Mondesa Township Tour

Visit a world of its own at Namibia's Atlantic

If you visit Swakpmund, discover its cultural variety, from the traditional colonial buildings to the plain houses in Mondesa, a district just a few kilometers outside of Swakopmund with a predominantly black African population.

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 big, 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. The children may use time-worn school uniforms, but washed and neatly ironed.

Strong values and ideas of dignity

Elizabeth de Beer, the owner of African Desk, communicates this and creates an understanding between the various cultures and lifestyles. Elizabeth herself has relatives and friends in Mondesa and will accompany you as a guide for an individual township tour to Mondesa You will be welcomed in private households, e.g. get to know Joseph Kambrodi as he shows you how to create sounds with a kudu horn. He'll also introduce the four different click sounds of the Damara language to you. 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 schools where most of the children learn four languages at once: English, Africaans, German and one of the indigenous African languages.

Music and cultural life in townships

There are quite some few musicians in Mondesa, producing their songs professionally in studio's - usually a blend of traditional elements, spirituals, soul, rap and hip hop. The Seaside Singers for example have developed a direction of their own with English, Otjiherero and Otjiwambo a-cappella pieces. They perform at weddings, in churches, schools or any other special event. If you wish, a private concert or music workshops and drumming circles can be arranged in Swakopmund