By: Natasha Pansare

Namibia was first inhabited by several ethnic groups.

Nomadic tribes came under pressure from migrating Bantu tribes, more than 2,300 years ago.

Other migrating groups forced the earliest groups east, toward the Kalahari Desert.

Descendants from the earliest tribes are split into 5 or 6 distinct tribal groups.

These people used to be called San, or “Bushman”, now they prefer to be called by their specific tribal names.

In, 1884, Namibia became a German colony called South West Africa.

Protests from the Damara, Herero, and Nama groups lead to thousands of deaths.

The Herero suffered the most losing almost 60% of their total population, according to many estimates.

Defeated in 1920, Germany lost control over Namibia, during World War I

The League of Nations gave Britain a mandate to prepare South West Africa for independence.

Britain turned the administration over to South Africa.

South Africa put segregation in place and made sure each tribal group stayed in their own “reserve”.

Namibia was now “owned” by South Africa.

Finally, by 1957, the Owambo People’s Organization (OPO) opposed South Africa’s occupation.

OPO soon became known as SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organization).

SWAPO began their opposition with small, isolated attacks.

Eventually the attacks became a large-scale war against South Africa’s Defense Forces.

Under pressure, and losing important battles, South Africa withdrew in the late 1980s.

South Africa kept Walvis Bay until March 1994

Independence was formally recognized on March 21st 1990.

Namibia has hardly any grassland and no cropland.

They have to import their food from other countries.

The hardly have a lot of money to spare so they are running short on food and water.

The land is uneven and the population is very small.

The language spoken are: English, Afrikaans, German, indigenous languages (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama) 1%

1884 1957 1990

Namibia became OPO decided to oppose The formal Namibian

a German Colony called South Africa’s Independence Day

South West Africa opposition

1920 1980s 1994

Germany lost control over The war between The year South Africa

Namibia Namibia and South Africa kept Walvis Bay

ended. until

Namibia has many problems.

Their government is corrupt and many people get bribed to do stuff for other citizens.

Namibia is very unsafe, there are drunks on the road and many crimes going on.

Many people get sick here and die of account of many illnesses.

But, the most severe problem is that there is definitely, NOT enough water to support its population.

I would like to try to solve this problem.

There is only one river in the whole of Namibia.

This river is called Orange River.

It is located on the southern border line of Namibia.

Most people in Namibia do not have access to this water source, so sadly they use ground water which has many contaminants in it.

Some ground water carries deadly illnesses, and when people drink these illnesses the get sick and could possibly die.

If people do not have enough water to drink the will die, this is why water is very important to have.

Problem: Where could we find enough water to support the Namibian population and help the country with its drought problems?

Alternatives: Ground Water

Buy water from Angola or other close by countries

Desalinization

Put chemicals in the clouds to cause rain

Ground Water

Pros: We will have enough water for the whole population. Ground water is very easy to attain.

Cons: The water will be very dirty. It could have chemicals in it. It may also carry harmful dieses. Ground water will eventually run out, it is not a trusty source.

Buy water from Angola or neighboring countries

Pros: Will attain lots of clean, uncontaminated water. This water will be filtered, clean and perfect for washing, and drinking. I you try hard you may be able to get a pretty good bargain on the water as well.

Cons: Angola may not have enough water for themselves. The water we attain will cost a lot of money and money in Namibia is scarce.

Put chemicals in the clouds to cause rain

Pros: Could be and easy source of water, if it works. Lots of rain at a time.

Cons: This method does not always work. It could also produce toxic water, killing wildlife in the process.

Desalinization

Pros: Lots of fresh water to use. This water will not be dirty or salty.

Cons: This method is extremely expensive and Namibia doesn’t even have enough money to buy food for villagers. Also, you have to buy lots of equipment.

Towing Icebergs

Pros: You will get clean water, because icebergs are made of clean, fresh, water. This method will also be the cheapest after you buy the equipment needed because icebergs don’t cost any money.

Cons: This method will take a very long time to be done. The iceberg may melt on its journey to Africa. It is also a very impractical thing to do to get fresh water.

Zambia agreed to give Namibia 110 engineers and in return I will give her 27 doctors.

Angola agreed to give Namibia unlimited access to 3 rivers and will extend the Cubango River to go 50 miles into Namibia, in return Namibia will give Angola 6 doctors.

Zambia agreed to give Namibia 10 pounds of good quality diamonds, each diamond will be 1 carat, in return Namibia will give Zambia 30 doctors.

Namibia decided that buying water from Angola was the best option.

Angola let Namibia have access to the 3 rivers that almost touch the Namibian border, also Angola agreed to extend the Cubango River 50 miles into Namibia.

To make sure the extension gets done properly I traded with Zambia, 27 doctors for 110 engineers.

This deal will insure that the extension of the river will be done properly.

Namibia decided that we should borrow 400,000 dollars from the world bank.

After the river comes through, we could use some of that money to build an irrigation system.

Also, we could grow crops in the fertile soil near the river.

When we sell some of the crops we can get enough money to pay back our debt.

Some of the money will go to hire more teachers and workers.

The workers will produce goods and services and will earn money for our country.

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