The Windhoek Guide - Your Guide to Namibia's Capital

Katutura was an official township for black Namibians during the Apartheid time until 1989. It is nowadays a suburb of the City of Windhoek. Today Katutura is a low-income suburb, however, it can not be considered as a slum. Most starndard houses are 45 m² in size and were signed with a letter on the door to show the tribal backgorund of the owners (e.g. O for Ovambo).

Katutura was established in the 1950s to relocate blacks from the white suburbs. On 10 December 1959  the demonstrations ended in a fight were 11 blacks were killed. Today, Katutura has an approx. population of 120,000 and is thus by far the most populous suburb of Windhoek. The name means "Place where we do not want to live" in Otjiherero.

Katutura is a very lifely suburb and it is safe to visit the area by daytime with a professional guide. Katutura gives an insight to the life of the majority of the Namibians and builds a clear contrast to the richer suburbs towards the south of the city. Katutura can be considered as a "real African" suburb with street markets and live happening outside. The "Xwama Cultural Village" is a good point to get an insight into the local culture. Katutura was strongly supported by the Namibian Government since independence and is now a clean suburb with fresh tab water, sanitation, new schools, clinics and the second largest hospital in Namibia. Cultural centres were established and many local tour operators started bringing tourists to Katutura. With opening of the state-owned Sam Nujoma Stadium the suburb got booster even further. Many people in Katutura speak today about their suburb as Matutura, "the place where we want to live".

 

[If you are the owner or manager of a business located in Katutura, please contact us to add information about your business here!]

 

Photo: (c) 2005 Weweowi