South West Africa is the name of the country now known as Namibia, situated in the south western part of southern Africa. As SWA it was ruled by the German Empire until 1915 and from then until 1990 by South Africa. It’s capital was Windhoek and is still today the capital of Namibia.
As a South African Colony, SWA issued stamps from 1914 to 1989. Many South African stamps were overprinted for use in SWA. The first stamps inscribed “South West Africa” were issued bilingually i.e. in English and in Afrikaans in 1923. From 1970 the abbreviation SWA was in general use. The last stamps of SWA were issued in 1989 and 1990 showing minerals and mining and flora of the country.
1923
South African King George V Series (Overprinted South West Africa or Suidwes Afrika)
SG # 1
Used (Hinged)
SG # 2
Used (Hinged)
SG # 3
Used (Hinged)
SG # 19
Used (Hinged)
SG # 20
Used (Hinged)
SG # 6
Used (Hinged)
SG # 35
Used (Hinged)
SG # 37
Used (Hinged)
1926
Various Scenes Series of South Africa (Overprinted South West Africa or Suidwes Afrika)
SG # 45
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 45
Used (Hinged)
SG # 46
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 46
Used (Hinged)
SG # 49
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 49
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 50
Unused (Hinged)
46
SG # 50
Used (Hinged)
SG # 50
Used (Hinged)
1926
Various Scenes Series (Overprinted S.W.A.)
SG # 58
Unused (NH)
SG # 58
Unused (NH)
SG # 59
Unused (NH)
SG # 59
Unused (NH)
SG # 59
Used (Hinged)
SG # 60
Used (Hinged)
SG # 62
Used (Hinged)
SG # 63
Used (Hinged)
1930
Air Series (Overprinted S.W.A.)
SG # 72
Unused (Hinged)
1931
Various Scenes Series featuring Bilingual Pairs
SG # 74
Used (Hinged)
SG # 75
Unused (NH)
SG # 75
Used (Hinged)
SG # 75
Used (Hinged)
SG # 76
Used (Hinged)
SG # 76
Used (Hinged)
SG # 77
Used (Hinged)
SG # 77
Used (Hinged)
SG # 78
Used (Hinged)
SG # 79
Used (Hinged)
SG # 79
Used (Hinged)
SG # 80
Used (Hinged)
SG # 81
Used (Hinged)
SG # 82
Used (Hinged)
1935
Silver Jubilee Series
SG # 88
Unused (Hinged)
1937
Mail Transport Series
SG # 96
Used (Hinged)
Coronation Series featuring King George VI
SG # 97
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 97
Used (Hinged)
SG # 98
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 98
Used (Hinged)
SG # 99
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 99
Used (Hinged)
SG # 100
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 100
Used (Hinged)
SG # 101
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 101
Used (Hinged)
SG 102
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 102
Used (Hinged)
SG # 103
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 103
Used (Hinged)
SG # 104
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 104
Used (Hinged)
1943
War Effort Series of South Africa (Overprinted S.W.A.)
SG # 124
Used (Hinged)
SG # 124
Used (Hinged)
SG # 125
Used (Hinged)
1945
Victory Series of South Africa (Overprinted S.W.A.)
SG # 131
Used (Hinged)
SG # 132
Used (Hinged)
1947
Royal Visit Series,of South Africa (Overprinted S.W.A)
SG # 134
Unused (Hinged
SG # 134
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 135
Unused (Hinged
SG # 135
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 136
Unused (Hinged
SG # 136
Unused (Hinged)
1949
75th Anniversary of U.P.U. Series (Stamps of South Africa overprinted S.W.A.)
SG # 139
Used (Hinged)
1952
Tercentenary of Landing of Jan van Riebeeck Series
SG # 146
Unused (NH)
1953
Coronation Series – Native Flowers
SG # 149
Used (Hinged)
1954
Various Scenes Series
SG # 154
Used (Hinged)
SG # 155
Used (Hinged)
SG # 156
Used (Hinged)
SG # 157
Used (Hinged)
SG # 159
Used (Hinged)
SG # 160
Used (Hinged)
SG # 162
Used (Hinged)
1961
Various Scenes Series
SG # 171
Used (Hinged)
SG # 172
Used (NH)
SG # 172
Used (Hinged)
SG # 173
Used (NH)
SG # 173
Used (Hinged)
SG # 174
Used (Hinged)
SG # 175
Used (Hinged)
SG # 176
Used (Hinged)
SG # 177
Used (Hinged)
SG # 209
Used (NH)
SG # 178
Unused (NH)
SG # 180
Used (NH)
1965
400th Death Anniversary of Calvin Series (Protestant Reformer)
SG # 196
Used (NH)
75th Anniversary of Windhoek Series
SG # 198
Used (Hinged)
1966
90th Birth Anniversary Series of Dr. H. Vedder (philisopher and writer)
SG # 200
Used (Hinged)
1967
Verwoerd Commemoration Series
SG # 217
Used (NH)
SG # 218
Used (Hinged)
SG # 219
Used (Hinged)
1968
Swart Commemoration Series
SG # 220
Used (Hinged)
1970
150th Anniversary of Bible Society Series (Stamps of SA inscribed SWA)
SG # 228
Used (Hinged)
SG # 228
Used (Hinged)
1971
“Interstex” Stamp Exhibition Series, Cape Town (Stamps of SA inscribed SWA)
SG # 230
Used (Hinged)
Anniversary of South African Republic Series (Stamps of SA inscribed SWA)
SG # 232
Used (Hinged)
Centenary of S.P.C.A. Series (Stamps of SA inscribed SWA)
SG # 234
Used (NH)
1973
Succulents Series
SG # 241
Unused (NH)
SG # 241
Used (Hinged)
SG # 242a
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 242a
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 243
Used (Hinged)
SG # 244
Used (Hinged)
SG # 244
Used (Hinged)
SG # 245b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 245b
Unused (Hinged)
No Ref
Used (NH)
SG # 246
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 247
Used (Hinged)
SG # 248
Used (Hinged)
SG # 249b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 252
Used (Hinged)
SG # 253
Used (Hinged)
SG # 254
Used (Hinged)
SG # 255a
Used (Hinged)
1974
Rare Birds Series
SG # 260
Used (Hinged)
Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings Series
SG # 266
Used (Hinged)
Centenary of Thirstland Trek Series
SG # 269
Used (NH)
1975
Protected Birds of Prey Series
SG # 270
Used (Hinged)
SG # 271
Used (Hinged)
Historic Monuments Series
SG # 274
Used (NH)
1976
Prehistoric Rock Paintings Series
SG # 282
Used (Hinged)
Fauna Conservation Series
SG # 290
Used (Hinged)
1977
Namib Desert Series
SG # 297
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 298
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 299
Unused (Hinged)
The Ovambo People Series
SG # 301
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 302
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 303
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 304
Unused (Hinged)
J.G. Strijdom Airport Windhoek Series
SG # 305
Unused (Hinged)
Historic Houses Series
SG # 306
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 307
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 308
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 309
Unused (Hinged)
1978
Small Animals Series
SG # 311
Unused (NH)
SG # 312
Unused (NH)
SG # 313
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 314
Unused (Hinged)
The Bushmen Series
SG # 315
Mint (NH)
SG # 316
Mint (NH)
SG # 317
Mint (NH)
SG # 318
Mint (NH)
Historic Churches Series
Miniature Sheet
SG # 319
Mint (NH)
SG # 320
Mint (NH)
SG # 321
Mint (NH)
SG # 322
Mint (NH)
Universal Suffrage Series
SG # 324
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 324
Mint (NH)
SG # 325
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 326
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 327
Mint (NH)
SG # 327
Mint (NH)
SG # 328
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 329
Unused (Hinged)
1979
Water Birds Series
SG # 330
Mint (NH)
SG # 331
Mint (NH)
SG # 332
Mint (NH)
SG # 333
Mint (NH)
Gemstones Series
SG # 334
Mint (NH)
SG # 335
Mint (NH)
SG # 336
Mint (NH)
SG # 337
Mint (NH)
1980
Whales Series
SG # 338
Mint (NH)
SG # 339
Mint (NH)
SG # 340
Mint (NH)
SG # 341
Mint (NH)
SG # 342
Mint (NH)
SG # 343
Mint (NH)
25th Anniversary of Division of Nature Conservation & Tourism Series – Antelopes
SG # 345
Mint (NH)
SG # 346
Mint (NH)
SG # 347
Mint (NH)
SG # 348
Mint (NH)
Wild Life Series
SG # 349
Mint (NH)
SG # 350
Mint (NH)
SG # 351
Mint (NH)
SG # 352
Mint (NH)
SG # 353
Mint (NH)
SG # 354
Used (Hinged)
SG # 354
Mint (NH)
SG # 355
Mint (NH)
SG # 356
Mint (NH)
SG # 357
Mint (NH)
SG # 358
Mint (NH)
SG # 358a
Mint (NH)
SG # 358b
Mint (NH)
SG # 358b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 358c
Mint (NH)
SG # 359
Mint (NH)
SG # 359a
Used (NH)
SG # 359a
Mint (NH)
SG # 360
Used (NH)
SG # 360
Mint (NH)
SG # 361
Mint (NH)
SG # 362
Mint (NH)
SG # 363
Used (NH)
SG # 363
Mint (NH)
SG # 364
Mint (NH)
SG # 365
Mint (NH)
Coil Stamps, Wildlife Series
SG # 366
Mint (NH)
SG # 367
Mint (NH)
SG # 368
Mint (NH)
Water Conservation Series – Dams
SG # 369
Mint (NH)
SG # 370
Mint (NH)
SG # 371
Mint (NH)
SG # 372
Mint (NH)
1981
Fish River Canyon Series
SG # 373
Mint (NH)
SG # 374
Mint (NH)
SG # 375
Mint (NH)
SG # 376
Mint (NH)
Aloes Series
SG # 377
Mint (NH)
SG # 378
Mint (NH)
SG # 379
Mint (NH)
SG # 380
Mint (NH)
Historic Buildings of Luderitz Series
SG # 381
Mint (NH)
SG # 382
Mint (NH)
SG # 383
Mint (NH)
SG # 384
Mint (NH)
Salt Industry Series
SG # 386
Mint (NH)
SG # 387
Mint (NH)
SG # 388
Mint (NH)
SG # 389
Mint (NH)
1982
Tortoises Series
SG # 390
Mint (NH)
SG # 391
Mint (NH)
SG # 392
Mint (NH)
SG # 393
Mint (NH)
Discoveries of South West Africa 1st Series
SG # 394
Mint (NH)
SG # 395
Mint (NH)
SG # 396
Mint (NH)
SG # 397
Mint (NH)
Mountains of South West Africa Series
SG # 398
Mint (NH)
SG # 399
Mint (NH)
SG # 400
Mint (NH)
SG # 401
Mint (NH)
Traditional Head dresses of South West Africa 1st Series
SG # 402
Mint (NH)
SG # 403
Mint (NH)
SG # 404
Mint (NH)
SG # 405
Mint (NH)
1983
Centenary of Luderitz Series
SG # 406
Used (NH)
SG # 406
Mint (NH)
SG # 407
Mint (NH)
SG # 408
Mint (NH)
SG # 409
Mint (NH)
SG # 410
Mint (NH)
75th Anniversary of the Discovery of Diamonds Series
SG # 411
Mint (NH)
SG # 412
Mint (NH)
SG # 413
Mint (NH)
SG # 414
Mint (NH)
Painters of South West Africa Series
SG # 415
Mint (NH)
SG # 416
Mint (NH)
SG # 417
Mint (NH)
SG # 418
Mint (NH)
Lobster Industry Series
SG # 419
Mint (NH)
SG # 420
Mint (NH)
SG # 421
Mint (NH)
SG # 422
Mint (NH)
1984
Historic Buildings of Swakopmund Series
SG # 423
Mint (NH)
SG # 424
Mint (NH)
SG # 425
Mint (NH)
SG # 426
Mint (NH)
Traditional Head dresses of South West Africa 2nd Series
SG # 427
Mint (NH)
SG # 428
Mint (NH)
SG # 429
Mint (NH)
SG # 430
Mint (NH)
Century of German Colonisation Series
SG # 431
Mint (NH)
SG # 432
Mint (NH)
SG # 433
Mint (NH)
SG # 434
Mint (NH)
Spring in South West Africa Series
SG # 435
Mint (NH)
SG # 436
Mint (NH)
SG # 437
Mint (NH)
SG # 438
Mint (NH)
1985
Ostriches Series
SG # 439
Mint (NH)
SG # 440
Mint (NH)
SG # 441
Mint (NH)
SG # 442
Mint (NH)
Historic Buildings of Windhoek Series
SG # 443
Mint (NH)
SG # 444
Mint (NH)
SG # 445
Mint (NH)
SG # 446
Mint (NH)
Narrow-Gauge Railway Locomotives Series
SG # 447
Mint (NH)
SG # 448
Mint (NH)
SG # 449
Mint (NH)
SG # 450
Mint (NH)
Traditional Musical Instruments Series
SG # 451
Mint (NH)
SG # 452
Mint (NH)
SG # 453
Mint (NH)
SG # 454
Mint (NH)
1986
Discoverers of South West Africa 2nd Series – Diogo Cao
SG # 455
Mint (NH)
SG # 456
Mint (NH)
SG # 457
Mint (NH)
SG # 458
Mint (NH)
Rock Formations Series
SG # 459
Mint (NH)
SG # 460
Mint (NH)
SG # 461
Mint (NH)
SG # 462
Mint (NH)
Karakul Industry Series
SG # 463
Mint (NH)
SG # 464
Mint (NH)
SG # 465
Mint (NH)
SG # 466
Mint (NH)
Life in the Caprivi Strip Series
SG # 467
Mint (NH)
SG # 468
Mint (NH)
SG # 469
Mint (NH)
SG # 470
Mint (NH)
1987
Paintings by Thomas Baines Series
SG # 471
Mint (NH)
SG # 472
Mint (NH)
SG # 473
Mint (NH)
SG # 474
Mint (NH)
Useful Insects Series
SG # 475
Mint (NH)
SG # 476
Mint (NH)
SG # 477
Mint (NH)
SG # 478
Mint (NH)
Tourist Camps Series
SG # 479
Mint (NH)
SG # 480
Mint (NH)
SG # 481
Mint (NH)
SG # 482
Mint (NH)
Shipwrecks Series
SG # 483
Mint (NH)
SG # 484
Mint (NH)
SG # 485
Mint (NH)
SG # 487
Used (NH)
1988
500th Anniversary of Discovery of Cape of Good Hope Series (Discovered by Bartholomeu Dias)
SG # 487
Used (NH)
Landmarks of South West Africa Series
SG # 491
Mint (NH)
SG # 492
Mint (NH)
SG # 493
Mint (NH)
SG # 494
Mint (NH)
Centenary of Postal Service in South West Africa Series
SG # 495
Mint (NH)
SG # 496
Mint (NH)
SG # 497
Mint (NH)
SG # 498
Mint (NH)
Birds of South West Africa Series
SG # 499
Used (Hinged)
1989
Missionaries Series
SG # 503
Mint (NH)
SG # 504
Mint (NH)
SG # 505
Mint (NH)
SG # 506
Mint (NH)
75th Anniversary of Aviation in South West Africa Series
SG # 507
Mint (NH)
SG # 508
Mint (NH)
SG # 509
Mint (NH)
SG # 510
Mint (NH)
Namib Desert Sand Dunes Series
SG # 511
Used (Hinged)
SG # 513
Used (Hinged)
South West Africa Constitutional Election Series
SG # 515
Used (NH)
Minerals Series
SG # 524
Used (Hinged)
SG # 530
Used (NH)
1990
Flora Series
SG # 534
Mint (NH)
SG # 535
Mint (NH)
SG # 536
Mint (NH)
SG # 537
Mint (NH)