Swakopmund is gearing up for 10 days of celebration for the town’s 130th anniversary – which is officially on 4 August. “This is a great milestone and it is evident that the inhabitants have built a strong foundation over the years, which is being improved regularly. The aim of celebrating this anniversary is to enrich the cultural diversity and social interaction,” said Swakopmund council management committee chairman Wilfried Groenewald. A programme has already been drafted for activities from 29 July to 7 August. It includes a Mr and Miss Swakopmund pageant, a sports and fun day (including a colour party), church services (with prayer and choirs), a talent show, a drive-in movie night (with popcorn and refreshments), a beverage festival (including a beer garden), traditional dancers and local musicians and artists, the release of balloons, markets, and drag racing. The programme is subject to change. An official ceremony will take place on 4 August, which will include a parade.
Swakopmund was proclaimed a town on 4 Aug 1892 - two years later than Windhoek. It was also the main harbour for the Imperial German colony. According to history records, the name Swakopmund is derived from the Nama word ‘Tsoakhaub’ (meaning ‘excrement opening’, describing the Swakop River in flood and carrying everything in its bed to the Atlantic Ocean). The German settlers changed it to ‘Swachaub’, and in 1896 the district was officially proclaimed as Swakopmund (the mouth of the Swakop). Today, Swakopmund is home to about 70 000 inhabitants. It is surrounded by mines and is Namibia’s premier holiday destination. Swakopmund also continues to be a trendsetter on local governance and development and the implementation of modern infrastructure.
The town is also popular for tours, sports events, music, cultural and food festivals and conferencing, and it is considered a popular retirement destination because of its cool sea breeze and low crime rate. During the last ordinary council meeting Groenwaldt said that the council has learned a lesson from the last (125th anniversary) festivities which amounted to a financial loss. “That anniversary was not budgeted for, and the funds sponsored were not enough. It was evident that the expenses were more than the income. It was therefore proposed that budgetary provision be made for the 130th anniversary,” he noted. A resolution was taken in March that an amount of N$350 000 will be made available to pay for the expenses of the event. Funds will also be generated from ticket sales at the music and sports shows, stalls and rental fees received from the vendors during the celebration activities. A committee will also be appointed to organise and manage the festivities.
Swakopmund was proclaimed a town on 4 Aug 1892 - two years later than Windhoek. It was also the main harbour for the Imperial German colony. According to history records, the name Swakopmund is derived from the Nama word ‘Tsoakhaub’ (meaning ‘excrement opening’, describing the Swakop River in flood and carrying everything in its bed to the Atlantic Ocean). The German settlers changed it to ‘Swachaub’, and in 1896 the district was officially proclaimed as Swakopmund (the mouth of the Swakop). Today, Swakopmund is home to about 70 000 inhabitants. It is surrounded by mines and is Namibia’s premier holiday destination. Swakopmund also continues to be a trendsetter on local governance and development and the implementation of modern infrastructure.
The town is also popular for tours, sports events, music, cultural and food festivals and conferencing, and it is considered a popular retirement destination because of its cool sea breeze and low crime rate. During the last ordinary council meeting Groenwaldt said that the council has learned a lesson from the last (125th anniversary) festivities which amounted to a financial loss. “That anniversary was not budgeted for, and the funds sponsored were not enough. It was evident that the expenses were more than the income. It was therefore proposed that budgetary provision be made for the 130th anniversary,” he noted. A resolution was taken in March that an amount of N$350 000 will be made available to pay for the expenses of the event. Funds will also be generated from ticket sales at the music and sports shows, stalls and rental fees received from the vendors during the celebration activities. A committee will also be appointed to organise and manage the festivities.
