Windhoek, Mannheim Deepen Partnership Through Photography and Cultural Exchange
The longstanding partnership between the City of Windhoek and the City of Mannheim in Germany is being strengthened through culture and the arts, following the official opening of the photography exhibition “Namibia – A Photographic View” at the City of Windhoek Function Hall.
The exhibition forms part of the official visit to Windhoek by Mannheim Mayor His Worship Christian Specht and his delegation.
The visit is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two cities and exploring opportunities for further collaboration.
The photography exhibition is a joint production of the City of Windhoek and the City of Mannheim, with the involvement of the Reiss-Engelhorn Museums in Mannheim and the National Art Gallery of Namibia.
It presents different perspectives of Namibia through the work of photographers Margaret Courtney-Clarke and Rachel Ngeitokondjo Sakeus, using photography to document aspects of Namibian life, communities and the country’s social and environmental realities.
The programme featured a guided tour of the exhibition, giving guests an opportunity to engage with the photographs and understand the stories behind the works.
A panel discussion, facilitated by National Art Gallery of Namibia Director Michelle Van Wyk, further explored the role of photography and the arts in documenting society and creating cultural connections.
Delivering the keynote address, Khomas Regional Governor Hon. Sam Nujoma emphasised the importance of recognising artists not only as cultural contributors but also as entrepreneurs who can play a meaningful role in economic development.
Nujoma stressed the need to create an environment in which creative professionals can develop their talents, generate income and contribute to social development through their work.
He further highlighted the importance attached to the creative economy under the Eighth Administration, led by President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, noting that creativity, youth empowerment, education and skills development are among the areas receiving attention as part of Namibia’s development agenda.
For artists and other creative practitioners, the emphasis on the creative economy presents an opportunity to move beyond viewing the arts solely as entertainment and instead recognise their potential to create employment, support entrepreneurship and contribute to national development.
Mayor Christian Specht described the exhibition as more than simply a cultural gathering, saying it provides an opportunity to deepen the relationship between Windhoek and Mannheim.
The two cities have maintained a longstanding relationship, with cooperation extending into areas of mutual interest.
The latest cultural initiative demonstrates how artistic exchange can provide a platform for people from different countries and backgrounds to learn from one another.
The involvement of institutions from both Namibia and Germany also highlights the importance of partnerships between municipalities, cultural institutions and artists in promoting international cultural cooperation.
The exhibition additionally provides an opportunity for audiences to view Namibia through the perspectives of photographers who have documented different dimensions of the country.
Courtney-Clarke’s work has previously attracted international attention.
A 2025 publication by the City of Mannheim’s official newspaper highlighted her long-term photographic documentation of drought in Namibia and its social and political consequences.
It also noted that Courtney-Clarke and Sakeus were selected through an open call for the “Namibia – A Photographic View” project.
Sakeus’s work, meanwhile, has focused on everyday life in Namibia, including her documentation of Katutura in Windhoek.
The combination of the two photographers’ perspectives gives the exhibition a broader visual representation of the country and its people.
The opening therefore brings together diplomacy, municipal cooperation and creative expression, demonstrating the role culture can play in strengthening relationships between cities.
As Windhoek and Mannheim continue to explore areas of cooperation, the exhibition stands as a reminder that partnerships are not built only through formal agreements but also through shared experiences, creativity and people-to-people connections.
The initiative ultimately places photography at the centre of a broader conversation about Namibia’s identity, its creative sector and the value of international cultural partnerships.
The exhibition marks another chapter in the Windhoek–Mannheim relationship, using art and photography as a bridge between communities while highlighting the growing importance of Namibia’s creative economy.
