Diamond Warriors in Colonial Namibia : Diamond Smuggling, Migrant Workers and Development in Owamboland / Shipululo Amupanda.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Amupanda, Shipululo, author.

Series:

Basel Namibia Studies Series ; 26

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Diamond mines and mining.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (218 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Basel, Switzerland : Basler Afrika Bibliographien, [2022]

Summary:

Diamond Warriors in Colonial Namibia enters into unchartered scholarly territory of illegal diamond smuggling at the largest diamond mining company in colonial Namibia-De Beers' Consolidated Diamond Mines of South West Africa (CDM). It details the underground activities of the natives (migrant workers) employed by the CDM and how these illicit activities accounted for rapid development in Owamboland. Beyond this account, the book takes on the deterministic 'natural resource curse' theory that equates natural resource endowments to a curse resulting in underdevelopment and sometimes conflict. It is argued and proven herein, from a decolonial standpoint, that such an approach is an oversimplification of the political economy of natural resources in Africa in general and Namibia in particular. The text also provides a contextual account of the contract labour system and details the symbiotic relationship between CDM and the colonial state before highlighting the remaining unanswered questions and areas of further research.

Contents:

Abstract

List of Figures

List of Tables

List of Acronyms

Explanation of terminology as used in this study

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Introduction

Orientation and background to the study

The CLS and the Aawambo connection

Man's inhumanity to man : the degrading, dehumanizing and oppressive nature of the CLS

CDM in a colonial setting

CDM and the global capitalist system

Statement of the problem

Research questions

Significance of the study

Limitations of the study

Delimitation of the study

Outline of the remaining chapters

The 'Natural Resource Curse' Theory : Commissions, Omissions and Limitations

History and basic tenets of the natural resources curse theory

Application and analysis of the natural resources curse : the various approaches

Evolution and the critique of the natural resources curse theory

Alternative perspectives on the political economy of illegal diamonds in Owamboland

Conclusion

Research Methodology

Justifying the units of analysis

Research design

Population of the study

Sampling

Research instruments

Data gathering procedure

Methods of data analysis

Challenges encountered and remedies

Research ethics

The Natives and the Diamonds in Colonial Namibia-Methods, Strategies and Tactics for Smuggling Diamonds at CDM

The fact of diamond smuggling at CDM

Osheelo and the native diamond smuggling syndicate

The 'gift of nature' : domesticated pigeons

The 'back way' : the readily-available rectum

The 'holy shield' : the Lutheran pastors

The luggage conveyor belt

The 'blind spots'

The collaborating insiders

The collaborating outsiders

The 'abdominal carriage'

The 'disability path'

The fast and efficient crossbow

The Diamond Supply and Demand Dynamics-Understanding the Portuguese Connection

From the ONSS to the Port North masterminds

Portuguese business acumen and strategic role in illegal diamonds

Afrikaners or Portuguese? : The role of trust in underground diamond dealings

Portuguese illegal diamonds and the De Beers connection

The Diamond Rents in Owamboland-Concomitant Rapid Development by Unorthodox Means

The 'Diamond Princes'

Purchasing power, mercantilism and opportunities

The transformation of the Owamboland rural economy

Cattle as 'currency' : consolidation of traditional economic development patterns

Can a claim of development be made?

Findings of the Study

Findings relating to research questions

Nature of the study and contribution to the body of knowledge

Contribution towards the natural resources curse theory and an alternative understanding of the political economy of mineral resources

CDM as a capitalist instrument of the colonial project

The natives and their involvement in illegal diamonds

The diamond rents and development in Owamboland

Developmental lessons from illegal diamonds

Unresolved and troubling questions

Auxiliary findings and reflections

Areas for further research

References

Appendices

Respondents Interviewed in 2017 for the Study

Ethical Clearance Certificate

Research Permission Letter

Participant Information Sheet

Informed Consent Form

English-language Questionnaire for former CDM Employees

Oshiwambo Questionnaire for Former CDM Employees

Interview Questions for Mining, Diamond and Other Experts

Interview Questions for Community Leaders, Activists and Other Leaders

Interview Questions for CDM and Colonial State Officials

Verification Questionnaire for De Beers Officials

Verification Questionnaire for Oshakati Town Council Officials

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--University of Namibia, 2020.

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Print version: Amupanda, Shipululo Diamond Warriors in Colonial Namibia

ISBN:

9783906927466

3906927466

OCLC:

1381093180