National Heritage Council of Namibia

Also known as: NHC

Government body that approves heritage building conversions, directs preservation of historic structures, and submits UNESCO World Heritage nominations for Namibian sites.

2024-06-092026-07-13

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

July 2026
12 JulThe Namibian
National Heritage Council of Namibia is part of the Namibian delegation mission to South Africa
Source
“Officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, the Museums Association of Namibia and the National Heritage Council of Namibia are also part of the mission.”
Remains of Namibian Robben Island prisoners to be repatriated
April 2026
20 AprThe Namibian
National Heritage Council of Namibia underwent a five-day cleaning and housekeeping course at Nipam
Source
“FOURTEEN participants from the National Heritage Council underwent a five-day cleaning and housekeeping course at the Namibia Institute for Public Administration and Management (Nipam) this week.”
Nipam invests in cleaning, housekeeping
1 AprThe Namibian
National Heritage Council of Namibia said two buildings' redevelopment would preserve historical significance and distinctive architecture
Source
“The council said the two buildings' redevelopment would preserve their historical significance and distinctive architecture.”
Boutique hotels and beer gardens: Heritage Council to revive historic Lüderitz and Windhoek landmark buildings
March 2026
22 MarThe Namibian
National Heritage Council of Namibia prohibited demolition of the original historic structure and directed that it be preserved in full
Source
“In a letter dated 21 August 2025 the council prohibited the demolition of the original historic structure and directed that it be preserved in full.”
‘Unsafe’ pre-colonial Swakopmund post office sparks dispute
January 2026
20 JanNew Era
National Heritage Council of Namibia submitted a nomination dossier for Brandberg's World Heritage Site inclusion
Source
“This is after the National Heritage Council of Namibia (NHC) submitted a nomination dossier for the site's inclusion on the World Heritage List.”
Brandberg set for world heritage listing … locals demand jobs
June 2024
9 JunThe Namibian
National Heritage Council of Namibia should protect and fence off open graves of genocide victims in former concentration camps at Swakopmund
Source
“The heritage council should protect and fence off the open graves of genocide victims in former concentration camps at Swakopmund.”
Finally, a Public Day to Memorialise Our Genocide Victims

Politics

Namibian delegation begins mission to repatriate Robben Island prisoners' remains

The News

A Namibian delegation has begun a five-day mission to South Africa to arrange the exhumation and repatriation of two former Robben Island prisoners buried in Cape Town. The delegation, which includes traditional authorities, former prisoners, family members, and government officials, is meeting South African counterparts to discuss legal, cultural, technical and logistical arrangements.

22 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Namibian delegation begins mission to repatriate Robben Island prisoners' remains
A Namibian delegation has begun a five-day mission to South Africa to arrange the exhumation and repatriation of two former Robben Island prisoners buried in Cape Town. The delegation, which includes traditional authorities, former prisoners, family members, and government officials, is meeting South African counterparts to discuss legal, cultural, technical and logistical arrangements.
22 hours ago · The Namibian →

Thursday 28 May

Christuskirche symbolizes Namibia's colonial genocide legacy
As Namibia marks the second Genocide Remembrance Day (gazetted as a national holiday in 2024), the Christuskirche in Windhoek, built between 1907 and 1910, remains a prominent reminder of German colonial rule and the genocide against Ovaherero and Nama communities during 1904–1908. Commemorations honour victims and renew calls for historical justice, reparations, and reconciliation.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

OvaHimba and OvaTjimba groups challenge Baynes Dam consultation process
More than 600 ovaHimba and ovaTjimba community members gathered in April 2026 to voice concerns about the planned 840 MW Baynes Hydropower Dam, citing inadequate consultation on a project that could affect their land, livelihoods, and access to water from the Kunene River. The site visit, led by Namibia's Ombudsman and facilitated by International Rivers, followed a formal complaint filed in April 2024 by traditional leaders about their exclusion from the project's consultation process.
6 May 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 20 April

Nipam delivers cleaning course to heritage council staff
The Namibia Institute for Public Administration and Management (Nipam) trained fourteen participants from the National Heritage Council in a five-day cleaning and housekeeping course this week at a cost of N$4,500 per trainee in Windhoek and N$5,400 outside Windhoek, aiming to address gaps in professional cleaning standards and hygiene practices. The course, open to government employees and the public, is offered throughout the year and provides hands-on training in real-life cleaning scenarios across offices and accommodation facilities on campus.
20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

Heritage Council to approve historic building conversions to hotels
The National Heritage Council of Namibia is considering applications to convert two historic landmark buildings—Kreplin House in Lüderitz and The Castle in Windhoek—into hospitality facilities. The council says adaptive reuse preserves heritage buildings' long-term survival while enabling economic sustainability, with key architectural features to be maintained.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 22 March

Historic Swakopmund post office faces redevelopment dispute
A 1907 heritage-listed building in Swakopmund is at the centre of a redevelopment dispute, with a developer citing safety concerns and proposing conversion into a boutique hotel while the National Heritage Council has directed that the original structure be preserved in full. The Swakopmund municipal council and residents association have expressed support for the adaptive reuse project, arguing that modernisation is necessary for the building's long-term preservation.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 March

IPC lawmaker proposes renaming Henties Bay after Sam Nujoma
IPC lawmaker Armas Amukoto has urged Namibia to rename Henties Bay in honour of founding president Sam Nujoma as part of decolonising public spaces and honouring liberation heroes. The proposal comes as parliament also considers converting the Old State House into a museum dedicated to Nujoma's legacy.
19 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 20 January

Brandberg Mountain nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status
The National Heritage Council of Namibia submitted a nomination dossier for Brandberg Mountain to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, citing its geological formations, archaeological heritage, and natural beauty. Local residents and community leaders have urged the government to prioritise employment for residents who currently depend on small-scale gemstone mining in the area.
20 January 2026 · New Era →