The Turnhalle Conference was a series of meetings on constitutional matters for Namibia, or South West Africa as South Africa still called the territory. Starting in September 1975, the conference involved the South African government, representatives of the white only legislative assembly of Namibia, and leaders of the 10 native homelands (see Odendaal Commission). South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) was, however, excluded from attending.


A draft constitution was revealed by the Turnhalle Conference in March 1977. It called for a pre-independence interim government and then 11 administrative districts (based on the 10 ethnic homelands and the rest of the country occupied by white settlers). A supposed independence was slated for 31 December 1978. However, it remained in force until independence was prepared for in 1989.

The Turnhalle report was rejected by the United Nations and South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). The Democratic Turnhalle Alliance party was formed in 1977 with representatives from the white settler region and each of the ten homelands. It won elections in 1978 and founded the 'interim' government.