By: Ester Mbathera
The City of Windhoek has renamed seventeen streets in honour of notable individuals, with the changes taking effect on Friday.
Six of the renamed streets already existed while eleven were newly established motorways. The following streets have been renamed: Eneast Peter Nanyemba Street is now Jason Mutumbulwa Street, Sin Street is now Ulrich Paulino Street, Johann Albrecht Street is now Gaob Dr Justus ǁGaroëb Street, Jordan Street is now Arch Bonifatius Hausiku Street, Dam Beach Street is now John Kambangula Street and Hennie Laubscher Street is now Gen Karel Ndjomba Street.
These changes affect areas in Auasblick Extension 1, Dolam, Windhoek West, Pionierspark, Olympia, and Goreangab Extension 5.
The newly established streets are Jacob Marengo Street, Bishop Hendrik Frederik Street, Gaob Josophat Gawa-!Nab Street, Chief Kamatuara Kukuri Street, Frans Kambangula Street, Bryan O’Linn Street, Karl Kazonndunge Street, Festus Kamburona Street, Nicodemus Kavikunua Street, Adv. Fanuel Kozonguizi Street, and Simon Sisingi Hiskia Street.
These new streets are located in Rocky Crest Extension 4, Elisenheim Lifestyle Village, and Ausblick Extension 1.
Windhoek’s mayor, Queen Kamati, explained that renaming the streets serves as a tribute to individuals who have significantly contributed to the city’s development and the social well-being of its communities.
“We are well aware that we cannot honour them enough, as there is simply no price high enough to pay for the contributions they made to our society. Their contributions, spanning various fields, are simply invaluable. Today we seek to sketch their legacies into the very fabric of our capital city,” she said.
Spouses or their children represented the majority of the honourees who have passed away.
Gaob ǁGaroëb, one of the living honourees, attended the ceremony and expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
“Thank you, Namibia and the Damara people, for the pride I see and receive. What is for your king is also for you. This street honours both you and us,” he said.
