Large metal frames for ‘I was there and I know where’ photos in Windhoek

Lots of holiday photos of yourself in front of a sight and you have no idea what they show and where it was? That won't happen so often in Windhoek any more. Provided you stand in the oversized photo frames that will be placed in the appropriate places in future...

The Windhoek City Council erected the first of these large, sturdy metal frames at the Independence Museum at the end of August. And it kills two birds with one stone. Because if you take a photo from the other side, it frames the Christuskirche.

The name of the landmark is written on the upper crossbar of the frame. A red balloon-shaped motif, familiar from Google Maps, gives the unsuspecting a hint as to what the numerical codes on the vertical frame struts mean. They indicate the geographical coordinates. Duh.

"The frame was manufactured internally by our Fleet Management division" the Windhoek Municipality announced on social media. They added that more of these gigantic frames are planned.

When asked by Namibian.org, the head of the tourism department of the City of Windhoek, Grace Pujatura, explained: "We will place the photo frames at strategic points around Windhoek, after internal discussions and identifying the spots. The focus is tourist attractions."

Not the first photo frame in Namibia

The City of Windhoek's campaign received many 'likes' on social media. However, there were also a few grumblers. One asked whether the frames should not be painted in egg yolk yellow, as is customary internationally.

Another critic questioned the priority: aren't there more urgent projects for which the money would be better spent - especially in times of drought?

These oversized picture frames can already be found in photogenic places all over the world. Windhoek is an absolute latecomer.

Even within Namibia, the capital is not a photo frame pioneer. Pujatura said she knew of locations in Oshakati, Ongwediva, and Swakopmund. Yes, even the small coastal town of Henties Bay was faster, according to her.

Sven-Eric Stender