Your guide to being an expatriate in Namibia

Demographics of Namibia:

Religion Overview

Christianity is the most common religion in Namibia, with the majority following Namibia Evangelical Church, followed by Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches. Ancestor worship (called Rekgoro by the OvaHerero and Aushi) and indigenous religions are also still practiced.

Major Religions

Climate

Namibia is a predominantly desert nation with a dry climate. Located on the coastal plain known as the Namib Desert, some areas experience inverse rainfall patterns, with rainy seasons in late winter and early summer.

Economy Overview

Namibia's economy is primarily dependent on its mineral resources, with farming and fishing playing a lesser role. Windhoek, Namibia's capital city, is home to most of the country's white-collar jobs, while agriculture and fishing employment is spread across rural areas. Mining activities, administrative jobs, and independent business opportunities continue to draw expatriates to the country.

Key Industries

• Mining (diamonds, copper, gold, silver, and uranium)
• Fishing
• Tourism
• Manufacturing (including textile and food processing)

Major Companies

• Epangelo Mining (joint venture between Namibian and Chinese corporations)
• B2Gold
• Navachabde Mine

Culture and Language Overview

Namibia's diverse culture is a reflection of its population's heritage. European and Bantu African cultures converge, combining to form a unique identity spanning art, cuisine, music, sports, and social values. The official languages acknowledged by the Namibian government are English and Afrikaans, while African languages, including Oshiwambo and Herero, feature prominently in everyday life.

Cultural Highlights

• Namibia's Herero women are well known for their unique dress style. The traditional women's dress, known as the 'Doek,' is a colorful head wrap depicting detailed patterns and fabrics tailored to individual tastes.
• Namibia's Tribal Music and Dance Festival, broadcast on national television, showcases the skills of both young and seasoned performers in traditional and modern music and dance.
• Namibia's Annual National Arts Festival presents a wealth of talent across music, drama, dance, fine art, and photography to crowds that gather in Windhoek for the week-long event.

Geography and Landmarks Overview

Namibia's landscape is dominated by desert, but visitors are still captivated by the mesmeric beauty of the Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast National Park, while the more southerly areas of the brandberg and the majestic Fish River Canyon are equally breathtaking.

Notable Landmarks

• Moon Mountains (Brandberg)
• Swakopmund (historical coastal town)
• Damaraland (home to ancient rock engravings)
• Fish River Canyon (the second-largest canyon on Earth)
• Großklause (a red sandstone mountain)
• Spitzkoppe (a cluster of conical granite hills covered with an indigenous flora)
• Dorob National Park (home to some rare and endemic species such as Hartmann's Mountain Zebra)

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Heroes' Day (formerly Bastille Day) (June 10)
• Independence Day (March 21)
• Good Friday
• Family Day (December 26)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• Boxing Day (December 26 (Originated from Britain)

Political Stability

Namibia is a stable democracy governed by a president and a unicameral Parliament ( National Assembly ). The country's peaceful and competitive elections in 2019 set an example for other African nations aiming to build a robust democratic system. Namibia is also a member of SADC, SADC-PM, the African Union, and the United Nations.