Did you know that the ground beneath your feet here at the Old Location holds stories of resilience and resistance? The Old Location, once the designated area for Black residents of Windhoek, stands as a testament to a community’s fight against oppression.
Back in 1912, the Windhoek City Council created this neighborhood. They moved all Black residents from other parts of the city to the Main Location. A year later, the authorities divided the area along ethnic lines. Each group was forced to live in separate sections.
The Old Location wasn’t just a residential area. It was a vibrant community. The St Barnabas Anglican Church School educated many future leaders. Clemens Kapuuo, Sam Nujoma, and others attended this school. Sadly, the school was destroyed when the Old Location was shut down.
After World War I, South West Africa became a mandate of the United Kingdom. South Africa later introduced apartheid laws. These laws extended into South West Africa.
In the 1950s, the Windhoek municipality planned to move residents. They wanted to relocate them 8 kilometers north to a new location. The evicted people named this place Katutura. It meant “The place where we do not want to live”.
Residents opposed the move for many reasons. They owned their land in the Old Location. In Katutura, the municipality owned everything. The new plots were smaller. Gardens were not possible. Residents also faced new economic burdens. They had to pay rent and bus fare to work. The Old Location had been within walking distance of jobs.
Tensions reached a breaking point. On December 10, 1959, the police opened fire on protesters. This day is known as the Old Location Uprising. Eleven people died and 44 were wounded. Doctors in Windhoek allegedly refused to treat the injured. They were told to go to the United Nations for treatment. Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first president, witnessed this and wrote about it in his autobiography.
The Old Location Uprising became a rallying cry for Namibian independence. It led to the formation of SWAPO. This forced community leaders into exile. The event pushed the independence struggle toward armed conflict.
The transfer to Katutura took years. By 1962, about 7,000 people had moved. They joined 2,000 Ovambo people already living there. In 1968, the Old Location officially closed. White residents began to settle here.
Today, December 10 is Human Rights Day in Namibia. It commemorates the Old Location massacre. It also honors the courageous women who led the boycott and protest. Anna Mungunda died trying to set fire to the location superintendent’s car. She is now a National Hero.
Many people living in Hochland Park today are unaware. Their homes stand on the grounds of the Old Location. Only a few landmarks remain. A steel bridge over the Gammams River, some gravestones, and a small memorial site serve as reminders.
The Old Location holds a complex legacy. It represents both poor living conditions and a strong social spirit. As Zedekia Ngavirue said: “It was indeed when we owned little that we were prepared to make the greatest sacrifices.”
The story of the Old Location is a vital part of Namibia’s history. It reminds us of the struggles and sacrifices made in the fight for independence. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and resistance in the face of injustice.