1952
The African National Congress’ (ANC) Defiance Campaign against the South African Apartheid Regime, which in the following years inspires the establishment of Namibian resistance movements.
1957
On the initiative of Andimba Toivo ya Toivo a small group of Namibians in South Africa establish the Ovambo People’s Congress (OPC).
1958
Toivo attempts to smuggle the OPC’s petition to New York for presentation at the United Nations, but is intercepted by South African authorities and deported from South Africa to Namibia.
1959
The OPC expands and develops other branches – among them, Sam Nujoma establishes the Ovambo People’s Organisation (OPO) in Windhoek, Namibia. Toivo ya Toivo petitions the United Nations, informing the organisation of the oppressive conditions blacks are subjected to under South Africa’s Apartheid regime.
10 December 1959
Residents of Windhoek’s Old Location protest their forced removal to a township outside of Windhoek. The protest turns violent and South African police massacre a number of protesters. This event signals a turn of the tide in the discourse of Namibia’s struggle for independence, as passive resistance is traded in for an armed struggle.
1960
The OPO becomes the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO), and elects Sam Nujoma as President in absentia.
1962
SWAPO’s decision to launch an armed struggle against South Africa’s Apartheid regime leads to growing international support for the movement.
1966
South Africa refuses to relinquish control and withdraw from South West Africa (SWA). SWAPO establishes and launches its armed wing; the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN).
26 August 1966
The first armed clash takes place between the South African Defence Force (SADF) and SWAPO-PLAN combatants in the Battle of Ongulumbashe. This leads to the revocation of South Africa’s sovereignty over Namibia.
1967
In the aftermath of Ongulumbashe, liberation leaders are tried under the auspices of the 1967 Terrorism Act for and sentenced to varying terms on Robben Island. Internal leadership fragments and for a period of time SWAPO is at a loss with no clear mandate as to how to proceed.
26 December 1969 – 2 January 1970
An external conference is held in Tanzania to determine SWAPO’s organisation and general directives. The Tanga Conference marks a new era in SWAPO leadership and a strengthened desire for militant resistance.
1975
Angola attains independence, enabling PLAN to establish training and refugee camps in exile.
1978
South Africa has not yet upheld its promise to withdraw from Namibia. The United Nations Security Council establishes Resolution 435 aimed at mediating consultations between South Africa and the frontline states to establish elections in Namibia. This is linked to the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola in a compromise to encourage South Africa to grant Namibia independence, and to prevent a proxy Cuban-South African war on Angolan soil.
1982
SWAPO, together with the frontline states (consisting of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) and the Western Contact Group (France, the United Kingdom and the United States) establishes Constitutional Principles, creating the framework for Namibia's democratic transition.
December 1988
South Africa finally accepts Resolution 435.
1 April 1989
Resolution 435 is officially implemented.
November 1989
Armed PLAN forces move across the Angolan border into northern Namibia despite Nujoma’s assurance that PLAN would be disarmed. In reaction, the UN mobilises a small battalion of SADF soldiers, and a conflict ensues. Nujoma orders PLAN forces to withdraw into Angola.
7-11 November 1989
Namibia holds its first free and fair elections under UN supervision. SWAPO wins 57% of the vote.
May 1990
Namibia and Angola undertake a joint venture for the purpose of border security
1994
South Africa transitions to democracy and transfers territory (Walvis Bay enclave and 12 islands of the Namibian coast) back to Namibia.
1998-1999
SWAPO amends the Constitution to allow Nujoma to stand for a third five-year term in office, and again wins elections.
15 November 2004
SWAPO again wins parliamentary elections and Hifikepunye Pohamba becomes President of Namibia.
2009 – Present
SWAPO continues to dominate the electoral landscape.