Namibia Relocates Statue of Controversial Colonial Officer

Authorities in Windhoek, Namibia, have removed and relocated a statue of Curt von Francois, a controversial German colonial officer, following pressure from local activists. The monument, which commemorated von Francois, was situated outside municipal buildings and depicted him in military attire, complete with a sword and a large hat.

Hildegard Titus, an activist from the A Curt Farewell movement that advocated for the statue’s removal, expressed that this moment signifies a restoration of dignity. She noted, “Our city has been white-washed,” emphasizing the need for historical accuracy regarding von Francois’s role in the city’s founding, which many local historians dispute.

The Windhoek City Council announced that the statue would be transferred to the Windhoek City Museum, where it will be displayed with context explaining its historical significance. Aaron Nambadi, a curator at the museum, stated, “We as historians and curators were involved in this project to correct the false narrative that von Francois was the founder of the city.”

Germany colonized Namibia from 1884 to 1915, during which time significant atrocities occurred. Between 1904 and 1908, German settlers were responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of indigenous Herero and Nama people in what many historians describe as the first genocide of the 20th century. Last year, Germany officially acknowledged this genocide and committed over one billion euros in financial support to the descendants of the victims, though many Namibians feel they were inadequately represented in the negotiations.

The removal of the von Francois statue follows a broader trend in Africa and around the world, where monuments honoring colonial figures have been challenged, including the beheading of a statue of Cecil Rhodes in South Africa during protests triggered by George Floyd’s death.