WINDHOEK, (Reuters) – A large crane lifted a colonial-era statue of German official Curt von Francois in Namibian capital Windhoek yesterday, as a crowd that gathered nearby clapped and hooted in delight.
The 2.4 metre (7-foot, 9-inch) bronze statue of von Francois was unveiled in 1965 during the 75-year anniversary celebrations of Windhoek.
The controversial statue was seen as a symbol of colonial oppression in the southern African nation, and is the latest to be taken down as activists around the world mount campaigns for their removals.
Germany has a troubled past with Namibia. The country apologised in 2021 for its role in the massacre of Herero and Nama tribespeople in Namibia more than a century ago and officially described it as a genocide for the first time.
