How It All Began
(Over a Cup of Coffee, of Course)
How It All Began
(Over a Cup of Coffee, of Course)
Slowtown started with a simple idea: do what we love and share it with others. For us, that meant roasting really good coffee, the kind that brings people together. From the heart of Namibia, we’ve built spaces where friends, family, and travellers can slow down, connect, and savour the moment.
It all began with a feeling, the need to do something real. After years in the corporate world, founder Dennis realised he wanted more than meetings and deadlines. He wanted purpose, people and coffee.
So he set out to create something that combined all of that, a roastery built on passion, care, and connection. A place that celebrates the craft of coffee and the joy of community. That’s how Slowtown was born… out of a love for coffee and an even bigger love for the people who share it.
Who’s Behind It
Dennis – Founder
The heart behind the brand.
He believed in creating a coffee culture rooted in connection, not convenience — and he still lives that vision every day.
Our Team
They’re the ones who learn your order, ask about your day, and pour every cup with care. They turn great beans into memorable moments. The people behind the warm greetings, the welcoming stores, and the consistent Slowtown experience. They shape the atmosphere, the service, and the sense of community that our customers feel the moment they walk in.
The Story Behind Slowtown
In 2008, during the subprime crisis, Dennis de Wet was working in the Isle of Man for a property syndication company. The experience pushed him to reconsider his corporate path. Born in Namibia and trained in financial analysis at Stellenbosch, he realised that even long term corporate success would not fulfil him. I realised if I stayed in corporate 10 or 20 more years, even as the CEO of the company, I would still be quite miserable. I am a dreamer, a visionary. I like new things and following ideas.” Coffee was one of those ideas. Alongside his passions for surfing, Grand Prix, food, and wine, it became something he could not ignore.
Returning home to Swakopmund had always been the plan. While still abroad, he began researching specialty coffee roasting, an industry that had not yet found its place in Namibia. In 2010, Dennis and his family moved back, and he started teaching himself the craft, practising on an espresso machine and introducing coffee to local restaurants to gauge interest.
In April the following year, he took a leap of faith and ordered his first roasting machine from the US, funded by a loan from his father, and registered Slowtown Coffee Roasters. While waiting six months for it to arrive, he searched for a space, often met with confusion from landlords. “They could not grasp the concept of a coffee roastery,” he says. Eventually, a friend offered him space in an engineering workshop, marking the humble beginning of what Slowtown would become.
The humble beginnings
In September 2011, Slowtown opened its first shop in a central spot in Swakopmund. From that very first roast, our passion has remained the same. We believe in slowing down, savoring the moment, and creating a space where people can pause and step away from the noise of everyday life. It became more than a coffee shop. It became a way of life and a culture we are proud to share.
In the beginning, there was just one table, bought at an auction, and around 15 cups of coffee sold each day. “It was a scrappy start,” Dennis recalls. “What was great, though, is the same customers came back daily. We focused on quality and built a base of loyal customers.”
From the start, Slowtown was about proudly building a Namibian roasting identity and honoring the journey from berry to cup. As Dennis says, “I don’t think people always realise how much of a thread in history coffee has.Most of our lives revolve around coffee. Through Slowtown, we want to bring people back to the essence of coffee culture. It’s all for the love of coffee.”
On 13 October 2011, Slowtown reached an important milestone, moving into a new warehouse and establishing a dedicated roasting department, laying the foundation for the growth that would follow.
The Season Of Growth
2014 proved to be a year far bigger than we imagined. It began with hesitation when Grove Mall approached Slowtown about opening a shop. We chose the smallest space available, which ended up becoming the coolest little shop and a huge success. This started the journey for us and confirmed that we were onto something special.
In 2016, Slowtown entered a new phase of growth. We opened another store in Grove while still running the original small shop, along with our CBD location in the bustling city. With three young children and one heavily pregnant mom, the family moved between Swakopmund and Windhoek for a month to bring everything together. The shops opened just two weeks apart, much closer than originally planned. It was a demanding time, but it laid the foundation for what Slowtown would become.
In 2018, Slowtown reached another milestone, purchasing its first property and creating an oasis in the harbour town of Walvis Bay. This marked an important shift, allowing Slowtown to build a permanent home and deepen its roots within the coastal community.
A Leap Of Faith
In July 2020, in the middle of Covid, Slowtown opened in Maerua Mall. It felt risky. The world was uncertain, but we chose to trust and move forward anyway.
Then in May 2022, we were honoured to open a little shop inside Lady Pohamba Private Hospital. It felt like a natural extension of who we are, an opportunity to create space for people who really need a moment to breathe.
From a small engineering workshop in Swakopmund to multiple stores across Namibia, it has always been about slowing down, enjoying a good cuppa with people and building something local, meaningtul, and lasting.
How It’s Going
It’s been a busy season behind the scenes at Slowtown. We’ve been deep in a full rebrand — a fresh facelift for the Slowtown you’ve been backing and supporting all these years.
We’re rolling out new packaging, updated branding and a clearer expression of where we’re headed. But this isn’t just a glow up. It’s a deeper step into our coffee journey.
This year, we want to take you further into what you’re actually drinking. To really get it. To understand the origin, notice the flavour notes and appreciate the craft behind every roast. To slow down a little more and be intentional with every cup.
Oh, and one more thing… we’ve got a brand new shop opening soon in Windhoek. And this one? It’s really going to make you slow down.
There’s a lot brewing, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Crafted in the heart of Namibia
From the world’s finest farms, to our seaside roastery, every bean tells a story.
Crafted in the heart of Namibia
From the world’s finest farms, to our seaside roastery, every bean tells a story.
Why We Roast
We believe great coffee starts with people, not just machines.
Our roastery lives on the edge of Swakopmund’s coastline, in a laid-back courtyard where the scent of sea and fresh roast mingle.
Here, we use a Diedrich CR-25 roaster and custom software to deliver the same exceptional roast, every single time.
We turned this space, where we roast, into a real corner for community, comfort and a calm courtyard (complete with a kids’ playground) that make it the perfect Slowtown watering hole.
Pop in for a coffee, watch the roasting in action, sit a while, and soak up our coastal Slowtown vibe.
Coffee@work! For your team
Great coffee fuels great ideas. At Slowtown Coffee, we bring the best of Namibia’s coffee culture straight to your office or events. We’re here to assist you in choosing the right equipment for your needs.