The Windhoek Old Location. History and Photographs
Henning Melber, Dieter Hinrichs
The Windhoek Old Location.
History and Photographs
Foreword by Bience Gawanas, Postscript by Ewald Uazuvara Kapombo Katjivena
2025
Pages: 128, maps, a large variety of photographs and illustrations
Language: English
ISBN 978-3-906927-70-1
elSBN 978-3-906927-71-8
Medium: E-Book
Format: PDF
https://doi.org/10.53202/IHQX2150
Also available as printed copy
Price: CHF 35.00
The story of Windhoek’s Old Location is one of African replacement and at the same time of creating home against all odds under the enforced, restricted living conditions of Apartheid. Being adjacent to the White centre of town, urban planning replaced the Old Location with the newly established township Katutura in the late 1950s. Many residents refused to be re-located. Escalating protest resulted in deadly clashes on 10th December 1959 when the colonial police opened fire on unarmed residents. At least 13 were killed and more than 40 recorded as wounded. After years of forced removal, the Old Location was officially closed in 1968.
This book contributes to a commemorative culture of a crucial place and space during a formative time in Namibia’s history. It offers a partial reconstruction of a social history of the Old Location. Personal memories of former residents, as far as they are accessible, contrast the colonial archives.
The captivating photographs by the German photographer Dieter Hinrichs, who documented social events and everyday life in the Location between 1959 and 1960, are essential. Many are published here for the first time. They speak louder than words.
“It is important to tell our stories to bring back the values of humanity and community in our lives even if just holding onto the collective memory of the Old Location and the resistance of our people.” Bience Gawanas, Human Rights Lawyer and Ombudswoman of the Republic of Namibia (1996–2003).
“This book, documenting aspects of what happened then and the lives we had under Apartheid, including our resilience and togetherness despite a policy of tribalism and racial segregation, are an important reminder that we did not surrender. We maintained our human dignity and practised solidarity.” Uazuvara Ewald Kapombo Katjivena, Political activist and author.