Editing Namibia (section)

== Early history and colonial period ==

The territory of present-day Namibia has been inhabited by several communities, including Khoisan-speaking peoples, Damara, Herero, Nama, Ovambo, Kavango, Caprivian, and other groups. Local societies developed pastoral, agricultural, trading, and clan-based systems before European colonial rule.

In the late 19th century, the region became German South West Africa. German colonial rule was marked by land seizure, settler administration, racial hierarchy, forced labor, and violent repression. After the First World War, [[South Africa]] took control of the territory under a mandate system and later continued to administer it despite growing international opposition.

South African rule introduced apartheid-based administration, racial segregation, labor controls, and political restrictions. Namibian independence movements grew during the 20th century, with [[SWAPO]] becoming the main liberation movement. Namibia achieved independence on 21 March 1990.