Windhoek?! Rather make that Otjomuise

NAMIBIANS would soon have to forget about Windhoek, Grootfontein, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and a few other place names if DTA President Katuutire Kaura gets his way.

Kaura informed the National Assembly yesterday that he would table a motion in Parliament next Thursday for the names of the capital city and eight other towns in Namibia to “be restored to their pre-colonial indigenous names”. Kaura’s announcement sent a ripple, marked by subdued laughter and mutterings on the part of MPs present, through the House.The name changes he proposed, while also inviting other names to be added to his list, are: * Windhoek should be become Otjomuise; * Tsumeb should become Okavisume; * Gobabis should be Epako; * Kamanjab should be known as Okamanja; * Karibib should be Otjandjomboimwe; * Usakos should be Okanduu; * Swakopmund is to be known as Otjozondjii; * Walvis Bay should be Ezorongondo; * Grootfontein should be Otjivanda.The names of Namibia’s towns have remained unchanged since Independence, in contrast to several other African countries after their emergence from colonial rule.The most recent example has been South Africa, where an often controversial process of change has seen a number of towns shedding names that were predominantly been deeply steeped in Afrikaner history, to return to their original, pre-colonial African names.In the process, places like Pietersburg became Polokwane, Potgietersrus became Mokopane, Louis Trichardt was renamed Makhoda, Warmbaths was turned into Bela-Bela, and Naboomspruit became Mookgophong.Now, in possibly the most controversial proposed change yet, a plan has been floated to rename Pretoria, former capital of one of the Boer republics and the bureaucratic heart and capital of the old, apartheid-era South Africa, as Tshwane.Tshwane is reported to have been the historical African name for the Apies River, which flows through Pretoria – or Tshwane, if you like.Kaura’s announcement sent a ripple, marked by subdued laughter and mutterings on the part of MPs present, through the House.The name changes he proposed, while also inviting other names to be added to his list, are: * Windhoek should be become Otjomuise; * Tsumeb should become Okavisume; * Gobabis should be Epako; * Kamanjab should be known as Okamanja; * Karibib should be Otjandjomboimwe; * Usakos should be Okanduu; * Swakopmund is to be known as Otjozondjii; * Walvis Bay should be Ezorongondo; * Grootfontein should be Otjivanda.The names of Namibia’s towns have remained unchanged since Independence, in contrast to several other African countries after their emergence from colonial rule.The most recent example has been South Africa, where an often controversial process of change has seen a number of towns shedding names that were predominantly been deeply steeped in Afrikaner history, to return to their original, pre-colonial African names.In the process, places like Pietersburg became Polokwane, Potgietersrus became Mokopane, Louis Trichardt was renamed Makhoda, Warmbaths was turned into Bela-Bela, and Naboomspruit became Mookgophong.Now, in possibly the most controversial proposed change yet, a plan has been floated to rename Pretoria, former capital of one of the Boer republics and the bureaucratic heart and capital of the old, apartheid-era South Africa, as Tshwane.Tshwane is reported to have been the historical African name for the Apies River, which flows through Pretoria – or Tshwane, if you like.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.