“Christmas here smells of sunscreen”

Phillip Seidler, a 27-year-old open-water swimmer, lives in Swakopmund. A Namibian with German roots, he is one of his country’s most successful athletes. He has twice competed in the 10-kilometre swimming event at the Olympic Games. While Christmas in Germany is associated with snow and icy roads, Seidler spends the very hot days of the festive season at the Atlantic Ocean. He explains how his life is a mixture of two cultures. 

“It might sound strange to some people in Germany, but Christmas here smells of sunscreen and barbecues, not roast goose. In the morning I first do my training, swimming a few kilometres in a bay near Swakopmund, and later I sit with my family around the Christmas tree. Afterwards I go back to the beach, meet up with friends and then eat braai - juicy barbecued meat - with my family in the evening. 

My grandmother came to Namibia as a Red Cross worker from northern Germany after the Second World War. She helped set up soup kitchens, nurseries and schools in Katutura. I grew up as a Namibian with German roots - blending German family traditions with Namibian daily life. 

As a child I attended a state school. All kinds of different groups came together there: Herero and Owambo children, German speakers and many others. The languages I learnt there, besides German and English, included Afrikaans. I also understand Oshivambo and Herero – languages you learn as a matter of course when you grow up here together. Many of our family customs originate from Germany: we celebrate Nikolaus and Advent, and go to church at Christmas. We also make our own Advent wreaths and hang up Advent calendars - the only difference is that we have hot summer weather and the beach on our doorstep.”

“My brother and I organise sports events to bring together people from different cultural backgrounds and circumstances. Everyone takes part in our running events - whether barefoot or wearing a traditional skirt, with lots of money or very little. Some of my closest friends are Herero. We work together, train together, celebrate together. This is of course not something that can be taken for granted in the light of the genocide committed against the Herero and Nama people during the German colonial era. However, each generation is growing a bit closer together. When I see new friendships being made in sport or children from poorer neighbourhoods crossing the finishing line with their eyes shining, I know that the work is worthwhile.”