Our Vision
To be relevant to society by being a leading Namibian source of information about
science, heritage and culture.
Our Mission
Collect, preserve and educate on science, heritage and culture.
Our Values
Raising awareness on
culture and science in our lives
OUR SLOGAN
"Build on your heritage"
Organisation not for gain
The Scientific Society Swakopmund
The Scientific Society Swakopmund is constituted as an association not for gain and is dedicated to the preservation of Namibian history and culture, as well as to Namibia-specific scientific topics with focus on the Namib Desert and the coastline.
The Society is the owner and operator of both, the Swakopmund Museum and the Sam Cohen Library with its associated archive, which contains several collections of books, documents, historic photographs, slides and photographic negatives, postcards, historic maps and the largest historical newspaper collection of Namibian newspapers.
Learn More
Unique collections
Sam Cohen Library and Archive
The Sam Cohen Library opened on December 3, 1977. Thanks to the generous financial support from Mr. Cohen, it was decided to name the library in his honour. The library and archives house nearly 30,000 books, documents and maps, as well as over 30,000 historical photos and postcards.
Open on Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Biggest privately-run Museum in Namibia
The Swakopmund Museum
The Swakopmund Museum was established in 1951 by dentist Dr Alfons Weber, who had a love for history and natural history. It is the largest privately-run museum in Namibia. The exhibits include indigenous plants, animals, minerals, archaeological finds, old modes of transport in Namibia, and a variety of other interesting exhibitions.
Open on Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Learn MoreEVENTS & Exhibitions
UPCOMING EVENTS
Science Film Festival
13-25 October is the Science Film Festival. This year's topic is "Green jobs". Visit the Swakopmund Museum to see inspiring films! Details on our Facebook Page or here: https://www.goethe.de/resources/files/pdf354/sff-2025-program-v5.pdf
Presenter: Goethe Institute, Scientific Society Swakopmund, OCN, NaDEET
Swakopmund Museum
2025-10-18 @ 10:00:00
Science Film Festival: "Outgrow the system"
"Change the system, not the climate" is a rallying cry of the climate movement - but what kind of system should replace it? This documentary explores innovative economic perspectives that challenge traditional models and redefine "economy" as the sustainable management of resources. Against the backdrop of a world consuming finite natural assets at an unsustainable pace, the film highlights emerging ideas and practices that promote equitable production and consumption. By showcasing the creativity of thinkers and social movements worldwide, it envisions a future where transformative visions inspire global collaboration, offering hope for a system that prioritizes sustainability and humanity’s survival on Earth.
Presenter: Director: Cecilia Paulsson, Anders Nilsson, Sweden
Swakopmund Museum Lecture Hall
2025-10-21 @ 18:00:00
Beach Clean-up in Walvis Bay
🌊✨ Join us for a wave of action! ✨🌊
As part of the Science Film Festival 2025, we're heading to the shore—not just to celebrate science, but to protect it with a Beach Clean-up Day.
Register with Damian: 081 647 7164 / damian@ocnamibia.org
Let’s roll up our sleeves, connect with nature, and make a real impact together. Every bottle picked up, every piece of plastic removed, is a step toward a cleaner, healthier planet.
Presenter: SSS, OCN, Goethe Institute Windhoek
Independence Beach, Walvis Bay - Detailed location upon registration
2025-10-25 @ 08:00:00
Deutsche Wochen: Film "Vor der Morgenröte"
1936: Der österreichische Schriftsteller Stefan Zweig ist vor den Nazis aus Europa geflohen. In Rio erlebt er ein Festbankett zu seinen Ehren, in Buenos Aires nimmt er am P.E.N.-Kongress teil. Im Januar 1941 kommt er nach New York, trifft seine erste Frau wieder und klagt über die vielen Hilfsgesuche aus Europa, die ihn nicht zum Schreiben kommen lassen. Im Herbst lebt er mit seiner zweiten Frau Lotte im brasilianischen Petrópolis und arbeitet an seiner „Schachnovelle“. Wenige Monate später begehen er und Lotte Selbstmord. Mit VOR DER MORGENRÖTE ist Maria Schrader ein eindringlicher und unterschwellig brandaktueller Film zum Thema „Exil“ gelungen, der auch ein Stück europäischer Kulturgeschichte reflektiert. Mit Josef Hader hat die Regisseurin einen genialen Hauptdarsteller gefunden.
Der Film wird in Deutsch gezeigt, teilweise wird Spanisch und Portugiesisch gesprochen, die Untertitel sind Englisch.
English subtitles
Presenter: Deutsche Botschaft Windhuk, Goethe Institut Windhoek, Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft Swakopmund
Swakopmund Museum Vortragsraum
2025-10-28 @ 18:00:00
Deutsche Wochen: Film "Die Goldfische"
Nach einem schweren Unfall ist der Banker Oliver querschnittsgelähmt. In der Reha lernt er eine Gruppe Menschen mit Behinderung kennen: Die blinde Magda, den stillen Michi, den autistischen "Rainman" und die Glamour-verliebte Franzi mit Down-Syndrom. Seine neuen Umstände verleiten Oliver zu einem kriminellen Plan, für den er seine neuen Bekannten als unwissentliche Mitstreiter einspannt. Gemeinsam reisen sie in die Schweiz.
in German with English Subtitles
Presenter: Deutsche Botschaft Windhuk, Goethe Institut Windhoek, Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft Swakopmund
Swakopmund Museum Vortragsraum
2025-11-04 @ 18:00:00
Support & Membership
Support the Scientific Society Swakopmund, non-profit organisation, by donations, assistance or becoming a member! You can also become a member of the Alfons Weber Foundation
