Owela remains closed, abandoned
The Owela Exhibition and Educational Centre has already been "temporarily closed" for four years and although the need for essential renovations to the building was already identified in 2022, the building remains in a deplorable condition.Photos of this museum, which is located next to the National Theatre in the capital, were recently taken by a resident of Windhoek, capturing the dilapidated building and rubbish in the area.
The museum closed its doors in March 2020 with the intention that it would remain closed temporarily.
Our sister publication Republikein spoke to Owela's curator for exhibitions, Olivia Nakale, in July 2022 and she said at the time that the building needed to be renovated, but that there was no money for it. At the time she said that, "As soon as we get money, the work can start and the centre can be reopened. Until then, it will unfortunately remain closed."
She admitted that the German embassy had given money at the time so that they could stabilise the building to ensure that it did not collapse. "Now there is no money to do the other repairs and much-needed renovations. The museum falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Art and Culture, which means that heritage has to compete with classrooms. So, before children get to class under a tree, classrooms are first built and heritage is unfortunately last on the list of the government's priorities."
Alte Feste
Although this museum is in the process of falling apart, there are big plans for the oldest building in Windhoek, the Alte Feste, to get a facelift.
A comprehensive renovation project is planned after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the Namibia Craft Centre, and approximately N$4.6 million was received from the American Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) .
“Once the renovations are complete, the Alte Feste will serve as a multi-purpose cultural hub with a museum that will showcase its rich history, with a craft market, art gallery, workshops, art studios, a restaurant and coffee shop, offices and a courtyard where events can be hosted," the deputy minister of education, Faustina Caley, said at the project's launch.
The project will amount to around N$30 million and the "new" Alte Feste building is expected to be ready by April next year.