The 1971-72 Namibian contract workers strike was a dispute involving contract workers across Namibia (then known as South West Africa). It began on 13 December 1971 in Windhoek and Walvis Bay before spreading among miners in Tsumeb and beyond. Approximately 13,000 workers participated in the strike, mainly those from Ovamboland in the country's densely populated north. The public goal of strikers was to end the contract labour system, which many characterized as close to slavery. An underlying goal was the promotion of independence under SWAPO leadership. Background In June 1971, the International Court of Justice ruled that South Africa's ongoing occupation of Namibia was illegal, which encouraged anti-colonial actions within the territory. In August, pro-independence students had been expelled from schools throughout Ovamboland by South African officials. Many former students then took contract work with the intention of promoting a general strike. References Strike Strike 1971-72 Skorpion 1971 labor disputes and strikes 1972 labor disputes and strikes Miners' labor disputes in Africa Mining in Namibia General strikes in Africa