Definition

Proper noun: 1. A former name for Namibia: "South West Africa" was the official name for the territory now known as the Republic of Namibia during its period of administration, first by Germany (as German South West Africa) and later by South Africa, until it achieved independence in 1990.

Usage

• Historical/Geographical Context: The term is used primarily in historical contexts to refer to the area before 1990.
  • The League of Nations mandate placed the territory of South West Africa under South African administration.
  • Many historical maps from the mid-20th century label this region as South West Africa.

Advanced Usage

• "the South West Africa question": Refers to the long-standing international legal and political dispute over South Africa's administration of the territory, which was a major issue at the United Nations for decades.
  • The International Court of Justice issued several advisory opinions on the South West Africa question.

Variants and Related Words

• Namibia (n): The current and official name of the country since its independence in 1990.
  • Windhoek is the capital city of Namibia.
• German South West Africa (n): The name for the colony under German rule from 1884 to 1915.
  • The Herero and Nama genocide occurred in German South West Africa.

Synonyms

• Namibia (historical): Used to specify the former name.
• The territory: A neutral term often used in historical and legal documents concerning its administered status.

Related Phrases

• "Mandate of South West Africa": The legal instrument issued by the League of Nations after World War I, granting South Africa administrative control.
  • South Africa's administration under the Mandate of South West Africa was controversial.
• "UN Council for Namibia": The United Nations body established in 1967 to represent the territory's interests after the revocation of the South African mandate.
  • The UN Council for Namibia was the legal administering authority for the territory until independence.

Noun

1. a republic in southwestern Africa on the south Atlantic coast (formerly called South West Africa); achieved independence from South Africa in 1990; the greater part of Namibia forms part of the high Namibian plateau of South Africa