Swakop’s famous jetty opens again

THE Swakopmund jetty, widely considered the launch pad for Namibia’s German colonial history, was officially reopened on Friday.

“This town just about managed to survive,” Swakopmund Mayor Rosina /Hoabes said of the years since 1998 when the jetty was closed after an underwater survey found it unsafe to set foot upon. “The town was built because of the jetty,” she said, “and it gave Swakopmund that romantic aura.”Since its closure, many proposals and projects for the jetty’s renovation had been considered by the Town Council, and a Save the Jetty Fund was launched by former mayor, the late Daniel Kamho.Eventually the task was carried out through a joint venture between Kraatz Marine, Walvis Diving and Bicon Engineering to the tune of N$3,7 million.According to Martin Laubscher of the main contractor company Kraatz Marine, it was a complicated project and the 14 000 man-hours were often disrupted by inclement weather.”Through the various stages we had to make plans as we go because there were so many unknowns.I take my hat off to the original builders who constructed the jetty to last a lifetime.Even with our modern equipment, it was very difficult to dismantle the structure.”However, the part that is now open to the public is only the basis for what will become a great end result, said Laubscher.The opening of the promenade – the southern side for walking and the northern side for fishing – is just the first step in a project that will transform the appearance and functionality of the jetty, he said.The Town Council has accepted a proposal by The Lighthouse Group to develop, maintain and manage the jetty.An architecturally designed wooden structure with a maritime feel will be constructed with natural materials like marine wood to be used as an oyster bar and restaurant at the far end of the jetty.A second deck offering uninterrupted views will be above the restaurant.Kiosks selling souvenirs, fishing tackle and perhaps angling licences will be built between the walkways.A tourist information centre with displays of the jetty’s history is also included in the proposal.In return for this premium location, Quinton Liebenberg of The Lighthouse Group will be responsible for the general upkeep of the jetty.He has promised to provide 24-hour security in the area surrounding the jetty to prevent vandalism and disorderly behaviour, and to provide parking facilities.Liebenberg said he would take over and upgrade the existing public toilets opposite the jetty until new facilities can be built.Liebenberg expressed interest in applying for a second phase of development between the jetty and the adjacent building of the Sea Rescue Institute of Namibia.He said entrance to the jetty would remain free of charge.There is also a good chance that the remaining, unrestored part of the jetty can be saved as well, Liebenberg announced on Friday.This is the third time the jetty has underwent restoration since it was first completed in the early 1900s.The Town Council has decided to sell the old steel beams to the public at a special auction, “to ensure that the community can buy a piece of the history of the jetty and Swakopmund,” said /Hoabes.The rest of the beams will be used for the creation of a memorial park at the old cemetery.”Council used public funds to renovate this jetty and so this is the property of each and every citizen of Swakopmund and Namibia,” the Mayor said.”Let us take care of [it] as this is not only for our use, but for the use of future generations.””The town was built because of the jetty,” she said, “and it gave Swakopmund that romantic aura.”Since its closure, many proposals and projects for the jetty’s renovation had been considered by the Town Council, and a Save the Jetty Fund was launched by former mayor, the late Daniel Kamho.Eventually the task was carried out through a joint venture between Kraatz Marine, Walvis Diving and Bicon Engineering to the tune of N$3,7 million.According to Martin Laubscher of the main contractor company Kraatz Marine, it was a complicated project and the 14 000 man-hours were often disrupted by inclement weather.”Through the various stages we had to make plans as we go because there were so many unknowns.I take my hat off to the original builders who constructed the jetty to last a lifetime.Even with our modern equipment, it was very difficult to dismantle the structure.”However, the part that is now open to the public is only the basis for what will become a great end result, said Laubscher.The opening of the promenade – the southern side for walking and the northern side for fishing – is just the first step in a project that will transform the appearance and functionality of the jetty, he said.The Town Council has accepted a proposal by The Lighthouse Group to develop, maintain and manage the jetty.An architecturally designed wooden structure with a maritime feel will be constructed with natural materials like marine wood to be used as an oyster bar and restaurant at the far end of the jetty.A second deck offering uninterrupted views will be above the restaurant.Kiosks selling souvenirs, fishing tackle and perhaps angling licences will be built between the walkways.A tourist information centre with displays of the jetty’s history is also included in the proposal.In return for this premium location, Quinton Liebenberg of The Lighthouse Group will be responsible for the general upkeep of the jetty.He has promised to provide 24-hour security in the area surrounding the jetty to prevent vandalism and disorderly behaviour, and to provide parking facilities.Liebenberg said he would take over and upgrade the existing public toilets opposite the jetty until new facilities can be built.Liebenberg expressed interest in applying for a second phase of development between the jetty and the adjacent building of the Sea Rescue Institute of Namibia.He said entrance to the jetty would remain free of charge.There is also a good chance that the remaining, unrestored part of the jetty can be saved as well, Liebenberg announced on Friday.This is the third time the jetty has underwent restoration since it was first completed in the early 1900s.The Town Council has decided to sell the old steel beams to the public at a special auction, “to ensure that the community can buy a piece of the history of the jetty and Swakopmund,” said /Hoabes.The rest of the beams will be used for the creation of a memorial park at the old cemetery.”Council used public funds to renovate this jetty and so this is the property of each and every citizen of Swakopmund and Namibia,” the Mayor said.”Let us take care of [it] as this is not only for our use, but for the use of future generations.”