From Africa Recovery, Vol.12#4 (April 1999), page 20 (box within special feature "Namibia: Country in Focus")

Namibia: key dates

1876
Namibia becomes a British colony.

1884
Germany annexes Namibia.

1915
South Africa occupies Namibia during World War I.

1920
League of Nations declares Namibia a mandated territory, to be administered by South Africa on behalf of Britain.

1946
United Nations rejects South Africa's attempt to make Namibia its fifth province.

1950s
The Ovamboland People's Congress, which later becomes the South-West Africa People's Organization (Swapo), emerges and leads the political struggle against South African occupation.

1960s
Swapo launches armed struggle.

1978
The International Court in The Hague declares South Africa's presence in Namibia illegal.

1988
An international agreement is reached for the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola and South African troops from Angola and Namibia, paving the way for independence.

1989
In UN-supervised elections for Constituent Assembly, Swapo wins 57 per cent of the vote. Sam Nujoma appointed President.

1990
Constitution is adopted, effective 12 March 1990, mandating a multiparty democratic system. Independence from South Africa on 21 March.

December 1994
Swapo wins general elections with 74 per cent of the vote. Sam Nujoma directly elected as President.

3 November 1998
Parliament passes the first constitutional amendment to allow President Nujoma to run for a third term.

December 1999
National Assembly elections due.

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