Omaruru museum curator shares passion for heritage and history

“I would like to encourage the youth to learn from their past and I want them to recognise their heritage and see what it can offer them," says Josè Loch, curator of the Omaruru Museum, who moved from Walvis Bay to Omaruru during his childhood.

“It’s very important that we know where we come from to understand where we are heading, and that’s why I love what I do,” he said.

Loch was born in Walvis Bay, but after moving to Omaruru as a child, the small town and its people captured his heart.

“I’ll admit, my circumstances weren’t very good – we were exposed to alcohol abuse and drugs, which were very prevalent at the time. My mother noticed this and decided to take us to a better place, and it was a blessing,” he says.

“Later, I discovered the museum in Omaruru through a mentor, and when I walked around here, I got the feeling that I belonged. I decided to volunteer to see what I could contribute to the museum to make it more culturally and traditionally appealing to attract more visitors and residents,” he recalls. Even as an adult, he remains deeply fond of the town where he grew up and its history.



Youth empowerment

When he’s not sharing his knowledge at the museum, Loch also serves as the chairperson of the NamRights Youth Forum, which aims to empower the youth by providing them with work in a garden.

“I believe this initiative not only teaches the principles of gardening, but it also teaches them to be self-reliant,” he says.



Missionary roots

Omaruru is a wonderful town, especially when it comes to nature. This town has deep roots in the development of what was then South West Africa.

“This town is a pillar of Christianity – when the missionaries came here; Reverend Daniël Cloete arrived with his followers.

“That’s how Omaruru began as a mission station,” he explains, with the mission’s purpose to convert local inhabitants to Christianity.



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