March 28, 2018

Swakop Tour Company

The Swakop Tour Company is based in the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia, a town bounded by extreme landscapes: probably the oldest true desert on the planet, the Namib – and the ferocious south Atlantic seashore.
March 28, 2018

Wild Africa Travel

Contact Tel +264 (0)61 275 300 | Fax +264 (0) 61 263 417 | Email info@wildafricatravel.com.na | Web www.wildafricatravel.com
March 28, 2018

Stay Today

StayToday is the first Namibian website that offers online discounted accommodation bookings and event ticket sales. All establishments and events organisers are verified for quality.
April 25, 2018

Past and Present meet in a Windhoek Heritage Tour

Asser is one of the first specialised young Namibian heritage guides. Together with his partner Maria he set up Asmara Tours, offering cultural tours of Windhoek for visitors and locals to learn more about Namibian traditions passed down through generations.
July 4, 2018

Namibia’s National Parks: Where Do All the Skeletons Come From?

Namibian journalist Dirk Heinrich explore the infamous and tumultuous desert coastline, its secrets and epic natural phenomena. Explore the hidden wonders of yet another 'park on the fringe', be regaled by epic stories of survival and enthralled by the wildlife and nature that not only survives but thrives in one of the least-explored, most enigmatic and mysterious corners of this majestic land, the Skeleton Coast.
August 28, 2018

Half A Century At Hotel Schweizerhaus

Hotel Schweizerhaus is family-owned in the third generation. Owner Heidi Snyman, née Anton, born in Namibia, was five when her parents, both from Germany, bought a “Swiss-looking” house in Swakopmund, which is how Hotel Schweizerhaus got its name. Later the Anton’s added the café, which Heidi’s father, a master baker, made into the icon it is today. She grew up in the family business, a witness to her parents’ commitment and sacrifice in running it.
April 30, 2019

The Louvre of the Desert

March 16, 2020

Uis the Gateway to Damaraland

April 5, 2020

The first German surrender of World War I was signed under a tree in Namibia

March 7, 2023

Rewind to 1993: Those were the days

Discover Namibia's captivating journey in tourism from 1993 to 2023. Witness the remarkable growth from 181,000 to 1.6 million holiday tourists and the rise of over 2,500 accommodation establishments. As the country recovers post-pandemic, it faces the critical choice between mass tourism and sustainable practices, preserving its delicate environment while promoting exploration for all.
September 28, 2023

The CYMOT Museum: Celebrating 75 Years of a Namibian Icon

Step into the Past at the CYMOT Museum and Discover the Rich History of a Namibian Icon Celebrating 75 Years of Legacy.

The CYMOT Museum: Celebrating 75 Years of a Namibian Icon

A journey through time, an emblem of innovation, a chronicler of culture; this is the essence of what CYMOT embodies and what you will find when stepping through the door to the recently unveiled CYMOT Museum. Housed in a refurbished corner of their head office in Windhoek’s northern industrial area, the CYMOT Museum celebrates 75 years of the company’s existence, and in many ways, 75 years of Namibian history itself.

Text Elzanne McCulloch  |  Photographs Sky Angula  

From the Spring 2023 issue

A Storied Journey

From the moment you walk into the room, you’re greeted by a wave of nostalgia. Filled to the brim with artefacts and photos, the space comes alive with tales of achievement and perseverance. The walls narrate the company’s journey, resonating with the impact it has had on the nation.

On display is evidence of manual stock-taking systems from bygone eras, reminders of simpler times when lunchtime table tennis tournaments brought joy and camaraderie. Shelves upon shelves display classic photo albums brimming with memories. These pages of history don’t just recount the story of a company, but the story of Namibian people and their relentless pursuit of excellence.

Founding and Flourishing

It all began with Helmut Brass in 1948, with nothing more than his family and £600 in debt, they set off for South West Africa from South Africa in a new Hudson. Through desert sands and across vast plains they voyaged to an uncertain future. From selling Autolite car batteries out of his residence to opening CYMOT’s first official branch in 1950, the company’s journey mirrors Namibia’s growth itself. In 1958, groundbreaking innovation saw them importing and distributing Irvin Safety Belts, a testament to CYMOT’s commitment to pioneering change.

As you move through the museum, you’ll find evidence of this first ever car seat belt marketed in Namibia, along with a myriad of other vintage odds and ends. A 40-year old Engel camping fridge donated by Le Roux van Schalkwyk is displayed with pride of place. The fridge is still running today. The beers cheekily stored inside are perfectly chilled upon inspection.

Touches of History

The faces of 75 years worth of employees and their achievements add a human touch to the corporate tale. Alongside, an iconic box iMac, juxtaposed with Mr Claus Theissen’s secretary’s old typewriter, evokes a sense of transition from the old to the new.

A vintage bicycle, with automated turning wheels, is mounted against a feature wall, reminding visitors of CYMOT’s dedication and ingenuity in importing bicycles to Namibia. Each artefact tells a story of progress, of embracing new beginnings without losing touch with the past.

Legacy and Future

CYMOT’s history is a tapestry of growth, expansion, and innovation. From Claus Theissen to Axel Theissen’s 20-year service as Managing Director, leading to the current CEO, Ralph Ellinger, the baton has been passed with integrity and foresight. The new flagship branch at Hilltop Estate will stand as an example of the company’s ongoing commitment to growth and innovation.

As the museum reflects on the past, it also symbolises a bright future for CYMOT. A company deeply rooted in serving its customers, impacting local communities, and consistently innovating, it remains well-positioned to carry on its success story.

The CYMOT Museum is not just a place but an experience. A vivid representation of Namibian pride, industry, and human spirit. It is a celebration of 75 years of courage, resilience, and innovation. As you walk out of the museum, you carry with you a piece of Namibian history, a sense of shared identity, and an overwhelming inspiration to look towards the future with hope and ambition. CYMOT invites those who are eager to celebrate its 75th anniversary and the shared history of Namibia to come visit their new museum at their head office. 

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