Chelva Wells 

In 1991, late Founding President Sam Nujoma supported a group of businessmen’s idea to establish the Nest Hotel in Lüderitz, as the town was preparing to become Namibia’s main harbour.

The hotel officially opened its doors on 24 April 1998.

One of the partners, Ulf Grunewald, told Nampa on Monday that the late Nujoma supported the idea of establishing a hotel at the town. Nujoma not only backed the construction, but always stayed at Nest Hotel whenever in Lüderitz, he said.

The hotel project aligned with plans for a waterfront development.
However, after Namibia regained control of Walvis Bay in 1994, government focus shifted to that harbour. Despite this, Grunewald said the hotel was built as Nujoma wanted to prevent Lüderitz from declining.

“The hotel doubled the town’s accommodation capacity, offering 70 rooms and three suites, and is located closer to the water than any other hotel on the Namibian coastline, with all rooms facing the sea,” Grunewald stated.

He said Nujoma stayed in the presidential suite, aiming to attract international visitors with high service standards.

Grunewald noted that the hotel staff were familiar with Nujoma’s preferences, and noted that he often travelled with a personal chef, who either used the hotel kitchen or supervised meal preparation.

“He exercised by the sea every morning, and insisted on peeling his own fruit. When hotel staff offered to make him a fruit salad, he always requested that his fruits be left unpeeled so he could do it himself,” he said.

Grunewald remarked that Nujoma’s association with the hotel increased its visibility, emphasising that their relationship was professional, and that Nujoma was a strong advocate for the hotel’s completion.

“He supported Lüderitz beyond the hotel, but his visits became less frequent over time. It’s a pity because we would have loved for him to visit more often,” he expressed.

Grunewald expressed sadness over Nujoma’s passing, recognising him as a great leader who genuinely sought the best for the Namibian people. 

Nujoma, Namibia’s founding president, died on 8 February. He will receive a hero’s funeral at Heroes’ Acre on 1 March 2025.

-Nampa