(Photo contributed)
The Swakopmund Municipality has officially launched the renovation of the Fish Chalets at the Swakopmund Rest Camp, with the N$2.9 million project expected to be completed within six months.
The launch and inauguration took place on Wednesday, 12 August, marking what municipal officials described as the beginning of a broader effort to modernise the long-standing tourism facility while preserving its character. Acting General Manager of Economic Development Services, Michelle Uwites, said the Rest Camp had been part of Swakopmund’s history since 1950 and had welcomed generations of visitors from Namibia and beyond.
She said the municipality had decided to undertake the renovation in phases, beginning with the Fish Chalets, to modernise the facilities, improve the guest experience and retain the character that had made the Rest Camp an important part of Swakopmund. “A place that’s loved deserves to be renewed, not simply maintained,” Uwites said, stressing that visitor expectations and municipal standards had changed over the years. According to Uwites, the investment goes beyond upgrading buildings, as a modernised Rest Camp could contribute to longer visitor stays, increased local spending and opportunities for local jobs, suppliers and small businesses. Mayor of Swakopmund Suamma Kautondokwa said the Fish Chalets formed part of the municipal Rest Camp and that the 22-unit Fish section remained a valued municipal asset.
She said a feasibility study commissioned in 2021 identified the need for coordinated upgrades to address structural, plumbing, electrical and general maintenance concerns across the Rest Camp. “The Fish Chalets therefore represent an important first step in improving safety, comfort, durability, and overall guest experiences at the rest camp,” Kautondokwa said.
The municipality’s Manager of Engineering, Urban Development and Environmental Management, Clarrence Mc Clune, said the project followed several reviews that had been undertaken since the early 2020s as the municipality sought to modernise and improve the appearance of Swakopmund. He said the final project was taken to tender and nine of the 22 Fish units were selected for intervention. Of the nine units, six will be renovated, while three will be demolished and reconstructed.
Mc Clune said the municipality had signed a contract with Frampton Investment cc on 6 August. The project has a six-month construction period and is valued at N$2.9 million, inclusive of VAT. The project is being managed in-house by municipal staff, with Manager of Design Office and Building Control, Andre Louw, serving as project manager. Louw said the Fish Facility consists of 22 units, of which nine are included in the current project. He explained that six of the nine units would undergo renovations, while the remaining three would be demolished and reconstructed. He further said the wider Swakopmund Rest Camp consists of 195 units, highlighting the scale of the municipal accommodation facility.
Kautondokwa said the Rest Camp plays an important role in supporting local businesses, service providers and employment, while contributing to the broader economic development of Swakopmund. She called on residents and visitors to take ownership of the upgraded facilities and to protect the infrastructure. “Public facilities belong to all of us,” she said, urging users to keep the surroundings clean and ensure that the chalets remain safe, attractive and accessible for years to come. Kautondokwa officially declared the renovation of the Fish Chalets commenced, describing the project as part of efforts to strengthen Swakopmund’s tourism offering and provide residents and visitors with safer, more comfortable and memorable experiences.
By Sharlien Tjambari
