Tamariskia: A Suburb in Swakopmund
editTamariskia is a suburb in Swakopmund that originated round about 1974 when Non-Europeans had to leave the Cape Strand where they had houses near the sea where Vineta (another suburb in Swakopmund)is today. First the sewage plant was built and then the houses near the plant which was then called Tamariskia.
The Roman Catholic Church was the first church in Tamariskia followed by the Lutheran Church. Van Reenen Shopping Center and Butchery catered for the daily needs of the residents of Tamariskia. Municipal houses were the first to be built and the Town Hall followed shortly after that. It was here that international artists/entertainers form South Africa and abroad performed. Well known artists like Jonathen Buttler and Dobie Grey performed in the Town Hall in the early 80's and the Town Hall was packed to the rafters.
Rossing Uranium Mine (now Rio Tinto) opened in 1976 and mine houses rose like mushrooms to accommodate mine workers. There was a population boom when Rossing started its mining activities. The living standards in Tamariskia went up, causing housing prices to soar. Various night clubs also opened their doors. The first club was Sea-Side club in Tamariskia. Tamariskia High School was built which changed its name a few years ago to Atlantic Junior Secondary School.
A sports complex was built to accommodate school sports, rugby and soccer matches of the local community and even open musical festivals were held there.
Other shops were opened to cater for the growing needs of the Tamariskia community. The Rossing Foundation built by Rossing cater for the social needs of the Tamariskia community. Tamariskia now has a primary school (Tamariskia Primary School), a junior secondary school (Atlantic Junior Secondary School), and various pre-primary schools.
Tamariskia also has a cemetery which was built in the old days, various churches, various shopping centers, a clinic (Tamariskia Clinic), even a private hospital (Cottage Private Hospital) that recently changed its name to Medi-Clinic. Tamariskia has been developing so much, several businesses have been started in the area, it has its own pharmacy (Pro-Park Pharmacy), a Bio-Kinetics Gym and Sectional title Complexes and still Tamariskia grows day-by-day.