In Swakopmund stands Hotel Schweizerhaus, a family legacy now celebrating sixty remarkable years, while Café Anton will mark its sixtieth anniversary next year. The story begans in 1954, when Manfred Anton and his mother Lisbeth, having fled Prussia during the war, made their way to what was then South West Africa. Manfred, already a skilled baker and confectioner, found work at Putensen Bäckerei, while Lisbeth supported the family. Two years later, Helma arrived from Germany and began working at the Strand Café. It was here, amidst the aroma of fresh cakes, that Manfred and Helma’s paths crossed, a meeting that would shape the future of their family.

By 1958, Manfred and Helma had married, and soon welcomed daughters Heidi and Marion. Their dream was simple yet ambitious: to own a small guesthouse with a café. In 1965, they managed to purchase a plot on the corner of Bismarck and Post Street, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a former employer. The family set about transforming the old house into their vision, creating the first four guest rooms upstairs while living below and making the attic a playground for the children. The house, with its spacious rooms and storied past, became a cherished home.

As the years passed, the Antons expanded, building more rooms and opening their café in May 1966. Although officially named Konditorei & Café, it quickly became known as Café Anton, a name affectionately bestowed by their guests. Swakopmund was bustling with cafés in those days, but Café Anton soon stood out for its warmth and the irresistible scent of freshly baked pastries.

In the 1970s, the old house gave way to a new three-storey building, and the hotel grew to 24 rooms. Heidi, who had dreamed of becoming a pilot, found herself drawn back to the family business after her mother fell ill. Her skills, honed from years of helping out during busy seasons, proved invaluable. Together with her husband André, she steered the hotel and café through renovations and new challenges, always striving to uphold the family’s high standards.

André’s passion for the industry led him to help found the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), fostering a sense of unity and professionalism among hoteliers. After his untimely passing in 1998, Heidi continued to run the hotel, supported by a dedicated team and, eventually, her daughters Silvia and Desirée. Silvia, with a degree in Hotel Management, and Desirée, a talented hairdresser and baker, brought fresh energy and ideas to the business. Today, Café Anton is renowned for its selection of sixty cakes and pastries, each one proof to the family’s craft and tradition.

None of this would have been possible without the loyal team, many of whom have become part of the very fabric of Schweizerhaus and Café Anton. As the hotel marks its sixtieth anniversary, it stands as a symbol of perseverance, family, and the enduring power of hospitality, a place where every guest is welcomed as part of the story.

Original content: Provided by Hotel Schweizerhaus’ Heidi Snyman

𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘏𝘈𝘕 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘢’𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺.