From ‘house of God’ to liquor store

A former church building at Keetmanshoop in the ||Kharas region has been turned into a liquor store, with some elderly residents raising concerns.

The building, now operating as a liquor store, was acquired by Keetmanshoop Superspar in the 1990s, owner Petrus Strauss says.

A former councillor has asked why the building’s church-like structure was retained after it was converted into a liquor outlet.

“If it was a food store, it would have been better. A liquor store is a bad picture in a building that has a church set-up,” the former councillor says.

A resident who spoke to The Namibian on condition of anonymity says selling alcohol in what they consider a “house of God” is unacceptable.

“Maybe to them it is okay, but to me as a resident and a Catholic, it is unacceptable,” the resident says.

The liquor store is reportedly situated in town, opposite the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The building has attracted attention on social media, with videos showing the store’s branding against a structure that still resembles a church.

Social media users have since been debating about whether it is morally acceptable to use a former place of worship as a bottle store.

Social media user Ntombi Ngcobo in a video clip questions how a former church building had become a liquor store.

“I remember this place as a church. People of Keetmanshoop really have strength. I assure you I will not be called to explain what happened here on judgement day. The people who did this must be ready to explain themselves,” she says.

Strauss yesterday said the supermarket investigated the building’s history before buying it in the 1990s, following reports that it had previously been used as a church.

He said the acquisition went through several approval processes to establish whether the property was a place of worship, which would have prevented the purchase from proceeding.

“We would not have bought it if it was a place of worship. And thankfully, the Western Cape team is the same. The purchase went through multiple approvals to avoid the narration being spewed now and questioning our morality,” Strauss said.

HISTORY

He said their research showed that the building was originally established in 1926 as an ox-hoof repair workshop serving oxen that pulled wagons transporting goods between Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop.

According to him, the building was later acquired by an Apostoliese Geloofsending (Apostolic Faith Mission) congregation before being sold to another business.

He said before Superspar acquired the property, it housed a vehicle repair business called Cheapies Corner, followed by a plastic packaging business.

Strauss said Superspar renewed the rental agreements with both businesses after acquiring the building, and the Tops liquor outlet only began operating about two to three years ago.

“We also would not have bought the building if it was a church. But its origin told us this was a place of business from the onset and that it stopped being a church more than 30 years ago before we bought it,” he said.

Despite Strauss’s explanation of the building’s history, its church-like structure continues to raise concerns among residents.

Questions sent to the Keetmanshoop Municipality last Friday about whether the necessary consultations and approvals were obtained before the property was converted into a liquor store had not been answered.

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