South West Africa Research Articles

The Process and Current Situation of Islam Localization in Senegal

Islam originated in the Arabian Peninsula and spread to the Maghreb region inhabited by Berbers in the late 7th century and early 8th century, and then spread further to West Africa south of the Sahara from north to south. Around 850 AD, the first group of black Africans converted to Islam. They belonged to the Dya’ogo dynasty of the Tekur Kingdom, which is located in the Senegal River Valley in present-day Senegal. Currently, Senegal is one of the countries with the highest proportion of Muslim population in West Africa, with 94% of its people believing in Islam. Not only that, Senegal has also developed a unique Islamic system dominated by the Brotherhood. This article attempts to sort out the process of Islam localization in Senegal and explain the impact of the Brotherhood on contemporary Senegalese politics and economy.

Camel Imports and Transport Fantasies in German Southwest Africa, 1884–1915

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the import and introduction of camels to German Southwest Africa (modern-day Namibia) in the period 1884 to 1915. It identifies, narrates, and quantifies the import of camels and explains the camel’s role in transport and warfare during the German colonial period. Gestures towards how the camel and its ‘non-German expert handlers’ were ‘unlikely agents’ in this story are part of the discussion. Arguably, centring German animal transfers can help complicate existing understandings of German imperial fantasies, shed more light on everyday colonial violence and genocide, and alert us to silences regarding non-German experts and African labourers.

Evaluation of the anticancer properties of the phytochemicals present in <em>Annona muricata</em>

Cancer is a complex disease characterized by the unrestrained proliferation and dissemination of abnormal cells. The issue continues to be a notable public health concern on a global scale, with millions of new cases and fatalities being reported annually. Despite significant advances in cancer treatment, it remains a major challenge due to the high cost and toxicity of current therapies. Phytochemicals naturally found in plants are crucial resources for developing novel drugs and potential cancer therapies. The clinical efficacy of these anti-cancer agents has been demonstrated against diverse neoplastic cell lines. Additional investigation in this field can result in improved cancer therapies. Among many other plants effective against cancer, this literature review explores the anti-cancer properties of Annona muricata, a plant commonly known as soursop, which is a tropical plant species native to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and West Africa known for its edible fruit which has some medicinal merits, but also some toxicological effects. Annona muricata has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, including cancer treatment. Acetogenins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and other active compounds are only a few of the phytochemicals that this review cites as being present in A. muricata. The review also looks into A. muricata’s biological abilities to fight lung, liver, prostate, colon, pancreas, and breast cancers. The toxicity of A. muricata and possible adverse effects are also covered in the review. The review also looks at the usage of nanoparticles with A. muricata as a cancer treatment. Overall, this literature review provides valuable insights into the potential anti-cancer properties of A. muricata and its potential as a therapeutic agent in cancer treatment.

A new inverted Pham distribution for data modeling of mechanical components and diamond in South-West Africa

A new inverted Pham distribution for data modeling of mechanical components and diamond in South-West Africa

The Servants of Empire: Sponsored German Women's Colonization in Southwest Africa, 1896–1945 by K. Molly O'Donnell (review)

The Servants of Empire: Sponsored German Women's Colonization in Southwest Africa, 1896–1945 by K. Molly O'Donnell (review)

Mapping the Social Lives of The Namibian Review

Abstract Thirty-two editions of The Namibian Review (1976–87) were published by anti-apartheid revolutionaries in a decade of intensifying struggle for independence from the South African occupation of South West Africa. This teaching tool discusses the wider history of political orientations and networks surrounding The Namibian Review, presenting a creative approach to African history research and political education aimed at challenging the ongoing legacies of the colonial imposed borders of the region.

Faith in Conflict: Examining the Varied Available Chronicles of Churches' Responses to the South African Border War and Their Enduring Legacies

On 26 August 1966, the first skirmish between the South African Defence Force (SADF) and the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), known as Operation Blue Wildebeest, took place and the hostilities, which had been increasing for some time, were ignited. Thus, the South African Border War, otherwise known as the Namibian War of Independence, which would span the next two decades, began in earnest. This paper examines the conflict from the discipline of Church History in order to illuminate the nuanced development of the relationship between the church in South Africa and the concept of war, as well as the varied responses from different denominations to the conflict as it progressed. As the last conflict, which necessitated an active draft of South African men, the war's immediate effects were felt throughout society and persisted into the future. The churches' responses ranged from staunch support for the government's decision and involvement in the war to vocal opposition, thus reflecting diverse theological perspectives and ethical positions. The article sheds light on how different denominations responded publicly to the war, with the aim to highlight how these discussions were influenced by the circumstances of the time and how they changed in the following years leading up to the close of the war.

The labour migration of the Ovambo workers to the diamond fields in German South West Africa

The extraction of several hundred thousand carats of rough diamonds per year in German South West Africa would have been inconceivable without indigenous workers from the Ovamo region. Each year, thousands of migrant workers from the north of the German colony migrated to the diamond fields to engage in diamond mining and wage labour. The Ovambo workers typically entered into short-term employment contracts for six or nine months before returning to their home regions to focus on farming and harvesting for the rest of the year. This article examines the migrant labour of the Ovambo on the diamond fields of German South West Africa from 1908 to 1914. It focuses on the agency of the indigenous miners, the reasons for their migration, and their social profile. Additionally, it explores the interconnections that arose due to the labour migration of the Ovambo between their home regions and the diamond fields, along with their resulting implications. KEYWORDS: Agency. Wage labour. Diamonds.

Queering Masculinities in the Middle East (SWANA) and South Asia

One of the most important shifts in gender scholarship is the attention now being paid to discourses and practices of masculinity in the Global South. This issue of Men and Masculinities contributes to this growing field in three important ways. First, we foreground scholarship on masculinities in two interconnected, but understudied regions of the world, specifically the Middle East, which is also known as South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA), and its neighbor to the east, South Asia. In particular, we demonstrate the ways in which queer identities and communities are being formed across these two regions, connected as they are by historic trade routes, migration pathways, and transregional cultural flows. Second, we point to the vibrant masculinities scholarship that is emerging from these regions. But we focus specifically on non-normative masculinities—or the queer, trans, and other genderqueer masculinities—which have been historically present in these two regions, but which have been much less represented in masculinities literature. Third, we look to identity formation, or the ways in which young cis-gender, trans, and queer men come out in their communities and seek authentic lives of desire, pleasure, and participation. At the same time, we highlight the ever-present precarity within queer communities in the Middle East/SWANA and South Asia, especially given postcolonial nationalist and ethno-nationalist agendas, which promote normative heteropatriarchal masculinities and concomitant homophobia and transphobia.

Colonialism, Genocide and Reparations: The German‐Namibian Case

ABSTRACTIn 2015 the German government acknowledged that the Empire committed genocide in its colony South West Africa, known since its independence as Namibia. This acknowledgement marked a new reference point in how to engage with colonial crimes. Since then, Germany has fallen short of bearing full and unconditional responsibility for and recognition of the crime in terms of restorative justice. While Germany deserves credit for its commemoration and remorse over the Holocaust during World War II, victims of other forms of extermination with the intent to destroy still crave adequate recognition, commemoration and compensation in the form of reparations. This article presents the Namibian case to illustrate the contradictions and limitations that emerge when general notions are tested and undermined by asymmetric power relations of Realpolitik.

South African Responses to New Soviet Air Defence Systems in Angola in the 1980s

Because of its air superiority during the counter-insurgency conflict against the South West Africa People’s Organisation, the South African Air Force had neglected to build up modern air and counter-air defences. When Soviet air defence systems were therefore deployed in Angola in the 1980s, they were forced to reconsider their tactics and responses to the war. The Soviet systems included early warning networks, surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft guns to cover troops advancing in the field, and fighter aircraft. While this build-up was also observed in the neighbouring Southern African countries and had the appearance of a purely defensive stance, given Soviet air defence doctrine, South Africa viewed this as the first steps to offensive actions in Angola and possibly Namibia (then South West Africa) and the start of a dangerous escalation in the military situation. In response, the SADF adopted a strong defensive stance and improved its own air defence capabilities to ensure that it was not outclassed. The South African Air Force also introduced new tactics. These included the introduction of toss-bombing, making greater use of precision-guided missiles and bombs, and investing more in research in terms of missiles and new technology for their aircraft.

Reduced human fecundity attributable to ambient fine particles in low- and middle-income countries

BackgroundExposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been associated with reduced human fecundity. However, the attributable burden has not been estimated for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the exposure–response function between PM2.5 and the infertility rate has been insufficiently studied. ObjectiveThis study examined the associations between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and human fecundity indicators, namely the expected time to pregnancy (TTP) and 12-month infertility rate (IR), and then estimated PM2.5-attributable burden of infertility in LMICs. MethodsWe analyzed 164,593 eligible women from 100 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 49 LMICs between 1999 and 2021. We assessed PM2.5 exposures during the 12 months before a pregnancy attempt using the global satellite-derived PM2.5 estimates produced by Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group (ACAG). First, we created a series of pseudo-populations with balanced covariates, given different levels of PM2.5 exposure, using a matching approach based on the generalized propensity score. For each pseudo-population, we used 2-stage generalized Gamma models to derive TTP or IR from the probability distribution of the questionnaire-based duration time for the pregnancy attempt before the interview. Second, we used spline regressions to generate nonlinear PM2.5 exposure–response functions for each of the two fecundity indicators. Finally, we applied the exposure–response functions to estimate number of infertile couples attributable to PM2.5 exposure in 118 LMICs. ResultsBased on the Gamma models, each 10 µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 exposure was associated with a TTP increase by 1.7 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: -2.3 %–6.0 %) and an IR increase by 2.3 % (95 %CI: 0.6 %–3.9 %). The nonlinear exposure–response function suggested a robust effect of an increased IR for high-concentration PM2.5 exposure (>75 µg/m3). Based on the PM2.5-IR function, across the 118 LMICs, the number of infertile couples attributable to PM2.5 exposure exceeding 35 µg/m3 (the first-stage interim target recommended by the World Health Organization global air quality guidelines) was 0.66 million (95 %CI: 0.061–1.43), accounting for 2.25 % (95 %CI: 0.20 %–4.84 %) of all couples affected by infertility. Among the 0.66 million, 66.5 % were within the top 10 % high-exposure infertile couples, mainly from South Asia, East Asia, and West Africa. ConclusionPM2.5 contributes significantly to human infertility in places with high levels of air pollution. PM2.5-pollution control is imperative to protect human fecundity in LMICs.

Global potential distributions and conservation status of rice wild relatives

Societal Impact StatementRice wild relatives (RWR) provide valuable genetic resources for modern rice breeding, yet knowledge gaps constrain their conservation and further utilization. To address these gaps, the potential distributions of 22 RWR taxa were modeled, and their conservation statuses were assessed. Most taxa were identified as medium priority for further conservation. Further ex‐situ collecting hotspots are in Southeast and South Asia, Northern Australia, West Africa, and tropical Americas, while habitat protection lies in Southeast and South Asia, Northern Australia, and West Africa. Climate change may shift equatorial habitats to higher latitudes and mountain habitats to higher altitudes.Summary Rice wild relatives (RWR) provide valuable genetic resources for modern rice breeding. However, knowledge gaps on their geographic distributions and conservation status constrain their conservation and further utilization. To fill these critical gaps, we modeled the potential distributions of 22 RWR taxa under current climate scenarios, assessed their conservation status, both ex situ (in genebanks or botanical gardens) and in situ (in protected areas), and examined changes in taxa richness of RWR in predicted areas under future climate scenarios. The RWR were primarily distributed in tropical Asia to tropical Australia, tropical Africa, and South and Central America. We identified 4 out of 22 taxa as high priority (HP) for further conservation action and 18 taxa as medium priority (MP). Hotspots requiring further collecting for ex situ conservation are concentrated in Southeast and South Asia, Northern Australia, West Africa, and tropical Americas. Meanwhile, habitat protection should be enhanced in Southeast and South Asia, Northern Australia, and West Africa. Under future climate change, suitable habitats near the equator are expected to shift toward higher latitudes and some in lower‐latitude basins may become unsuitable due to excessive heat, resulting in decreased taxa richness in these areas. Additionally, suitable habitats in high mountain areas may shift to higher altitudes, potentially augmenting taxa richness in the highlands. Our findings provide vital insights to guide future rescue conservation efforts for RWR.

Political and Economic Implications of Blood Diamonds in Southwest Africa

Political and Economic Implications of Blood Diamonds in Southwest Africa

Description of three new species of Amphitritides Augener, 1922 (Terebellida, Annelida) from the coast of Namibia (South West Africa)

Three new terebellid species with two pairs of arborescent branchiae, serrated notochaetae with bulbous wings and avicular uncini in completely separate double rows are described from the Namibian coast, SW Africa, found during different expeditions between 2004 and 2022. These species were assigned to the genus Amphitritides, A. jirkovi sp. nov., A. namibiensis sp. nov. and A. skeletonensis sp. nov. The main diagnostic characters of these species are discussed, especially in the light of the ongoing discussion of synonymising Amphitritides with Amphitrite and Paramphitrite. The features of the three newly described species are compared in a table. An identification key for all known species of Amphitritides is also provided.

How do members of a perpetrator group negotiate multiple past ingroup transgressions? A German case study

How members of perpetrator groups engage with their ingroup’s negative history has received increasing attention over the past years. Yet, little research has addressed how people psychologically negotiate multiple past ingroup transgressions. Across two studies ( n = 362), we exposed German participants to information about two ingroup transgressions, the Holocaust and the colonial genocide in former South West Africa, to test ideas of a multidirectional memory (= one memory productively informs another) versus a competitive memory (= memories stand in competition) effect. Along six indicators of memory (negativity and significance, acknowledging responsibility, collective guilt and shame, willingness to make reparations), we find that people build small memory hierarchies when given the opportunity. Overall, however, it seems that most people show similar levels of history engagement for different transgressions. We discuss how our findings relate to the public discourse on multiple memories.

Ethics in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and South West Asia and Africa Extracorporeal Life Support Organization: A Robust Growth with Ethics

Ethics in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and South West Asia and Africa Extracorporeal Life Support Organization: A Robust Growth with Ethics

The Global Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Chapter: South West Asia and Africa Extracorporeal Life Support Organization in 2024

In early 2024, we can take a moment to acknowledge the journey we have been on in critical care, especially in the region that comprises Extracorporeal Life Support Organizations (ELSO’s) South West Asia and Africa Continent (SWAAC) Chapter. ELSO has been able to develop a global standard in foundational educational knowledge for adults. This is only possible with the participation of experts in every region. The process for developing this standard has now been published. ELSO is using this same process to develop the foundational knowledge for neonatal and pediatric education. We are grateful to many in the SWAACELSO region for your assistance in the development of a global standard in education and training. The SWAACELSO region has achieved so much in the recent past. Participation in all facets of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and ELSO globally continues to advance how we work together and what is available for patients in communities everywhere. This region will continue to help lead in creating resiliency and innovation in the coming years. Personally, I am grateful for the dedication and commitment to improving life support that this region continues to advance.

An Imperial Homeland: Forging German Identity in Southwest Africa

An Imperial Homeland: Forging German Identity in Southwest Africa

LINES AND BETRAYALS: THE COLONIAL OCCUPATION OF THE KWANYAMA KINGDOM ON THE ANGOLA/NAMIBIA BORDER AND POSTMORTEM PHOTOGRAPHS OF MANDUME YA NDEMUFAYO (1917)

A zone of disputed colonial cartographies, the Cuvelai floodplain in southern Angola and northern Namibia (formerly German South West Africa) was belatedly occupied during World War 1 by a Portuguese army and South African officials. A Neutral Zone was established along the disputed border and the Kwanyama king Mandume forced to reside south of the contested and straight abstract lines that constituted the unstable border. Ongoing disorder led Mandume to exercise authority in Angolan territory. Anxiety about the revival of African power led to a South African military expedition to remove the king in 1917. A significant number of photographs were produced of Mandume’s dead body on the battlefield. Close examination suggests an unsettling series of documented actions, where the apparent motive was an incontrovertible identification shot of the dead king. However the prone body defeated the perspectival construction of the camera box. The buckling of linear perspective by the lifeless body required soldiers to manhandle Mandume. One such photograph prompted a radical remediation by the Namibian artist John Muafangejo. The limits of the camera, its structural ambivalence, produced a polarised reinterpretation that forcibly confronts the colonial metanarrative with the spectre of its own border violence.