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Development as (In)Justice: The Case of Namibia

Author

Listed:
  • Henning Melber

    (Henning Melber is affiliated with Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Uppsala, Uppsala County, Sweden; University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.)

  • Laura Camfield

    (Laura Camfield is the corresponding author (laura.camfield@kcl.ac.uk) and is affiliated with the Department of International Development, School of Global Affairs, King’s College London, UK.)

  • Uma Kothari

    (Uma Kothari is affiliated with University of Manchester, Manchester, England, UK.)

Abstract

This article critically examines the ongoing legacy of colonial land dispossession and its impacts on marginalized communities to reveal the limitations to achieving restorative justice. We focus on the unequal (re)distribution of land, the German Namibian reconciliation agreement and the threats posed by a planned German Namibian mega-project to produce green hydrogen, to advocate for development that delivers material benefits to marginalized groups and ensures intra- and inter-generational justice. Using the lenses of decoloniality and restorative justice, we argue that true decolonization requires commitment to substantive change through addressing the social structures that perpetuate material inequalities. We argue for a more pluralist, decolonial vision of justice to inform debates on restorative justice and to address these material inequalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Henning Melber & Laura Camfield & Uma Kothari, 2025. "Development as (In)Justice: The Case of Namibia," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 25(3-4), pages 211-230, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:25:y:2025:i:3-4:p:211-230
    DOI: 10.1177/14649934251388766
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chasca Twyman & Andrew Dougill & Deborah Sporton & David Thomas, 2001. "Community fencing in open rangelands: self‐empowerment in Eastern Namibia," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(87), pages 9-26.
    2. Gurminder K. Bhambra, 2022. "A Decolonial Project for Europe," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(2), pages 229-244, March.
    3. Daniela Gabor & Ndongo Samba Sylla, 2023. "Derisking Developmentalism: A Tale of Green Hydrogen," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 54(5), pages 1169-1196, September.
    4. Joyeeta Gupta & Diana Liverman & Klaudia Prodani & Paulina Aldunce & Xuemei Bai & Wendy Broadgate & Daniel Ciobanu & Lauren Gifford & Chris Gordon & Margot Hurlbert & Cristina Y. A. Inoue & Lisa Jacob, 2023. "Earth system justice needed to identify and live within Earth system boundaries," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(6), pages 630-638, June.
    5. repec:gig:afjour:v:42:y:2007:i:1:p:73-94 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Henning Melber, 2024. "Colonialism, Genocide and Reparations: The German‐Namibian Case," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 55(4), pages 773-799, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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