Gondwana Collection Namibia - Celebrating 20 Years!

Celebrate

A glimpse into the past – one of the first photographs taken of the bungalows at the Canyon Lodge in 1996.

Making a difference –

Namibia with heart and soul

What a celebration! Who could have imagined such a wonderful (and challenging) journey when we began humbly twenty years ago - inspired by the spirit of a new Namibia - with just a handful of people and a dream.

The vision to make a difference – to both people and nature – led a group of likeminded friends to purchase our first farm east of the Fish River Canyon, with the intention of creating a conservation area. Our first lodge, Canyon Lodge, opened its doors in 1996 to help fund the dream. Over the next two decades, as more people who shared our conservation philosophy came on board, we were able to purchase several additional farms bordering the Fish River Canyon. Research was undertaken to ascertain which animals had previously lived in southern Namibia before the mass decimation of wildlife in the 19th century, and animals were gradually reintroduced to the denuded, drought-stricken land. Hundreds of kilometres of farm fences from the later era of intensive sheep farming were dismantled, so game could once again follow the scattered rainfall prevalent in the area. The vegetation began to re-establish itself and the wildlife flourished as the land was slowly re-wilded.

Gondwana Canyon Park grew into a 127,000-hectare nature sanctuary, one of the largest professionally run, privately protected areas in Africa. We were privileged to have been able to create this wilderness area and bring life back into the canyon.

Intuitively, we also became storytellers as we recognised the rich history around us, starting with Canyon Lodge’s century-old farmhouse and the story of the beloved Karios farm. This was coupled with our understanding that the hospitality industry is more than just a bed, and our wish to offer our guests an exceptional experience of Namibia, with heart and soul. This naturally led to our brand essence: Have a story to tell, which was incorporated into our rebranding two years ago. We would like our guests to take home more than just photographs; we would like them to have a memorable experience that will last a lifetime - to have a story to tell.

We would like to share with you some of the great stories that have made our company so special and the journey such a marvellous one.

Enjoy the read!

Manni Goldbeck (MD, Gondwana Collection)

Canyon Lodge, our first and flagship lodge, was followed by another 13 lodges positioned throughout the country in close proximity to Namibia’s major tourist attractions. Our newest establishment, the Delight Hotel is located in Swakopmund.

Over the years we are pleased to have retained the excitement and essence of our first lodge, with its warmth, vision and entrepreneurial spirit. We have built a strong staff complement and a solid company, well balanced on solid environmental, cultural and financial foundations. From the first farm, Karios, we have grown over time to become one of the leading tourism enterprises in Namibia, the Gondwana Collection.

This has been with the support of our guests, shareholders and our great team.

It has been hard work and so much fun to share the journey with these fabulous people and all of you. Thank you.

One of my early mentors always gave wise counsel that a person should strive to contribute something worthwhile in life, and we kept this philosophy in mind from the beginning, intending to make a difference through honouring people, nature, history and culture.

Gondwana Collection Namibia

@GondwanaLodges

Karios farm, a handsome property before the start of the First World War. (Photo: Stephan Burger)

WELCOME

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A business built on three pillars Four deserts meet and interlink in southern Namibia.

Despite the arid conditions and sparse vegetation, most of the land has been used for decades of livestock farming. However, when tourism started to pick up after independence in 1990, the hospitality industry became an alternative prospect. A higher income is generated from beds than from goats, more and better jobs are created, and one of Namibia’s most remarkable assets, its spectacular and rugged natural beauty, is conserved and celebrated.

The three pillars that support Gondwana’s philosophy are tourism, nature and people. These three pillars have laid the solid foundation for our success. Without nature there are no tourists; without tourists there is no money for nature conservation and therefore fewer jobs; without staff and the support of communities there would be no hospitality business and no sustained wildlife conservation.

This tripod philosophy has been implemented resolutely from the very beginning, initially in the Gondwana Canyon Park, established in 1995, and later in the three other parks that became part of the Gondwana Collection in December 2004: Gondwana Kalahari Park, Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park and Gondwana Namib Park. Gondwana’s passion for environmental protection is further reflected in the way the accommodation facilities are built and managed, which follow strictly eco-friendly designs.

From the outset Gondwana has been defined by a deep respect for people and the acknowledgement that we are all connected and need one another to thrive. And so every action we take continues to be informed by our belief: “Help others to be successful and you will be successful yourself”. This includes broader community initiatives and a strong internal focus on providing professional and life-skills programmes to help our staff achieve ongoing and greater success.

Tourism growth drives Namibian economic growth Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries today and the fastest growing sector, and in Namibia it is a critical activity for regional development. By creating local employment and new businesses that cater to tourists, as well as generating revenue from visitors and the development of new infrastructure, we believe that maintaining and enhancing tourism to Namibia is to everyone’s benefit. And so we consider it our duty to do whatever we can, wherever we can, to make Namibia a more competitive tourist destination. From the marketing of our beautiful country, to the upliftment of the industry through education and training, Gondwana is committed to making a positive contribution to Namibia’s economy through tourism growth.

Hakusembe River Lodge

ZAMBEZI

OKAVANGO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Namushasha River Lodge

Etosha Safari Lodge & Camp Damara Mopane Lodge DAMARALAND

The Delight Swakopmund

Windhoek

Swakopmund

Namib Desert Lodge

Namib Dune Star Camp

NAMIB DESERT

Kalahari Farmhouse Kalahari Anib Lodge KALAHARI DESERT

Klein-Aus Vista WILD HORSES

Canyon Roadhouse Canyon Lodge & Village FISH RIVER CANYON

A word from our Chairman When Manni Goldbeck and Lothar Gessert walked into my office around mid-1996, in search of legal advice, they carried contracts and options to purchase the farms Augurabis, Stamprivier and Holoogberg for a total sum of N$740 000. They also told me that they had a verbal contract with Mr Christo Swarts, to rent the farm Karios, with the intention of building a temporary tented-camp that had to be completed before the first guests arrived on 1 November. However the needed capital, an important component in buying the farms and building and maintaining the lodges, shone in its absence.

With Tafel Lagers in hand, a lot of passion and a synergy among the first four shareholders along the crest of the !GÂB-canyon, and with N$1.2 million available Manni, Lothar, Umpis Meyer and I decided to tackle the project. The Canyon lodge successfully opened on 1 November 1996. We couldn’t fathom the Gondwana we know today, because we knew that the lease agreed for Karios would expire in 2006.

Chris Gouws, a shareholder and chairman of the board for 20 years.

In a way, today’s Gondwana is the same Gondwana that was founded along the !GÂB – we do it because we enjoy it, we have a great collaboration amongst our shareholders, directors and staff, and it is this positive spirit that draws our guests to us time and time again. Everyone who had a hand in Gondwana’s development enjoyed personal growth, which had a multiplying effect on the company and its success. Gondwana’s success would never have been possible without the contribution of all our stakeholders and the support of our guests.

Personally, I view myself as tremendously privileged to have been part of, and to still be awarded the opportunity to be in a directing position to this dynamic company and its dynamic people.

The first Gondwana AGM, that took place along the !GÂB-canyon in 1996.

Gondwana Collection Namibia

Kalahari Farmhouse

Canyon Roadhouse

Klein-Aus Vista: Eagle’s Nest

Namib Desert Lodge

Damara Mopane Lodge

Etosha Safari Lodge

Hakusembe River Lodge

Namushasha River Lodge

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WELCOME

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A brand new story to tell When the small group of businessmen purchased their first farm, the company name Gondwana and original logo were quickly agreed upon.

The name and logo had been established many years before by one of the original partners, Lothar Gessert, who early on had the dream to develop tourism in southern Namibia.

The name Gondwana is a reflection of the world’s history, dating back to when all the super continents in the southern hemisphere were one. This story can still be seen today in the rocks of Namibia’s landscape. Gondwana also represents the true interconnectedness of nature and people around the world. The subsequent lodge logos that followed were instinctively descriptive. Each highlights a key characteristic of the destination. From zebras and Mopane leaves to the Okavango River, Gondwana Collection’s first logos aimed to feature as a small window into what guests could expect to see when they arrived.

It became clear however in 2013 that as the company was evolving it was also time for its branding to evolve. The catalyst was a very unexpected visit to Gondwana’s head office in Windhoek by a local Namibian, who having seen the brightly coloured logos on the wall, came in to ask if she could enroll her child, mistaking the premises for a nursery school.

At the insistence of Gondwana’s Chairman of the Board, Chris Gouws, a Brand Consulting specialist was appointed to create the next generation of branding. The existing logos had become much more than simply a set of names and pictures for the Gondwana team. To the founders, their families and now more than 500 staff, they had become deeply sentimental symbols of all the hard work and experiences shared over the years. So while the turning point for the brand and its marketing was exciting, the 15 months that followed were also emotional ones, with a few tears shed along the way.

It was at this point that I had the great fortune to begin working with The Gondwana Collection. My role was to help the group formally articulate what they stood for and to help express this through a new company logo and individual identities for each lodge.

From the outset it was clear that this was no “typical” company. While commercial success is naturally important, the underlying driving force of Gondwana is far more purposeful. Gondwana’s financial success to this day rests on how it serves its primary reason for being: the conservation of Namibia’s natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of generations to come. In addition, Gondwana had over the years become passionate about recording and sharing the many fascinating and often moving stories of Namibia’s history, natural phenomena and culture. Over time Gondwana became one of Namibia’s leading storytellers.

This led to the words used to define the essence of the Gondwana brand today: Have a Story to Tell. The phrase perfectly captures both the heart of the business and the experience that anyone who comes into contact with it will have. It is more than simply a picture that fades over time, or a brief connection for a moment in time. When you spend time at Gondwana you will inevitably leave with a personally meaningful story to tell that gives you joy for a lifetime. We believe that when you see Namibia through our eyes, and really get to feel it and understand it like we do, Namibia will be an experience that truly becomes part of you.

And so we began redesigning the logos with the intention that each had to have its own special story to tell. From the collection of stones and pebbles so characteristic of the Namibian landscape (each with their own stories of millions of years that have passed), and the symbolism of the hand reflecting the human qualities of Gondwana, the way in which we instinctively reach out to connect with others and also how every person’s life is written in the lines of their hands, to the subtle incorporation of the African continent and Namibian country outline embedded in each logo, the new Gondwana Collection logo is an invitation to enjoy a deeply human and authentically Namibian experience.

The individual lodge logos were redeveloped with the intention to express not just what you will see at the lodge, but how you will feel and the experience you will have.

So from the Kalahari Anib Lodge, where guests will ‘feel closer’ to the surroundings (symbolised by the bare foot in the sand) and the captivating Damara face of Damara Mopane Lodge that perfectly conveys the communal charm and warmth of the lodge, to the riverbanks of the Kavango at Hakusumbe, where guests will be inspired by the creativity of the local Kavango people, symbolised by the clay Nguni bull, each of Gondwana’s 15 property logos are now the promise of a unique emotional experience and a special story for you to make and take with you.

This has been my personal story of the branding journey.

What memorable story of Gondwana will be yours?

Donna Patricios

HONOURING NATURE

Gondwana Collection Namibia

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Waves of farmers then arrived, the first battling the elements, the scarcity of water and the inevitable droughts, and persevered through decades of political turmoil.

They were followed by South African farmers after German South West Africa was mandated to the Union of South Africa in 1919 and by predominantly Afrikaner farmers in the 1940s. Although the land edging the canyon receives significantly less rain than areas just a hundred kilometres east or north, early farmers mistakenly preferred it for the promise offered by its open water systems and because of the demand for land, rather than for proven grazing and carrying capacity.

Breathtaking scenery: Standing on the tips of its hooves, a klipspringer is able to leap with ease from boulder to boulder or onto small cliff ledges.

Gondwana Canyon Park

Dreams of nature conservation come true Twenty years ago the stretch of land bordering the Fish River Canyon was overgrazed and barren. At the tail end of years of severe drought, farmers were putting their farms up for sale, seeking greener pastures. By the time the original founders of Gondwana with their strong conservation philosophy discovered the potential of a piece of land bordering the eastern section of the Fish River Canyon, the cycle of landowners had run its course.

In the beginning nature was in perfect balance Once, the land had been in balance and the wildlife abundant. Herds of springbok took days to pass and rhino and giraffe roamed the savannah. The intense heat that builds up in the canyon walls chasing the clouds away, didn’t affect the animals. They were adapted to the arid-zone conditions and migrated, following the scattered rainfall.

Early indigenous hunter-gatherers, the San/Bushmen took only what they needed, and were followed by the Khoi pastoralists. But, the Western world was to stamp its heavy foot on the soil in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The repercussions would leave the land depleted and nature’s balance lost.

Man’s destructive impact European explorers, hunters and traders crossed the Gariep/Orange River into Great Namaqualand, shooting some species to extinction. Trade routes radiated out from the Cape Colony and firearms and other Western commodities were traded for cattle and sheep. The Oorlams and groups originating from the Cape dominated local groups with their firearms, horses and raiding lifestyles. The combination of weapons and a swift means of transport enabled greater hunting efficiency. Animal numbers plummeted in the south as the demand increased for items like ivory, ostrich feathers, klipspringer pelts for saddle blankets and long giraffe “riempies” (leather thong), highly sought after for ox-wagons. Giraffe had disappeared by the 1830s and rhinos by the early 1800s.

A rare shot: a leopard in the Gondwana Canyon Park.

(Photo: Fritz Curschmann)

Intensive farming began in the middle of the twentieth century, made possible by the erection of government-subsidised buried-mesh fences, the drilling of boreholes and the installation of water pipes. This disrupted a productive grassland ecosystem and blocked the movement of wildlife, severely compromising their ability to survive. The impact on the land was soon felt, exacerbated by drought and low rainfall. Farmers began to wage a war against predators in the area with organised hunts and the use of poisons like arsenic and strychnine. This affected all scavengers and small predators in the area such as genets, foxes, aardwolf, eagles and vultures. The loss of these species and their role in controlling the insect, reptile and rodent populations disrupted the ecosystem even further.

After the lucrative karakul pelt market crashed, a long drought ravaged the land from the mid-1980s until the early 1990s, stubbornly persisting like an unwanted guest. Desperate farmers began to sell off their barren land and move to the towns.

A few stayed on, some shooting out the remaining wildlife for short-term gain.

Giving back to nature what belongs to nature This forlorn picture was what faced the early group of Namibian businessmen when they discovered the area. But with eyes that saw potential beneath the now desolate natural environment and hearts dedicated to conservation a different picture began to emerge when they bought an overgrazed farm with the intention of developing tourism activities and conservation efforts. The group’s vision grew as it realised the potential of the land as a larger conservation area. They understood that the only sustainable form of land use with the potential to level the scales, restoring the wildlife and vegetation, and able to nurture the land, would be ecotourism. This is what would fund the larger conservation area. This humble intention evolved over the subsequent twenty years into the Gondwana Collection Namibia as it is today.

Over the years, a further ten adjoining farms were acquired in the area bordering the Fish River Canyon. Fences were dismantled and relics of sheep farming removed.

Research was carried out to establish which animals occurred historically in the area and new stock of red hartebeest, wildebeest, plains zebra and giraffe were gradually re-introduced. The Gondwana Canyon Park expanded to encompass an enormous area of 1270 square kilometres (127,000 hectares). It is now a professionally run protected area with highly qualified park wardens and rangers, and formal, structured management activities including a yearly game count, regular natural resource monitoring and cataloguing of park biodiversity, water installation management, research and training, alien species control, anti-poaching patrols and frontier-fence management.

As mobility is the most important adaptation of wildlife in arid zones, a series of meetings between neighbouring landowners and custodians, including the adjacent Ai-Ais/Fish River Canyon National Park, has been initiated in a collaborative effort to establish a larger co-managed Greater Fish River Canyon Complex.

The land is responding well to the renewed natural balance. Flora has regenerated over the years and the fauna has increased as the animals are once again able to follow the scattered rainfall prevalent in the area, unrestricted by fences. As the greater area is restocked and restored, there is today a ripple effect of life-affirming positivity.

In June 2013 giraffe were successfully released into the wild to boost the abundance of game in Gondwana’s largest nature conservation area.

HONOURING NATURE

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A Namibian landscape without quiver trees?

As guests explore the Canyon Village they will come across clusters of curiously beautiful quiver trees along the way, thanks to a project launched by the Gondwana Collection that aims to preserve these extraordinary but rapidly declining trees. The quiver tree is one of Namibia’s national plants and is widely regarded as a symbol of the south.

The fascinating trees were named by Simon van der Stel in 1685 after he was told that the San (Bushmen) used the branches to make quivers for their arrows. The scientific name is Aloe dichotoma, which is Greek for “forked”. These unusual-looking trees can reach heights anywhere between three and nine metres and only bloom once they are between 20 and 30 years old. Quiver trees are endemic to the Nama Karoo in the south of Namibia and along the Great Escarpment in the west.

They have successfully adapted to the fluctuating annual rainfall in these areas and commonly occur on the slopes or tops of hills and scattered across rocky plains.

The tree’s stem and branches consist of a spongy fibre that can store large quantities of water over long periods of time. Their leaves have a smooth and waxy surface that prevents moisture from evaporating. A vertical stem protects the tree from direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day and the yellowish bark and thin layer of white powder on the branches reflect most of the sunlight away from the tree. The rough and scaly bark is thought to be an additional and remarkable internal cooling adaptation to cope with the harsh surroundings.

Quiver trees were declared to be endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in 2010. This is primarily due to climate change and the increasing heat and decreasing rainfall in southern Namibia. The trees grow in generations with each generation potentially reaching between 100 and 120 years.

The younger trees however need to get sufficient water for several consecutive years in order for them to mature successfully. With the long periods of drought that have recently plagued the region there has been little opportunity for young trees to become established.

Subsequently, as the older trees are dying out and with younger trees not growing optimally, their numbers have decreased.

Gondwana’s Quiver Tree Project is an important initiative aimed at enhancing our understanding of the trees, their successful monitoring and ultimately to ensure their sustainability.

Progress made to date on the Quiver Tree Project in conjunction with a nursery that has been developed within the Gondwana Canyon Park, has given reason to be hopeful that with continued attention and effort more mature trees will be reintroduced into the wild. Thanks to this project, Canyon Village is dotted with these fascinating trees.

Namib Dune Star Camp – a shining star of our commitment to eco-friendly lodging

Dune Star Camp is the ultimate destination for guests wanting to experience the pristine beauty of the Namib Desert. As one sets out from the Namib Desert Lodge into the mystical lands beyond, the eco-haven appears to rise from the sand as it becomes visible along the crest of a dune.

Dune Star is situated at the top of a dune with a magnificent view and offers an unforgettable experience. A central cabin overlooking the exquisite scenery and blue-toned Naukluft Mountains in the distance is the perfect setting for dining and socialising. Nine cosy bungalows are tucked away in the dunes. Beds can be rolled out onto the decks and guests can experience the thrill of sleeping under the spectacular night sky from the comfort of warm and luxurious bedding.

All structures are solar-powered and eco-friendly and can easily be dismantled and removed if necessary, leaving no footprint on the sensitive environment.

Guided hikes through the dunes around the camp are available and the knowledgeable guide will point out fascinating desert flora and fauna often hidden to the untrained eye.

For anyone with a love of the outdoors, Dune Star Camp is the perfect place to enjoy an intimate experience in the Namib Desert and the comfort of a Gondwana lodge.

© Michael Spencer

Gondwana Collection Namibia

State-of-the-art energy production at the fossilised dunes of the ancient Namib: Solar panels have been installed on the guest chalets of Namib Desert Lodge.

Five ‘green’ flowers for Gondwana lodges Gondwana has a green heart. Over the past two decades, our efforts to run our lodges in a sustainable manner have repeatedly been acknowledged with the highest seal of quality awarded by the environmental initiative Eco Awards Namibia.

Etosha Safari Lodge & Camp, Namushasha River Lodge, Canyon Roadhouse, Canyon Village, Canyon Lodge and Namib Desert Lodge have received five desert flowers each. The environmental endeavours at Damara Mopane Lodge have been honoured with four flowers, and those at Kalahari Anib Lodge and Kalahari Farmhouse with two flowers each.

Similar to the star-rating system for tourist accommodation, Eco Awards Namibia presents up to five flowers for environmental sustainability. The lodges are up for reassessment this year (2016). Hakusembe River Lodge will be scrutinised for the first time. Participation in the Eco Awards is voluntary.

The lodges have scored crucial points for their water recycling plants that provide irrigation for the gardens and thereby reduce overall water consumption by more than half. The gardens have largely been planted with indigenous trees, shrubs and succulents that thrive on small amounts of water. The lodges’ waste disposal also earned them points: waste is sorted, glass is crushed and tins are pressed.

Everything is then taken to recycling collection points.

The experts and jury of the Eco Awards were also impressed by Gondwana’s staff training programmes that include courses on environmental awareness. Our commitment to social upliftment was praised as well. Among others, it is reflected in the broad range of Namibian products in the lodges’ souvenir shops and in the joint projects with local communities.

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The glass crusher machines at the Gondwana Travel Centre in Windhoek from where they were distributed to the lodges.

Gondwana’s new clean, green glass crushing machine The Gondwana Collection recently acquired five glass crushing machines in order to help clean up the environment and clear it of glass litter as well as managing glass-waste that originates from the Gondwana Lodges.

Each glass-crusher machine can crush an estimated 120-150 kilograms of glass per hour, grinding it into non-hazardous glass sand. This can be mixed with cement and be used for making decorative items and practical pieces like table tops and tiles. Furthermore, the glass sand can be used for making bricks.

The first machine was delivered to Namib Desert Lodge in early March 2016.

The others were installed at the Canyon Lodge, Village and Roadhouse in Gondwana Canyon Park, at Etosha Safari Lodge and Camp, Damara Mopane Lodge and Namushasha River Lodge.

Self-Sufficiency Centre

Gondwana guests always marvel at the appetising buffets with their large selection of fresh salads, dairy and meat products. Our secret has a name: Gondwana SelfSufficiency Centre (SSC). A Gondwana owned farming operation that keeps pigs and cattle and also runs hothouses, a butchery and a smokehouse.

The SSC near the village of Stampriet is surrounded by green fields. Cows watch your progress from both sides of the country lanes. Behind the pastures, vineyards stretch across the land and make you wonder whether this oasis is in fact located in the Kalahari Desert.

Stampriet’s abundant source of water is the multi-layered aquifer system, i.e. water-bearing rock, of the Stampriet Artesian Basin. An artesian-well bubbles on Gondwana’s 34 hectare property as well.

The ready supply of water makes Stampriet the perfect location for the SSC, which supplies all of Gondwana’s accommodation establishments with fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as cold meats and fresh cuts of meat. The SSC’s own production covers about 70% of the demand. What is more, it provides much-needed jobopportunities.

Solar energy in the Namib The main building and chalets at Namib Desert Lodge are nestled against the fossilised dunes of the primeval Namib. The 65 en-suite rooms are equipped with air-conditioners to ensure a pleasant stay. And despite all its modern facilities Namib Desert Lodge is run in an eco-friendly manner.

In February 2014 a total of 1700 solar panels were installed on the roofs of the guest chalets and several other buildings. They generate 200,000 kWh of electricity per year and cover 50% of the lodge’s energy needs.

This is a pilot project in the Namibian tourism industry. Namibia certainly has no lack of sunshine, but a solar power plant of this size has never before been taken into operation under extreme desert conditions. The solar project will be continued at our lodges in Gondwana Canyon Park.

Farm to table: The Self-Sufficiency Centre, which is part of the Kalahari Farmhouse, supplies all the Gondwana lodges with its vegetables and homemade meat products.

HONOURING NATURE

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Struggling for freedom – Namib Wild Horses The wild horses that roam the Namib Desert have always been fascinating.

They are the descendants of a herd that became feral 100 years ago and they run wild and free in the hostile plains around Garub.

Over time, the horses have become a popular tourist attraction and thousands of visitors arrive annually to admire them as they make their way to Garub to quench their thirst. It is exciting to witness their thundering gallops and flying manes as they wander freely. But in years when the herd looks drained and emaciated, there are often calls for human intervention.

The Namibia Wild Horses Foundation explains that they intend to maintain the herd’s nomadic lifestyle. According to the foundation, established in 2012 by equine specialist Dr Telané Greyling and the Gondwana Collection, the process of natural selection is important to maintain a strong gene pool. In tougher conditions it is naturally the strongest in the herd that continue to thrive, an important principle that helps to ensure their sustainability. For this reason the foundation’s first priority is to limit human interference to times of extreme necessity to preserve the herd’s freedom. With the onset of one of Namibia’s most extreme drought periods however, recent intervention has been necessary.

The herd had previously numbered 300 but by April there were only 165 horses, most of which were in moderate to poor condition. Younger stallions were faring better than the older generations, that were suffering from malnutrition influenced by their age. The biggest threat right now is from spotted hyenas, as the horses no longer have the strength to outrun them or defend themselves against them. All foals born over the last three years have been lost to spotted hyenas. For now this has allowed the mares to focus their energy on surviving, but the generation gap will have future consequences.

Thanks to the concern and generous support from individuals and businesses the foundation had received N$700,000 by 31 March 2016, in the form of financial donations, equipment, protein-mineral lick and grass bales, allowing them to provide the horses with critical feed. Unfortunately the supplementary feeding only caters for about a quarter to a third of the food needed per day and at the moment the horses cannot survive on the provided food alone. If it doesn’t rain within the next five months most of the natural grazing will be gone and the amount of additional grass provided will have to increase substantially.

We welcome any additional support for this cause.

Donations can be made by EFT of credit card. Bank details: Beneficiary: Namibia Wild Horses Foundation Bank: First National Bank of Namibia Account number: 62246659489 Account type: Savings Branch code: 281479 Please email details of any funds deposited to telanie@namibhorses.com More on the history, background and behaviour of the wild horses can be found in the book Wild Horses of the Namib Desert by Telané Greyling, Mannfred Goldbeck and Ron Swilling.

Klein-Aus Vista thrills mountain bikers The Klein-Aus Vista Mountain Bike Challenge has been a popular event on the mountain-biking calendar since 2011. It is a demanding race through spectacular landscapes of granite mountains, rugged valleys and meandering dry riverbeds.

Only 30 riders participated in the initial event. One year later there were 70 entries and the numbers have been increasing steadily ever since. Forty-eightyear-old Piet Swiegers is the owner of Klein-Aus Vista and one of the top mountain bikers in Namibia. He and his wife Christine are the organisers of the event and have been commended for their development and management of the race that takes place at the end of April every year.

The Klein-Aus Vista MTB Challenge is a family event with a range of competing age groups. Riders cycle through the unique landscape around Aus and sections of the track follow a path used by the German Schutztruppe in the First World War. The Gondwana Collection has sponsored prizes for the Victor and Victrix Ludorum for the past four years, awarding each with N$10,000 as overall winners of the women’s and men’s marathon. An exciting time trial has been added to the original two-day mountain-bike race, and as of 2016 the race will take place over three days.

Klein-Aus Vista joined the Gondwana group as a marketing partner in 2004.

Accommodation includes the Desert Horse Inn, Eagle’s Nest Chalets and Geisterschlucht Cabin. This stunning lodge perfectly reflects the spirit and freedom of the magnificent Namibian wild horses nearby. A wide range of leisure activities gives guests the opportunity to personally experience this freedom. These include six wellmarked hiking trails through the Aus Mountains, horse riding excursions and nature drives. The mountain-bike tracks are open throughout the year, with three routes to choose from and mountain bikes offered for rent.

Klein-Aus Vista is an ideal location for guests to discover the thrill of the outdoors.

HONOURING PEOPLE

Gondwana Collection Namibia

9

A Presidential ‘social-call’ Since its inception, recycling has been important to Gondwana. In this spirit, and “in a stroke of genius”, Manni Goldbeck and Operations Manager Alain Noirfalise decided to improve on lodge-kitchen waste management and purchased a pair of pigs.

They headed off in their old bakkie (pick-up truck) to a farm that bred pigs, where they carefully selected a pair of large, fat adults. When Manni decided to name the male “Charles”, Alain immediately christened the female “Camilla”, giving character to the new members of the Gondwana family. Getting the pair into the bakkie proved to be no easy task and it took much heaving and shoving before the pigs were finally loaded. The humans now smelled exactly like their passengers and were covered in mud and manure.

Reeking of pig, they drove back to the Canyon Roadhouse with their newest waste disposers on board. Near the lodge they came across several vehicles in the road, surrounded by men in uniform and a Ministry of Environment and Tourism bakkie.

Manni and Alain soon discovered that the president of Namibia, Founding Father Dr Sam Nujoma, was in the group. The President and his entourage were on a hunting trip in the Ai-Ais National Park and were currently on the border between the state park and Gondwana Canyon Park.

Manni and Alain climbed out of the vehicle, greeting the president with warm handshakes and a polite “Good day, Mr President,” before remembering that they were coated in pig manure. Undeterred, they invited the president for a visit and a cup of coffee at the lodge. The story then emerged that the President had spotted a kudu in the state park that had jumped the fence and was now on Gondwana land, and asked permission to shoot it. Manni and Alain immediately declined, given Gondwana’s no-hunting policy in their conservation areas. However, realising that this was a time where exceptions had to be made to the rule, they reconsidered their refusal to the President. Back at the lodge they typed a letter granting specific permission for the President to hunt in the Gondwana Canyon Park, with the suggestion that the meat had to be distributed to the community.

Honourable visit: President Dr Sam Nujoma with Sonia and Alain Noirfalise.

The President visited the lodge two days later, much to the excitement of staff and management. They were informed that two kudu and gemsbok had been shot, and as requested the meat had been given to the local community. To date this is the one and only time that an animal has been shot in the Gondwana Park.

A few weeks later, while the pigs were happily devouring the leftovers from the chefs’ kitchen, we received a personal letter from the President. He thanked Gondwana for the opportunity to hunt and also congratulated us on the diversity of our staff complement. The President had noticed and appreciated the various ethnic groups working together harmoniously at the lodge, something he considered integral to the new Namibia.

While Gondwana had until this point instinctively employed staff from varied cultures as the natural way to run the company, they now more than ever acknowledge the importance of diversity.

“Diversity makes us stronger” subsequently became one of the company’s most treasured slogans and philosophies.

Founding Father Dr Nujoma had unwittingly helped shape the future of Gondwana, and as far as anyone knows, never breathed a word of Manni’s smelly handshake at their first meeting, not even when they later visited the state house for lunch with their spouses. That is testament to a true gentleman.

Shebeen. Against the backdrop of the vibrant colours of the shebeen, inspired by authentic Namibian diversity, the teams reminisced about the original match that had ended in a three-all (in hindsight controversial) draw. Questions around original calls made during the match were now debated in easy camaraderie to the clinking sounds of drinks. With the officials and players now all older and wiser, the players eagerly looked forward to the opportunity to go head to head once again.

Not only did this wonderful evening serve as an opportunity for the 1975/76 veterans to come together, but it might well have been the last time that so many key personalities, with forty-years of subsequent influence on the Namibian football scene, would be found in the same place.

The two teams at the rematch in 2014, 39 years after their first historic encounter.

Gondwana scores a winning goal for diversity The year is 1975, and tension is running high as two teams step out onto the Suidwes Stadium field in Windhoek. The Apartheid regime reigns supreme and for the very first time a “white” and “non-white” team are pitted against one another, each consisting of the top amateur soccer players in the country. As the captains shake hands, the match begins and the players strive to wield their honour with pride.

On the following Saturday, 29 March, the seasoned and excited players once again took to the field to relive the match they had played 40 years previously. The same referee, Wolfgang Egerer, took to the field to umpire the match. This time however it was the black eleven who claimed victory with a score of 3-2, to the cheers of a now evenly mixed crowd of enthusiastic supporters, making it a truly poignant and watershed moment for players and supporters alike.

Gondwana has always believed that cultural diversity is a critical source of strength for Namibia, a perspective that has therefore been a key cornerstone in our success.

With this reunion we hoped to remind Namibians of the value of diversity, to consider how far the nation has come, and most importantly that it continues to strive for ever greater strides forward for the benefit of the country as a whole.

Manni attended the game against his father’s wishes, walking to the stadium from his home, refusing to miss this opportunity to witness the historic match. The significance of that day stayed with him for many years until later the Gondwana Collection offered the opportunity to mobilise support for a reunion of the former football stars and an equally iconic re-match.

Thirty-nine years had passed during which Apartheid had come to an end and Namibia had become independent. Gondwana invited the 36 former players, trainers and officials of the two historic teams to come together once again, this time to celebrate diversity rather than to reaffirm segregation.

Both teams arrived in full force on 28 March 2014, save for the few members who had sadly passed away. Team members travelled from all over the country, some even from South Africa, to come together. The reunion took place at the Gondwana

HANDING OVER OF CUP 1975 & 2014 During the festivities the late Wolfgang Egerer confessed that he allowed an unfair penalty during the 1975 match, which led to the draw.

This was why the “non-white” team captain, Albert Tjihero, had refused to accept the cup together with Hasso Ahrens, as his team had been cheated. At the reunion 39 years later, the awarding of the cup went smoothly.

HONOURING PEOPLE

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Gondwana furthers its commitment to service excellence Tourism is the fastest growing sector in the Namibian economy with regard to its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. “Customer Service remains the most important factor in any business relationship. We believe that all Namibian businesses should unite in their efforts to improve our service delivery for the benefit of all Namibians and visitors.” This is the sentiment of the Gondwana Collection that lies behind the development of Gondwana’s new Training Academy.

Service levels in Namibia are generally regarded as being low. In light of this Gondwana sees The Training Academy as an important strategic initiative. As Gondwana has grown, the challenge has naturally become to ‘formalise’ what has always been an intuitive culture of service across all of our 15 properties.

The Academy is firmly founded on Gondwana’s belief that “together we grow” and so aims to be an initiative that not only enhances our service, but also the education and therefore professional growth of our staff. The new Academy will be located at the Kalahari Farmhouse from January to June, during which time restaurants and souvenir shops will remain open to day-visitors. From July to December the lodge will accommodate guests again and trainees will be given the opportunity to apply their skills.

The aim is that every staff member who passes through the Academy will leave with enhanced hard and soft-leadership skills. Ultimately, the vision includes being a source of training for the broader tourism industry and any young learners interested in a professional career in tourism. This is another way in which Gondwana is trying to help enhance the appeal of Namibia as a tourism destination.

Quotes from staff

“

My philosophy in life is to strive for the best, success and nothing less… at Gondwana I have learned how to achieve it.

”

Anthea Cloete, Sales Executive – Gondwana Travel Centre

“

It has been a real pleasure working with Gondwana. Thank you for all opportunities I got in the years I have been in their service.

I look forward to many more.

”

Selma Haoses, Waitress – Namib Desert Lodge

“

Friendly working environment, all about learning and experiencing new challenges and opportunities at work.

”

Vaino Nepute, Maintenance – Namib Desert Lodge

“

It has been fascinating working for Gondwana, all the support, encouragement & training has a big and positive impact in our lives.

”

Mathias Ndana, Guide/Barman – Hakusembe River Lodge

Gondwana Collection Namibia

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Inspiring story of growth Hilma Amutenya spent twelve years as a member of the Gondwana family, and as happens, felt it was time to pursue her own journey.

Nevertheless the time she spent with the Gondwana Collection has been one of growth and learning.

Hilma grew up in northern Namibia and was drawn to Gondwana by her interest in travel and tourism. Her Gondwana journey began in 2002 when she started working at the Canyon Lodge as an admin assistant. She climbed through the ranks with hard work, patience and dedication and within a year was promoted to assistant manager. By 2004, Hilma was successfully managing the Canyon Lodge. After a period of exploration outside the company, Hilma returned to Gondwana in 2007 and was sent straight to Etosha to guide the transition into the Gondwanaway of doing things. Hilma helped with the redesign of the lodges and headed the training of the new staff members. By the age of 31, she was the manager of Etosha and a Gondwana shareholder.

Due to her strong work ethic, Hilma kept rising steadily through the ranks until she was appointed manager of the Human Relations Department in the Gondwana Collection’s head office in Windhoek. We are sad to see Hilma leave, but are excited for her to experience the new path she is following. We are thrilled to have shared in such an important period of her life and look forward to supporting her on this new journey.

Erno Bertolini has a passion for cooking and baking…

Rising through the ranks “There is no better way to describe Gondwana than as a Life University. I certainly am grateful for the wide spectrum of opportunities that was given to me throughout the development of the company. My scope varied from setting up kitchens, training, lodge administration, human resources, animal husbandry and management. To be entrusted with so many different responsibilities gave me the opportunity, through trial and error, to succeed. Surely these skills became an asset as they are all useful within my personal business venture namely the B-One Service Station.”

While it was with a heavy heart that Gondwana bade farewell to Erno Bertolini in 2015, it was also with immense pride and hope for Erno’s continued success.

Erno Bertolini left Gondwana to pursue his dream of running his own company.

This dream took hold in his hometown Rehoboth, with the opening of his B-One Service Station and Smart Shop.

The meticulous service station is strategically placed along the B1 route, where it serves as a much-needed high-quality pit stop en route to the south. Everyone travelling south inevitably finds themselves moving through Rehoboth. Erno’s intention is to provide a refreshing break from the journey and a warm welcome to his hometown. So far the business is booming. With the guarantee of homemade food, great coffee and a friendly atmosphere, we expect it will continue to go from strength to strength.

While now firmly pursuing his own journey, Erno remains a shareholder of the Gondwana Group, which tries wherever possible to offer support. Gondwana has contributed something extra to the outdoor seating area at the B-One in the form of a collection of information boards, based on research on the area conducted

by Cornelia Limpricht. Erno can now welcome travellers and also give them some interesting insights into the history and culture of Rehoboth while they stretch their legs.

A deeply committed team for many years: MD Manni Goldbeck, former HR manageress Hilma Amutenya and Operations Director Alain Noirfalise.

Erno Bertolini, proudly running his own business, standing with the information boards that were sponsored by the Gondwana Collection.

HONOURING PEOPLE

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Sharing our hearts Gondwana lodges are run as tight-knit groups with close connections to the surrounding communities. This makes our commitment to social responsibility and community support fundamental to the way the company is run. One of our key initiatives is the support of the local craftsmen and women. We sell and promote their authentic Namibian products in our souvenir shops at the lodges.

This gives guests the opportunity to contribute to the sustainability of small business enterprises. The craftsman’s information is also displayed alongside their products in our souvenir shops, to give them more exposure.

Thanks to the strong connection that our lodges provide between communities and guests, Gondwana has, over the years, become involved in wider fund-raising efforts for important social responsibility projects. This is thanks to the work and support of the “Gondwana Memes & Tates”, a group of dedicated men and women who work towards making a positive contribution to communities where there is a need. Funds are allocated to specific charities usually within the vicinity of our lodges. This is done so that the lodge managers are able to check up on these projects and maintain a sense of control on the ground. We frequently work with previously disadvantaged communities and offer support by providing much needed supplies including stationary, linen, curtains, beds, uniforms, cutlery and crockery. As newly identified needs arise, the wide Gondwana network allows us to contact those who will be able to offer assistance. Because of the incredible success of these projects and ever increasing need for their assistance, we are in the process of developing a new and formal department that will focus on managing this important service to Namibia.

A great honour: Gondwana receiving the EEC award for best practice in affirmative employment from Employment Equity Commissioner Vilbard Usiku.

Equity Awards –

A deeply appreciated honour for Gondwana Gondwana has invested heavily in training over the past 20 years with courses ranging from computer, language and butchery, to service training and HIV prevention, and has subsequently been honoured with prestigious awards within the guidelines of the Affirmative Action Act. One of our proudest moments took place at the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Employment Equity Commission (EEC) in November 2012. Gondwana was awarded the title of “Overall Best Performer” for its Affirmative Action Programme, along with the further achievements of being named “1st prize Best Performer” and “Best Performer Private Sector”, picking up three of the twenty awards.

Gondwana has been implementing Affirmative Action policies since 2001 and has always considered it to be an ethical and essential way to successfully maintain organisational sustainability and ultimately stability within our country.

Dgini Visser, one of the coordinators of Gondwana’s social responisibility projects, visiting the Soetdoringlaagte crèche in Stampriet

“Our HR motto at Gondwana is: ‘You can only be successful if you make others successful’. We do a lot to make our staff successful. In return our employees are one of the major pillars of our success in the tough tourism business.” - Hilma Amutenya, outgoing Gondwana HR Manageress.

We also consider the wellbeing of our colleagues, especially those working in the rural areas, to be of enormous importance. Our project partner for the Wellness Program and Awareness Education is ELCAP (Lutheran Church AIDS Program) in Namibia, and CHABAHIVA (Churches & Business against HIV and Aids). In March 2016 we launched an additional joint venture with the Cancer Association of Namibia with the goal of increasing awareness of the disease. These initiatives aim to involve the communities that surround our lodges.

Together with the Financial Literacy Initiative, which represents more than 30 Platform Supporters from the public, private and civil sectors and is hosted by the Ministry of Finance and supported by GIZ on behalf of the German Government, we also started a project focused on personal finance education that aims to aid in successful finance management.

In 2015 one of our shareholders, Honorable Dr Haufiku, initiated a national Gondwana Health Tour, “Doctors on the GO”. He visited all Gondwana lodges and offered medical consultations to employees. Dr Haufiku invested his personal time in this project and we are very grateful for his support.

These are but a few of our projects, motivated by our aspiration to be a strong community of people who really care and who work together to help each other grow.

Gondwana Collection receiving the ‘Investor of the Year’ award in 2003, from Founding Father Dr Sam Nujoma.

HONOURING CULTURE AND HISTORY

Gondwana Collection Namibia

Namibian narrators delight At the core of Gondwana beats the heart of a true storyteller. We have always valued the immense power of storytelling to bring diverse people together, to bridge gaps in understanding, to unite people in shared visions, and to record and learn from the past in an effort to improve on our future.

Our brand strategist Donna Patricios says it best: “We believe that the land and her people must be allowed to tell their story; today and tomorrow... And for many days after that. This is our purpose; to continue to tell the story of Namibia so that future generations may hear it.”

And so together with Bank Windhoek, another proudly Namibian brand, we launched the Okambashu Story Quest, through which we aimed to reignite a passion for storytelling in Namibia and to captivate our people with entertaining and thoughtful tales, told by average Namibians and professional storytellers alike.

With hoards of entries and many talented orators, the finals took place during the 2014 Windhoek Show. A diverse panel of judges including well-known South African storytellers Jammies Jamneck, Nico Nel, Arno van Zyl and Dr Dorian Haarhof presided over the evening’s festivities. Together with Gerrie Jamneck they indulged audiences with various tales of their own.

At the conclusion of the quest, the flames of stories shared burned bright and imaginations were once again inspired.

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The heart of a story teller Narrating stories – how does this fit the profile of a group of companies engaged in the tourism sector? The answer is simple.

“Gondwana affords its guests the unique opportunity to feel instantly and deeply connected to Namibia, to see this country through our eyes. To be part of an unforgettable story, that still continues to unfold.” Our most masterful storyteller for the last 20 years has undoubtedly been Manni Goldbeck, who has always wanted to share his passion for Namibia with as many people as possible.

Originally only a small brochure was created for guest information at our first Gondwana property, the Canyon Lodge. This was a rough outline of the history of their surroundings, the farm Karios and its founders, brothers Alfons and Stephan Schanderl from Germany. But as research progressed, it soon became clear that many events in the Schanderl brothers’ lives were closely tied to Namibian and world history. For a better understanding the larger picture was needed. The outcome was Gondwana’s first published book Expelled from a Beloved Country in 2003 that became a Namibian bestseller.

Next in line was the Gondwana History that was originally intended as a series of articles on captivating occurrences in Namibia’s past, to be published weekly in the local dailies Republikein and Allgemeine Zeitung. The project was launched in August 2010 with resounding success. Requests from readers for copies of a story that they had missed started pouring in and so the series developed a life of its own with the compilation of the book Gondwana History – Memorable Moments from Namibia’s Past. Our readers were inspired by this and sorted through old documents and photo albums and told us their own stories. We bundled 220 tales, attractively packaged, into six editions of Gondwana History, each conveying different facets of Namibia’s diverse history, culture and natural environment.

As our storytelling gained momentum, more books followed: Wild Horses in the Namib Desert, Stamps & Stories – 50 Stories on Namibia’s Postage Stamps, David Levin of Twyfelfontein, The Elephant’s Wisdom – A Gondwana Fable, A Profile and Atlas of the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin, The People of Namibia’s Eastern Zambezi Region, The First World War in Namibia, to name just the English publications.

Mervin Beukes, the winner of the Okambashu Story Quest, in action.

Namushasha Heritage Centre – A celebration of culture Protected by a wall of reeds and grasses, one can hear the rhythmic drums and the sound of reed skirts swaying to music. The sound of the chilimbas, unique to this region, and nature merge to create an authentic musical backdrop to the discovery of this region’s culture. A giant baobab tree stands guard over the land, its branches stretching out to enfold the celebrations in cool shadows.

This is the experience that awaits those who visit the Namushasha Heritage Centre.

Positioned on the Kwando riverbank under the branches of the baobab tree once used to spot poachers trying to cross the Kwando River, the centre was created to preserve the traditional culture and history of the eastern Zambezi region.

Gondwana worked hand-in-hand with the Mashi community to open this centre in a private sector–conservancy collaboration. Thanks to the Millennium Challenge Account that facilitated the efforts of key people, as well as securing the necessary funding, the project has been an incredible success. Visitors are able to experience and understand the history and traditions of the local cultures from fascinating information panels, to demonstrations of traditional song, dance, skills and crafts, that allow outsiders to immerse themselves in the spirit of the region.

Information gathered by Antje Otto over decades of research in the area provides an insightful journey through many interesting topics, including pottery, tribal authorities and social structures, agriculture, music and traditional healing.

While this now significant storehouse of insight evolved from our humble intention to share one small piece of Namibia’s history with guests, we now take great pride in the valuable contribution our books have made towards preserving our natural and historical heritage. With every person who comes to learn about and passes on a memorable story about our magnificent country, we consider this effort even more worthwhile. http://www.gondwana-collection.com/publications/

A scenic walking trail along the river will take guests at our Namushasha River Lodge to the Namushasha Heritage Centre, where the secrets of the Zambezi region unfold.

HONOURING CULTURE AND HISTORY

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Meeting a humble hero – Andimba Toivo ya Toivo There are a handful of people who have changed the world through their vision of peace. Some gave their lives for their cause or spent years in prison. Namibia’s anti-apartheid activist Herman Andimba Toivo ya Toivo is one of these great men, who believed that peace for all was the key to changing the world for the better. He is a humble man with a humble philosophy that had great impact on the establishment of our democratic Namibia.

Ya Toivo was finally released after sixteen years of imprisonment and lived in exile until independence. On his return he became a member of parliament and helped draft the first Namibian constitution. He served as the secretary general of SWAPO from 1984 to 1991. After the independence of Namibia he served as a Minister in different portfolios until he retired from active politics in 2006.

A lifetime of struggle, sacrifice and dedication to ideals was poignantly captured in the humble presence and stories told by this remarkable man from the comfort of a recycled tyre chair in Gondwana’s Shebeen. As Ya Toivo posed next to a photograph of himself proudly displayed on the “Wall of Fame” in the Okambashu Restaurant, along with other distinguished world peacemakers, the significance of that moment and how it had come to be was felt deeply by everyone who had the privilege of meeting Ya Toivo that evening. A moment only possible because of this very special man, would be a memory of a lifetime for everyone there.

When Gondwana was informed by staff that Ya Toivo had made a booking at one of our lodges, we naturally considered it an incredible privilege to host him as a guest of honour. Ya Toivo immediately received a Gondwana VIP card and became a Gondwana Ambassador, welcome at any lodge, at any time.

Gondwana was extremely privileged that the 90-year-old political veteran accepted the invitation to experience some of the beauty of his beloved country as an honoured guest at our lodges. While at Etosha, Ya Toivo invited Manni to join him.

As the pair sat in the comfort of the Okambashu restaurant’s warm atmosphere, listening to the sounds of music drifting over from the Etosha Boys, the wise man wanted to learn about the lives and experiences of the staff and guests gathered around him, and in turn spoke softly but powerfully about his life’s journey.

Ya Toivo alerted the UN in the late 1950s and 60s to the dissatisfaction of “Namibians” living under South African rule and the inhumanity of the contract labour system. He went on to play a key role in shaping Namibia’s future as one of the founding members of the Ovamboland People’s Congress (OPC), a precursor to SWAPO. He later became SWAPO’s regional secretary for the northern regions, recruiting members and mobilising the youth, encouraging them to further their studies in exile. He paid dearly for this involvement however and was arrested in 1966 along with 36 other Namibians. Tried for treason two years later in Pretoria, Ya Toivo was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on Robben Island.

Honourable Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo with his family and staff at the Etosha Safari Camp.

The founder of Namibia’s name meets the Namib Desert for the first time

second night together looking up at the 20-million-year-old fossilised dunes from their veranda at the Namib Desert Lodge.

“This invitation is one of the greatest honours, completing the cycle of my life,” said Professor Kerina, having finally seen the vast and magnificent Namib.

Our beloved country’s name is linked to the majestic Namib Desert, but very few people know that one man was responsible for this idea. Professor Mburumba Kerina, while petitioning at the UN for an independent country, suggested our country be called the “Republic of Namib” and that its nationalism be known as “Namibianism”. This name was accepted, but eventually evolved into the name “Namibia”, a word adopted from the Nama language, a culture unique to our country. The name was officially implemented with the country’s independence in 1990.

Despite having named this beautiful country, 83-year-old Professor Kerina remarkably had never seen the Namib Desert. The Gondwana Collection was so touched by this irony that on hearing this, we immediately invited the Professor and has family to spend a weekend at the Namib Desert Lodge and the Namib Dune Star Camp. For us, the opportunity to witness the moment when Professor Kerina finally got to see the iconic desert that had inspired him, was one of life’s most moving experiences.

Professor Kerina had the perfect opportunity to take his first steps into the ancient dunes and to at last feel the red Namibian sand run through his fingers, as he and his family spent the first night at the Namib Dune Star Camp. The family spent the In the Namib Desert, finally!

Gondwana Collection Namibia

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Vespa Veterans recall their never to be repeated Canyon adventure Driving a scooter through the Fish River Canyon? Impossible! This would be the reaction of any sensible person who has seen the second largest canyon on earth with their own eyes. Yet this didn’t stop six members of the Cape Town Vespa Club to nevertheless attempt the impossible in 1968, getting themselves into an adventure without equal.

Members of the Cape Town Vespa Club made a bet amongst themselves in 1967 to be the first to drive a Vespa through the second largest canyon on earth. They planned to descend into the canyon at the main viewing point and drive their Vespas to Ai-Ais, 80 kilometres to the south.

The men set off for the Fish River Canyon on 9 July 1968 after six months of intense preparation, with three scooters, spare parts and equipment. They had named the scooters Veni, Vidi and Vici, as in Roman emperor Julius Caesar’s famous words: I came, I saw, I conquered. It was a gruelling experience during which their transport often turned into goods to be transported. As the expedition unfolded, Veni plummeted down into the gorge, Vici sank to the bottom of the Fish River and Vidi’s engine finally packed up.

Totally exhausted they climbed out of the canyon on 18 July, grateful for the escape route at the sulphur springs where they took stock. They had lost three Vespas and managed to travel only about one-and-a-half kilometres a day. But it was not in vain. They had left the first ever tyre marks in the canyon and had an experience they would never forget.

Forty-two years after the expedition three of the six men returned to the Fish River Canyon on 11 to 13 June 2010 at the invitation of Gondwana. Johnnie Johnson (who has since passed away), Aubrey Jackson and Graham Nell were happy to relate their adventures in the quirky comfort of the Roadhouse bar, while Terry Davidson was unable to attend.

The other two members of the team could not be located until news of the reunion reached them and they contacted us. Peter Derichs reached out from Johannesburg and finally Tony Beckley contacted us all the way from Brisbane, Australia. Inspired by the reunion and the story of the Vespa expedition recounted by Gondwana, he created a wonderful website about the biggest adventure of their lives.

(http://www.fishrivercanyon1968vespaexpedition.com)

42 years after the Vespa expedition through the Fish River Canyon: Aubrey Jackson, Graham Nell and Johnnie Johnson at the Canyon Roadhouse in June 2010.

Embrace the local flavour The Etosha Safari Camp in northern Namibia is an unexpected treat. Brightly coloured decor and an authentically African experience await guests as they enter the dining room. Our creative team came up with the idea in 2012 to decorate the restaurant and bar as an authentic shebeen, modelled on the many charming informal pubs scattered across Namibia. The shebeen has been a fantastic success and is a unique Gondwana experience.

Inspired by our guests’ enthusiastic response to the shebeen, Gondwana decided that live music would make the experience even more enjoyable.

Manni coincidentally came across a blind street musician, sunglasses resting on his nose, in Windhoek. They had a short conversation in a nearby coffee shop about the shebeen and Manni’s ideas for it, and when asked if he would be interested in being a full-time employee at the shebeen, the musician eagerly accepted.

During the drive to the Etosha Safari Camp, Manni began to suspect that his “Namibian Stevie Wonder” might not be as blind as he seemed. On arrival Manni encouraged the musician to take off his sunglasses as a new opportunity awaited. That was the beginning of the Etosha Boys band, with more performers joining the ranks over time. The group plays regularly at the shebeen, adding to the local flavour.

Quite a a mission: mission: descent Quite descent into into the the Canyon.

Canyon.

ENHANCING TOURISM

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Moving Namibian tourism forward – The Power of One Voice In keeping with its commitment to being a positive influence on Namibia’s tourism industry wherever it can, Gondwana eagerly pursued the opportunity to bring Canadian musician and consumer champion Dave Carroll to Namibia in 2015.

Carroll achieved social media fame after American United Airlines failed to adequately respond to damage caused to his valuable Taylor guitar.

His retaliatory viral music clip “United Breaks Guitars” went on to reach 15 million people and incredibly cost the airline lost bookings estimated to be worth US$180 million. He has since become a recognised speaker and customer service delivery advocate around the world.

On hearing Dave’s powerful story of customer service and the implications for businesses today, Gondwana in conjunction with Air Namibia, Bank Windhoek, Namibia Tourism Board and Safari Hotels invited Dave to bring his important message on customer service to Namibia.

Carroll addressed over 300 business leaders at an exclusive event entitled “The Power of One Voice” in Windhoek, and again to local tourism providers at the Gondwana Shebeen. Prior to the talk Dave spent a week travelling through Namibia, and together with South African based musicians The Professors and Richard Redecker, he also recorded a Namibian version of his signature “United Breaks Guitars” song, as well as a toe-tapping new Gondwana holiday song.

The event was an incredible success that not only gave Namibian businesses and the travel industry a powerful insight to take with them and apply, but also generated exposure for Namibia through the online promotion of Dave’s trip and the Gondwana song.

Unlocking the magic of Namibia – for Namibians “Travel in our own country? Impossible, it’s way too expensive,” was the reaction of most Namibians when asked about their holiday travel plans.

This gave us something to think about and inspired the introduction of the Gondwana Card in 2006, an innovative first for Namibian tourism.

Spontaneous jam session at the coast (ltr): Dave Carroll, Richard Redecker and the Professors Gavin Gold and Jo Popp.

Realising that Namibian travel for many local and regional guests was simply out of reach, Gondwana developed a dedicated card that offered incredible accommodation discounts and added value, and finally made travel more affordable and accessible to the local market.

Ten years ago loyalty programmes like these were unheard of. Gondwana was a true innovator in this respect, really understanding the needs of its markets and making sure to offer something for everyone. To date 55,000 travel-happy Namibians and SADC citizens have become part of this regional Gondwana community.

Developing this card has always been a matter of principle and heart. We want Namibians to have an equal opportunity to see the fantastic natural wonders in our country along with international tourists. We also believe that the more people we welcome into our community the more awareness about conservation will be achieved. Ultimately we intend to keep building more awareness and interest in conserving the beauty that Namibia offers.

This is naturally not only important for Gondwana but for Namibian Tourism, for the job market and our economy.

New and improved, the Kalahari Anib Lodge is the ideal place to test out the benefits of your new Gondwana Card.

Gondwana Collection Namibia

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Simply delightful Nestled between the golden dunes of the Namib Desert and the icy swells of the Atlantic Ocean, the seaside resort town of Swakopmund had been going about its business in a rhythm all of its own, until the arrival of The Delight in November 2015. The Delight was born out of Gondwana’s intention to give visitors the option of a more contemporary, fresh and completely unique hotel experience. From the comfort of the exquisite interiors, oysters and champagne served with breakfast, to the friendly service of the Delight hosts, this hotel, a first for Gondwana, is definitely giving people something to talk about. Within four weeks of opening The Delight was already ranked on TripAdvisor as the No. 1 hotel in Swakopmund.

In a word we’re delighted!

The internet of everything – a whole new world for Namibian travel As technology continues to evolve at incredible speed, physical and digital worlds are blurring to the point where people today are living in both at the same time. The effect this has had on travel has also been immense.

Gondwana has been quick to understand this, and has over the past decade been leading the way with its forward-looking approach to online marketing and adoption of technology to make every step of the guest experience simpler, quicker, more informative and inspiring.

For Gondwana one of the most exciting things that technology has brought is the ability to stay directly connected to people, before, during and after they visit Namibia. Today people can experience Namibia and its stories even if they are not physically in our country. We now have access to many social media platforms and modes of online communication, where we can stay in close touch with people who share an interest in our country.

Creating, maintaining and nurturing our community is therefore an important focus for us. We have a unique place online where locals, international friends, current and potential new guests and our business partners can access the information they need, share our passion for Namibia and be comfortable to express their personal opinions. Building this community has been a fiveyear project, developed through Facebook, our online blog and our vast email database.

Giving our clients enough opportunities to stay connected with Namibia continues to drive our online efforts. We use a wide variety of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, our online blog, Pinterest and email.

Our website provides not only an inspiring look at Namibia, but also can be easily accessed on many devices. Stirring and humorous videos, magnificent pictures (many taken by guests themselves), articles, competitions and conversations are all part of the digital world Gondwana has so successfully created. Most recently a customised booking platform has been added to the mix to make planning and booking a trip to Namibia much simpler and quicker. Guests now have the ability to check availability and make bookings at our lodges online in real time. Because Gondwana understands that in today’s new world people want instant feedback and personal connection, our online presence is also alive, dynamic and responsive.

This is an exciting but also challenging time that faces the travel industry and Gondwana. It’s not enough anymore that we provide an unforgettable experience physically at the destination and our lodges. Today Namibia and The Gondwana Collection needs to also live as convincingly and vibrantly online, if we are to compete in this new world of travel. This is an opportunity and challenge that we have chosen to take, and we’re loving the journey and time spent with every new person who joins us on the ride!

Bernd Grahl

ENDING WITH A SMILE

18 But we were really annoyed when we had made it back to the lodge and biologist Telané Greyling notified us by radio that the mules had been found, grazing peacefully just a few metres from our last campsite. They had returned to the farm without any problems along the way. Of course – they didn’t have to carry any luggage. Apart from the grudge at having to lug my belongings from the canyon myself, I have above all come to realize that mules are neither obstinate nor stupid but simply darned intelligent.

Fabian von Poser This story and other reports on Namibia by Fabian von Poser are available as a book entitled Durch die Augen des Geparden, published by Picus Verlag in Vienna (ISBN 978-3-85452-975-0, 132 pages, EUR 14.90)

The taming of the shrew The pioneer mule trekking tour in the Fish River Canyon had a few hiccups – in the end the animals actually deserted us.

It was a clear September morning when we set off to find out how the mules would manage in the canyon. Mannfred had invited me to join the pioneer tour: Four days trekking across country, drinking from waterholes, eating at the campfire, nights spent under the star-studded night sky. Awesome! But from day one it was clear that quite a bit of work was needed to prepare the mules for their new job.

It took the pair, called Bushman and Kaiser, just a few minutes to remember their donkey heritage. Bushman refused to budge even an inch, and Kaiser also seemed to be rooted to the spot. No amount of pulling or pushing, whispering or yelling could induce them to move forward. Bushman and Kaiser had already had enough.

Amazing how a small ledge of rock can affect the behaviour of two adult mules.

Normally they clamber up steep gravel slopes in no time at all and they are used to negotiating even the most difficult trails by sheer tenacity. The reasons for the sudden refusal to move are beyond an ordinary mortal’s grasp. Bushman and Kaiser were intent on having a break and their manner of getting it seemed like extortion: Let us graze or we won’t continue.

This went on for several days. But they really outdid themselves during the last night of the tour. It must have been around half past midnight when Bushman and Kaiser were spooked by something or other. Perhaps a dassie? A springbok? Or even a leopard? Frightened they broke loose and disappeared into the darkness.

The next morning they were nowhere to be seen. Their hoof prints became lost in the rocks just a few metres from our campsite.

Plodding uphill on steep zebra trails in the blazing heat of the canyon with mules to carry the luggage is one thing. The same without mules but 15 kg on your back is quite a different matter. After several hours of marching on we started to feel like pack mules ourselves. Stolidly we trudged uphill and stumbled exhaustedly across stony plains. The laws of gravity came to mind. Einstein and Newton. We resented the mules, silently cursed them.

Our Financial Director, Jaco Visser enjoying his time on the water.

It’s a girl!

On 21 April 2010 the General Supervisor at Kalahari Farmhouse gave Gondwana’s “team spirit” a whole new meaning.

Thinking that she was only six or seven months pregnant, Koekoes didn’t take the sudden onset of cramps too seriously at first. But a precautionary mid-afternoon visit to the doctor in Stampriet revealed that she was in fact far further along and officially in labour! The doctor told the Gondwana team with her at the time that he believed they still had about two hours before the baby would make its appearance. This would give them enough time to get her to the hospital in Mariental. However, the enthusiastic baby had other plans. Just 25 kilometres outside Stampriet she decided that it was time to make her entrance. With no hospital nearby the group raced the next five kilometres to Kalahari Anib Lodge, where Managing Director Jaco Visser had no option but to step in and deliver the baby in the backseat of his Hilux bakkie, tying the umbilical cord with two elastic bands and snipping it with a pocketknife. Warm water and towels were at the ready and the baby was swaddled and taken to the hospital in Mariental, where doctors confirmed that both mother and child were in perfect health!

After much deliberation, Jaco decided not to pursue an alternative calling as midwife, which was very good news for our Gondwana team! Today he is the Financial Director of the Gondwana group.

Koekoes and her daughter who turns six this year.

Gondwana Collection Namibia

19

‘Oranges for sale’ –

the real reason behind Gondwana’s success Gondwana started construction on Canyon Lodge, their first, after buying the farm Karios, east of the Fish River Canyon. Bank funding had been secured in principle, with personal homes put up as collateral. The founders were on site day and night as they had only three and a half months to build the twenty-room lodge, leaving no time to travel to Windhoek to see their families, or the bank manager.

When the anticipated phone call came from the bank, requesting a meeting with the new MD Manni Goldbeck to confirm funding, pressure instantly mounted. With little time to spare and the critical need to be at this meeting, Manni was in a serious pickle. Having already paid his labourers for the week’s work, Manni found himself alone on site with his Kombi and not a penny in his pocket and only a few drops in the petrol tank. Knowing that fumes would not get him the 700 kilometres to Windhoek, he wracked his brain to think of a way to make the trip possible. And that’s when it came to him!

Dashing to the cement mixers with a plastic container, he carefully drained the remaining petrol. He looked at the Kombi’s fuel gauge again. Fortunately the extra fuel had made a difference, but it still wasn’t going to get him all the way. He looked around again considering his options. That was when he noticed that Karios’ orchards were ablaze with oranges, with fruit hanging heavily on the trees. In a moment inspired by desperation, Manni picked as many oranges as he could carry, piling the back seat of his Kombi with fruit.

Manni left Karios that Friday evening, driving through the night to meet with the bank manager on Saturday morning. But by the time he reached Rehoboth, just 80 kilometres from Windhoek, his fuel gauge was in the red. He wasn’t going to make it. It was time for plan B, and so Manni stopped and waited for the shops to open.

At the first open door he went in and offered his oranges. The owner admired the juicy fruit but apologised, saying he had already ordered his oranges from a Mr van der Wath in Stampriet. At the second shop he heard the same story. A deal had already been struck with Mr van der Wath. There was now only one shop left to try, and the stakes were now incredibly high. He had to think quickly. So this time, when the doors opened, with as much confidence as he could muster, Manni Goldbeck walked in, introduced himself as Mr van der Wath, and asked how many oranges they wanted to buy.

The rest of the story is history. With the proceeds of the sale of his oranges at this last shop, Manni made it to Windhoek in time to placate the bank manager, giving Gondwana the much-needed financial investment.

In a twist of fate many years later, Gondwana went on to buy the farm Stampriet from none other than Mr van der Wath! This presented the perfect opportunity for Manni to clear the slate and his conscience. As he recounted the story of the oranges, he anxiously wondered what Mr van der Wath’s reaction would be, half expecting to be scolded. Mr van der Wath looked hard at Manni as he told the story. Then his eyes softened and the corners of his mouth started to twitch and his subsequent laughter filled the room, instantly dissolving Manni’s long-held guilt.

“Nommer asseblief” One of the first lodge managers employed at Canyon Lodge was a 19-yearold man in his prime. At the time, Canyon Lodge was surrounded by a scattering of distant farms, the massive Fish River Canyon and a vast tract of arid land. Tourism was still taking off in Namibia and the lodge was small and isolated. The closest sign of civilisation was in the settlement of Grünau, 130 kilometres away, and Keetmanshoop, 157 kilometres further.

The remoteness of his location was naturally taking its toll on the romantic aspirations of this young man.

But the dedicated young man – let’s call him Stephan for now – stayed put for six years. On the arrival of every green bus filled with a motley collection of guests, Stephan would study the faces in eager anticipation, hoping for an attractive young woman to emerge. He was usually disappointed, however, as the women were middle-aged or older, irreversibly wrinkled, short of a limb or more ample than comfortable.

At that time in 1996 southern Namibia was still relatively underdeveloped, with a telephone line that still worked through an old exchange system. This meant that the caller would need to phone the operator, who would connect them to the required number. In doing so, he or she would invariably ask: “Nommer, asseblief?” (“Number, please?”)

It stands to reason that it’s not ideal for young men in their prime to be away from their peers and the possibility of love and partnership. And so it was that Stephan began to dream of romance. Whenever he phoned the head office in Windhoek, he would speak to the operator, Helga, in Grünau.

Helga had a golden, honeyed voice that made the lonely man’s heart flutter.

He naturally began to fantasise about the woman sitting on the other end of the line. At the office in Windhoek, they began to notice an increasing amount of phone calls from Canyon Lodge.

After many months Stephan finally built up the courage to invite Helga to dinner at the lodge. To his incredible delight she accepted. The table was set for two, the candles were lit for the romantic evening and the driver was sent to fetch her from town.

As the door of the vehicle opened Stephan could hardly contain his excitement. And then in an instant his dreams were shattered. His error was so painfully clear, even in the flattering colours of the setting sun. Helga was years older than his mother. The fantasy that he had created around her voice did not match the reality that stepped out of the car. But, she did have a splendid voice!

We’re not sure where life eventually took Stephan, but he resigned and left Canyon Lodge soon after that disappointing meeting – we hope to greener pastures with a more suitable lady.

ENDING WITH A SMILE

20

Before and after

11

Interesting statistics about us: 2 000 000 overnight-guests in 20 years

Canyon Lodge before and after.

1 ton of meat is consumed each day

1 000km of toilet paper is used per year

1 ton of human waste is recycled every day

220 000-hectares of land under private protection by Gondwana

3 500 meals prepared and served each day

Erno Bertonlini with Tina and Ume Goldbeck in 1996 and 2016.

590 employees

There are 1250 beds across the 14 lodges and hotel

The video on Professor Kerina has been viewed 125 000 times and is still going

We’ve published 37 books, with 500 exciting stories

Gondwana has won 54 Eco Award Flowers

Jaco Visser in 2006 and 2016.

A sincere thank you to our many partners Our success has unquestionably been the result of the combined efforts of many people. We have been very privileged to have worked and partnered with many like-minded people and businesses who shared our vision, enthusiasm, sometimes unconventional approach, and love for Namibia.

There are too many to name and everyone has been an equally valued partner.

We trust you know who you are and we would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you for your generous support, involvement and friendship over the years. You have played a vital role not only in our own success but also in the many positive contributions to our industry and country. We look forward to many more years of wonderful collaboration.

Thank you!

SUNDOWNER COMPETITION 101 SUNSETS WITH GONDWANA Share your sundowner experiences with us to win your part of 101 Nights at any Gondwana Lodge.

The Competition starts on 20 May 2016.

Photo-submissions can be posted to the Competition App on Facebook or emailed to pr@gondwana-collection.com before the 28th of August to stand a chance to win. More info and the competition guidelines can be viewed on the Gondwana Facebook page. (Terms & Conditions apply.)

PLEASE RECYCLE PAPER! +264 61 427 200 | info@gondwana-collection.com www.gondwana-collection.com