In Conclusion...

What challenges does Namibia face as it moves into the future in terms of the preservation of its various tribal cultures?

Despite its youth, Namibia is a country taking bold steps towards her future. The country has innovative plans to educate her citizens and to improve their living conditions. Every year, 25% of tax monies go toward education and the country has set up a 14 year plan to turn townships into stone house villages complete with running water and electricity. These measures indicate that Namibia is changing, becoming more Westernized. While encouraging education and sanitation are positive steps for Namibia, the country must be careful to improve the quality of life for her citizens while also preserving the rich tribal culture. Two of the major challenges will come from education and technology.

Ironically, education will present a challenge to Namibia's tribal cultures. Many of the traditions do not have a positive result; in fact, sometimes the results are negative. For example, the Himba people extract the bottom two teeth once a person reaches adulthood. This action has no positive benefit. Rather, the effect is negative because it provides an opportunity for unnecessary education and reduces their ability to eat properly. As the children in these cultures begin to be educated, they will begin to refuse to take part in these rituals. While some may argue that that is a good thing, it is still a tragedy because a part of the culture will be lost. The government will be placed in the difficult situation of deciding whether to encourage the preservation of a culture or to encourage the culture in a new, healthier direction.

The widespread availability of technology will change Namibia forever. To truly be a significant presence in the future, the people of Namibia must have access to internet. Although this will provide them with endless business and social opportunities, it will also provide them with visions of success that they have never before had access. In Africa, all the people seem so happy. This is because they do not know any other lifestyle than the one they have experienced their entire life. They do not know that there are houses grander than any building in their country. They do not know that people can earn over $50,000 a year. These thoughts have never entered their minds. When internet arrives, the knowledge of such wealth will be inevitable. This knowledge will cause disappointment and discouragement. They will realize that their tribal culture is not the epitome of living and they will want something different. The people will begin to reject their cultures in search of something more fulfilling. It will be a challenge for Namibia to encourage these people to keep their cultures alive. They must be educated on the value of their cultures or they will disappear altogether.

From the time I spent in Africa, I believe that the country will handle these challenges with finesse. They have shown great foresight and I do not think that the country has neglected to consider the impact their decisions will have on their tribal cultures. The government and the people of Namibia have great respect and pride for their tribal cultures. Although these challenges will be very challenging, I have faith in the government's ability to treat them with the care that they deserve.

Day 18--Etosha to Windhoek

Township in Windhoek

It was so nice to pack up our tent for the last time this morning! We're on our way home!

On the drive into Windhoek, there were termite mounds everywhere. These are not your average termite mounds. Some of the mounds we saw were nine feet tall! When Mallory did her presentation on the termites, she explained to us that 90% of termites are not considered pests. I found that to be interesting because termites have such a bad reputation as pests.

Also during the drive to Windhoek, Burger slammed on the brakes, ran out of the bus, and grabbed a chameleon from the other side of the road. How he saw it, I will never know. This chameleon was bright green, whereas the one we saw earlier was an ugly brownish-grey color. The ugly one was molting, but this one was more representative of an actual chameleon.

Since we didn't get to have a township tour in Capetown, Burger gave us one on the way into Windhoek. On the outskirts of town are many small, ramshackle houses. They are made from anything that people can get their hands on--tin, wood, stone, etc. These are the townships. Legally, these people are not allowed to be here. They are here because, during apartheid, they were pushed from the center of Windhoek to the outskirts of town. Since they couldn't walk to work anymore, they had no income. Thus, even after apartheid, these people are still here. New people have arrived as well, hoping to make a life for themselves in the country's capital. However, the government has created a program to deal with the situation. Once a person moves into the area, they must apply for a temporary address from the government. This temporary address is good for seven years. During this time, the family must buy the land that they're living on or pay taxes on it. This encourages land ownership and stability. After buying their land, the have another seven years to build a stone home or they will be taxed. Again, this promotes stability and it also provides them with better sanitation. After they have built their stone house, the government will provide water and electricity, and thus, improved living conditions.

I thought that the government's plan is very commendable. It is helping the people while encouraging them to work for it. The government provides them with 14 tax-free years to buy their property and build a stone home. In exchange, they government provides water and electricity. The government understands that poverty cannot be overcome overnight. Like with education, they have implemented a plan with their eyes on the future. They are providing their citizens with the tools and the opportunities to help themselves.