The monument honoured the soldiers and civilians that died on the German side of the Herero and Namaqua War of 1904–1907, a situation that caused controversy about its role in a democratic Namibia that has shed its colonial occupation and gained independence.

The translation of the inscription is:[3] Remembering and honouring the brave German warriors that died for emperor and empire to save and protect this land during the Herero and Hottentot uprisings between 1903 and 1907, and during the Kalahari Expedition in 1908.

[5] German historian Joachim Zeller points out that traditionally equestrian statues symbolise imperial rule and power, and that this is how the function of the Reiterdenkmal has to be interpreted.

[6] The monument was erected not only to remember the dead but also was intended to serve as symbol of victory and a claim to rightful possession of South West African land.

[3] Elke Zuern, Professor of Politics at Sarah Lawrence College, writes:[7] "Memorials and commemorations offer stylized presentations of the past.

[3] In 1959, a few days after the Old Location Uprising in which 11 people were killed, unknown Herero activists covered the rider's head with a linen bag and decorated the rest of the statue with flowers as a "protest against the atrocities of the white South African minority regime".

In July, 51 wooden crosses were erected around the statue, bearing names and expressions in Otjiherero, and in October, a Namibian flag was inserted into the rider's rifle barrel.

[10] In 2001, the Cabinet of Namibia unanimously decided to build an Independence Museum at the site opposite the Christuskirche, at the place the Equestrian Monument stood.

Police Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed that it was to be removed again,[15] and the statue was lifted off its plinth in the evening of the same day[16] and transported into the yard of Alte Feste for storage.