Although overlooked by both administrators and anthropologists and numerically rather
marginal, the Bushmen have been always part of the Namibian urban spaces on their erstwhile
territories. Based on several field research trips to the area of Grootfontein between 2007 and
2013 and archival research, this dissertation outlines the complex historical processes and
factors influencing the mobility of the !Xun Bushmen into and out of the urban space of
Grootfontein in the commercial farm area of Namibia. Even though the mobility to its urban
space was largely legally controlled during both the German and South African rule, the
Bushmen continuously managed to penetrate it. With the development of the Blikkiesdorp
settlement in the township of Grootfontein in the early 2000s the number of !Xun in the town
considerably increased and they became an integral part of the settlement. This dissertation
argues that the reasons for Bushman urbanisation are far more complex than being solely
economically motivated. Although, the main focus of this case study is on the urban locality
of Grootfontein, its author is convinced many of its data are generalisible on other urban areas
within the commercial farm area as well.