Two new books chart Windhoek’s powerful history and colourful identity

The Namibia Library and Archives Service on Friday launched two publications exploring Windhoek’s history and identity.

The works were described as significant contributions to national memory and scholarship.

Speaking at the National Archives of Namibia, director Sarah Negumbo said the books reflect the institution’s mandate to preserve the country’s documentary heritage and ensure access to knowledge for future generations.

The first book, 'Writing Windhoek: Multiple Representations of a City', authored by Dr Ellison Tjirera, examines the capital as a lived and contested urban space shaped by layered narratives over time.

The second publication, 'A Symbol of a People’s Determination: The Windhoek Old Location', written by Dr Henning Melber and Dr Dieter Hinrichs, revisits the history of the Old Location, which Negumbo described as a powerful symbol of resilience and resistance.

Negumbo said the two works complement each other by linking urban representation with a defining historical space that influenced Windhoek’s political and social trajectory.

The launch was held in partnership with Basler Afrika Bibliographien, which officials credited for its longstanding role in preserving knowledge on Namibia and the wider Southern African region.