For one week every year, since 1952, it is Carnival time in Windhoek. For this period His Worship the Mayor of the City of Windhoek, steps aside after handing over the key to the city with a request that the Carnival-Goers should look after the city on his behalf. And then the Festivities and mirth - also known as WIKA - start. WIKA is the biggest and most exciting entertainment event in Namibia and attracts huge crowds of partygoers to the different evening events that are presented at the Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW).

Although it is a German carnival of origin, WIKA has over the last 50 years grown into a cosmopolitan event involving a variety of the local community. But what is WIKA all about? The phrase that would describe this carnival the best would be: "Allen Wohl und keinem Weh". They joke, they mock, they imitate, but they never, ever get serious.

Originally the WIKA carnival was adopted from similar carnivals in Europe but over the last more than fifty years WIKA developed a true Namibian style and tradition. At first it was mostly members of the German community who would join the festivities. Some 20 years ago they introduced the WIKA International Evenings to involve all Namibians. Lately the International Evenings are so popular that there is only one traditional German Evening during the duration of the week to make provision for a second International Evening.

the original SKW building was built in 1952 and the German community needed money to pay for this building. This was when they started the first carnival to collect money and pay for their sport building. The main focus of the carnival have not changed over the fifty years. The money that they collect during the WIKA week is used to maintain the SKW club. The club provides facilities for soccer, tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, fistball and table tennis. Like any other club, the SKW is under financial pressure to maintain the club an the facilities. A number of Windhoek schools are also making regular use of the SKW facilities at a minimal fee.

To organize a huge event like this, demands a dedicated group of people. A committee is formed every year, consisting of 20 to 30 volunteer organizers. It is not only the otganizing committee that is spending a lot of free time mounting the event but also every participant in WIKA is sacrificing time and effort for free. This of cause includes among others the Elferrat, the Ladies Committee, the Wikaphoniker and the Prinzengarde, all in all approximately 300 people. The Prinzengarde actually starts working on next year‘s carnival nine months in advance.

Without loyal support from donors, WIKA would not be able to survive. The major sponsors for this year‘s carnival are the Namibia Breweries, Bank Windhoek, MTC, Total and Lufthansa