Township Mondesa

A world of its own at Namibia’s Atlantic 

If you visit Swakpmund, discover its cultural variety, from the whitewashed, traditional colonial buildings to the plain houses in Mondesa, a district just a few kilometers outside of Swakopmund with a predominantly black African population. In a guided tour of Mondesa, you will taste self-brewed beer at an african Shebeen and welcomed in private households. There, you can sample some Oshivima (Corn [maize) porridge) or Eevanda (spinach), Eembe (wild dates) and Oshigari (spiced soup of beans).

Listen to Joseph Kambrodi as he shows you how to create sounds with a kudu horn. Listen as he describes the four different “click” sounds of the Damara language. Before long, you’ll be playing the kudu horns and practicing clicks. Then, look at Joseph’s medical collection, a variety of herbs, barks and roots he uses against all kinds of diseases and exchange views with him. Or get to know in schools where most of the children learn four languages at once: English, Africaans, German and one of the indigenous African languages.

There are quite some few musicians in Mondesa, producing their songs professionally in studios – usually a blend of traditional elements, spirituals, soul, rap and hip hop. If you wish a private concert can be arranged – for example with the „Vocal Galores“, a sextet of young artists, who partly sang in the „Masquato Youth youth choir“ in their school time. With English, Otjiherero and Otjiwambo a-cappella pieces they have now developed a direction of their own. Linus (21), Richie (22), Bobby (20), Phillip (18), Matheus (19) and Sam (18) perform with well trained voices at weddings, in churches or in the shopping mall in downtown Swakopmund. Six likeable and gifted artists being aware of their talent and willing to succeed.

We are aware that a tour of Mondesa, a so called township, may touch sensitive points. At times the gap between poor and wealthy seems too great, especially once visitors appear with cameras and expensive watches. However, be assured, people in Mondesa stand by their values and ideas of dignity. Yes, there are simple and plain houses, but it will always be clean inside and the children may use time-worn school uniforms, but washed and neatly ironed. Elizabeth de Beer, the owner of African Desk, communicates this and creates an understanding between the various cultures and lifestyles. She herself has relatives and friends in Mondesa and will accompany you for an individual visit to Mondesa.

Rate for a 2-hours-townshiptour to Mondesa: