Swakopmund
Swakopmund
was founded two years later than Windhoek, in 1892, by Captain Curt
von Francois as the main harbour of German South West Africa. Increased
traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated establishing
of own port as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometres south, was already
in British possession. The choice fell on Swakopmund where water
could be found and because other sites checked (including Cape Cross
were unsuitable). The majority of towns and villages in Namibia
have grown out of indigenous settlements and very often were located
close to sources of water. Names of places given by original inhabitants
were very descriptive and in many cases those names were retained
by European settles who sometimes simplified pronunciations of the
names. Nama word ''Tsoakhaub'' can be translated as ''excrement
opening'' which was offensive but accurate description of the waters
of Swakop river at the time of coming down in floods carrying masses
of mud, sand, pieces of vegetation and animal corpses. The masses
of dirty and muddy water were emptied into the ocean and the indigenous
name described it very well.
The Nama name was changed to ''Swachaub'' and with proclamation
of Swakopmund as independent district in 1896 the present way of
writing came into use.
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