Culture

Namibia pulls down statue of controversial German colonial master

Published

1 year ago

November 24, 2022

Namibia authorities, on Wednesday, took down the statue of a controversial German colonial master from its location in the capital, Windhoek, and relocated to the Windhoek City Museum, following pressure from local activists.

The monument which had commemorated the colonial officer, Curt von Francois, a German army commissioner who has been credited with founding Windhoek, has been a subject of dispute and agitation from local campaigners and historians who have refused to attribute the honour to him.

The statue which had stood on a high pedestal outside municipal buildings, depicted von Francois in a military uniform with a moustache, a large hat, and holding a sword, which activists said was a symbol of his perceived cruelty.

The removal of the statue of von Francois’ comes two years after the statue of a British colonialist, Cecil Rhodes, was beheaded by activists at the University of Cape Town in neighbouring South Africa during protests sparked by the death of black American George Floyd.

A jubilant activist, Hildegard Titus, said the “moment is a recollection of dignity, our city has been white-washed.”

“There is an emotional tie to the statue being taken down but it also has to do with historical accuracy. It was a reminder of genocide,” Titus added.

Germany colonised Namibia from 1884 to 1915 and between 1904 and 1908, German settlers reportedly killed tens of thousands of indigenous Herero and Nama people in massacres historians have called the 20th century’s first genocide.

In 2021, Germany acknowledged the genocide after lengthy, bitter negotiations and promised more than $1 billion in financial support to descendants of the victims, whom many Namibians argue were not sufficiently involved in the negotiations.

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Culture

Ghana mourns as top gospel music icon Koda passes away

Published

12 hours ago

April 22, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Ghanaian entertainment industry has, once again, been thrown into mourning following the death of renowned gospel musician, Kofi Owusu Dua Anto, known professionally as Koda, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 46.

According to reports, the gospel music icon and producer died from a kidney-related condition he had been suffering from for sometime.

Koda, renowned for hit songs like “Hossana”, “Nkwaa Abodo”, “Nsem Pii” and “Adooso”, was also a producer of repute who gained fame for his inspiring compositions and his captivating, soul-stirring vocals that struck a chord with audiences nationwide.

A local media reports that he worked with a lot of Gospel musicians in Ghana and Nigeria including popular Nigerian gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey.

Culture

Ghana’s Elmina Fishing Harbour welcomes first-ever cruise liner SH Vega

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Ghanaian tourism industry got a big boost when the legendary Elmina Fishing Harbour welcomed its first ever cruise liner, the SH Vega, a 280-capacity passenger vessel with a total of 115 persons, comprising 106 passengers and nine crew members.

The CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Àkwasi Agyeman, who recieved the vessel, said
nationalities of the tourists aboard the cruise vessel included Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany, Greece, Russia, and Nigeria among others.

Agyeman who spoke with journalists on the historic visit, said the visitors were given the opportunity to explore the Elmina castle and township, the Batik making centre at global mamas in Elmina, the Kakum National Park and the Cape Coast castle.

“It’s another win and boost for Ghana’s tourism industry when the Elmina Fishing Harbour welcomed its first-ever cruise liner, the SH Vega on Thursday, April 18,” Agyeman said.

“Ghana continues to fare well as a favourite destination of cruise passengers worldwide with Tema and Takoradi being the traditional Ports of call.

“The tourists toured Elmina castle and its township, the Batik making Centre at Global Mamas in Elmina, the Kakum National Park and the Cape coast castle amidst traditional drumming and some dance lessons.

“The vessel, SH Vega, dropped its anchor in the Elmina waters, about 8.8 cables away from the port’s main breakwater. It then lowered its Zodiac (inflatable boats) into the water before carefully disembarking the 115 passengers and crew members into the zodiac in safe batches.

“The vessel had previously sailed to some ports including Angola, Benin, Congo, Gabon, Togo and São Tomé.

“This game-changing moment for the cruise liner business in Ghana showcases our limitless possibilities and the excellent potential for the tourism industry in the Central Region and Ghana.

“We stand proud of this historic moment,” Agyeman stated.