Community takes control of Warmbad hot springs

THE newly constructed Bondelswarts Community Lodge at Warmbad in the South was inaugurated last week.

Officiating at the event, President Hifikepunye Pohamba called on villagers to jealously guard against vandalism of the resort, built at a cost of N$2,5 million. “Take good care of this complex,” he urged.He said initiatives such as the Bondelswarts Community Lodge were a step in the right direction aimed at economic empowerment in rural areas.The President noted that economic development in rural areas was lagging behind, resulting in the migration of young people to towns and cities in search of employment.”However, when they arrive, they face difficult socio-economic conditions.As a result, many …choose the path of crime and other social evils.”Pohamba, when he was Minister of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, was instrumental in returning the Warmbad hot springs to the Bondelswarts community by buying the site from its previous owner, US businessman George Swanson.The former Peri-Urban Board sold the hot springs to Swanson for N$12 000 in 1984.In 1994, community members and civil society organisations lobbied for the return of the springs to the local community.This objective was finally realised in October 2003, when the Ministry of Local Government bought it for N$66 000.The German government provided N$496 000 for the renovation of the old Officer’s House, built in 1908 to house German colonial soldiers.The building has now been turned into a restaurant.Speaking at the inauguration, German Ambassador Arne Freiherr Von Kittling und Ottendorf said he was happy that the renovated building retained its cultural heritage.”Our government’s aim is to play an essential part in the preservation of any cultural heritage,” he said.Delivering a speech on behalf of Bondelswarts Captain Anna Christiaan, the special representative of the Bondelswarts Traditional Authority, Josef Christiaan, said the priority was to empower the community of Warmbad by letting them take control of the resort and getting involved in the tourism industry.”We take this project with the understanding that it will benefit all the Bondelswarts,” he pledged.”Take good care of this complex,” he urged.He said initiatives such as the Bondelswarts Community Lodge were a step in the right direction aimed at economic empowerment in rural areas.The President noted that economic development in rural areas was lagging behind, resulting in the migration of young people to towns and cities in search of employment.”However, when they arrive, they face difficult socio-economic conditions.As a result, many …choose the path of crime and other social evils.”Pohamba, when he was Minister of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, was instrumental in returning the Warmbad hot springs to the Bondelswarts community by buying the site from its previous owner, US businessman George Swanson.The former Peri-Urban Board sold the hot springs to Swanson for N$12 000 in 1984.In 1994, community members and civil society organisations lobbied for the return of the springs to the local community.This objective was finally realised in October 2003, when the Ministry of Local Government bought it for N$66 000.The German government provided N$496 000 for the renovation of the old Officer’s House, built in 1908 to house German colonial soldiers.The building has now been turned into a restaurant.Speaking at the inauguration, German Ambassador Arne Freiherr Von Kittling und Ottendorf said he was happy that the renovated building retained its cultural heritage.”Our government’s aim is to play an essential part in the preservation of any cultural heritage,” he said.Delivering a speech on behalf of Bondelswarts Captain Anna Christiaan, the special representative of the Bondelswarts Traditional Authority, Josef Christiaan, said the priority was to empower the community of Warmbad by letting them take control of the resort and getting involved in the tourism industry.”We take this project with the understanding that it will benefit all the Bondelswarts,” he pledged.