Tsumeb has its own distinct call to the north

With Tsumeb receiving an average of 550 mm of rain per year - more than triple the Namibian average - it is the porous upper ground that allows nature to take up and store the precious water. The result is clear for all to see: If ever there was a town in Namibia deserving of the title ‘garden town’, it must surely be Tsumeb. The traveller cannot help but feel welcome on account of the clean and inviting roads leading into town, lined by lush lawns, shrubs and trees. And even though Tsumeb harbours major industrial sites, its tourist appeal cannot be denied for the simple reason that the town is led by a willing and active town council which has long since taken a different approach in that it joins forces with the local business community.

This joint effort results in a visitor-friendly town, which originally was erected by the colonial company OMEG, which held the mining concession for the copper, lead and zinc deposits. In terms of mineral wealth, Tsumeb literally is a treasure grove, which apart from the above minerals holds gold, silver, germanium, arsenic and almost 40 other minerals, which are unique to the town. More than 240 types of minerals have been identified and the town is seriously considering the development of the old shaft as a mining museum and tourist destination, thereby also luring mineral collectors to this previous mining community, which today serves outlying mining interests (as far as Zambia) with its huge smelter plant.

Mining started in 1905 and the economically viable mining operation within town was pretty much exhausted by the end of 1996. But it left behind a rich history, which is currently recorded in the town’s museum. Namibia’s colonial history cannot be denied in a place such as this, but starting from the first curator of the museum, Ilse Schatz, right down to its current custodians - Annaliese Bruns and Christel Theron – these people take pride in creating something special for the visitor.

The original name of this spot in the Ovaherero language is ‘Okavisume’ referring to the natural warm springs found here. But while Tsumeb is preserving its history, it has become a modern town and thus automatically serves the farming community and the myriad of tourists passing by, and on to the world-renowned Etosha National Park and any number of lodges, guest- and hunting farms, as well as other tourist destinations lying in its vicinity or further north. The hospitality sector within the town’s boundaries is well-developed and includes quite possibly the best caravan park and camping facility in Namibia.

Tsumeb’s community has learnt, that any town is only as strong as the weakest link in its region, which is why it makes a point of strengthening its neighbours, thereby solidifying its own capacity. In that spirit it became one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the ‘Omuramba Meander’ tourism route, which in the north stretches from Namutoni (in Etosha) to Tsintsabis (in the Mangetti region), and back down south to the Waterberg and its tourist destinations near Otjiwarongo. The Omuramba Meander places Tsumeb at the centre of Namibia’s northern tourism activity, thus enhancing its own offer, such as the local arts and craft centre. Apart from the lakes or farm destinations named above, visitors may choose to visit rare attractions such as the underground caves at Ghaub Private Nature Reserve in the Otavi Mountains, or buy some exquisite local wine at Thonningii Wine Cellars closer to Otavi, or visit the unique meteorite near Grootfontein, or choose among many other specialised destinations.

Frank Steffen