Walvis Bay is handed over to Namibia

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The South African government ended eighty-four years of control over the Walvis Bay enclave by handing over the port and twelve offshore islands to the Namibian government. This followed in the wake of bilateral discussions lasting three years between the South African and Namibian governments and the establishment of a transitional Joint Administrative Authority (JAA) in November 1992 to administer the 300 square mile territory. The amicable resolution to this territorial dispute, which stretched back to 1878, was commended by the United Nations and the international community as it fulfilled the provisions of UN Security Council 432 (1978), which declared Walvis Bay to be an integral part of Namibia.

How we know this

01Walvis Bay, History of Walvis bay, from Walvis bay, [online] Available at www.walvisbaycc.org.na [Accessed: 03 March 2014]
02African Executive, History of Walvis Bay, from African Executive, [online] Available at www.africanexecutive.com [Accessed: 03 March 2014]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Walvis Bay is handed over to Namibia. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013133

South African History Online (2011) 'Walvis Bay is handed over to Namibia', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013133 (Accessed: 21 October 2026).

South African History Online, Walvis Bay is handed over to Namibia [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013133, (accessed 21 October 2026).

"Walvis Bay is handed over to Namibia." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013133. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Walvis Bay is handed over to Namibia." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013133.