Windhoek | Namibia | City Gallery

[slytheron]

I've noticed some of you complaining about the street names, but remember that you're more likely to find names like "Fidel Castro" on the street signs rather than "John F. Kennedy" but it's for a good reason. Do you think Namibians are fools to name their streets as such? Look up their history and see where their support came from during their difficult colonial past, then you'll know why their streets bear the names of "Villains". Then tell me who the real villains are. It's the same in SA and Kenya and all over Africa. Discern things my friends don't just look and see. Oh btw, check out my city, Nairobi!!!

[slytheron]

Originally Posted by CF221

Wow, I was looking through the African forums when I got into this one!!! That's a great city! Windhoek has got to be the envy of its neighbors! Lots of green spaces, organized avenues and streets... and the cleanliness is a +. Love the German touch too... but there is only one bad thing about it... why in the world would you name an important street, going right to the CHURCH... fidel castro??????!!!!!! I mean why'd they have to put the name of a dictator that has empoverished, enslaved, and adoctrinated Cubans for half a century??? He's probably decadrupled the number of prisons in Cuba since 1959 and more political prisoners than ever... he has killed every Cuban's hope of communication with the outside world in order to manipulate them into thinking that Cuba is a world power!!! I mean he may have "helped" you fight for your independence... but he was not helping you as an act of friendship but to secure Cuba's resources after the fall of the Soviet Union!!! They could've named the street George Bush and his level of unhumainess would be far lower than fidel's! But oh well I guess people just choose to IGNORE... great city anyways...

Maybe you should find out what the streets were named before? Now why would someone change the name of a street from a nice German name to an African one? Mhmmm I wonder....

[Diggerdog]

CF221, you obviously have a major issue with Fidel, but the fact is the Cubans were the only military force in the Angolan War that could compete with the South African military. Up until they arrived, we as the SADF were almost unopposed in Angola, even with their Russian equipment and advisors.
So Swapo and the current independant Namibia owe them quite a debt of gratitude.

And you say that the Cubans came to fight for selfish reasons - what do you think the Germans were doing in Namibia before SA defeated them there in WW1?
Most of the streets were named things like 'Kaiser Wilhelm Strasse' and the like beforehand, even though the Germans commited some unspeakable atrocities against the Herero and other native tribes.

Actually Fidel was involved in Africa for decades as part of his ideaology - that was more the reason for Cuban involvement than resources. The Russians and Chinese were there at that time for resources and political influence.

Anyway, it was all quite interesting and complicated, not least because South Africa was heavily backed by the US and western powers during the war (in secret, of course, they couldn't be seen to support the apartheid government.)

[kiligoland]

i love windhoek, windhoek

[bint kenya]

I have not seen before, such a neat, clean African city..!
Am I mistaken to think / see there a heavy German influence in Windhoek??

[DanielFigFoz]

Very nice photos

[xJamaax]

Originally Posted by Harkeb

A nice small, dessert city.
Why in good's name did they ruin the city's clean image with streets named after villains and idiots? Geez, I wouldn't want to live on Robert Mugabe ave!

Maybe it was named when this guy had a better reputation.

[musiccity]

Windhoek is so pretty, just planting flowers, trees, and bushes will make many African cities so much nicer.

[alama]

Windhoek, Namibia 2012

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr



image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


Peter Ascherl Flickr

[Hadrami]

Wow. 1st class.

[alama]

I know right, it ==> many capital cities in África.

[SUNS 25]

Namibia= 70% of SA.

[lady gaga]

Wow Namibia looks so damn clean! its like its outside Africa good job Alama for representing

[alama]

Originally Posted by SUNS 25

Namibia= 70% of SA.

That doesn't make any sense whatsoever, Namibia gained its independence from South Africa in 1990.

[alama]

Originally Posted by lady gaga

Wow Namibia looks so damn clean! its like its outside Africa good job Alama for representing

No! It really looks like Africa, but developed and cleaner.

[Diggerdog]

Originally Posted by alama

That doesn't make any sense whatsoever, Namibia gained its independence from South Africa in 1990.

Actually it makes perfect sense - almost all the modern infrastructure in Namibia was built by South Africa, or South Africans and SA companies. From roads to suburb layouts and electricity - to the shops and the products in the shops - not to mention that SA dominates there economically and socially - for example, pay tv is South African DSTV.
Plus the big number of South Africans living in Windhoek (and most naturalized Namibians are of SA origin.)

Half my extended family lives in Windhoek - they have Namibian citizenship or residency now, but are all South African.
So there you go...

[Rodgerbeu]

Actually it makes perfect sense - almost all the modern infrastructure in Namibia was built by South Africa, or South Africans and SA companies. From roads to suburb layouts and electricity - to the shops and the products in the shops - not to mention that SA dominates there economically and socially - for example, pay tv is South African DSTV.
Plus the big number of South Africans living in Windhoek (and most naturalized Namibians are of SA origin.)

Half my extended family lives in Windhoek - they have Namibian citizenship or residency now, but are all South African.
So there you go...
_____________________________________________________

Hi Diggerdog...Thanks for your input, which is part correct and part incorrect. Did you ever see or visited Namibia before independence. If not...SA did the least possible for and in Namibia, SA exploited our natural resources and what was given back was so little, you don't & can't even see those buildings and infrastructure erected by SA, anymore. I grew up in Windhoek, we had 2 skyscrapers then, the CDM and Kalahari Sands Hotel buildings and built by SA. That what is there now, is what Namibians build with their own hands and own money. SA stole so much from us Namibians and in return gave so little back. So please get your facts sorted...70%, you are so misinformed. The fact of the citizenship...this incorrect and every Namibian born before independence, have the right to apply for SA citizenship as we were one country for over 70 years. The main reason for the close relationship between Namibia & SA,today is due to the history, Afrikaans and mainly the N$ is link to SAR. The days when we had to endure the SA look, is far gone, what you see now, is what Namibians made themselves.

[Rodgerbeu]

Actually it makes perfect sense - almost all the modern infrastructure in Namibia was built by South Africa, or South Africans and SA companies. From roads to suburb layouts and electricity - to the shops and the products in the shops - not to mention that SA dominates there economically and socially - for example, pay tv is South African DSTV.
Plus the big number of South Africans living in Windhoek (and most naturalized Namibians are of SA origin.)

Half my extended family lives in Windhoek - they have Namibian citizenship or residency now, but are all South African.
So there you go...
_____________________________________________________

Hi Diggerdog...Thanks for your input, which is part correct and part incorrect. Did you ever see or visited Namibia before independence. If not...SA did the least possible for and in Namibia, SA exploited our natural resources and what was given back was so little, you don't & can't even see those buildings and infrastructure erected by SA, anymore. I grew up in Windhoek, we had 2 skyscrapers then, the CDM and Kalahari Sands Hotel buildings and built by SA. That what is there now, is what Namibians build with their own hands and own money. SA stole so much from us Namibians and in return gave so little back. So please get your facts sorted...70%, you are so misinformed. The fact of the citizenship...this incorrect and every Namibian born before independence, have the right to apply for SA citizenship as we were one country for over 70 years. The main reason for the close relationship between Namibia & SA,today is due to the history, Afrikaans and mainly the N$ is link to SAR. The days when we had to endure the SA look, is far gone, what you see now, is what Namibians made themselves.

[Diggerdog]

Yes actually, I have lived in Namibia before, during and after independance.

Firstly, I am not mistaken.
I said most of the infrastructure was built by SA and it was.
I am sure in recent times Namibia has added new buildings and suburbs and other things - but the fact remains that Namibia's very good national roads, highways, Walvis Bay Port, rail links all were built by SA.

I know there is this thinking that 'SA did nothing for Namibia' - and that is to be expected seeing as they were the occupier - but it is not true.

About citizenship - when I talked about 'naturalized' - I meant there are a lot of Namibians that are of SA origin, but now have Namibian citizenship, thats all.

And dont kid yourself - Namibia relies very heavily on South Africa - to the point where it is unhealthy. I know Namibia are trying to diversify away from SA, but for the moment they are dependant on South Africa.

90% of imports are from South Africa, and around 65% or exports!
Not too mention electricity supply.
The banking sector is totally dominated by South African banks, with FNB and Standard bank being the biggest.
Then we have supermarkets and other food chains etc.

So, while it sounds all very patriotic to say SA 'gave you nothing', it is absolutely incorrect.

[Diggerdog]

Just an extract from a site called 'Namibian roads in history'...

Phase Five from 1965 to 1987

The period from 1965 to date can be characterised by the consolidation and uplifting of Namibia's roads network to one of the finest in Africa
In 1952, Namibia had just over 10.000 km of trunk and main roads. There were no surfaced roads and very few suitable bridges. Since that time a remarkable development has taken place. The length of proclaimed trunk, main and district roads, the three roads classifications for which the state is responsible as far as construction and maintenance are concerned, has risen between 1952 and 1986 from a little more than 10.000 km to 41.572 km.

4. The Future of Namibia's Roads after Independence

Namibia has more kilometres of road per head of population than any other country in Africa and maybe in the world.

So - Namibia has one of the finest road networks in the world thanks to South Africa. And this is indeed true, if you have ever driven on them - they are beautiful.
Not bad for a country that 'gave you nothing' hey?