Afrikaans common language of most
of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%,
indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 38%

male: 45%

female: 31% (1960 est.)

Namibia Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia

conventional short form: Namibia

former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa

Government type: republic

Capital: Windhoek

Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap,
Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati,
Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990

Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA
(since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of
state and head of government

head of government: President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March
1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA
2004)

election results: Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent
of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77%

Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the National
Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council
to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: National Council - elections for regional councils, to
determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1
December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly
- last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December
2004)

election results: National Council - percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly -
percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG
1%, other 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1,

note: the National Council is primarily an adviso