In the past three months, I have found myself reading the pre-colonial economic history of developing countries. With respect to Namibia’s pre-colonial history, I read Francis Galton, Charles Andersson, as well as Hahn, Vedder, and Fourie, among other old books. The Galton prediction is one of the lessons I learned. There is evidence that pre-colonial Namibia, like many other societies of that time, saw seen its share of inter- and intra-group wars. However, despite such violence a remarkable life did go on. In one of his accounts, Sir Charles Galton observes the following of Namibia:

“If philanthropists continue anxious to promote African civilization, the remarkable advantage of [Namibia], as a leverage ground in these matters, should not be lost sight of. The healthiness of the climate, the position of the country, the intelligence and orderly habits of the natives, their travelling and trading propensities, and lastly the ready access which it admits of from a healthy sea-coast, form most cogent recommendations.”
The Galton expedition also made other interesting observations. For example, it noted the advanced economic and other systems, such as sophisticated inter-ethnic group diplomacy and trade. Galton and other writers of the time demonstrate clearly the enterprise of the natives (locals), their basic economic values and means of survival. Large animal (cattle) and small stock (goat) farming was widespread. Land management was sophisticated by present-day standards. All native Namibians, from the “red people” to the “black people”, and all political colours in-between, possessed dynamic knowledge systems for effective resource allocation and use, whether the resources themselves were as basic as wild fruits and vegetables, wooden baskets, or iron axes. Trade “highways existed from time immemorial”.