2008 in Namibia

"See also:"
2007 in Namibia,
other events of 2008,
2008 in Namibian sport,
2009 in Namibia and the
Timeline of Namibian history.

2008 in Namibia refers to the events which occurred in the year of 2008 in the Republic of Namibia.

Politics

The ruling party, SWAPO, and the new opposition party, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) contested the first town council election in Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region. [ [http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/April/national/08FD44664A.html RDP wants to go to court over Omuthiya] by Christopher Maletsky, The Namibian, 24 April 2008] On 24 April, a rally of 200 took place against the porting of the Chinese ship the An Yue Jiang at Walvis Bay. [ [http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/April/national/08FD37BDE4.html Namibians say NO to arms] by Tanja Bause, The Namibian, 25 April 2008]

Economics

Labour

main|2008 Skorpion Zinc StrikeThe 2008 Skorpion Zinc Strike was a worker's strike against the ownership of the Skorpion Zinc mine near the southern town of Rosh Pinah in Karas Region. Lasting 19 days (10-29 May), the workers ended their strike when management agreed to a 12% raise in wages plus overtime and travel expenses. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSL3072491820080530 Strike ends at Namibia's Skorpion Zinc mine] in Reuters, 30 May, 2008.] The workers had originally demanded a 14% raise in wages. [ [http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=134268 Namibia govt seeks to resolve Skorpion Zinc strike] in Mining Weekly, 27 May, 2008] The strike was supported by the National Union of Mineworkers, who accused Skorpion Zinc of practising racial discrimination and of negotiating in bad faith. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSL3072491820080530 Strike ends at Namibia's Skorpion Zinc mine] in Reuters, 30 May, 2008] [ [http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=134268 Namibia govt seeks to resolve Skorpion Zinc strike] in Mining Weekly, 27 May, 2008]

port

Football (soccer)

The national men's football team began 2008 in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. After losing 1-5 to Morocco in their opening match, Namibia lost 0-1 to host Ghana and tied 1-1 with Guinea, finishing in last place in their group. Following the Africa Cup of Nations, Namibia lost 1-3 to Malawi in Windhoek on 26 March. In July, Namibia dropped 15 spots in the FIFA rankings to 146th. [ [http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/July/sport/081264CED1.html Warriors slide down Fifa ranks] The Namibian, 3 July, 2008]

World Cup qualifying

Namibia was drawn into group 2 of the CAF First Group Round, alongside Kenya, Guinea and Zimbabwe. On 31 May, Namibia kicked off qualifiers at home against Kenya, defeating them on an 89th minute goal by Costa Khaiseb. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7429465.stm Namibia 2-1 Kenya] BBC Sport, 31 May, 2008] The Brave Warriors then traveled to Harare on 8 June, losing 0-2 [ [http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/africa/matches/round=250418/match=300036596/index.html Match Report] fifa.com] . Travelling back to Windhoek to face Guinea on 14 June, the Brave Warriors lost 1-2 on a 45th minute go-ahead goal by Pascal Feindouno. Playin in Conakry on 22 June, Namibia lost again, this time 0-4. After a two month break, The Brave Warriors head to Nairobi on 10 September. The last match in the first round is at home against Zimbabwe on 10 October.

COSAFA Cup

The 2008 Cosafa Cup was held in South Africa. The Namibian side won their group, group B, with a record of 2-0-1. In the quarterfinals, Namibia lost 0-1 to the South Africa Development XI team.

Boxing

The University of Namibia hosted the 2nd AIBA African 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament from 20-30 March. At that tournament, the final round of qualifiers for boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics for Africa were determined.

Olympics

main|Namibia at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Deaths

* Kalla Gertze, Congress of Democrats parliamentarian (13 March) [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200803140573.html CoD's Gertze Dies] New Era 14 March, 2008]
* John Pandeni, government minister (14 March)
* Nico Bessinger, former government minister (25 March)
* Gabes Shihepo, former deputy minister (14 July)
* Hannes Smith, former Reporter (5 August)

References