A Namibia Geography Lesson: In Namibia, townships are made up of towns and locations. A reasonable comparison in America would be a city made up of suburbs and ghettos, not exactly the same but close enough. Each township has a town which is usually located very close to downtown shopping, businesses, etc. Each town has locations which are usually further away from the centre of town. You could say it is the opposite of some American cities where the ghettos/inner city neighbourhoods are in the centre of the city and the nicer suburbs spread out from there. Some locations have newer, nicer homes while others may consist of only tin shacks with no electricity.
During Apartheid, Blacks were confined to these locations (most of these locations remain populated only by Blacks). Whites lived in the towns. Schools were segregated. The Black schools had a lower standard of education, and teachers dressed in military uniform and carried guns. At the university level Blacks couldn’t study certain subjects such as medicine. Blacks were not allowed in town after dark. There were separate toilets, separate benches in the parks, and Whites only beaches… and this continued into the 80s. Namibia, then known as South West Africa, didn’t gain Independence until March 21, 1990. I haven’t actually read about the full history of Apartheid here. These are just some of the things I’ve been told.
Here in Tsumeb, most of the locations are in decent shape. The oldest location, called Soweto, is pretty rough. This picture is from Soweto. They only received electricity last year. I don’t think many families have bought ovens yet, as I can smell all the wood fires burning when I go through there. I enjoy the smell, and the neighbourhood. People are always outside and kids play soccer on the dirt roads. The locations are not generally considered dangerous, but after dark is no time for a stranger to be roaming around. The locations are full of shebeens (bars/clubs) and bar fights seem to be pretty common, but during the day the atmosphere is fun and welcoming.
I live in town with the Tobias family now. In December, I stayed in the location. Both areas have their advantages. I enjoyed the liveliness of the location, the soccer fields and gree
ting people more often. Town life is quieter, which is nice when you’re trying to sleep (The music from the shebeens in the locations seems to go on all night). I live in a bigger, more modern home in town and I’m surrounded by more trees. Here’s a picture of my house. Its now under construction. I'll show new pictures when its completed.
During Apartheid, Blacks were confined to these locations (most of these locations remain populated only by Blacks). Whites lived in the towns. Schools were segregated. The Black schools had a lower standard of education, and teachers dressed in military uniform and carried guns. At the university level Blacks couldn’t study certain subjects such as medicine. Blacks were not allowed in town after dark. There were separate toilets, separate benches in the parks, and Whites only beaches… and this continued into the 80s. Namibia, then known as South West Africa, didn’t gain Independence until March 21, 1990. I haven’t actually read about the full history of Apartheid here. These are just some of the things I’ve been told.
Here in Tsumeb, most of the locations are in decent shape. The oldest location, called Soweto, is pretty rough. This picture is from Soweto. They only received electricity last year. I don’t think many families have bought ovens yet, as I can smell all the wood fires burning when I go through there. I enjoy the smell, and the neighbourhood. People are always outside and kids play soccer on the dirt roads. The locations are not generally considered dangerous, but after dark is no time for a stranger to be roaming around. The locations are full of shebeens (bars/clubs) and bar fights seem to be pretty common, but during the day the atmosphere is fun and welcoming.
I live in town with the Tobias family now. In December, I stayed in the location. Both areas have their advantages. I enjoyed the liveliness of the location, the soccer fields and gree
ting people more often. Town life is quieter, which is nice when you’re trying to sleep (The music from the shebeens in the locations seems to go on all night). I live in a bigger, more modern home in town and I’m surrounded by more trees. Here’s a picture of my house. Its now under construction. I'll show new pictures when its completed. 
2 comments:
Big Dave - you are starting to look like a young Ed Abbey! That's a good thing. Teach them Africans to hug a tree! Miss you bud and think about how you're doing all the time. Your dad and I just hang out drinking beer, eating pizza, and talking politics. Nothing much has changed here lately Your friend - Michael
Thanks for the update, Dave...we're always thinking of you and hope all is well.
Love you,
Mom, Jeff, Robin, Ava and Bella
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