A national public holiday in Namibia that commemorates the 1990 day Namibia gained its full independence from South Africa. The day is celebrated with parades and political ceremonies. In 1884, Namibia became a German colony known as South-West Africa. It was taken over by South Africa after Germany’s defeat in World War I. The struggle for independence began in the 1970s and was led by the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia.