Namibia is a medium-sized country with a population of just over one and a half million. With an
area of 824,295 square Kilometres, with a population estimated at 1.4 million (Population and
Housing Census, 2001), it is a vast country with the lowest population density in Africa. It has 26
languages, of which English is the official language. The African languages fall into seven main
language groups, viz. Oshiwambo, Nama/Damara, Otjiherero, Kavango, the Caprivian languages (e.g
Silozi, Khoi-san and Setswana). These languages are spoken by 87.8% of Namibia’s speakers, and
three groups speaking ‘imposed languages, viz. Afrikaans, English and German (11.2%). All the
indigenous languages are designated as national languages in the country’s language policy. However,
Afrikaans is actively used as a lingua franca, particularly in the urban areas and the southern parts of
the country. English is used in official circles. This situation leaves the great majority of Namibian
African languages in relegation to rural and family domains. Consequently, developing languages with
such low status presents major challenges. This discussion is going to critically examine the source
and nature of these challenges.