People & Languages
Windhoek is a perfect display for the diverse ethnic groups and their languages. All 12 ethnic groups live in Windhoek. Due to many years of forced separation by apartheid, still in many suburbs only black, coloured or white people live and they do not mix a lot.
In Katutura and other suburbs, some houses still have a letter written on their doors as to show which ethnic group is living here (e.g. O for Ovambo).
Although English is the official language of Namibia since 1990, in business and everyday life Afrikaans is still dominating the conversation between different ethnics. In government English is, however, the only allowed language. In tourism as well as in many souvenir shops and cafés / restaurants German is widely spoken and understood.
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Photo: (cc) 2003 Thomas Schoch (GFDL CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Hotel Tip
Feel like a German King
Heinitzburg (originally Heynitzburg, German for "Heinitz' castle") is one of the three castles in Windhoek. It was built in 1914 by architect Wilhelm Sander. It is today used as an outstanding hotel with one of the best restaurants in Namibia. The hotel is a member of the Relais & Chateaux group.
Emergency Numbers
Police: 10111
Medical & Fire: 211111
City Police: 302302
Emergency: 302302
SOS International: 081-707
E-Med Rescue: 081-924
Pharmacy Emergency: 081-1294422
Ministry of Environment & Tourism: SMS to 55555
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Sight Tip
Reiterdenkmal
The Reiterdenkmal, also known as the Südwester Reiter (South-Western Horserider) was inaugurated on 27 January 1912 as a remembrance memorial to the German soldiers that died during the war against the herero and Nama. It was located about 100 metres north of the Alte Feste for...
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