Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The sad reality is that life is a struggle for the vast majority of Namibians. Unemploy-
ment is high, and the economy remains dependent on the mining industry, and to a lesser
extent fishing and canning. In recent years, tourism has grown considerably throughout
the country, though white Namibians still largely control the industry.
NAMIBIAN SOCIAL STRUCTURES
On a national level, Namibia is still struggling to attain a cohesive identity, and history weighs heavy on the gen-
erations who grew up during the struggle for independence. As a direct and unfortunate result, some formidable
tensions still endure between various social and racial groups.
Although the vast majority of travellers will be greeted with great warmth and curiosity, some people may ex-
perience unpleasant racism or unwarranted hostility - this is not confined to black/white relations, and can affect
travellers of all ethnicities as Namibia's ethnic groups are extremely varied. Acquainting yourself with Namibia's
complex and often turbulent past will hopefully alert you to potentially difficult or awkward situations. Taking
care of basic etiquette like dressing appropriately, greeting people warmly and learning a few words of the local
languages will also stand you in good stead.
Socially, Namibians enjoy a rock-solid sense of community thanks to the clan-based system. Members of your
clan are people you can turn to in times of need. Conversely, if someone from your clan is in trouble, you are ob-
ligated to help, whether that means providing food for someone who is hungry, caring for someone who is sick, or
even adopting an orphaned child in some cases. This inclusiveness also extends to others, and it is not uncommon
for travellers to be asked to participate in a spontaneous game of football or a family meal.
Such an all-embracing social structure also means that the traditional family nucleus is greatly extended. Many
Namibian families will include innumerable aunts and uncles, some of whom might even be referred to as mother
or father. Likewise, cousins and siblings are interchangeable, and in some rural areas, men may have dozens of
children, some of whom they might not even recognise. In fact, it is this fluid system that has enabled families to
deal in some way with the devastation wreaked by the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Women in Namibia
In a culture where male power is mythologised, it's unsurprising that women's rights lag
behind. Even today, it's not uncommon for men to have multiple sexual partners, and until
recently, in cases where husbands abandoned their wives and their children, there was
very little course for redress. Since independence, the Namibian government has been
committed to improving women's rights with bills like the Married Persons Equality Act
(1996), which equalised property rights and gave women rights of custody over their chil-
dren.
Even the government acknowledges that achieving gender equality is more about chan-
ging grassroots attitudes than passing laws, as a survey into domestic violence in 2000 re-
