List of colonial governors of South West Africa

This article lists the colonial governors of South West Africa. South West Africa was the colonial predecessor of the modern day Republic of Namibia from when the territory was controlled by the German Empire (as German South West Africa) and the Union of South Africa.

The title of the position changed a number of times. Under German rule, the title of the position went from Commissioner (1884–1893) to Provincial Governor () (1893–1898) to Governor (1898–1915). Under South African rule, the title was Administrator (1915–1977) and Administrator-General (1977–1990).

After the United Nations terminated South Africa's mandate to govern South West Africa, the UN appointed commissioners of its own. They had no authority and South Africa refused to recognize them, and are not included here.

List Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office

German South West Africa

Portrait Name Term of office Took office Left office Time in office – Heinrich Vogelsang 9 April 1883 12 May 1883 1 Adolf Lüderitz 12 May 1883 7 October 1884 2 Gustav Nachtigal 7 October 1884 20 April 1885 † – Heinrich Ernst Göring 20 April 1885 August 1890 – Louis Nels August 1890 March 1891 3 Curt von François March 1891 November 1893 3 Curt von François November 1893 15 March 1894 4 Theodor Leutwein 15 March 1894 27 June 1895 27 June 1895 18 April 1898 4 Theodor Leutwein 18 April 1898 19 August 1905 – Lothar von Trotha 19 August 1905 November 1905 5 Friedrich von Lindequist November 1905 20 May 1907 6 Bruno von Schuckmann 20 May 1907 20 June 1910 7 Theodor Seitz 28 August 1910 9 July 1915

South West Africa

Portrait Name Term of office Took office Left office Time in office Occupation by South Africa Military Governor 1 Louis Botha 9 July 1915 11 July 1915 2 Percival Scott Beves 11 July 1915 30 October 1915 Administrator 3 Sir Edmond Gorges 31 October 1915 1 October 1920 4 Gysbert Reitz Hofmeyr 1 October 1920 17 December 1920 League of Nations mandate (administered by South Africa) 4 Gysbert Reitz Hofmeyr 17 December 1920 1 April 1926 5 1 April 1926 1 April 1933 years 6 1 April 1933 1 April 1943 years 7 1 April 1943 6 December 1951 8 6 December 1951 1 December 1953 9 1 December 1953 1 December 1963 years 10 1 December 1963 1 November 1968 South African occupation of Namibia 11 1 November 1968 1 November 1971 years 12 1 November 1971 1 September 1977 Administrator-General 13 Marthinus T. Steyn 1 September 1977 7 August 1979 14 Gerrit Viljoen 7 August 1979 4 September 1980 15 Danie Hough 4 September 1980 1 February 1983 16 Willie van Niekerk 1 February 1983 1 July 1985 17 Louis Pienaar 1 July 1985 21 March 1990

Timeline

See also President of Namibia Vice President of Namibia Prime Minister of Namibia Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia United Nations Commissioner for Namibia Transitional Government of National Unity (Namibia) Walvis Bay List of colonial governors of Walvis Bay History of Namibia Politics of Namibia

External links World Statesmen – Namibia