Swakop’s ‘Sound Garden’ fights for survival amid noise complaints

Swakopmund se ‘Sound Garden’ live-music venue remains shut as it battles to open, following a municipal order to cease operations due to noise complaints from nearby residents.Since its opening during the Covid-19 pandemic, Sound Garden has become part-and-parcel of Swakopmund’s cultural and entertainment scene. The open-air venue, known for its live music performances, international artists, and vibrant social atmosphere, has drawn both locals and tourists seeking entertainment in a town often described as lacking nightlife. However, at the beginning of March, the Swakopmund Municipality ordered its closure following multiple complaints from surrounding residents about noise pollution.Despite investing heavily in soundproofing measures, Sound Garden has not yet been granted permission to reopen. Management remains hopeful that the venue will be allowed to resume operations following a municipal hearing scheduled for March 28.The closure has not only affected the business itself but has also dealt a blow to local employment and artists who rely on the venue.There is also a big concern over the impact on employees and the broader community. The people working at Sound Garden —waiters, bartenders, cleaners—around 15 staff members depend on this place for their income. There are local artists who need this platform for exposure, and now they have lost that opportunity. Tourism operators and business owners have also voiced concerns, emphasising the role Sound Garden plays in attracting visitors. One such business owner, Oliver Pieters, highlighted the venue’s contribution to Swakopmund’s appeal. "I’ve been to Sound Garden dozens of times with guests and staff from my business. The music is never overly loud, and it stops at 10 PM sharp. It’s unreasonable that this venue is being targeted when there are bigger noise issues in town, such as heavy trucks and reckless drivers, " he remarked.In response to the closure, a petition titled ‘Save Sound Garden Swakopmund’ was launched by owner Dirk Redman, amassing over 2 200 signatures within just a few days. The petition outlines several points in defence of the venue, stating that Sound Garden is a family-friendly establishment that adheres strictly to noise regulations, does not contribute to public disorder, and significantly benefits the town’s economy and cultural landscape.In the petition, Redman emphasised that shutting down Sound Garden would be a major loss for the town. "Sound Garden has become a part of Swakopmund’s identity. It Will be a great loss to Swakopmund and Namibia to loose this venue, " he wrote.While many residents and visitors have rallied behind Sound Garden, others argue that the venue disrupts the peace of the neighbourhood.Resident Leo Visser expressed frustration over the ongoing disturbances. "We don’t want parties and noise pollution in our area. People are getting drunk, being loud, and causing a disturbance late at night. We deserve peace and quiet too, " he commented.In contrast, Anja Van Wijk dismissed these concerns, stating, "Swakopmund is a tourist town, not a retirement home. If you want complete silence, move to the outskirts. "Riaan Smit also pointed out that the area is zoned for entertainment and tourism: "People buying houses in a commercial zone should have known what they were signing up for. Swakopmund desperately needs nightlife like Sound Garden, " he argued.Despite the temporary closure, Sound Garden management remains determined to fight for the venue’s survival. In an effort to cover legal costs and staff salaries, the venue is organizing a ‘Spoegwolf ‘concert at the Swakopmund Town Hall on April 4.Sound Garden’s latest social media post urged supporters to stay engaged: "We are still closed due to complaints from a certain part of the community. The next board hearing is on March 28 — hopefully, we get good news then. If you’d like to support us, please buy tickets to our Spoegwolf concert. "

Swakop’s ‘Sound Garden’ fights for survival amid noise complaints

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Republikein 2025-04-02

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Swakop’s ‘Sound Garden’ fights for survival amid noise complaints

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