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Walvis
Bay, meaning “Whale Bay” in Afrikaans, has had
a chequered history. The bay has been a
haven for sea vessels because of its natural
deep-water harbour. Being rich in plankton
and marine life, these waters drew large numbers
of whales. This attracted whalers and
fishing vessels. A succession of colonists
exploited the location and resources of this
strategic harbour settlement. The
harbour’s value in relation to the sea route
around the Cape of Good Hope had caught the
attention of world powers since it was discovered.
This explains the complicated political status of
Walvis Bay down the years.
1487:
The first European, the renowned Portuguese
navigator Bartholomew Dias anchored his flagship
“Sao Cristavao” in Walvis Bay on 8 December
1487, on his expedition to dina a sea route to the
East via the Cape of Good Hope. He name th
bay Golfo de Santa Maria da Conceicao.
However, the Portuguese did not formally stake
claim to Walvis Bay.
1840:
In the scramble for Africa, Great Britain, a
premier sea faring nation at the time, annexed
Walvis Bay and a small area surrounding the
territory to forestall German ambitions in the
region and to ensure safe passage of British ships
around the Cape.
1910:
Walvis Bay, as well as the Cape Colony, became
part of the newly formed Union of South Africa.
However, a dispute arose with Germany over the
enclave’s boundaries. This was eventually
settled in 1911 and Walvis Bay was allocated an
area of 1 124 km˛.
1915:
South African Forces ousted the Germans and Walvis
Bay was quickly integrated into the new martial
law regime established in South West Africa.
South Africa was later rewarded control over South
West Africa by the League of Nations.
1921:
Civilian rule was restored in South West Africa
and Walvis Bay became an integral part of South
West Africa.
1971:
With independence for South West Africa imminent,
South Africa transferred power over Walvis Bay
back to its Cape Province.
1977:
In its attempt to avoid losing control of Walvis
Bay to a possibly hostile SWAPO led government,
the then South African Government reimposed direct
rule and reasserted its claim sovereignty based on
the original annexation.
1978:
The United Nations Security Council provided for
bilateral negotiations between South Africa and a
future Namibia to resolve the political status of
Walvis Bay.
1990: South
West Africa gained independence. A new nation,
Namibia, was born but Walvis Bay remained under
South African control.
1994: Walvis
Bay was formally returned to Namibia after the
local business community and investors in Walvis
Bay applied pressure on the South African
authorities to resolve the political status of
Walvis Bay.
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