Once the administrative centre of German South West Africa,
Otjimbingwe is situated south of
Karibib at the junction of the Swakop and Omusema rivers. Opinions on the
origins of the name of the town differ, the most common meaning given being
'place of refreshment', referring to the spring in the Omusema River. The
town rose to prominence due to its position on an established ox-wagon route
half-way between Windhoek and Walvis Bay. It
was Otjimbingwe's role as a trading post that made it an important centre.
in 1854, the Walvisch Bay Mining Company had made the settlement its
headquarters after the discovery of copper in the area. A trading post was
set up and soon a roaring trade, typical of the time, was going on in
arms, ammunition, alcohol and livestock. In 1860, the hunter, explorer and
trader Charles John Andersson established his headquarters here, the first
permanent trading post in the area.
Sights: The church, completed in 1867, is the oldest to have been
built to serve the Herero community.
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