Democratic Resettlement Community

The Democratic Resettlement Community, known locally as DRC, is a township on the outskirts of Swakopmund in Namibia that was established in the post-independence era to house communities displaced by urban restructuring. Unlike the heavily curated visitor experiences found elsewhere in Swakopmund, a guided tour of DRC offers an honest and illuminating encounter with everyday Namibian life beyond the tourist trail. Community-based tours are led by local residents who walk visitors through the neighbourhood's schools, shebeens, community gardens, and homes, contextualising the social and political history of apartheid-era resettlement policies that created townships like DRC across southern Africa. The community is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups including Damara, Herero, and San peoples, reflecting Namibia's rich multicultural makeup. Local craft cooperatives and small businesses operate throughout the community, and purchases made here directly support residents. Visitors consistently report DRC tours as among the most authentic and thought-provoking experiences of their Namibian journey. The tour operators are deeply committed to sustainability and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that visits are conducted with full community consent and tangible economic benefit.