Bibliographical Works on NamibiaNamibia by Stanley Schoeman; Elna Schoeman; The Political Economy of Namibia: AnAnnotated, Critical Bibliography by Tore Linne Eriksen; Richard MoorsomReview by: Jean-Paul PrenticeAfrica Today, Vol. 33, No. 2/3, South Africa, Namibia and Human Rights: The Case forStrengthened Sanctions (2nd Qtr. - 3rd Qtr., 1986), pp. 109-110Published by: Indiana University PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4186366 .

Accessed: 14/06/2014 01:33

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

.

Indiana University Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Africa Today.

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 188.72.126.181 on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 01:33:49 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

Bibliographical Works on Namibia

Jean-Paul Prentice

Stanley Schoeman and Elna Schoeman, NAMIBIA, World Bibliographical Series, Volume 53. (Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio Information Services, 1985) 186 pp. $32.00.

Tore Linne Eriksen with Richard Moorsom. THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF NAMIBIA: An Annotated, Critical Bibliography. Published as Norweigian Policy Studies, No. 50. (Sweden: The Scandinavian Institute of African Studies in cooperation with United Nations Institute for Namibia and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, 1985.) 423 pp., $32.50.

Stanley and Elna Schoeman have included in their compilation a broad range of published works regarding Namibia. Geography, archeology, history, anthropology, economics, religion and politics are but a few of the areas covered. All of the works presented are annotated, but the tenor of the work itself is in no wise critical. For per- sons who desire knowledge of early Namibian history or the physical Namibia, Namibia is a good place to begin.

Many of the works listed in the areas of education, journals and newspapers, cultural life, politics, law and economics are non-critical of the reality in Namibia. Most of the works listed in the "Politics and the International Status Issue" section are by authors who are 'amicable or not critical' of South Africa's military occupation of Namibia. The few works which do provide a critical analysis of the Namibia situation are critically annotated by the authors. Several major books published by American or third world authors are not listed and works published by the United Nations are not presented. Whether or not the brevity of Namibia is a matter of the compilers' choice of relevant works, or whether the purpose of the text is to provide a concise bibliography is a relevant question. Nevertheless, the works presented are notable and current.

Eriksen and Moorsom made a gallant effort to include all major works, published or not, about Namibia. The Political Economy of Namibia is truly impressive in content and arrangement. Works published or prepared by individual authors, govern- ments, inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and inter- national organizations from every continent are presented. The authors have also pro- vided multiple categorization of many works by language, topic area, country and time period, which are excellent tools for the researcher or serious student. This flexibility of use extends to persons desiring information in the areas of corporate business, politics, economics, international law and the role of women.

Several works included in the work have been of primary importance to this writer, namely; the lists of conference papers, theses, addresses, periodical publications and the list of alternative sources of information which is quite extensive. The "Current bibliographies" section is well annotated. Several "in progress" works are also included. Addresses are provided by country and organization subtitle, and an author index is included. Finally, an addenda was incorporated containing notable works which were not available when the text was sent off to print.

Jean-Paul Prentice is a student at the Graduate School of Business, University of Denver, Denver, CO. He co-authored an arti- cle on The Enforcement of the Council for Nambia's Decree No. 1 In U.S. Courts in Africa Today, Vol. 30, Nos. 1 & 2.

2nd/3rd Quarters, 1986 109

This content downloaded from 188.72.126.181 on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 01:33:49 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

Comparatively, Schoeman's Namibia is too brief to be of great biographical value. On the other hand, Eriksen and Moorsomns Political Economy of Namibia includes conference papers, addresses of organizations whose focus is the Namibia subject, and alternative sources of information. The Political Economy of Namibia's ar- rangement provides ease of use and reference, something that is truly lacking in Schoeman's Namibia. Lastly, the annotations in Namibia appear to be written from the South African perception rather than an objective one. The annotations of works not critical of South Africa have a mild tenor in comparison to the annotations of works which are critical of the South African position. Conversely, Eriksen and Moorsom's annotations in the Political Economy of Namibia do not attempt to influence the reader's choice of works to review. Thus, this writer's choice is the very thorough bibliography of Eriksen andMoorsom. The Political Economy of Namibia is cer- tainly one of the best, if not the best, annotated bibliography of Namibia presently available.

That Troublesome Enclave: Namibia's Walvis Bay

Jean-Paul Prentice

Richard Moorsom. WALVIS BAY: Namibia's Port. (London: International Defence & Aid Fund for Southern Africa in cooperation with the United Nations Council for Namibia, 1984.) 93 pp. $1.50.

Walvis Bay is a well written documentary about Namibia's only major port. A concise introduction includes a brief historical account and geographical description of the bay city and its attendant fish resources. From this point on, the writing becomes an in depth analysis. Moorsom discusses the legal status of the territory with regard to South Africa and the international community, and the political and economic con- sequences of continued South African domination. The role of the port in interstate commerce and external trade is shown to be the crux of South Africa's motivation for continued dominance. Several tables portraying the economic impact of the fishing industry to South Africa are provided.

An extensive bibliography is included at the end of the text. The authors conclu- sions are well supported by this documentation, which includes the operative paragraphs of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 32/9 of 4 November 1977 and the full text of Security Council Resolution 432 (1978). Security Council Resolution 432 was adopted unanimously by the General Assembly. In addition, Moorsom also references South African commission reports and periodicals (Financial Mail, Windhoek Observer, etc.), as well as other international periodicals and organization reports.

Although the issues surrounding Walvis Bay are covered in several other works, the issue receives well deserved individual attention by Moorsom, lest it be forgotten in the flood of other issues regarding Southern Africa.

110 Africa Today

This content downloaded from 188.72.126.181 on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 01:33:49 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions