The purpose of the Parks & Recreation Division is to beautify the City through the provision of professional horticultural services, establishing and maintaining exceptional parks, cemeteries, sport and recreational facilities to meet the needs of the growing population and to ensure neat, safe and secure public open spaces through effective bush control services.

The Parks Division comprises 5 sections, namely:

1. Facility Development
   This section is responsible for the development and upgrading of park facilities throughout Windhoek.
2. Facility Maintenance
   This section maintains park facilities and  throughout Windhoek and is split into:
   • Facility Maintenance East, and;
   • Facility Maintenance West
3. Sports and Recreation
   • Sam Nujoma Soccer Stadium
   • The Khomasdal Sport Fields
   • John ya Otto Nankudhu Soccer Field
   • Swimming Pools
   • Brakwater Recreational Park
   • Goreangab Recreational Park
   • Playgrounds in the City
   • The Zoo Park
   • UN Plaza
   • Tugela Family Park
4. Funerals and Cremations
• Windhoek Cemeteries
• The Windhoek Crematorium
• The Children's Memorial
5. Logistical Support
• Logistical Support: Bush Control And Weed Control Services

 

 

Sport and Recreation

The City of Windhoek has a corporate responsibility towards its residents and co-ordinates and promotes sport within the municipal boundaries of the City. It is responsible for the establishment, maintenance and management of centres of sporting and recreational concerns, for use by the residents of the City, particularly in the neglected sections of our society. Sport and Recreation plays an important role in the social well-being of residents. The current City of Windhoek Sport and Recreation Policy serves as a guideline in the provision and management of sports facilities within the City with a view to balancing the provision of sporting and recreational facilities to all our residents.

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Sam Nujoma Soccer Stadium

The old Katutura Soccer Stadium was originally built in the late 1960s and after Independence; the City of Windhoek took the decision to build a new soccer stadium. The Sam Nujoma Stadium was completed in April 2005. Named after the Founding President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Sam Nujoma, the stadium was constructed at a cost of N$64 million and can seat 10 300 people.  The City views the stadium as a social investment aimed at bringing soccer and recreation activities to previously neglected areas.

The stadium features a grandstand designed as a two-tier structure with an enclosed basement area, offices, store rooms, cloakrooms, toilets and kiosks.  The private VIP lounge is fully equipped to accommodate VIPs during sport events.  The grandstand seats 4 000 spectators, including 500 plastic bucket seats. The three remaining open stands seat 6 000, with preformatted pre-cast concrete seating units.  These are separated from the main field by steep crowd control channels. 

The stadium has parking for VIPs, 120 spaces for private parking and public parking for 5 team busses, 19 public busses and 460 vehicles.

Bookings for the stadium can be done at telephone number: 290 3570 / 290 3571.

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The Khomasdal Sport Fields

Situated in Mahatma Ghandhi Street, the Khomasdal Sport Fields complex is a popular place for soccer, school athletics, netball and other tournaments and social activities organised by the community. This complex is a hive of activity at weekends.

The sport fields include 4 netball courts of which two can be used for playing volley ball, 2 tennis courts and 3 soccer fields of which two are for practicing and the main field reserved exclusively for soccer matches. Since 2007, a number of upgrading projects have been completed to the facilities with further upgrades lined up for the future.

Enquiries and bookings for these facilities can be done through the caretaker at telephone number: 290 2672.

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John ya Otto Nankudhu Soccer Field

The pressure and demands on the Khomasdal soccer fields were tremendous, to the extent that the City saw fit to develop another facility in this part of the City. The John ya Otto Nankudhu Soccer Field was an informal sport field situated opposite Oshakati Service Station and the Wanaheda Police Station. The field has well kept turf that is irrigated automatically and maintained by private contractors. It is enclosed with a wall and is guarded by 24-hour security guards. Ablution facilities are available for spectators and players.

Bookings for this field can be done through the offices of the Sam Nujoma Stadium at telephone number: 290 3570 / 290 3571.

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Swimming Pools

There are two public swimming pools in Windhoek; the Olympia Swimming Pool in Olympia and the Western Suburbs Swimming Pool between Khomasdal and Katutura. Both facilities boast Olympic size pools, children’s paddling pools, cloakrooms, a kiosk, lapa facilities, large lawns for leisure purposes and trained life guards who are on duty daily. The Western Suburbs pool also has a children’s playground.

The lapa facilities can be booked for private functions after-hours.  At such functions, no swimming is allowed. Both pools are open to the public for 7 days a week during warm months from (August to May) but are closed during an off-season in June and July. The pools are available for hire to schools and swimming clubs for gala events and competitions.

Bookings can be done at the swimming pools:

Olympia Swimming Pool – 290 3089 .

Western Suburbs Swimming Pool – 290 3337

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Brakwater Recreational Park

The Brakwater Recreational Park is situated on the outskirts of Windhoek next to the Western Bypass in Brakwater.  This recreational area is ideal for picnicking in the shade of large camel thorn trees and has playgrounds, newly renovated barbeque sites and ablution facilities. 

The park is open to the public from 10:00 to 18:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 10:00 until 22:00 from Fridays to Sundays and on public holidays.  It is closed for general maintenance on Mondays and Tuesdays each week.  No prior bookings need to be made to use the facilities.

Enquiries can be directed to the Caretaker: Recreation at telephone number: 211051 / 290 3540.

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Goreangab Recreational Park

The Goreangab Recreational Park is situated on the eastern shore of the Goreangab Dam.  This recreational area is used for picnicking and has spectacular views of the dam. It comprises playgrounds, newly renovated barbeque sites and ablution facilities.  The park is very popular with residents as a breakaway from the City.

The park is open to the public from 10:00 to 18:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 10:00 until 22:00 from Fridays to Sundays and on public holidays.  It is closed for general maintenance on Mondays and Tuesdays each week.  No prior bookings need to be made to use the facilities.

Enquiries can be directed to the Caretaker: Recreation at telephone number: 271917 / 290 3540.

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Playgrounds in the City

Playgrounds form an important part of any suburb or community. They are areas in which children develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually.

Our children deserve the right to safe and attractive playgrounds where they can develop their skills, have fun and use their imaginations to become healthy and balanced young adults. Other family members also need safe outdoor areas to socialise and relax in. The City wishes to transform existing playgrounds into community centre-pieces that residents can be proud of and enjoy. The Department of Economic Development and Community Services is committed to providing such facilities.

The Parks & Recreation Division is responsible for the maintenance of more than 30 playgrounds throughout the City.

Enquiries can be directed to: 290 3540.

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The Zoo Park

In 1897, the German colonial administration established a war memorial on the site that is today known as the Zoo Park. In 1904 the site was referred to as the "Denkmalsgarten"; Memorial Garden, suggesting that trees and shrubs had been planted to complement the memorial and provide shady surroundings for residents.

This garden was transferred from the colonial government to the town of Windhoek on 3 May 1911. By 1915 the park was described as "a beautiful park with war memorial, fountains, benches and a fenced in children’s playground". At this stage the natural hot water springs were still active in the park.

In August 1916, permission was granted to establish a small zoo in the park. The zoo and surrounding gardens received much attention between 1922 and 1929 and included a succulent garden. The on-site nursery even received orders for plants from South Africa. In 1932 the zoo was closed.

After World War I, a collection of meteorites from the Gibeon meteorite shower was displayed in Zoo Park. These were transferred to the Alte Feste Museum in 1975. In 1990 they were positioned in the Post Street Pedestrian Mall.

Part of Zoo Park included the Café Zoo, an establishment that lasted from 1917 until the 1950’s in various forms. It was extremely popular and was at times used for art and book exhibitions.

Council proposals to destroy sections of the park to make way for an art centre and to widen the main street were met with protest by the public in the late 1950’s. After many meetings and reports, the Council decided that Zoo Park indeed needed major renovation, including the demolition of Café Zoo. During 1958 the number of trees in the park was reduced by two thirds and parts of the park were destroyed to accommodate street widening and realignment of the adjoining intersection.

Between 1960 and 1963 Council went ahead with its plans to demolish the park entirely and develop a different style of park in its place. Only the war memorial remained. It was during this construction that ancient elephant bones and tools were excavated. These items were included into the layout of the new park as a feature, enclosed in glass.

The new layout included an amphitheatre, playground and system of interlinked fish ponds. The old Café Zoo not replaced and the new Zoo Park was officially opened in April 1963.

The Park remained unchanged until 1990, when further upgrading was undertaken along with the conversion of Post Street into a pedestrian mall and the widening of Independence Avenue. This upgrading ensured that the paving of the internal pathways of the park matched the paving used throughout the new pedestrian mall. It was during this project that the Gibeon meteorites were installed in the mall as a feature. The ancient elephant bones were removed to the museum and replaced with an artistic monument carved in stone.

(ZOO PARK: A HISTORY by Christel Stern and Brigitte Lau, Windhoek Archives Publication Series No. 12)

Later additions to the Zoo Park included a gift from the Peoples Republic of China of a traditional Chinese pergola, constructed by a team of craftsmen from Beijing. In 1999, a lease was negotiated and a new Café Zoo was constructed by a local restaurateur. This restaurant/tea room is regularly frequented by tourists.

The Zoo Park is a popular destination in the CBD and well utilised by hundreds of people each day during their lunch hour. The amphitheatre was upgraded during 2005 and is used regularly for functions and performances.

The front lawn area is often used for promotional events and awareness campaigns. 

To book this area, contact the Parks & Recreation Division at telephone number: 290 3540.

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UN Plaza

The UN Plaza is situated in Katutura along Independence Avenue. It comprises a huge hall, an open amphitheatre, a restaurant, a basketball court, kiosks, a doctor’s consulting room, a crèche and a playground. This is the Zoo Park of Katutura, which offers the much needed space for recreation and relaxation to residents.

Prior to the early 1990’s there were few playgrounds in the north western suburbs of the City. This shortage of park and playground sites needed to be addressed. Various sites were chosen and basic playgrounds initially constructed. One of these sites was on the corner of Independence Avenue and Penning Street. Independence Avenue was a narrow street in poor condition at the time. Penning Street was still a dirt road.

Initially the playground was demarcated by painted tyres sunken into the ground along the perimeter. Swings, seesaws, a roundabout and a small climbing frame were installed. The site had a huge floodlight which kept it well lit at night, making it safer for the children.

Various developments took place on this site over the next few years to include a crèche, offices, netball courts, kiosks, pathways, picnic sites, extended lawns, perimeter wall and other facilities as mentioned above and the original playground was relocated within the site. Independence Avenue had by this time been widened and tarred along with Penning Street and most other streets in the area. In 1995 the now enlarged park was officially named the UN Plaza to commemorate the 50th year of the United Nations. Until then, it had been referred to as the "Penning Street Park". An amphitheatre was later constructed.

This park is extremely popular, especially with the children of the surrounding neighbourhoods. The amphitheatre is a popular venue for performers, speakers and events. The UN Plaza hall can be hired for weddings, concerts and other indoor events. 

The Parks & Recreation Division maintains the beautiful gardens of the UN Plaza.

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Tugela Family Park

Towards the end of the 1990’s, various communities in the suburb of Wanaheda were requesting parks and playgrounds. The corner of Claudius Kandovazu Road and Tugela Street was identified as a wonderful site. It is a hill jutting above the surrounding residential areas with a brilliant view of the City and the surrounding mountains. The community groups adjoining this site became involved in the establishment of a playground on the site as well as with its maintenance.

In 2000, a palisade fence was put up around the park and additional trees were planted. In 2005 the playground was expanded to include a timber adventure climbing frame. 2007 saw the construction of some internal pathways as well as a retaining wall and new entrance along the Claudius Kandovazu Road boundary. This new entrance is recessed into the park to make provision for tour busses. The view point, once fully developed, can be included into the existing tour routes.

As with many of the City’s parks and playgrounds, this park is utilised mainly by youngsters but further developments will attract community members of all ages.

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Funerals and Cremations

Windhoek’s Cemeteries

Windhoek has seven Cemeteries, namely:

Gammams Cemetery C/o Goshawk Street & David Hosea Meroro Road
Oponganda Cemetery C/o Brug Street and Otjomuise Road
Khomasdal Cemetery C/o Begonia Street and Roos Street
Old Location Cemetery David Hosea Meroro Road
Katutura Cemetery Claudius Kandovazu Street
Leutwein Cemetery Robert Mugabe Avenue
Veronica cemetery Veronica Street

The Gammams, Khomasdal, Old Location and Oponganda Cemeteries are currently operational. The Katutura, Veronica Street and Leutwein Street Cemeteries have been closed for burials as they have reached capacity, but are still maintained by the City of Windhoek.

The following are the contact numbers for the cemeteries:

Gammams Cemetery 290 3540 / 290 3555
Leutwein Cemetery 290 3540
Katutura Cemetery 290 3540  
Old Location Cemetery 290 3540
Khomasdal Cemetery 290 2758
Oponganda Cemetery 290 2978 / 290 2979
Veronica Street Cemetery 290 3540

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The Windhoek Crematorium

Namibia’s only crematorium is situated in the Gammams Cemetery.  The crematorium was constructed in 1975 and the first cremation took place on the 26th of April 1976.

Cremation is more cost effective than a burial and allows for valuable land to be put to other use.

There are a number of documents that need to be completed and authorised before a cremation may take place, according to the Regulations relating to Crematoria and the Cremation of Human Remains (Government Notice no.91 of 26 March 1999). This is usually done by the undertaker and may take a few days.

It is important to note that bodies are cremated individually. This is taken very seriously by the staff of the Crematorium as stated in the Crematorium Code of Conduct.  The cremator works at its optimum when the internal brickwork and concrete have absorbed enough heat to sustain the burning process whilst adding as little fuel as possible.  It is therefore more economical to cremate four to five individual bodies, one at a time. 

A cremation number is allocated and punched onto a metal strip, which is placed on the coffin before committal into the cremator.  This metal strip then identifies the final ash retaining each person’s identity and aids in the careful recording of personal details in the Cremation Register.

The choice of ash disposal remains with the next of kin. Family representatives may collect the ashes and:

• scatter them at a favourite site or in the Garden of Remembrance.
• inter them in a niche in the Columbarium/Wall of Remembrance at the Gardens of Remembrance.
• inter them in an existing family grave. 
• inter them in an ash grave.

All enquiries can be directed to the Cremation Officer at telephone number: 290 3092.

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The Children's Memorial

The Children’s Memorial was inaugurated on 17 April 2013, by Her Worship the Mayor, Ms. A. Kafula, of the City of Windhoek. This is the first memorial of its kind. There are various individual memorials or many memorials signifying a group of children who have died together or during a specific incident. This Children’s Memorial, on the other hand, was built in remembrance of all children who have died, at any age and from any cause, and who might die future. The memorial is therefore neither time bound nor incident bound. The Children’s Memorial commemorates all children who have passed away and cater also for those who might pass away in future. Grieving parents, family and friends will now have a place to go to in order to find peace and comfort. They will get to terms with the fact that they are not alone, they are just part of the many parents who share the loss of their children. It is a symbol, indicating that our children are not forgotten.

ORIGIN
• The Memorial was donated to the City of Windhoek on 17 April 2013, by Mr. G.M. Du Toit and Mrs. I. E. du Toit.
• The sudden death of Mauritz, their beloved 17 year old son, on 8 March 2010, was the reason and driving force to build this memorial and to dedicate it to all children who have died.

DESCRIPTION

OUTSIDE WALL

The Children’s Memorial is constructed in a circle, because a circle represents:

unity and infinity; A group of people who share a common interest, being the loss of their beloveth child or children.

ENTRANCE
The twin angels at the entrance welcomes all visitors to the memorial. They are waiting patiently for all to keep visiting.
Two wreaths above the twin angels symbolize respect for the dead and to reassure all departed children that they are not forgotten.

INSIDE - ANGELS
The four angel statues on pillars dividing the benches on the inside, creates a spiritual atmosphere and serve as a reminder that children can also die, no matter what age.

BENCHES

• Between the four angels next
• to the wall are built-in benches
• which will allow parents, families
• friends and visitors to make themselves comfortable when visiting the Memorial. It will give them the opportunity to spend time and pay respects to their depparted children.

PLATES OF REMEMBRANCE

• Plates are fitted to the inside of the wall, with the names of departed children, followed by the dates when they were born and the dates of their departure.
• More plates will also be fitted in future on the outside of the wall.
• Arrangements can be made with the City of Windhoek, Parks Division.

MARBLE TOP OF THE PEDESTAL

• On the side edge of the marble top the words: “WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU” are engraved four times, to echo this message to the world in the four wind directions.
• On top of the marble top are two hearts in one. This reflects the everlasting love between parents and their children that can never be taken away.
• The sun is symbolizing the warmth and sunshine which Children bring into the lives of their parents - they are like sunrays.

SQUARE PEDESTAL

• Facing the entrance, is the name of the memorial being the ‘Children’s Memorial’.
• The two words are separated in the middle by a cross. The cross symbolizes that Jesus died on a cross for our sins.
• On both sides of the pedestal are the following bible verses- Psalm 147:3 - “He health the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds”. God comfort us with these words and reassured us that He will heal us. 1 Samuel 16:2 – “… for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Our physical appearance is not of interest to the Lord but our hearts, and our relationship with Him.
• The rear side indicates that the memorial was donated by the parents of Mauritz du Toit, in remembrance of all children who have died, at any age and from any cause.
• On top of the pedestal and in the centre of the Memorial, is an angel, holding an open Bible.

OUTSIDE THE MEMORIAL

• There are eight palm trees representing the date which led to the building of this memorial.
• A sidewalk links the Memorial to the existing pavement of the parking area and the chapel, making it easily accessible.
• The sidewalk also surrounds the memorial and gives access to four benches, for bereaved parents, family and friends or visitors.

BENEFITS OF A MEMORIAL
The memorial will assist grieving parents to:

come to terms with their loss;

create an environment where they can interact with their departed children;

pay respects to children that have departed untimely;

be a symbol of remembrance; get assurance that their beloveth children will not be forgotten; and

honour the memory of departed children.

LOCATION
The beautiful Children’s Memorial is situated in the Garden of Remembrance in the Gammams Cemetery, Hosea Kutako Drive, B1, Windhoek.

STATUES
The big marble angel was ordered during 2011 from a company in Shijiazhuang, China, where it was carved. Unfortunately it was sent by mistake to Canada.
A new angel was carved and arrived on 15 November 2012 in Namibia on the Grey Fox cargo ship. The six smaller angels were also ordered from the same company.
These six angels were shipped to Namibia on 12 January 2013 and arrived in Walvisbay on the Atacama, a cargo ship, on 25 March 2013.


BUILDING PROCESS
The building of the Memorial commenced on Monday, 14 January 2013.
The seven solid marble statues were ordered and carved in China.
The last six angels arrived in Walvis Bay, on the Atacama, general cargo ship on 25 March 2013.

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Logistical Support: Bush Control And Weed Control Services

The Parks & Recreation Division provides the following services with regard to the natural vegetation growing throughout Windhoek:

• Cutting and controlling of wild grasses along Windhoek’s main roads, intersections, traffic islands and municipal sidewalks; often a rather challenging task considering the speed with which such grasses grow.
• Eradication of alien invasive plant species on municipal land, especially river courses. These include Opuntia, Prosopis, Tacoma, Agave and Leucaena.
• Chemical treatment of Prosopis trees on private land if requested by the property owner. This is free of charge.
• Management of natural vegetation throughout the City’s Public Open Space network of river courses, hilltops and green corridors.

Enquiries regarding trees, green corridor vegetation and invasive plants can be directed to telephone number: 290 3540.

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