In the Pan-African Damara Orogen, an unusual scapolitization occurs within metaturbidites of the Kuiseb Formation in the Khomas Hochland, central Namibia. Geochemical investigations exclude an evaporitic precursor for the scapolite-bearing Kuiseb schists. Carbon isotope data indicate a local sedimentary source of fluids which reacted with pre-existing plagioclase in the Kuiseb schists to form the scapolite.