Heritage Week kicks off in the capital
In celebration of Namibia’s rich natural and cultural heritage, National Heritage Week kicks off in the capital on Tuesday.This annual event encourages Namibians from all walks of life to appreciate and protect our valuable resources.
Organised by the Namibian Heritage Week Team, this year’s events take place until 22 September 2024 under the theme “Kultuur is Gemeenskap, Gemeenskap is Kultuur” (“Culture is Community, Community is Culture”). The Museums Association of Namibia (MAN), in collaboration with various regional institutions, facilitates activities for the week.
The Windhoek City Museum (WCM) participates by hosting several events including the official opening of Heritage Week, school guided tours, a visual art workshop, and a scavenger hunt for children.
Events
• 16 September 2024 – Official Opening of Heritage Week 2024 at Windhoek City Museum
• 17-18 September 2024 – School guided tours from 08:00 to 16:00
• 19 September 2024 – Visual Art Workshop from 08:00 to 13:00
• 20 September 2024 – Scavenger hunt for children from 09:00 to 16:00
All events take place at the Windhoek City Museum.
Guided tours
Four primary schools (People’s Primary School, Eros Primary School, Bethold Himumuine Primary School and A.I. Steenkamp Primary School) participate in guided tours of the Windhoek City Museum, showcasing significant periods in Windhoek’s history.
Learners will also visit local landmarks like the Namibian Parliament, Windhoek’s fire brigade, and the Gammams water reclamation plant. Each school will send 15 learners dressed in traditional attire, and refreshments and branded giveaways will be provided.
Visual art workshop
The painting workshop will be conducted by local artist Dingalo Shinyama. Two learners and an art teacher from four schools (Cosmos High School, Delta Secondary School, Waldorf Private School, and Dawid Bezuidenhout High School) will learn acrylic painting techniques. The event is interactive and focuses on developing learners’ visual art skills.
Scavenger hunt
Following the art workshop, learners will participate in a scavenger hunt to identify historical buildings and statues in Windhoek. They will then showcase their creativity by painting one of the identified landmarks on canvas.
Other fun activities, including games like Owela, Namibian 30 seconds, and performances by traditional dance groups, also take place. The event will conclude with a certificate ceremony, with awards presented by the Junior Mayor of Windhoek.