Epilogue

Abstract

This work presents a detailed reconstruction of the origins and development of the most important inner-Namibian border—the Red Line. The successive implementation of this combined colonial settlement and veterinary border was a process that spanned six decades of Namibian history. The first milestone in this timeline was the ad hoc and temporary rinderpest cordon, established in 1896. The second milestone was the Police Zone border, created in 1907. Taken together, the rinderpest cordon and the Police Zone border marked the emergence of the concept of an inner-Namibian border that would protect the European settlement region from the dangers that lurked in the African interior.