3/) - next →: [page 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Namibia/page/5/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)