1988 Oshakati bomb blast

The 1988 Oshakati bomb blast was a bombing in Oshakati, Ovamboland, South West Africa (now Oshana Region, Namibia) which killed 27 people and left 70 others injured on 17 February, 1988. The target of the bombing was the Barclay's Bank in the town. The perpetrators were never convicted, though significant proof exists that the South African police perpetrated the bombing in order to discredit the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), the major independence movement in Namibia. [ [http://www.klausdierks.com/Chronology/130.htm THE INDEPENDENCE PROCESS LEADS TO NAMIBIA'S FREEDOM: 1988-1990] KlausDierks.com] At the time of the blast, both SWAPO and the South African authorities blamed each other. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7DE163FF933A15751C0A96E948260 Bomb Kills 14 Near a Base in Namibia] The New York Times, February 20, 1988]

Background

18 February, the day of the blast, was a friday at the end of the month, which is the traditional time when state employees were paid. At approximately noon, a car bomb exploded. [ [http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:NJEUechmtgwJ:www.nied.edu.na/publications/journals/journal14/14art1.pdf+1988+Oshakati+bombing&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us Sharing research techniques in the new millenium: Drawing from the experience of the Oshakati bomb blast] Journal for Educational Reform in Namibia, Journal 14, May 2001] Oshakati in the 1980s was a major hub for both the South African military as well as the bantustan Ovamboland government.

Commemorations

In the years since the bombing, the day has been marked by commemorations by many Namibians, including prominent religious leaders and politicians. They called for national reconcilitation in honour of the victims. [ [http://www.namibian.com.na/2007/February/national/07791B7A3A.html Oshakati bomb blast remembered] The Namibian, 20 February, 2007]

References