Time in Namibia
| Light Blue | Cape Verde Time[a] (UTC−1) |
| Blue | Greenwich Mean Time (UTC) |
| Red | (UTC+1)[b] |
| Yellow | (UTC+2) |
| Ochre | (UTC+2) |
| (UTC+3) | |
| Green | East Africa Time (UTC+3) |
| Turquoise | (UTC+4) |
b During Ramadan, Morocco switches to Greenwich Mean Time (UTC) and returns to UTC+1 after it ends.
d Mauritius and the Seychelles lie to the east and northeast of Madagascar, respectively.
Daylight saving time has been observed in Namibia since 1994 but there are current[update] discussions to abolish it.
History
Upon Namibian independence the country used a single time zone, keeping time regulation as previously prescribed by the occupying nation, South Africa. Triggered by fears for school children walking to school before sunset, discussions in the National Assembly started in 1992,[1] and on 10 November 1993 the Namibian Time Bill (#39 of 1993) was tabled. This bill defines the Namibian Standard Time.[2]
Since 1994 winter time starts on the first Sunday in April at 02:00 hours and lasts until the first Sunday in September, 03:00 hours. The Namibian Standard Time is UTC+02:00 (West Africa Summer Time) in summer, and UTC+01:00 (West Africa Time) in winter. The Zambezi Region in the far north-east of Namibia is excluded from daylight saving time and remains at West Africa Summer Time all year round,[3] so that when the daylight saving time is active, Namibia spans two time zones.[1]
Criticism
In the 2010s repeated calls from businesses and private individuals were made to abolish the daylight saving time, citing incompatibilities with South Africa, Namibia's main trading partner, as well as a "loss of productivity".[1]
This resulted in an official investigation by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration. During the polls, 97% of the 3,507 questioned people were in favour of the +2 difference to Greenwich Mean Time, and about 88% wanted to abolish winter time. After Cabinet was likewise against time changes, minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana tabled a new bill in February 2017. The decision is expected for March 2017, before the scheduled switch to winter time on 2 April.[4]
References
- ^ a b c "GRN evaluates winter time change". New Era. 24 March 2016. p. 1.
- ^ Dierks, Klaus. "Chronology of Namibian History, 136". klausdierks.com. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ Immanuel, Shinovene (23 February 2017). "Time change divides lawmakers". The Namibian. p. 1.
- ^ Konstantinus, Esme (23 February 2017). "Namibia's winter time might be repealed". New Era. p. 1.