Plans for a "Namibian national army", trained, selected and controlled by the South Africans and ready to take over as a cover for South Africa's continued presence in Namibia, have been pushed ahead with the public introduction of a "SWA Defence Force". On 6 September 1979, General Geldenhuys, the Officer Commanding SWA Command, speaking at a parade at the Windhoek show, said that in accordance with political developments in SWA a start had been made to create a SWA Defence Force which would be handed over to the government of the territory after independence. The independent government would have the choice of accepting such a defence force, rejecting it or accepting it with possible modifications, he said. (WO 7.9.79; see FOCUS 23, p.3)
A statement issued by the SWA Command at a press briefing said the existing SWA army comprised members of the SA Defence Force and other defence units within SWA and "people who were either natives of or served in a permanent capacity in the Territory". After independence it would be the exclusive prerogative of the government in power, whatever political force that might be, to conclude pacts, including defence pacts, with whatever country it wanted. The statement added that "if the Republic of South Africa is approached and the two parties find agreement, the possibility is not excluded that seconded (South African) defence units may find themselves in SWA."
The SWA Command used the briefing to introduce uniforms specially designed for the new SWA Defence Force. In the statement it said that the government of an independent SWA could decide whether seconded members of the SA army should also wear these new uniforms. (WO 8.9.79)
The implications of this latest move by the SA government are serious. South Africa would ostensibly hand over certain responsibilities for defence and security to a SWA Defence Force under a client government installed in defiance of international efforts for an all-party settlement. At the same time, the South African army would be able to remain in commanding positions in Namibia. At the request of an "independent" government, its troops could wear uniforms which would make them indistinguishable from Namibians.
The preliminary blueprint for the new defence force makes provision for separate ethnic as well as racially integrated units. At present, only white youths in the territory are legally required to undergo national service; the black units are made up of "volunteers" who, after undergoing training, may join the permanent force or return to civilian life. (ST 19.8.79)
There have been increasing pressures from the leader of the DTA, Dirk Mudge, to introduce compulsory military training for all races between the ages of 18 and 25. Supporters of the proposal, to be put to the SWA National Assembly, claim that it would instil "national pride". (WO 15.9.79)
A compulsory call-up of black Namibians would fit in with plans announced by General Geldenhuys to significantly reduce, within two years, the number of South African troops doing border duty, even if there is no international agreement on Namibia. He suggested that the cutback could be as high as 50%, and that South African troops would be replaced by local black and white personnel as SWA's own fledgling army grew. Gen. Geldenhuys said that the SWA army was expanding very rapidly. There would be a 40% increase in the number of Namibians doing operational duties next year, he said. Several companies had already been put into operational service during 1979. (RDM 18.10.79)
South Africa has been building up ethnically segregated "tribal armies" in Namibia over the last five years. (see articles in FOCUS Nos. 3, 8, 12, 13, 15, 19) A Bushman unit, the basis of 31 Battalion, was established in western Caprivi in 1974, attached to a South African army base, and by September 1977 four Bushman units had already been trained. (see FOCUS 13, p.15) In June 1975, 34 Battalion, consisting mostly of Kavangos, was formed at Rundu, and 35 Battalion, mostly Ovambos, at Oshakati. Soon afterwards, 33 Battalion, consisting mostly of Caprivians, was formed at Katima Mulilo and is now stationed at Mpacha in east Caprivi. (WA 20.7.79) The nucleus of a Baster Commando Unit began training in November 1976 (see FOCUS 8, p.14). A Herero Commando known as Group 33 was formed in January 1977 (WO 14.7.79) According to a report in *Paratus* in January 1979, a Kaokoland Company was formed which attracted 120 recruits within two weeks. The recruits are drawn from the Herero and Ovahimba tribal groups. (*Paratus, January 1979*). This last development is noteworthy in that in other contexts, including tribal representation at the Turnhalle and its successor, the SWA National Assembly, the SA authorities have phased out the idea of a separate Kaokoland tribal group.
A major expansion and a shift towards multiracialism in the strategy of recruiting and training Namibians began with the appointment of Major-General Jannie Geldenhuys as Officer Commanding SWA in August 1977. He was given responsibility for building up a multi-racial defence force in Namibia. (ST 19.8.79)
While active programmes continued to train Namibians on an ethnic basis, particularly numbers of the Damara, Nama, Herero, Coloured and Tswana tribal groups (see FOCUS 12, p.7, 13, p.15), the setting up of the 41 Battalion was now projected as the major contribution to SWA's own defence force. It consists of five companies made up of Damaras, Hereros, Tswana, Namas, Basters, Coloured, Bushmen, Ovambos and Whites, and is generally promoted by SA as Namibia's first fully integrated, indigenous Battalion. Recently, military figures such as the Battalion's Commander, Colonel Linford, have stated that the 41 Battalion will probably form the skeleton of the future military call-up system of SWA. (WA 20.7.79)
The separate "tribal armies" continue to exist alongside 41 Battalion. General Geldenhuys pointed out in July 1979 that the SWA Defence Force was larger than generally thought. In addition to 41 Battalion, there were the (33 and 31) battalions in east and west Caprivi, as well as in Kavango (34), Ovambo (35) and Kaokoland. There were also Coloured, Ovambo and Baster Commandos and the Rietfontein (Herero) Commando in eastern SWA. (RDM 30.7.79)
According to the Johannesburg Sunday Times, "troops from the SWA Command already make up about one-third of the forces in the operational area of northern SWA, and they will form the nucleus of the SWA/Namibia Defence Force". (ST 19.8.79)
This rapid expansion of a Namibian national army has generally gone unnoticed in the Western media. The latest Western proposals for a Namibian settlement, drawn up following the visit to South Africa of Sir James Murray as representative of the Western Contact Group, make no reference to these developments in Namibia. A major point in the proposals, as reported in the press in September 1979, is the establishment of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) straddling the border between Namibia and Angola. The DMZ would be 1000 km long and 50 km wide on each side of the border. "Selected locations" would be exempt from the demilitarisation arrangements for the first twelve weeks of troop withdrawals. These locations on the Namibian side of the border would consist of military bases, supporting airfields and the immediate environment stretching to about 5 km from the installation or population centre. The term "population centre" is not defined and could include military camps and airfields with a very wide spread of population, allowing South Africa to station tribal armies there. (Application of an 'internationally acceptable solution' to Namibia today. Pamphlet distributed by SWAPO UK (Sept/Oct 1979.) The SWA Defence Force, being ostensibly "Namibian", could presumably be excluded from any arrangements for the withdrawal of South African troops from Namibian soil.
While negotiations are proceeding at an inter-governmental level, South Africa is establishing structures inside Namibia which lay the foundations for a potential "unilateral declaration of independence". A Namibian national army, ostensibly independent of South Africa, is part of this scheme.
