Swakopmund turns 120 years old this year and the Municipality of Swakopmund is planning a community celebration for this historic occasion. The first planning meeting takes place at the new Municipal complex next Wednesday and there is quite some work to do up to the celebrations expected to take place on 4 and 5 August this year.

Founded in 1892 by Kurt von Francois the place was originally called Tsoakhaub by the local Nama population and the Herero referred to it as Otjozondjii. History has it the Nama word Tsoakhaub is a reference to an excremental opening, referring to the river that was washing dead wood, dead animals and other natural debris down its bed into the Atlantic Ocean. The German settlers, most probably having a hard time with the Nama pronunciation called the settlement Swachaub up to proclamation on 8 August 1896 when it was officially became known as Swakopmund. Swakopmund was the first main harbour for the German colony. Walvis Bay, the closest deep water harbour at the time fell under British rule. The area had fresh water and that was one of the main reasons for choosing it as a harbour. Swakopmund obtained municipal status in 1909.