Mole property remains an eyesore
Dispute over old indoor pool site
The stalled development of Erf 4747 (the old indoor swimming pool site) at Swakopmund’s Mole area is in disarray, with the developer accusing the municipality of obstruction, while municipal officials insist that progress is being made.Etienne Weakley of Lighthouse Property Investment Trust, which owns the beachfront site, claims the project is being held up without proper explanation. “Ask them why they are delaying it,” he said last week, but follow-up queries to Weakley went unanswered.
Councillor Heinrich Hafeni rejected the allegation, saying a meeting with the developers a few weeks ago was “very positive” and both parties want the project to move forward. “The owners were there. We had a very good meeting. They want to make progress, we want to make progress,” he said. “We recognise that the process has taken a long time and we share the community’s concerns.”
Hafeni said the municipality is awaiting revised submissions from the developers and was surprised to hear allegations of delay. “It’s surprising to hear,” he said. “From our side, the intention is to move forward.”
Swakopmund Mayor Blasius Goraseb also confirmed that the project is active, although it is still unresolved. “It’s not that simple,” he said.
“We are finding each other, but there is nothing concrete that we can say is ready for public discussion yet.”
Proposed plans
The initial development proposal includes residential units, restaurants, retail stores and public amenities. Although an environmental clearance process and development agreement were finalised in 2021, construction has yet to begin.
Since then, the site has been surrounded by a temporary corrugated iron barrier marked “Danger – Construction Site – No Access.”
The corrugated iron, supported by wooden beams, obstructs the view of what residents now simply call “the hole.”
Residents have called for the land to be cleared or reused – or even for another indoor swimming pool to be built there, citing its importance next to a well-known tourist hub.
“It’s an eyesore,” several residents said.
A letter from Swakopmund’s CEO, Alfeus Benjamin, issued a year ago, said the project was halted after community objections regarding height restrictions and the impact on heritage.
Goraseb reiterated that legal issues were still being addressed and that the council would only speak publicly once a breakthrough was reached. - [email protected]