In this publication, the first of a projected series revising the Afrotropical (essentially southern African) species of the genus Quartinia Ed. Andre, 1884 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Masarinae), eleven new species are described. Of these, seven occurring variously in the southern Namib Desert and in its southward extension down the western coast of South Africa, and one occurring on the southern coast of South Africa, have been found nesting in sand-filled snail shells. They are: australis, bonaespei, conchicola, namaqua, namaquettsis, obibensis, and refugicola. To these species is added vexillata which is presumed to have the same nesting habits. A key to distinguish these species is given. The other three newly described species, all from Namibia, are: femorata, geigeriae and lamellata.