Independence museum opens today Edson Haufiku Constructed to serve as a remembrance site for the Namibian war for independence, the Independence Memorial Museum, which will officially be opened by President Hifikepunye Pohamba today will shape a new dawn in the recollection of Namibia’s history of resistance against foreign occupation. Constructed at an estimated cost of close to a N$100 million, the construction of the 40m high museum commenced in 2009. According to the acting director of the national museum, Eugene Maree, the museum also referred to as the ‘tooth’ for its cylindrical shape is ready to welcome the public after six years of construction. The opening of the museum will go hand in hand with the unveiling of a demilitarised statue of the founding president Dr Sam Nujoma in front of the museum and the Genocide statue which replaced the Reiterdenkmal, a few metres from the museum. The opening comes in the awake of a pending court interdict by members of the Namibian German community, who it was confirmed by Windhoek lawyer Andreas Vaatz this week, are planning on taking government to court for the abrupt removal of the Reiterdenkmal, while a 60 day national heritage council object period on its removal was in place. According to some members of the German community their case rests on the notion that the Reiterdenkmal is a protected monument under the law, therefore making it illegal for government to remove it without wider consultations. The National Heritage Council has still not completed a process of deregistering the monument from the National Heritage Roll, despite the 60 day objection period having elapsed in February. Erica Ndalikokule of the council last week said the council is still busy working through submissions received and is busy completing due processes. The Reiterdenkmal, also referred to as the Rider on the Horse was constructed decades ago to honour the deceased soldiers of the German occupational forces that died in wars against the Namas and the Hereros. Situated on one of the highest points of Windhoek, the statue has been a bone of contention over the years, with government ultimately removing it on Christmas Eve last year. The site and name of the memorial museum caused a heated debate in the national assembly in 2011 after Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua tabled a motion requesting that the name be changed to the Genocide Remembrance Centre, to recognise the 1904-08 genocide of the Ovaherero and Nama by German Schutztruppe and the concentration camp at the site where the museum has been build. READY FOR OPENING: The Independence Memorial Museum will be opened by President Hifikepunye Pohamba tomorrow. Photo: Edson Haufiku
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 08:15:27 +0000
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