Namibia's official language is English, established as the sole official language after independence from South Africa in 1990. English is used in government, education, and official communication, although only about 2.3% to 3.4% of the population speak it as their home language
. However, the most widely spoken languages in Namibia are indigenous languages, reflecting the country's ethnic diversity:
- Oshiwambo languages are the most spoken indigenous group, used by about 49% of the population, mainly in northern Namibia
- Khoekhoegowab (Nama/Damara language) is spoken by around 11% of the population, mostly in central and southern Namibia
- Afrikaans is spoken by about 9-10% of Namibians and serves as a lingua franca, especially in urban areas and the south. It was an official language during colonial times and remains widely understood
- Otjiherero is spoken by about 9% of the population, primarily by the Herero people
- Other languages include Kavango languages, Lozi, German (spoken by a small minority), San languages, and several other Bantu and Khoisan languages
English is taught as a compulsory subject in schools and is the medium of instruction from secondary school onwards, while indigenous languages are often used in primary education
. In summary, while English is the official language of Namibia, the majority of Namibians speak indigenous languages such as Oshiwambo and Khoekhoegowab at home, with Afrikaans also widely spoken as a common language across different groups
