XXᵉ siècle
German South West Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Swakopmund–Windhoek railway was a major colonial infrastructure project completed in 1902 after the rinderpest epidemic undermined ox-wagon transport. It connected the coast at Swakopmund with Windhoek and was built by the German Railway Regiment and African labourers after the concessionary company SWACO relinquished its rights. The railway supported colonial administration, settler agriculture, and the movement of labour and goods.
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Le récit
The collapse of ox-wagon transport after the rinderpest disaster made a railway between the coast at Swakopmund and Windhoek imperative for the colonial economy. SWACO initially held the monopoly over the project but refused to carry it out. The problem was resolved when the company relinquished its rights in exchange for a large concession in the north.
The German government then employed the Railway Regiment of the German army and African labourers to build the line. Construction was completed in 1902, making the Swakopmund–Windhoek railway the largest infrastructure project completed under German rule before 1904. Its construction formed part of a wider programme that included roads, dams, and water-boring.
The railway connected the coast to the colonial capital and helped redirect the resources and labour of Namibia toward German settlers, European business interests, and concession companies. It also became a target during the Herero uprising, when attacks were launched against the line as part of the wider assault on colonial communications and military infrastructure.
XXᵉ siècle
German South West Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Swakopmund–Windhoek railway was a major colonial infrastructure project completed in 1902 after the rinderpest epidemic undermined ox-wagon transport. It connected the coast at Swakopmund with Windhoek and was built by the German Railway Regiment and African labourers after the concessionary company SWACO relinquished its rights. The railway supported colonial administration, settler agriculture, and the movement of labour and goods.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The collapse of ox-wagon transport after the rinderpest disaster made a railway between the coast at Swakopmund and Windhoek imperative for the colonial economy. SWACO initially held the monopoly over the project but refused to carry it out. The problem was resolved when the company relinquished its rights in exchange for a large concession in the north.
The German government then employed the Railway Regiment of the German army and African labourers to build the line. Construction was completed in 1902, making the Swakopmund–Windhoek railway the largest infrastructure project completed under German rule before 1904. Its construction formed part of a wider programme that included roads, dams, and water-boring.
The railway connected the coast to the colonial capital and helped redirect the resources and labour of Namibia toward German settlers, European business interests, and concession companies. It also became a target during the Herero uprising, when attacks were launched against the line as part of the wider assault on colonial communications and military infrastructure.
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