Colonial Administration Systems in Black Africa: South-West Africa (Namibia), Reserves and Native Locations, 1930s — 1950s

The article is devoted to the functioning of local government systems (Boards of Elders) in South-West Africa (Namibia) under the administration of the Union of South Africa in the 1930s — 1950s., in particular to the Board of Native location of Windhoek. It is based on the materials of the National Archives of Namibia — both archival documents themselves and official publications of the administration of South Africa, collected by the author during visits to Namibia in 2011 and 2024. The colonial administration of South Africa tried in every possible way to encourage Africans to participate in solving the problems of their everyday life through the Board of the Location. The very participation of Africans in the elections of some Board members was of great importance in this sense. The Board’s activities provided the Administration with a legal basis for implementing its decisions, and for Africans to convey their needs and aspirations to its representatives. Decision-making remained with the colonial administration, but the participation of traditional holders of power in the Board’s activities gave it a kind of legitimacy in the eyes of Africans.

Keywords

South-West Africa (Namibia), Colonial administration, reserves, local government, Boards of elders

Received

19.06.2024

Publication date

30.09.2024

Number of characters

39368

Cite

GOST	Balezin A. Colonial Administration Systems in Black Africa: South-West Africa (Namibia), Reserves and “Native Locations”, 1930s — 1950s // ISTORIYA – 2024. – V. 15. – Issue 9 (143) [Electronic resource]. URL: https://history.jes.su/S207987840032430-2-1 (circulation date: 23.03.2025). DOI: 10.18254/S207987840032430-2
MLA	Balezin, Alexandr "Colonial Administration Systems in Black Africa: South-West Africa (Namibia), Reserves and “Native Locations”, 1930s — 1950s." ISTORIYA 15.9 (143) (2024) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840032430-2
APA	Balezin A. (2024). Colonial Administration Systems in Black Africa: South-West Africa (Namibia), Reserves and “Native Locations”, 1930s — 1950s. ISTORIYA 15(9 (143)) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840032430-2

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