CoW renames Babs Street after Marcus Garvey

WINDHOEK, 24 JUL– The City of Windhoek has renamed Babs Street in the capital’s Klein Windhoek residential area after Jamaica’s Dr Marcus Garvey.
During the unveiling of the street’s new name on Monday, Windhoek Mayor Muesee Kazapua said the City of Windhoek Council has adopted street and place naming/renaming policy guidelines.
“The guidelines identify the importance of paying tribute to the heroes, heroines and leaders who selflessly championed the struggle to liberate oppressed people across the world,” he said.
The policy also makes provision for the recognition of both living and deceased heroes and heroines, Namibian or from other countries, who made notable contributions to Namibia and Africa in general.
“We adopted this bold decision to change the face of our city to reflect a representation of Africa. This we have been gradually doing by renaming streets which do not have any meaningful connotations to African and Namibian history.”
Born in 1887, Harvey was a proponent of Black Nationalism in the United States of America and Jamaica. He was also a leader of the Pan-Africanism movement and founded the Black Star Line, a shipping and passenger line which promoted the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands.
President Hage Geingob in a statement read on his behalf said renaming the street after
Garvey will boost between Namibia and Jamaica tremendously.
“This renaming ceremony will be a permanent reminder to citizens of both countries of the innate bonds of Pan-Africanism, which unites our people,” he said.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the same event said Jamaica is proud of the gesture.
“We are humbled and honoured that Namibia decided to honour our very own national hero,” Holness said.
(NAMPA)