The metasediments of the Kuiseb Formation around Windhoek are a highly deformed and metamorphosed sequence of interlayered psammitic and pelitic gneisses and schists. A well-developed tectonic fabric is parallel to lithological layering and is itself deformed in local shear zones and by a locally developed crenulation cleavage. The gneisses and schists are interlayered on all scales from a few centimetres to tens of metres. The schists are associated with veining and retrogression of the peak metamorphic assemblage of biotite - muscovite - plagioclase - chlorite - garnet - quartz. East of Windhoek, the gneisses and schists of the Kleine Kuppe Formation (underlying the Kuiseb Formation) are distinguished from the latter by their higher Nb and La contents, lower Y, Zn and V, and the presence of kyanite and staurolite: otherwise the geochemistry and mineralogy of the two formations is rather similar. Within the Kuiseb Formation, the gneisses are lower in all elements except Si, Ca, N a, Sr and Zr, compared to the schists. Ratios of Nb, P, La, Ce, Y and Fe, with Ti are virtually constant through the dataset, not being significantly different between the gneisses and schists. However, Al/Ti and Ti/Zr are higher in the schists. These data are compatible with a single dominant clay phase at deposition, along with variable quartz and possible minor detrital zircon. The data also suggest negligible mobility of Ti, Nb, P, La, Ce, Y and Fe after burial, and further imply that original sandy and shaley units cannot be distinguished on the basis of these immobile elements. Mobility of Si, Mn, Mg, K, Rb, Ba, Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, V and Cr is implied: Ca, Na and Sr may reflect a feldspar detrital component and/or mobility of these elements after burial. The layering defined by gneisses and schists appears to have resulted from lithological differences (possibly slight) that have been accentuated by later deformation and fluid infiltration.