Germany Pledges N$3.2 Million for Restoration of Namibia’s Alte Feste
The German government has committed N$3.2 million to restore the Alte Feste building in Windhoek, supporting efforts to preserve Namibia’s cultural heritage. The funding will enable extensive repairs and rehabilitation of the 19th-century structure, which is set to be repurposed as a national genocide museum and a centre for arts, crafts, and heritage. The restoration, scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2025, is a collaboration between the Namibian government, the Namibia Craft Centre, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, and additional donors, including the United States Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and the FirstRand Foundation.
Originally built in 1890 as the headquarters of German colonial troops, the Alte Feste has served various roles before closing to the public in 2014 due to structural concerns. German Ambassador Thorsten Hutter highlighted the project’s role in fostering historical reflection and dialogue on colonial history. Germany has previously supported preservation efforts at the site, contributing over €1.5 million to Namibia’s cultural heritage projects since 1985. The renovation aims to transform the historic site into a space for cultural exchange and remembrance, enriching Namibia’s tourism and heritage landscape.
Source: The Namibian