The memorial in the old cemetery in Luderitz is a natural stone beacon that recognises the achievements of Adolf Luderitz after he acquired land along the coast of Namibia in 1883. The obelisk-shaped beacon was erected in 1903, replacing the original wooden tablet, and indicates that the land was placed under the protection of the German Empire in 1884. The memorial was officially proclaimed a national monument on 15th March 1969. The German colonial involvement that was prominent in shaping early Namibian history, is still evident in the country today, especially in Luderitz.