World Cruise 2013: Day 96 - Walvis Bay, Namibia

World Cruise 2013

April 11, 2013

At 9 AM the ship arrived in Walvis Bay, Namibia.

The first European visitors were Portuguese mariners seeking a way to the Indies in the late 15^th century. Towards the end of the 19^th century Namibia was annexed by Germany, except for the enclave of Walvis Bay, which was taken in 1878 by the British for the Cape Colony. German rule came to an end during WW II when German forces surrendered to a South African expeditionary army fighting for the Allies. In 1910, Walvis Bay became part of the Union of South Africa and the rest of present day Namibia was called South-West Africa. South-West Africa and South Africa wrested control of the area back and forth until 1990 when South-West Africa gained independence as Namibia. Walvis Bay was finally transferred to Namibia in 1994. Namibia is a poor country, which has a high unemployment rate. Fishing, tourism and mining are its major resources.

At 1:30 PM, I left on a tour called “Go Local: The Real Namibia”. We traveled along the coastal road to Mondesa Township in Swakopmund, Namibia. Mondesa was established in the early 1950’s to provide housing for the Owambo, Damara and Herero people working in Swakopmund. The township is an area of poverty, unemployment of 50% and low-income families. We had personal interaction with some of the people, had a chance to see and taste some unusual food and had a group of 4 young men sing for us. The houses began with wood shacks where people live who come to the area seeking employment. This level of house has no running water or electricity and shares a toilet with several other families. If you have a job and can pay a small amount of money, the government will give you land and you can build a cement blockhouse with your labor and the materials provided by the government. These houses do have electricity and running water and do have there own bathroom. Most are no bigger than a double car garage. I found the people to look like they were well fed and had clean clothing but no shoes. The people would take pictures of the little children and the children all wanted to see their image in the camera. We got back to the ship at 5:45 PM.

Below are some pictures taken from the ship and from my tour.

Taken from the bus of Walvis Bay, Namibia

Taken on the bus on the way to Swakopmund, Namibia

House in Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - Unlike other areas the houses in this area were small but had electricity.

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - This area was created in the early 1950's to provide housing for blacks working in Swakopmund

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - The Children in this area were clean and liked to have their picture taken

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - Store in the area

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - We had a chance to sample some native food

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - Women we visited

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - Grave Yard

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - The houses in this area have no electricty and share a toilet with several other families

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - The houses in this area do not have running water and this is where they get their water

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia

Mondesa Township near Swakopmund, Namibia - The woman on the left is kind of a medicine women and she showed some of the herbs etc that she uses to treat the people. On the right is our guide for the tour.