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Explore the ocean's mysteries at Namibia Maritime Museum

Otis Daniels
Showcasing a diverse collection of model ships, scientific instruments, paintings and fishing gear as well as an extraordinary display of maps, stamps and coins, the Namibia Maritime Museum (NMM) is a sight to behold. The impressive facility - featuring an exclusive library that offers a wealth of resources on maritime history - is located at the Lüderitz Old Power Station, and forms part of the second phase of the Lüderitz Waterfront development.

Exhibitions in the museum highlight the Blue Economy and showcase the contributions of fishing, seabed mining, maritime trade and tourism to Namibia's gross domestic product (GDP).

Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company chairperson Dr Angel Tordesillas said the educational role of the museum, primarily earmarked for the benefit of young visitors, will undoubtedly foster knowledge about the oceans, their mysteries and their riches. "A wide range of educational programmes are being developed to ignite creativity and curiosity in every visitor through art workshops and hands-on training in creative arts and crafts. These activities will lead to periodic exhibitions, where children will showcase their talents and compete for prizes, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride. We are also dedicated to extending our reach beyond our borders by inviting children from other Namibian regions and neighbouring countries. Young visitors can look forward to an engaging narrative of high-seas adventure, discovery and drama," he said.

Let's go to Lüderitz

But the museum isn't just for young visitors. According to Lüderitz mayor Phil Balhao, "it will attract tourists and tourism will be massively impacted with a lot of downstream opportunities to be unlocked".

He said in the past, the harbour town only offered a limited amount of things to do and see, with visitors not spending enough time there. “We are adding more and more to our itinerary and having a drawing card such as the NMM will convince people to stay for a longer period. The National Sports Awards 2022 and the Miss Namibia 2024 crowning ceremony were hosted earlier this year at the venue. I'm very sure that the positive impact of the state-of-the-art museum will be felt throughout town.”

He urged Lüderitz residents to protect, preserve and advocate for the museum. “Let us make sure people come here and enjoy our town. The NMM is something special we can be proud of.”

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Namibian Sun 2024-12-26

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