I have an absurdly large collection of postage stamps at home. It’s quite possibly the nerdiest
past time or collection to have, but I think that stamp collecting has given me first hand access
to understanding international history through real artifacts I personally curate— they’re like
little shards of history immortalized on small scraps of paper. It’s only natural, then, that the
stamp collection I have at home includes a few from Namibia.
past time or collection to have, but I think that stamp collecting has given me first hand access
to understanding international history through real artifacts I personally curate— they’re like
little shards of history immortalized on small scraps of paper. It’s only natural, then, that the
stamp collection I have at home includes a few from Namibia.
Namibia has had a pretty rich history of stamps, given that stamps are often a reflection of
the social and political history of the country they’re from. Namibia’s first postal services
began in 1814 as a way for early mission stations to communicate with each other along
the country’s western coast. Such post stations especially connected the British missions
together (like the cities of Bethanie and Warmbad). Because the post stations were linked
to British interests, they were expanded southward in 1946 to include South Africa, which
was another part of Africa under British colonial rule.
the social and political history of the country they’re from. Namibia’s first postal services
began in 1814 as a way for early mission stations to communicate with each other along
the country’s western coast. Such post stations especially connected the British missions
together (like the cities of Bethanie and Warmbad). Because the post stations were linked
to British interests, they were expanded southward in 1946 to include South Africa, which
was another part of Africa under British colonial rule.
Postal services later expanded to include the German Rhenish missionaries, such as
Keetmanshoop and in bigger cities like Windhoek and Swakopmund. While Namibian
colonial interests shifted among countries (Germany, South Africa, etc), postage stamps
and the offices that distributed them changed in tandem.
Keetmanshoop and in bigger cities like Windhoek and Swakopmund. While Namibian
colonial interests shifted among countries (Germany, South Africa, etc), postage stamps
and the offices that distributed them changed in tandem.
Currently, Namibia relies on NamPost as the primary (if not only) postage service for the
country. Having existed for 119 years, NamPost was once a government service but became
commercialized after Namibian independence in the early 1990s.
country. Having existed for 119 years, NamPost was once a government service but became
commercialized after Namibian independence in the early 1990s.
What’s interesting is that the NamPost website also talked about stamp collectors like me,
which they refer to as a “philatelist.” The post company even has education programs to
encourage young Namibian children to begin and maintain stamp collections!
which they refer to as a “philatelist.” The post company even has education programs to
encourage young Namibian children to begin and maintain stamp collections!
I think postage is an interest infrastructure question for Namibia. I wonder, because of the
broad expanse of the country and its aridity, how fast does postage actually travel within the
country? And between other countries?
broad expanse of the country and its aridity, how fast does postage actually travel within the
country? And between other countries?
Here are some beautiful stamps from Namibia:
~ Elizabeth
It would be interesting to evaluate the success of NamPost (in profit, efficiency measures) since it was commercialized, especially in comparison to other countries.
ReplyDelete- Hayden
Do you know how they primarily deliver mail? Are most things by land or by air?
ReplyDelete