It was on this fateful day, 2nd October 1904 when German imperial genocide general Lothar von Trotha declared genocide against the Ovaherero people, and extended this termination order to the Nama people on the 23rd April 1905.
This academic piece focusses mainly on the historical context of Shark Island located near the harbour of Lüderitz, having served as notorious concentration camp during German colonial occupation.This piece also draws the attention of Namibian government and forward thinking Namibians re-activating places of historical signifcance . It further examines the point of turning Shark Island as a sacred place that continues to attract visitors for educational and tourism reasons.
At a ceremony characterized by pomp and fanfare held on 15th February 2021, Shark Island was declared by the Namibian Government as a national heritage site. History books remind us that the period from 1904 to 1908 represent a dark chapter in the Namibian history and the fallout echoes loudly in our society today.
Given the socio-economic implications of emerging sectors ,it is vital that the future development of Shark Island forms part of the intergrated tourism plan of the harbour town of Lüderitz .The town is slowly transfoming itself into a major commercial hub in Southern Namibia. Shark Island with its ugly colonial history saw mainly hundreds of captured Nama and Ovaherero members being raped, humiliated, tortured under harsh weather conditions including mass killings. Other atrocities committed by German fascist imperial soldiers and their henchmen during 1904-08 included amongst other things; robbing indigenous communities of their land, small livestock, cattle and hard-earned wealth etc.
Following the declaration of Shark Island as national heritage site. However, there is a lingering question as to what would happen next given Shark Island’s dehumanizing role under imperial colonial German occupation of today’s Namibia. These tragic episodes can’t be ignored in the context of recorded history and the sequence of events that have lead to the genocide, particularly when it comes to Shark Island heritage site.
For the longest time since the dawn of Namibia’s independence, Shark Island has been managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) as a camping facility. Although the site has proven to be a popular camping site for foreign tourists,but not everybody was happy about this arrangement.
Unfortunately, the island has remained largely the same – with little or no visible improvements over the last thirty odd years. Pleasantly in recent years, the historical “light house” on Shark Island underwent major facelift and is visible from a distance.
When entering the island today, you are greeted by dotted rock outcrops, decorated plaques in the image of Adolf Lüderitz and German imperial soldiers who perished in the “stupid war” of slaughter. From the look of things, Shark Island is reminiscent of an abandoned cemetery. To put it bluntly, it looks like a forgotten area.
Sadly, and paradoxically, the names of indigenous people who perished in the war of anti-colonialism are absent to this day, those who have fallen and became victims of genocide, our cherished heroes and heroines(martyr) who fought with bravery and resisted legitimately the hell of colonialism.
Clearly the absence of images and symbols depicting the anti-colonial resistance and liberation struggles waged by our ancestors is deeply worrying and constitute a misrepresentation of facts of history.
It is not good enough to estimate the number of indigenous people who may have perished in this terrible war of colonialism that degenerated into genocide,nor is good enough to highlight the atrocities that happened and took precious lives of our Namibians.
This unacceptable state of affairs raises eyebrows, meaning that there is a case to be made urgently,and to put things in proper historical context. It is therefore logical that the Namibian government with the assistance of great thinkers and scholars restores the dignity of the affected communities. It is absolutely critical at this stage that Namibia acts with urgency by ensuring an appropriate national development project( “the shrine”) is built on Shark Island. Such development in its form,shape,size and appeal should be able to create new business opportunities for Namibians and turn into a must visit distination for vistors.
It is for this compelling reason that this academic piece furrther examines the impact of the combination of culture history and tourism on Shark Island. It is therefore proposed to construct Namibia’s first ever Genocide Memorial Museum on Shark Island, a fitting location given its history connected to genocide.
The island is better placed to house the proposed Namibia’s Genocide Memorial Museum. Put differently, Shark Island could become a sacred site of remembrance. It may function as a profound educational center, memorial garden, and archive dedicated to preserving history and promoting global peace.
Genocide Memorial Museum projects that are professionally managed have proven successful in post- conflict areas such as Bosnia, Cambodia and Rwanda. These memorial museums have become popular global destinations on the “genocide tourism” map. That is why it is envisioned to establish a living genocide memorial museum – a museum that would memorialize the victims, teach the history and lessons of the genocide, and work to prevent future genocides anywhere else in the world.
Memorials and museums form an intrinsic part of state and society in post-conflict societies,and a comparative approach can capture the dynamics of memory politics and help nation/state building project. Moreover, this academic piece seeks the establishment of the museum that allows visitors to explore a variety of informative exhibits on genocide history with the Namibian characteristics.
The proposed Shark Island Genocide Memorial Museum will be perfect to house all human skulls from the genocide, other significant artifacts and antiques that were repatriated from Germany to Namibia in recent years as well as human remains that may be discovered in future.
The proposed Museum project further aims to create awareness about Africa’s vast, dynamic and diverse cultural artifacts and the influence Africa has had and continues to have on the various cultures of the world in the area of culture.
This National Memorial Genocide Museum will be a focal center for preserving and promoting the African cultural heritage.
Culture and creative industries are increasingly being used to promote destinations and enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness. Namibia has so much to offer- this is the most opportune time to act decisively.
It is further proposed that the museum feature amongst other things, a gallery, library, exhibition halls, café & gift shop, amphitheater designed to host large memorial events of historical significance, educational workshops, dramatic performances, cultural and historical events and film screenings etc.
In other words, the theatre could host a variety of events from remembrance ceremonies to festivals for humanity. It may also include children gallery with on-going activities for learning, discovering and having fun. New generation of museums are designed to become exciting to visit for all age groups- and key catalyst for new service-based economies as in the case of the West today.
If one looks at the harbor town of Lüderitz, this is an area of strong heritage history and strong appeal only if its potential is fully realized. To complete the tourist experience, a National Memorial Genocide Museum project ties in well with the ongoing state funded Lüderitz Waterfront development and other local sites of historical significance that are frequented by visitors particularly those from foreign countries.
Cultural tourism continues to be one of the largest and fastest growing global tourism markets. Without doubt, this type of museum will be popular destination in the area joining existing tourist hotpspots such as Kolmanskop ( the “ghost town”), newly launched maritime museum and Dias point etc . Travelers can learn and appreciate the cultures of Namibia.Cultural tourism is important for various reasons: it has a positive economic and social impact- it establishes and reinforces identity & helps to build image.
Africa’s diversity is seen in its varied cultures, long-standing customs, striking scenery and wildlife. This captivating mix may attract a steady stream of visitors from around the world. Given the urgency, the real work should start immediately to put things right at Shark Island. But how do we proceed in making sure this noble project comes into fruition?
As a point of departure, there is urgent need for a well- structured, and all- inclusive conversation involving relevant parties around this envisaged National Genocide Memorial Museum project.
A project of this magnitude needs a champion who enjoys broad support from the state and non-state actors. In this regard, the Namibian state should assume an activist role in facilitating capital funding for the project.
However, I should caution that the National Genocide Memorial Museum should be managed by those in the know for obvious reasons- a dedicated private enterprise will be best placed to run it strictly on business principles, and generate much needed revenues for its sustainability. The incomes generated from this enterprise should be invested back into the memorial to support the preservation of archives and to run a variety of education programmes.
We owe it to all our fallen Namibian heroes and heroines across the board who fought with bravery, resisted colonialism at all costs and end up paying the ultimate price.
Moreover, if this development plan is well executed and marketed properly, the museum could potentially become a major gateway to Namibia’s developmental ambition.
Towns and regions that thrive in this age and time are those who will be differentiated by their lively cultural sense of place, protected natural areas, and deep pride in local character.
The proposal of establishing the National Memorial Genocide Museum on Shark Island ties in well with the African Union much touted Agenda 2063. It recognizes the important role that culture plays in mobilizing and unifying people around common ideals and promoting African culture to build the ideals of Pan-Africanism.
*Fluksman Samuehl is a development practitioner. A scholar of International Relations and Strategic Studies with special interest in international political economy, diplomacy, foreign policy and political history. He served as member of parliament (1999-2004). The opinions expressed herein are his own.