Pharmacy ordered to remove Bismarck sign – New Era 29-07-2024

New Era report Namibian Genocide Association pharmacy Swakopmund order remove Bismarck sign Namibia

“Pharmacy ordered to remove Bismarck sign

2024-07-29 BY EVELINE DE KLERK

SWAKOPMUND– A Swakopmund pharmacy has been ordered to remove a sign featuring Otto von Bismarck that was erected on their building.

This follows a complaint by the Namibian Genocide Association against the pharmacy – Bismarck Medical Centre – for displaying an image of the first German Chancellor Von Bismarck at the corner of Bismarck Street and Sam Nujoma Avenue in Swakopmund.

Otto von Bismarck organised the Berlin Conference of 1884 in Germany, known as the “Scramble for Africa”, to divide the African continent among European countries. He served as the chancellor of Germany from 1871 to 1890, (…).

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“Erecting and parading Bismarck’s image is an insult to all African people, especially in Namibia, where the Germans killed our ancestors. It is painful for us who inherited that generational trauma caused by the Germans to our ancestors,” Laidlow Peringanda told New Era.

He runs the Namibian Genocide Association, and has been instrumental in advocating against the atrocities committed during the genocide.

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Meanwhile, a letter seen by New Era from the Swakopmund Municipality acknowledged the sensitivity around the issue.

“Upon receiving your complaint, we conducted a thorough review, and confirmed that the signage was installed without the necessary approval from the council or its administration,” the letter written by Clarence McLune, general manager of engineering and planning services at the Swakopmund Municipality, stated.

The building owners have been formally notified of this violation, and have been instructed to remove the signage immediately.

He also indicated that the sign has been covered with black plastic, for its removal.

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