Date: 15th January 2012
Country: Namibia

Capital: Windhoek

Population: 2.3 million

People Groups: 35 About 50% of the population belong to Ovambo ethnic group, and 9% to the Kavango ethnic group. Other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, and Tswana 0.5%.

Languages:  English (official); Oshivambo, Afrikaans, German, Herero, Nama/Damara, other indigenous languages.

Religions: Christian 91.44%; Ethno-Religionist 4.52%; Non-Religious 4.00%; Jewish 0.04% The Lutheran Church is the largest denomination.

Government: Type: Republic.
President: President Hifikepunye Pohamba
Branches: –   Executive–president (elected for 5-year term), prime minister.
Legislative– Parliament: National Assembly and National Council.
Judicial–Supreme Court, the High Court, and lower courts.

Living Conditions:
As in other countries HIV/AIDS is prevalent. There is a considerable wealth gap between the professional and skilled sectors and the rural, subsistence sector. Government spending on status symbols such as luxury cars and aircraft is resented when unemployment is over 30% and there is no basic minimum wage. Quantities of oil have been discovered off the coast and may provide a source of income for the nation.

History: A variety of ethnic people groups have occupied the country over a long period. European occupation commenced in the late 1800s when Britain and Germany divided the land between them. After WW1 South Africa was given a League of Nations mandate over the territory and this continued under the UN. However, SA refused to give up its rule when South West Africa sought self rule and a war of independence followed. Protracted negotiations resulted finally in self rule in 1989. Nationalism has grown but ethnicity, which was accentuated by apartheid, is still an important factor.

Pray for:

1. Wisdom for the president and government to improve the lot of the poor.

2. A peaceful solution to inter-political party strife over elections.

3. A growth in maturity of Christians, a large proportion of whom are nominal.

4. Unity which overcomes the differences in culture between the many varied ethnic groups.

5. Discernment of the spiritual strongholds which hinder the understanding of the true gospel.

6. A breaking of the denominational ties which hinder the spread of the Kingdom of God.

7. Finding the men and women of peace who provide the access to the people.