20th century – 20th century
Namibia and Cape Town
The Ovamboland People’s Organisation was formed in 1957 by mainly Oshiwambo-speaking contract workers living in Cape Town. It developed from migrant-worker activism and contacts with South African resistance politics, then organised inside Namibia and campaigned internationally for national independence. Its 1960 reconstitution as SWAPO transformed it into the principal Namibian liberation movement.
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The Story
The OPO grew out of the social and political world created by contract labour. Since 1939, workers from across northern Namibia had been recruited to South Africa through Botswana by the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association. Their movement across the border gave them access to South African protest politics, and some also reached formal education that was difficult to obtain in Namibia.
In 1957, mainly Oshiwambo-speaking contract workers living in Cape Town formed the Ovamboland People’s Congress, later known as the Ovamboland People’s Organisation. The organisation was influenced by resistance politics in South Africa, including contacts with the African National Congress, the South African Liberal Party and Communist Party activists. Its members also connected with workers and political networks in Namibia.
In April 1959, OPO activity gained a base inside Namibia through the founding of the organisation in Windhoek by Sam Nujoma and Jacob Kuhangua, with Nujoma as its first president. The OPO incorporated an underground resistance organisation formed in the north during the early 1950s and pursued independence through both domestic organisation and international campaigning.
20th century – 20th century
Namibia and Cape Town
The Ovamboland People’s Organisation was formed in 1957 by mainly Oshiwambo-speaking contract workers living in Cape Town. It developed from migrant-worker activism and contacts with South African resistance politics, then organised inside Namibia and campaigned internationally for national independence. Its 1960 reconstitution as SWAPO transformed it into the principal Namibian liberation movement.
Continue exploring
The Story
The OPO grew out of the social and political world created by contract labour. Since 1939, workers from across northern Namibia had been recruited to South Africa through Botswana by the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association. Their movement across the border gave them access to South African protest politics, and some also reached formal education that was difficult to obtain in Namibia.
In 1957, mainly Oshiwambo-speaking contract workers living in Cape Town formed the Ovamboland People’s Congress, later known as the Ovamboland People’s Organisation. The organisation was influenced by resistance politics in South Africa, including contacts with the African National Congress, the South African Liberal Party and Communist Party activists. Its members also connected with workers and political networks in Namibia.
In April 1959, OPO activity gained a base inside Namibia through the founding of the organisation in Windhoek by Sam Nujoma and Jacob Kuhangua, with Nujoma as its first president. The OPO incorporated an underground resistance organisation formed in the north during the early 1950s and pursued independence through both domestic organisation and international campaigning.
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