Turnhalle (Windhoek)
Encyclopedia
The Turnhalle is a historic building in Windhoek
, the capital of Namibia
. Built during the era of Imperial Germany
colonisation of South-West Africa
, it has been through a variety of uses, most prominently as the venue for the 1975–1977 Turnhalle Constitutional Conference
, a controversial attempt to quell armed resistance waged by the People's Liberation Army of Namibia
against South Africa
n occupation. the Turnhalle houses the equally controversial SADC Tribunal
court.
. The first Turners
club was founded in 1899; exercise and practice took place where the Turnhalle stands today. A temporary corrugated iron structure was erected in 1905.
On 6 March 1909 the foundation for a 22 m x 14 m gymnasium with high ceilings and a street–facing gable was laid. The Turnhalle building was inaugurated nine months later on 11 December 1909. The neo-classicist building of Wilhelmine architecture was regarded as the most beautiful building in the northern part of town, and it was the first timber–girdered roof structure in the German colony.
Soon the building grew too small for its purpose. A double–storey extension was appended on the western side of the building during the years of 1912 and 1913. The date inscription above the main entrance refers to this extension. Architect Otto Busch designed both parts of the building, even though for the extension, master architect Wilhelm Sander
also submitted a proposal.
it accommodated South Africa
n troops. After a stage was added, the building was also used for theatre performances and cinema. After Namibian independence in 1990, the Turnhalle was used as conference venue, and for the National Council
, until that body moved to Tintenpalast
. Afterwards it was then destined to serve as the venue for the SADC Tribunal
court but burned down on 18 January 2007. It has been restored since then, the SADC Tribunal became operational in April of the same year.
for a self-governed Namibia
under South African control. This conference was named Turnhalle Constitutional Conference after the venue where it was hosted between 1975 and 1977.
Sponsored by South African government, the Turnhalle Conference laid the framework for the government of South-West Africa from 1977 to independence
in 1989. The conference was held in defiance of the 1972 United Nations General Assembly
decision to recognise the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) as "sole legitimate representative" of Namibia's people. Consequently SWAPO, as well as other political groups rejecting apartheid, did not participate, and the United Nations
rejected the conference and its proposals.
As a result of the Turnhalle Conference the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) party was formed in 1977. It won the 1978 elections and formed an interim government. Also other, smaller parties carry Turnhalle in its name in reference to the Turnhalle Conference. The Namibia Democratic Turnhalle Party and the Rehoboth DTA Party both formed part of the DTA. after Namibian independence
, the DTA is still represented in the Parliament of Namibia
.
, is housed in the Turnhalle building in Windhoek. Although established on paper since 1992, members of the Tribunal were only appointed during the SADC Summit in 2005. On 18 November 2005 the Tribunal was inaugurated and the members were sworn in by Peter Shivute
, Chief Justice of Namibia
of the Namibian Supreme Court
.
Before the first case was heard by the Tribunal, the Turnhalle burned down on 18 January 2007. The court room was completely destroyed. Reconstruction work started in November 2007.
In one of its first cases, Mike Campbell (Pvt) Ltd and Others v Republic of Zimbabwe
the Tribunal decided in 2007 and 2008 that the government of Zimbabwe
may not evict farmer Mike Campbell
from his land, and that farm evictions per Amendment 17 of Zimbabwe's constitution
amount to de facto
discrimination of Whites. Following this decision, Zimbabwe pulled out of the SADC Tribunal, challenging its legitimacy. The 2010 SADC summit then ordered a review of the "functions and [...] terms of reference of the SADC Tribunal", a step that a group of legal and human rights organizations describes as "virtually suspending" this inter-regional court. The Tribunal currently has only four of ten judges appointed and does not accept nor hear any cases.
Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...
, the capital of Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
. Built during the era of Imperial Germany
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
colonisation of South-West Africa
German South-West Africa
German South West Africa was a colony of Germany from 1884 until 1915, when it was taken over by South Africa and administered as South West Africa, finally becoming Namibia in 1990...
, it has been through a variety of uses, most prominently as the venue for the 1975–1977 Turnhalle Constitutional Conference
Turnhalle Constitutional Conference
The Turnhalle Constitutional Conference was a controversial conference held in Windhoek between 1975 and 1977, tasked with the development of a constitution for a self-governed Namibia under South African control...
, a controversial attempt to quell armed resistance waged by the People's Liberation Army of Namibia
People's Liberation Army of Namibia
The People's Liberation Army of Namibia was the active military wing of the South West Africa People's Organization during the Namibian War of Independence. It sought independence for the territory from South African rule. PLAN launched its first attack on the South African military at...
against South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n occupation. the Turnhalle houses the equally controversial SADC Tribunal
SADC Tribunal
The SADC Tribunal is a court and the highest policy institution of the Southern African Development Community . It is housed in the Turnhalle building in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Although established on paper since 1992, members of the Tribunal were only appointed during the SADC Summit in...
court.
Erection
Soon after the foundation of modern Windhoek in October 1890 a posh suburb developed on the slope of the hill opposite the railway stationWindhoek Railway Station
Windhoek Railway Station is a railway station in Windhoek, Namibia. It is an important station, a nodal point of the TransNamib railway. It has lines which lead eventually to Tsumeb, Oshikango, Gobabis, Keetmanshoop and Upington, South Africa....
. The first Turners
Turners
Turners are members of German-American gymnastic clubs. A German gymnastic movement was started by Turnvater Friedrich Ludwig Jahn in the early 19th century when Germany was occupied by Napoleon...
club was founded in 1899; exercise and practice took place where the Turnhalle stands today. A temporary corrugated iron structure was erected in 1905.
On 6 March 1909 the foundation for a 22 m x 14 m gymnasium with high ceilings and a street–facing gable was laid. The Turnhalle building was inaugurated nine months later on 11 December 1909. The neo-classicist building of Wilhelmine architecture was regarded as the most beautiful building in the northern part of town, and it was the first timber–girdered roof structure in the German colony.
Soon the building grew too small for its purpose. A double–storey extension was appended on the western side of the building during the years of 1912 and 1913. The date inscription above the main entrance refers to this extension. Architect Otto Busch designed both parts of the building, even though for the extension, master architect Wilhelm Sander
Wilhelm Sander
Wilhelm Sander was a master architect and contractor working for Sander & Kock known for his work in German South-West Africa, today's Namibia....
also submitted a proposal.
Usage
The Turnhalle was used for school physical training and gymnastic competitions, as well as for recreational sports. During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
it accommodated South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n troops. After a stage was added, the building was also used for theatre performances and cinema. After Namibian independence in 1990, the Turnhalle was used as conference venue, and for the National Council
National Council of Namibia
The National Council of Namibia is the upper chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament.The 26 National Council members are chosen by regional councils, which are directly elected for a term of six-years. Each of the 13 regional councils chooses two of its members to serve on the National Council...
, until that body moved to Tintenpalast
Tintenpalast
The Tintenpalast is the seat of both chambers of the Namibian legislature, the National Council and the National Assembly...
. Afterwards it was then destined to serve as the venue for the SADC Tribunal
SADC Tribunal
The SADC Tribunal is a court and the highest policy institution of the Southern African Development Community . It is housed in the Turnhalle building in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Although established on paper since 1992, members of the Tribunal were only appointed during the SADC Summit in...
court but burned down on 18 January 2007. It has been restored since then, the SADC Tribunal became operational in April of the same year.
Turnhalle Conference
When in the 1970s the South African administration came under increasing pressure to grant independence to the people of South-West Africa, it convened a controversial conference tasked with the development of a constitutionConstitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
for a self-governed Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
under South African control. This conference was named Turnhalle Constitutional Conference after the venue where it was hosted between 1975 and 1977.
Sponsored by South African government, the Turnhalle Conference laid the framework for the government of South-West Africa from 1977 to independence
Namibian War of Independence
See also South African Border War.The Namibian War of Independence, also known as the South African Border War, which lasted from 1966 to 1988, was a guerrilla war, which the nationalist South-West Africa People's Organization and others, fought against the apartheid government in South...
in 1989. The conference was held in defiance of the 1972 United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
decision to recognise the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) as "sole legitimate representative" of Namibia's people. Consequently SWAPO, as well as other political groups rejecting apartheid, did not participate, and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
rejected the conference and its proposals.
As a result of the Turnhalle Conference the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) party was formed in 1977. It won the 1978 elections and formed an interim government. Also other, smaller parties carry Turnhalle in its name in reference to the Turnhalle Conference. The Namibia Democratic Turnhalle Party and the Rehoboth DTA Party both formed part of the DTA. after Namibian independence
Namibian War of Independence
See also South African Border War.The Namibian War of Independence, also known as the South African Border War, which lasted from 1966 to 1988, was a guerrilla war, which the nationalist South-West Africa People's Organization and others, fought against the apartheid government in South...
, the DTA is still represented in the Parliament of Namibia
Parliament of Namibia
Parliament is the law-making body of Namibia legislature. It consists of two chambers:#The National Assembly initiates and approves laws...
.
SADC Tribunal
The SADC Tribunal, the highest policy institution of the Southern African Development CommunitySouthern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
, is housed in the Turnhalle building in Windhoek. Although established on paper since 1992, members of the Tribunal were only appointed during the SADC Summit in 2005. On 18 November 2005 the Tribunal was inaugurated and the members were sworn in by Peter Shivute
Peter Shivute
Peter Sam Shivute is a Namibian judge. He has been the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Namibia in Windhoek since 1 December 2004, and he is the first black Namibian to occupy that post.-Early life and education:...
, Chief Justice of Namibia
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
of the Namibian Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Namibia
The Supreme Court of Namibia is the supreme court in all matters under Namibian law. It is the court of last resort and highest appellate court in the country. It is located in the centre of the capital Windhoek.-History:...
.
Before the first case was heard by the Tribunal, the Turnhalle burned down on 18 January 2007. The court room was completely destroyed. Reconstruction work started in November 2007.
In one of its first cases, Mike Campbell (Pvt) Ltd and Others v Republic of Zimbabwe
Mike Campbell (Pvt) Ltd and Others v Republic of Zimbabwe
Mike Campbell Ltd et al. v. Republic of Zimbabwe is a case decided by the Southern African Development Community Tribunal...
the Tribunal decided in 2007 and 2008 that the government of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
may not evict farmer Mike Campbell
Mike Campbell
Michael Wayne "Mike" Campbell is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
from his land, and that farm evictions per Amendment 17 of Zimbabwe's constitution
Constitution of Zimbabwe
The Constitution of Zimbabwe is officially the supreme law of Zimbabwe. Practically, the 2008 power-sharing deal provides the structure for much of the government. The current constitution is a result of the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement and is sometimes called the Lancaster Constitution...
amount to de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
discrimination of Whites. Following this decision, Zimbabwe pulled out of the SADC Tribunal, challenging its legitimacy. The 2010 SADC summit then ordered a review of the "functions and [...] terms of reference of the SADC Tribunal", a step that a group of legal and human rights organizations describes as "virtually suspending" this inter-regional court. The Tribunal currently has only four of ten judges appointed and does not accept nor hear any cases.