The City of Windhoek is the municipality of Windhoek established under the Local Authority Act, 23 of 1992 (as amended) to provide basic services to residents such as water and electricity supply, waste management, sewage collection and disposal, roads and storm water drainage, street lighting, and parks and recreation, among others.

 

Located in Khomas Region in central Namibia, Windhoek is the capital city of Namibia and the seat of the central Government as declared by the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia. This means that the capital city houses all the main offices of governmental ministries, educational institutions, embassies and international organisations, among others.

 

Windhoek is the social, economic, political, and cultural hub of the country and its roads serve as networking veins to the rest of the towns in Namibia. Direct daily flights are available serving domestic, regional, and international markets further benefiting Windhoek in terms of tourism, conferencing, and investment attractions.

Windhoek has about 400,000 residents as per the 2011 Namibia Population and Housing Census and this population continues to grow due to migration from other regions in Namibia.

Windhoek possesses a unique charm due to its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. It serves as a strategic point from which to conduct business, or to embark on your Namibian adventure.

 

It provides an efficient infrastructure and easy access to tourist destinations in neighbouring countries, such as the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Swamps in Botswana, and Table Mountain and various game parks in South Africa.
It therefore serves as an ideal gateway to southern Africa. For the business traveler, Windhoek offers all modern amenities such as conference facilities, commuting services, corporate accommodation and catering venues.

 

For the holidaymaker, Windhoek is the perfect place to get fitted out for travelling. Specialist outlets stock appropriate clothing, camping and travel paraphernalia. You will be able to attend to your foreign exchange matters, plan your journey’s next phase and obtain the necessary information to ensure a peaceful and unforgettable stay.

 

Take time to enjoy Windhoek’s city tours to places of interest, such as the Museum, the National Art Gallery, the “Tintenpalast”, the National Botanical Research Institute (and its gardens) and the Zoo Gardens.

 

For the wayfarer, Windhoek is the ideal place for a relaxing sojourn before setting out on the holiday of a lifetime!
Windhoek is a fascinating city with a rich history and culture. Here are some interesting facts about Windhoek that you may not know:

 

• • Windhoek was founded on 18 October 1890. On this date, Curt von François, a German colonial officer, erected a fort on the site of present-day Windhoek and declared it the capital of German South West Africa. The fort, known as the Alte Feste, still stands today as the oldest building in Windhoek and part of the national museum.

 

• • Windhoek has two indigenous names: Otjomuise and /Ae //Gams. Otjomuise means “place of steam” in Herero, referring to the hot springs that are found in the area. /Ae //Gams means “fire water” in Khoekhoe, referring to the same springs or to the wars that took place there.

 

• • Windhoek’s name may have a South African origin. Some historians believe that Windhoek was named after Winterhoek, a mountain range near Tulbagh in South Africa, where some of the early settlers came from. Others suggest that Windhoek means “windy corner” in Afrikaans or German.

 

• • Windhoek is a pioneer in water reclamation. The Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant, which opened in 1968, is the pioneer plant in the world that recycles domestic sewage into drinking water. The water is so pure that it meets the World Health Organization’s standards for potable water.

 

• • Windhoek used to be known as a major hub for the karakul sheepskin industry. Karakul sheep are a breed that produce fine wool and distinctive curly pelts. Windhoek used to host an annual karakul show and auction, where buyers from all over the world would bid for the best quality skins.

 

• • Windhoek had the first pharmacy in Namibia. Luisen Apotheke, which opened in 1910, is still operating under the same name on Independence Avenue. It is one of the oldest pharmacies in Africa and has a collection of antique medicine bottles and equipment on display.

 

• • Windhoek hosted Miss Universe in 1992. This was the first time that the prestigious beauty pageant was held in Africa. Michelle McLean, representing Namibia, won the crown and became the first and only Miss Universe from Namibia.

 

• • Windhoek has ancient archaeological evidence of human activity. In 1961, during construction work in Zoo Park, workers found elephant bones and stone tools that date back to between 5 000 and 20 000 years ago. These artifacts are now exhibited in the Owela Museum on Robert Mugabe Avenue.

 

• • Windhoek has one of the oldest weather stations in the world. The weather station was established in 1863 by Heinrich Schinz, a Swiss naturalist and explorer. It has been recording weather data continuously since then and is still operational today.

 

• • Windhoek has a meteorite fountain. In Post Street Mall, you can see 31 pieces of meteorites that fell from the sky near Gibeon in southern Namibia. The Gibeon meteorite shower is the largest known shower of its kind in the world, with an estimated total mass of 26 tons.

 

• • Windhoek tried to break a world record for barbecue. In 2006, as part of its centenary celebrations, Windhoek attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Braai”. Thousands of people gathered at the Sam Nujoma Stadium to grill meat on a giant braai stand that measured 1 007 meters long.

 

Windhoek is a city full of surprises and wonders. If you ever visit Windhoek, you will discover many more things to see and do in this amazing city.