In most nationstates the construction and making of a national identity is a historic
phenomenon as the process started hundreds of years ago. In Namibia however, the
construction of a nation and a national identity has just been instigated. Namibia, as one of the
last colonies in Africa, did not gain independence until 1990. For a long time, Namibia was
subjected to German as well as South African colonial and apartheid rule. Our aim with this
essay was to examine the Namibian construction of a national identity, with reference to
Namibia’s historical postcolonial and postapartheid background. The focus is on how people
from two ethnic backgrounds, the Owambo and the San, experience their situation as
Namibians in one of the youngest countries in Africa. Hence, we have made 22 interviews in
northern Namibia during the fall of 2004. The purpose with this essay has been to
comprehend and present a process of nation-building and national identity in the making. We
have found that ‘ethnicity’ still is an important mean of identification in Namibia. Moreover,
the fact that Namibia is a postcolonial and postapartheid state, strongly affects the Namibian
nation-building and the construction of a Namibian identity. Ethnic categories are still
ingrained in people; the distinctions signify difference, and are used as means of
identification. Although simultaneously, the segregation forced by the colonisers has now
made ethnic categories less distinct since such divisions relate to apartheid and repression.
The Owambo group tend to be more aware of their position as Namibians in the Namibian
nation than the San groups, and their culture is to a large extent ‘dominant’ and influences the
nation-building. The Owambos identify themselves as Namibians. The San groups on the
other hand, identify themselves with their ethnic or tribal group. They are also in an inferior
minority position, which they are highly aware of.