Master Your Destiny 2020 by Venture Media

IN SPI RING NAMIBIAN STORIES

Published by 99FM Windhoek Namibia This publication is the exclusive property of the publishers. All rights reserved. No part if it may be reproduced without written permission of 99FM. © 99FM EDITOR IN CHIEF: Christine Hugo FEATURES EDITOR: Kirsty Watermeyer PRODUCTION MANAGER: Mariette Boltman PHOTOGRAPHY: CreativeLAB COPY EDITOR: Christine Hugo TECHNICAL EDITOR: Nicola Rijsdijk WRITERS: Kirsty Watermeyer Christine Hugo

EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR. You will not understand your identity until you begin to understand the context of your life. In your self-portrait, it is the people around you that make up the canvas, the texture, the colours and the light. In the eye of the COVID-19 pandemic, we, the individuals who make up families, communities and nations, were faced with the same questions: How do we live through this? How do we not just survive, but how do we move through this crisis with our souls intact? For these answers we do not turn to the news, to scientists, forecasters or analysts. For these questions we need wisdom, not data. And so we turn to ancient texts, holy books, history books. The stories of our ancestors, of the people who have been and seen. To the songs, poems and prayers of our people. In this journal there are many stories of our people – the people of Namibia. They tell of surviving the horror of Cassinga Day, of rising out of poverty, of overcoming the injustice of discrimination, of the loss of loved ones, of bearing the cross of crimes committed by us and against us.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT: CreativeLAB

If you want to know if and how it is possible to live – through this pandemic and beyond it – and be triumphant, if you want to know who you are and what you are capable of, you will find something of yourself in these pages.

PRINTED AND BOUND BY: John Meinert Printing (Pty) Ltd

Christine Hugo

While every care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, 99FM accepts no liability for misinterpretations of the audio material, or errors and emissions in this printed copy. www.99fm.com.na www.tribefirestudios.com

MASTERING THE MASTER YOUR DESTINY MOVEMENT T

he stories in this journal exist because of the relentless, passionate dedication and hard work of Kirsty Watermeyer. Week after week, month after month and ultimately year after year, Kirsty reeled in stories of Namibians and Africans, some well known, some not known at all. There are so many stories of hope, of overcoming hardship, of finding peace and of love against all the odds, that Kirsty often looked like she was buzzing from the energy, alight with the zeal of purpose, human potential and pure love.

This MYD Journal is as much a tribute to the story seeker as it is to the storytellers. CHRISTINE HUGO: When I met you the first time, I was sitting with the vision for MYD, looking for the right person to make it happen. It was serendipitous how you and MYD came together. What was your experience of that chance match made in heaven?

WITH KIRSTY WATERMEYER

KIRSTY WATERMEYER: It felt like a match made in heaven to me too. I’d been working in the media for a few years, and fighting to share content I felt was important in our country. I was running up against walls, as the belief that ‘good news doesn’t sell’ was strong in the minds of the media houses I spoke to. After being laughed at repeatedly, I was about to give up. I was going to leave the media and take a job

From left: Christine Hugo, Loux the Vintage Guru and Kirsty Watermeyer share a moment of MYD magic.

in the corporate world, when a friend, Liami Elago, suggested I meet with Christine Hugo from 99FM. Sitting down to this meeting was serendipitous, as I was meeting someone who not only saw the vision I did, but was also a partner in an incredible media brand, 99FM. CH: At the time of our first discussion, it felt as if everything you’d done up until then had prepared you for this new movement – can you give a quick overview of your journey up till then? KW: I started my working career in public relations, marketing and then management in the corporate business landscape. A twist in fate saw me enter the world of media, and in the beginning it was only part time. While I started my media journey, I also started working as a facilitator, doing training for companies. After a short while of running training events all over Namibia, I was offered a job in radio – first as a news journalist and then as a radio presenter. Now I was doing radio work by day, and presenting a live television talk show at night. This was coupled with some short films, where I got to try my hand at acting (and also see the inner workings of film production). I didn’t realise it then, how all the pieces of this puzzle would fit together to prepare me for my next chapter. CH: Over the five years of MYD, you didn’t just manage MYD, you became MYD and you found and told some incredible stories. How did you go about this and how did they affect you personally? KW: While I am curious by nature, many of the guests on the MYD show came about serendipitously. Once the intention had been set to tell inspiring Namibian stories, life organised some incredible chance encounters, enabling me to find the right guest for each week’s show. Each guest affected me personally, each story moved me immensely. Working on MYD, I felt connected to great Namibians and Africans. In no time I became a bubble of optimism, and a person to call if you wanted to know what incredible things Namibians were up to. CH: I know it’s unreasonable to ask, but which two or three stories moved you the most and why? KW: It is an impossible question, as each story has moved me in a different way. I’ve cried many tears of joy and sorrow over the years, as guests shared their inspiring stories with me.

It was incredible to interview some of my personal heroes, like Tuli Madonsela. I was also in awe of people like John Sam, who after eighteen years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, came to share with us about forgiveness. Or Albert Ndara, whose persistence saw him become the security guard who opened a school in his community. Hearing what it was like to live through Cassinga Day or hearing about the battles to protect people living in Namibia with mental health problems gave me perspective. The artists moved me – the stories of their fight to establish art in Namibia. The young people, the elders, and everyone in between, gave me hope. They all moved me, and made me realise we are all powerful. When we direct our focus towards good, we can achieve anything. CH: MYD was hard work and often happened under difficult circumstances and challenges. What kept you going? What or who inspired you? KW: In the beginning, it was the drive to achieve the impossible. I would remember my haters and critics as I was working late into the night to bring the best inspiration to our audiences. That quickly changed though – soon it was people that kept me going. The people that came on the show to share their stories, but also who had personal wins in their own life after being on the show. Then, maybe most of all, it was the people who shared with me how they had learnt something important from the show that had helped their life improve in some way. It became a living, breathing thing, that oozed inspiration … and that kept me going. CH: What is the biggest lesson you learnt through this MYD Journey? KW: Here are my top three things, because there were many. Number three: It is amazing what one can achieve with passion. Number two: You can do more than you realise you can. This was something that I always knew, but MYD reaffirmed this for me every week. Number one: We are all the same. We have different storylines or experiences, but our feelings, hopes and dreams are connected. We all want happy, healthy lives, and we innately want that not only for ourselves, but also for our communities.

CH: What word would you say best describes MYD? KW: Life. CH: How has your life journey developed and what are your hopes and dreams for the future? KW: Life always has surprises for us, sometimes when you least expect it. Right now I’m embarking on new chapters and stretching myself beyond my comfort zone. I’m not sure how it will all unfold, but I look forward to the adventure of finding out. I hope that for now and into the future I can be a part of sharing stories about people, nature and our collective and individual well-being. CH: What do you believe is our “identity” as a nation and how has MYD contributed to reveal this? KW: Namibians are fantastic people. Sometimes it seems we forget, and look to other countries for guidance or direction. Yet we don’t need to. There are amazing people doing exceptional things right here. I hope that MYD has contributed to our collective realisation of how wonderful we actually are. Without our self-doubt, we would see that our identity is about unity, love, creativity, diversity, strength, compassion. CH: What is your message to Namibia? KW: I love that you asked this – it’s a regular favourite question of mine to ask! Remember who you are, even when times are hard. Remember who you are, even when times are good.

You are the people of Namibia, and you are as beautiful as this land. Remember your value – when you do, you allow others to do the same. Remember we are all connected. Look after one another as you look after yourself. Remember you are made of love. Love is what you are.

CONTENTS 16

THE LANDSCAPE OF HERITAGE with Gina Figueira PERSPECTIVES ON FORBES AFRICA’S “30 UNDER 30” with Sandra Mwiihangele REVEALING FOR HEALING with Isabel Katjavivi FROM HORROR TO HOPE with Ignatius Mwanyekange FAMILY OF HOPE SERVICES with Foibe Sivanus SEPARATING THE DEMONS FROM DEMENTIA with Berrie Holtzhausen ALBINISM Action for inclusion with Sinasra PERSPECTIVES ON PRISONERS with Meunajo Tjiroze THE HOLISTIC BUSINESS OF HAMBELELA with Victoria Hambelela Toivo ETHOS OF ANCIENT with Dr. Margaret Jacobsohn HUMAN-WILDLIFE COMPATIBILITY in the Riemvasmaker Community A STORY OF HOPE with Tuhafeni George Dasilva Hishitelwa RENEWABLE ENERGY ON THE RISE IN NAMIBIA with PREN STANDING TALL FOR GIRAFFE with Stephanie Fennessy OUTAPI, MOBILITY AND HILYA EKANDJO “the bicycle lady” TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ‘P’ WORD the Recycle Namibia Forum COLLABORATIONS ACROSS CULTURES with Shishani PERSPECTIVES ON IDENTITY with Zodidi Gaseb GIRLS JUST WANNA CHANGE THE WORLD with Jasmine-Rose Goagoses PERSPECTIVES ON LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS with Bianca Ozcan BELLY DANCING FOR THE DOGS with Sascha Olivier Sampson THE MEDICS IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES with Basson van Rooyen FOOD AND INSPIRATION with Samuel Kapepo

THE FUTURE OF YOUR HEALTH There’s nothing worse than being far away from home and suddenly falling ill. In those moments, knowing you have access to a trusted doctor who knows your history and has been with you for years, is absolute peace of mind.

towns, the app means you don’t have to take valuable time off work just to travel to see your doctor. Communicating with your doctor through the app is simple and effective, and when it suits you.

Introducing the Medici app, a digital means to health care that has the patient-doctor relationship at its core. It allows you access to your medical care provider, no matter where you are, and in a way that is convenient and covered by your medical aid. That means that even while you are in a foreign country, your doctor can still send you a diagnosis and prescription.

The Medici app is this century’s digital answer to easier and more effective health-care. It places your health first, by making communication simpler and keeping track of every diagnosis. All communications are encrypted, which means that your privacy is protected throughout, no matter what. NHP is consistently ahead of the rest with its future-forward thinking and client-centric approach to healthcare. With the digital healthcare trend increasing world-wide, it’s no wonder NHP is the first to bring this technology to Namibia, to the benefit of its members.

Closer to home, the Medici app saves you time and effort. Why take time out of your day simply to get a new prescription? Or lab results? Too ill to get out of bed? Get diagnosed straight from home, without ever changing out of your pajamas. What’s more, for NHP members who work far from city centres or

Simply download the Medici app from the App Store or Google Play, register, and connect with your doctor. It’s as simple as that. So whether you are far from your doctor, can’t take time off work or simply don’t want to sit in a waiting room, the Medici app connects you to your healthcare provider in a way that is safe, secure, private and convenient. It’s healthcare for the future. AFTER ALL, ISN’T THAT WHAT YOU’D EXPECT FROM YOUR MEDICAL AID?

THE PILLARS: Healthcare, Education, Arts and Culture, Livelihoods, Environmental Conservation

HOW DO WE ADD VALUE?

WHAT IS CSI?

B2Gold’s Corporate Social Investment programme aims to add value beyond the production of gold. We believe in achieving a balance between profits, planet and people, sometimes referred to as the triple bottom line.

Corporate social investment is a contemporary way of looking at a company’s social licence to operate. We do not see giving back to our communities, country and planet as a responsibility in order to gain a social licence to operate, but we prefer to view it as an “investment” in the sustainable future of the countries in which we operate.

We strive to make a lasting positive impact on all aspects of Namibian society and on the health of the natural environment. Our CSI programmes were started well before the mine was constructed and revenues were being generated. B2Gold Namibia’s total CSI investment since inception amounts to approximately N$120 million.

OUR AIM “More Than Gold – Driven By Value Creation” showcases the great work of our company. We take from the earth but we give back so much more. Here are just a few of our current CSI initiatives and the profound value they each create.

HEALTHCARE

OMNICARE Namibia is a vast country, with limited public transport networks. We believe in taking healthcare to the communities. This is why mobile clinics have received a significant portion of our support. Mangetti Dune, Tsumkwe in the far north and Gam in the far east are just some of the targeted areas where communities have struggled to access good healthcare in the past. Omnicare’s approach is to completely remove the distance barrier when it comes to accessing regular, quality healthcare. Omnicare currently operates across eight service points, each with a 170km radius, and treats approximately 600 patients per month, of which 67% are female. The majority of patients attend the clinics for family planning and also bring their children for vaccinations. stimulated, but that their nutritional needs are also well taken care of.

SIDE BY SIDE Special needs children are also a priority and B2Gold Namibia has partnered with Side by Side Early Intervention Centre for children with special needs based in the Goreangab township of Windhoek. Through this project, the overall quality of life of these children and their families has significantly improved, and for many, their chance of success in mainstream schools have increased.

LIFELINE/CHILDLINE This project supports B2Gold Namibia’s focus on ECD. Quality early childhood care, development and education is important to a child’s growth. Together with Lifeline/Childline, B2Gold aims to promote good parenting and raise standards of early childhood care. With this support, Lifeline/Childline has established itself in the Otjozondjupa area, close to B2Gold’s Otjikoto Gold mine.

“I still remember the utter devastation when our daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I remember how lonely we were … how lonely I was. And from this place I relate to each and every one of these parents. To sit in front of a parent who got one ‘no’ after the other. And then to see how, for the first time, they can embrace the difference of their children – that is what makes this project worth fighting for. “As a parent you have to mourn the death of a child who is still breathing. The dreams you had are stripped away and all you have left is this diagnosis, which no one knows the outcome of. To see these parents get a glimpse of the world their children live in and how they embrace the way their children think and communicate, often for the first time in years – that gives me a sense that this is what my daughter was born for, to give hope to the hopeless, to help the ‘blind to see’ and to restore what has been stolen. “My daughter has a story to tell, and so do the rest of the 150 children we help. Each child’s needs are different. But they all are here for one reason: to teach us how to live and love unconditionally. This project is my daughter’s legacy. This project is the voice of the mute, the fairy tale of the families the world views as ‘weak’. “B2Gold mobilised my dream to become a beacon of hope for children with disabilities and their families.” – Huipie van Wyk, Director of Side by Side Early Intervention Centre.

PHYSICALLY ACTIVE YOUTH (PAY) PAY programme is a dynamic after-school centre in Katutura that provides a safe and nurturing learning environment for Namibian children and youth from disadvantaged communities. It caters for grades 1 to 12 as well as out-of-school children. THE #BREAKFREE CAMPAIGN This national anti-violence campaign started when the First Lady of Namibia challenged the nation to sign a pledge against violence. B2Gold Namibia took up that challenge and in July 2018 B2Gold became the first company in the country to have 100% signatories in support of the initiative. In addition, B2Gold used this opportunity to discuss the wellbeing of all employees, focusing on destigmatising mental-health issues and encouraging employees to be courageous in asking for help when needed.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD) The first 1 000 days of a child’s life are critical to its development. Our ECD projects target children during this period of their lives, ensuring that they are not only mentally

EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE

theoretical understanding of their subject, many teachers had little or no practical comprehension. As such, they were unable to demonstrate application of the subject matter to their classes, resulting in poor levels of understanding, a lack of interest and poor pass rates. With our “Little Shop of Physics” project, we aim to make physics fun and easy to understand through experiments and demonstrations that are aligned with the national curriculum. Thousands of teachers, university students and children are being taught the fun LSOP methodology, which was first pioneered by Colorado State University. Since the project’s inception at B2Gold’s Education Centre, LSOP has revolutionised the manner in which the subject is approached by teachers and embraced by pupils. This flagship project has been so successful that it is now central to the current revision of the national curriculum, and will be incorporated in universities and schools throughout the country.

THE EDUVISION PROJECT Brainchild of the Edugate Academy in Otjiwarongo, the Eduvision project is redefining quality education in remote areas. Teachers use “smart boards” to beam lessons via a dedicated satellite link to remote classrooms hundreds of kilometres away. Through the smart application of technology, one teacher is now able to reach a number of classrooms simultaneously, thereby multiplying the intellectual capital available. The first intervention was to support the Tsumkwe Secondary School, which had the lowest pass rates in the country. Tsumkwe is situated in Bushmanland, in the Otjozondjupa region in the east of the country. “Through e-learning, 790 grade 10 to 12 learners in rural areas can now access lessons in the sciences by dedicated and well-qualified teachers. This whole exercise started in Tsumkwe in 2017 with Mark Dawe of B2Gold, and since then it has experienced tremendous growth. We share the joy with Tsumkwe SS on the improvement of their grade 12 results – since 2017 they have moved up approximately 100 places. “We hope to continue with this project until each and every learner in our country has access to this type of e-learning. What started at Tsumkwe, without any proof of success, has grown into something that has the potential to become a national project. Everything started with the words of Mark Dawe at Tsumkwe Lodge: ‘We are on it. Order the smart boards.’ – Frikkie Louw, founder of Eduvision. LITTLE SHOP OF PHYSICS Namibia is experiencing low pass rates in the fields of physics and chemistry, which are crucial to the development of the economy. It was found that while they possessed a detailed

“I would describe Little Shop of Physics as one of the most effective and exciting approaches in teaching science at primary school. The approach introduces learners to science in fun ways through ‘discovery learning’. More than 200 Natural Science and Health Education teachers in Khomas Region gained knowledge and skills on designing simple experiments using local materials – for instance, using a plastic water bottle as a measuring cylinder, beaker or filter, or using cardboard to illustrate the different parts of a flower. Moreover, the training manual is designed to equip teachers with comprehensive knowledge on critical scientific concepts such as light, electricity, magnetism, etc.” – Julia Muyunda, Senior Education Officer Natural Science and Elementary Agriculture, Khomas Regional Education.

UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA’S SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE Based at Neudamm, the University of Namibia’s School of Veterinary Medicine is the only school offering a compulsory wildlife component to the undergraduate classes. Wildlife is a cornerstone contributor to both the formal and informal sectors of the Namibian economy. B2Gold Namibia’s financial support has enabled the construction of fit-for-purpose infrastructure at the campus.

YOUTH ORCHESTRAS OF NAMIBIA (YONA) Youth Orchestras of Namibia is inspired by the El Sistema movement, which has been activating social change through music since 1975. With its vision of transforming the lives of youth through music, YONA’s mission is to provide an intensive music programme that develops a sense of belonging, teaches the importance of teamwork and a strong work ethic, and promotes self-confidence and good citizenship. The overarching principle is to advance children first and music second. The backbone of the programme involves various orchestras for youth, starting in early childhood, while individual lessons and mentorship also form part of the timetable. YONA reaches out to the community through regular concerts and events. Their aim is firstly to reach economically and socially vulnerable children, but the programme will ultimately be accessible to all Namibian youth, regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender or financial means. The pilot project is at Suiderhof Primary School, Windhoek. This school has been chosen for its central location, good infrastructure and the availability of pianos and some percussion instruments. The student body is representative of most of the culture groups in Namibia.

OTJIKOTO EDUCATION CENTRE The Otjikoto Education Centre was constructed by B2Gold Namibia for the purpose of creating a facility for schoolchildren to learn outside of the classroom. The centre has hosted approximately 5 000 pupils to date. Education programmes offered at the centre are tailored to augment the national school curriculum. In addition, the venue is made available free of charge to NGOs and NPOs. NAKAYALE ACADEMY FOR ORPHANS AND MARGINALISED CHILDREN Situated in Etunda in the western Omusati Region, Nakayale is the only facility that can accommodate marginalised and neglected children from this remote region from grade 0 to 7. The academy provides them with full board, firstclass education, healthcare, clean water and nutritional food, clothing, medical care, sports training, art, music and exposure to the world beyond their village, all free of charge. Before they came to Nakayale, these children – many of them orphaned – lived in poverty, in villages unfathomable distances from the nearest schools. Using various programmes from around the world in addition to the Namibian curriculum, the school serves as an incubator, testing and developing new ideas and teaching methods. To date, Nakayale’s holistic approach to education has proven to be efficient, successful and on target. The knowledge and expertise that have enabled this success story is being shared with teachers in the surrounding government schools through workshops, WhatsApp groups and regular social interactions. An important part of the model was to establish an incomegenerating agricultural project that can ultimately sustain the school, making it independent from any donor funding.

“YONA is a place where children learn to listen, cooperate, work hard, have fun and achieve something beautiful together. I can testify that YONA has been a lifeline to many vulnerable children. The benefits extend not only to the children, but eventually also to their families and communities.” – Gretel Coetzee, founder and Director of YONA.

“Nakayale Primary School is now in its fifth year of existence under the passionate management of Carmen de Villiers, and already it has surpassed all my expectations regarding the envisaged outcome of our vision. The return on our investment in human capital can never be measured in monetary terms. It is too valuable. It gives me great satisfaction in this time of inequality and poverty to see our children at Nakayale for once being the most privileged. I am by far the most blessed of all of us.” – Chrisna Greeff, founder of Nakayale Private Academy for Orphans and Marginalised Children.

LIVELIHOODS

THE BREAD MAN Mandume Masengua, affectionately known as “The Bread Man”, started a small bakery with the assistance of B2Gold Namibia and SMEs Compete. He delivers to shops in his community and supports local school-feeding programmes. As a businessman, he now coaches and mentors other SMEs in order to share his knowledge. JEFTA’S CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS Jefta Haggai has grown a construction business with the assistance of B2Gold to the extent that he now operates at a national level. He has also done work for B2Gold communityrelations programmes. This is a great example of seed funding producing ongoing and improving results. KAYEC KAYEC is a Namibian non-profit that incubates new education solutions in partnership with government and private partners. Originally known as the Katutura Youth Enterprise Centre, they now work nationwide to empower the new generation of young leaders in Namibia by teaching and training them to have the necessary skills in order to become entrepreneurs – job creators, not job seekers. “Over the past four years of funding to KAYEC, B2Gold has kept more than 550 Orwetoveni youth and children off the streets. The centre empowers them to participate in productive afternoon activities to help transform their futures by developing skills, confidence and their relationships with each other, their families and their communities. KAYEC has been able to provide the youth with essential life skills and coaching by creating platforms such as boys’ and girls’ clubs, where we facilitate dialogue to enhance teens’ self-esteem and confidence, and prevent them from engaging in harmful acts such as crime, alcohol and drug abuse, and unplanned teenage pregnancy. “B2Gold meets over 60 children’s nutritional needs, which makes KAYEC after-school centre a better learning environment, providing these children with a warm meal before all tutoring sessions throughout the week. KAYEC works with children from marginalised backgrounds and often these children go to school on an empty stomachs. “Over the years, B2 gold has helped to enhance our academic performance from an average of 40% to a 60% pass rate.” – Nelson Prada, KAYEC Director

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

NAMIBIAN CHAMBER OF ENVIRONMENT (NCE) The most successful CSI project to date is arguably the establishment of the Namibian Chamber of Environment. Originally B2Gold Namibia’s brainchild, the NCE was seeded by B2Gold Namibia, which is still primarily funds its fixed costs. The NCE now plays a fundamental role in environmental and social spheres throughout Namibia. Encouraged by B2Gold, other private sector companies have elected to sponsor the Chamber, which provides multifaceted services to the NGO community, the private sector and government. The NCE has two primary pillars of support: the Social pillar and the Environmental/Conservation pillar. Both pillars are primarily focused on supporting livelihoods and community development, which are inseparable in Namibia. Through the Social pillar, the NCE fully supports many interventions, such as the establishment of affordable properties and housing in informal-settlement areas, and the improvement of hygiene and sanitation standards in these areas. Recently, 24 full bursaries were awarded to students by the Chamber. With all general and administrative costs being funded, 100% of donor funds or sponsorships are allocated to projects by the NCE. Under the Environmental/Conservation

pillar, great achievements have been made in the areas of wildlife crime prevention, marine-resource management, human-wildlife conflict, plastics and waste management, and best-practice standards for various industries, to name but a few. We encourage other partners to join the coalition of forward-looking, like-minded organisations. DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP (DW) OPERATING UNDER THE NAMIBIAN CHAMBER OF ENVIRONMENT B2Gold believes in providing assistance for people to secure affordable land and housing in partnership with the Shack Dwellers Federation (SDF) and the Development Workshop. Good housing is directly linked to issues such as health, education, security and a multitude of other positive social spin-offs. To date, 550 erven have been semi-serviced, with B2Gold being one of the main sponsors. B2Gold was one of the first companies to see the value of the DW’s approach; subsequently, the DW has been asked by the government to contribute to the national policy regarding housing. “There is indeed one specific magical moment in the work we do, when we hand over plots to people who have finalised their payments. All the beneficiaries of our land project have never owned a legal piece of land to build a house. Providing access to affordable land for housing is a contribution towards fundamentally changing the lives of these people, their families and future generations.” – Dr Beat Weber, Executive Director of Development Workshop Namibia. RHINO GOLD BAR INITIATIVE B2Gold’s latest environmental initiative is the Golden Rhino Coin and Bar series. An unprecedented and exceptionally generous donation of 1,000 ounces of gold – equating to approximately N$30 million – has been made by B2Gold for the benefit of rhino conservation. Gold bars and coins will be minted and sold.

Proceeds from the sale of the Rhino Gold Bar will be used in two vital ways: a portion will be invested to provide long-term financing to community-driven efforts to protect Namibia’s black rhinos, while the conservation premium will be applied to activities in the field, ensuring that the funds go directly to the trackers, rangers and communities living with and conserving the wildlife. Sustainable funding is not only critical to conservation but also to the welfare and future of local communities in Namibia’s northwest. All of the funds derived from the Rhino Gold Bar Project will be directed towards the communities in the northwest, Kunene Region. Funds will either be disbursed directly to the Traditional Authority leaders, the Communal Conservancy leaders, or via NGO’s Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), IRDNC (Integrated Rural Development in Nature Conservation), the Rhino Rangers and the Rhino Protection projects of the government’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism. The main focus is to support communitybacked initiatives to sustain the rhino-based economy in Namibia’s northwest, with rhino tracking central to tourism, which in turn provides jobs, income and hope for the future. COVID-19 SUPPORT INITIATIVES The B2Gold board agreed to donate N$6 million towards government and private-sector initiatives to prevent the spread of COVID-19. B2Gold Namibia took the decision to allocate the majority of these funds to the Development Workshop Namibia, focusing on support for the establishment of hygienic latrines throughout the informal townships in the country, concentrating mainly in Windhoek and Otjiwarongo/Otavi. Through this initiative, B2Gold plans to combat the spread of COVID-19 and hepatitis E, which has already taken root in the townships.

THE MAN WITH A HEART OF GOLD M

ark Dawe is a man with a heart of … yes, well, gold. Under his leadership, B2Gold Namibia not only ranks as one of Namibia’s most successful businesses in terms of revenue, but also invests more than N$26-million per year into social development, education and empowerment and environmental conservation and rehabilitation. As if he was personally called to save the world one rhino, one school, one employee at a time, Mark Dawe stands at the front of the line, fighting and campaigning for every social and environmental cause B2Gold gets involved in. He is keeper of the flame, custodian of the earth and its inhabitants.

This is an excerpt from the speech delivered by Mark Dawe at the live MYD Show at The Inspiration Tables Expo. WHAT IS PHILANTHROPY AND WHAT IT IS NOT The concept of philanthropy fascinates me. Why do we have this desire to contribute beyond ourselves towards the upliftment or betterment of the lives of others, whether they be fellow human beings or other species on this wonderfully diverse planet of ours? Historically, those who had would automatically give to those who needed. It was a given, not because it was asked for, not out of obligation, but because of a sense of community. Just as individuals see fit to doll out aid to those less fortunate, so it has become fashionable for companies to do the same. In Namibia, we’ve recently embraced this nebulous concept of “corporate governance”. Many of us have worked with Prof Mervin King and Linda de Beer in an effort to embrace this new concept not only because it’s fashionable to do so, but also because it’s good for the bottom line … or, rather, good for the “triple bottom line”, which is the latest corporate governance cliché. And why is it good for the bottom line? Prof King and his cohorts studied what it is about companies that are fabulously successful and continue to be so, decade after decade, and they found that without exception each of these companies had one thing in common. They did not

drive the agenda of “profit at all cost”. They drove the agenda of “value addition at all cost”. They found that those companies committed to adding value to community, to country, to the environment were the ones that remained sustainably successful and experienced exponential growth. It’s as if there’s an unwritten law of nature or physics, or economics or however you want to label that law, that states “the more you give, the more you get.” We know this to be true in all aspects of our lives, but somehow greed and avarice blind us to that fundamental law that we all intuitively know to be true. We’ve obliterated intuition and instinct. But if, as companies and individuals, we’re able to tap into that ancient wisdom, we discover that reward in the act of giving is far more pleasurable and long-lasting than the instant gratification that comes from receiving. It’s even been scientifically proven that our body chemistry changes with the act of giving, releasing feel-good hormones. Dopamine is released when we accomplish many little or big tasks, or when we feel appreciated for the work that we have done well. Serotonin is released when we act in a way that benefits others – when we transcend ourselves and give back to others or to nature or to society. Oxytocin is released when we become close to other human beings – when we hug our friends, our family, our loved ones. These last two hormones are about human warmth – the act of giving, the act of loving. And, in my opinion, the reward we get from these two are what drives philanthropy. It makes us happy. But how do we give in a sustainable manner? How do we give in a manner that does not

Refugees in Somalia were dying in their thousands – not from the war and famine that they had fled from, but from rampant disease created by a poorly conceived refugee-management programme and an unstable government that saw the refugees as a threat to their sovereignty. The philanthropy of millions had created an unparalleled disaster. And this is because aid was focused on giving the refugees a fish, rather than allowing them to develop pride in themselves in being able to fend for and provide for their families. As parents, fathers and mothers, the ability to provide a bowl of food on the table for the family is so fundamental to our fragile human condition that without it we descend into despair. So we must ask ourselves, are our CSR/CSI activities really able to make sustainable and lasting change in the lives of people and the health of our beautiful blue planet, or are we doing CSR because, as the name suggests, it’s simply a responsibility, a social licence to operate? Many of us have recently discarded the term CSR and replaced it with CSI. The “I” talks to “investment” rather than responsibility. We are investing in our country, its people, its nature and thus we are investing in our planet. And yes, it is good for the bottom line. In fact, case history has shown that it’s very good for the bottom line. So the last thought I’d like to leave with you is whether or not there is such a thing as altruism in the world. The definition of altruism is “disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others”. Is it true to say that we give selflessly without expecting anything in return? Well, if you’ve been listening, what we get out of it is a serotonin high. If that’s the case, then the cynics among us would argue that we do get something personal out of it, and therefore true altruism does not exist. But I have faith in human nature. I believe that people are fundamentally good and that life corrupts us, some more absolutely than others. Even if we give because it makes us feel good and even if we give because it’s good for our company’s bottom line, we need to be very wary of giving in all the wrong ways. We need to be wary of the manifold unintended consequences.

create dependency? The secret is in the old adage about “teaching a man to fish rather than giving him a fish”. With the former, you give him a skill-set to feed him for a lifetime. With the latter, you feed him for a day. So if we’re serious about giving, it’s clear that we need to teach the man or woman to fish, not give them a fish. In my misspent youth, I worked in Somalia for an NGO called MSF, under the auspices of the UNHCR. Your twenties is a time of idealism and I decided that I wanted to take part in the worst refugee crisis the world had ever seen. Over a million displaced Ethiopians from the Ogaden and the area now known as Eritrea had ended up in Somalia to escape ethnic cleansing, genocide and famine. Now, out of all the places in the world to choose to be a refugee, you don’t want to choose Somalia. Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire! So I was asked to be part of setting up a brand-new refugee camp in the remote Sheikh mountains near the gulf of Aden. Within weeks of setting up the isolation clinics for cholera patients, the long-drop latrines and all of the infrastructure, we received 120 000 refugees packed like sardines onto the back of cattle trucks. As these nomadic people were not used to living in a community, within weeks we had our first cholera outbreak and it wasn’t long before we had dozens of people literally leaking out of both ends and despite the best efforts of the medical teams, dying a terrible death. In the midst of this cholera crisis, the autocratic Somali camp commander decided to shoot some refugees who were objecting to their conditions. Hiding in a little hut called an aqul in the middle of the crossfire, I was captured and taken off to jail, where I faced torture and solitary confinement. You also don’t want to be in a Somali jail. My sin was that they had discovered that I hail from Southern Africa, and must therefore be an apartheid spy from South Africa. And because I was a metallurgist, it was clear that I had come to steal Somalia’s gold and sow the seeds of discontent among the Somali population. Thanks to the intense efforts from the head of the UNHCR in Somalia, I was released after a couple of weeks and expelled under military escort from Somalia to a little country called Djibouti. Of all the lessons I learnt during that crazy time in my life, the one lesson I will never forget is that good intentions are not enough. In fact, the good intentions of millions that had raised money through “Band Aid” to combat the worst refugee crisis the world had ever seen had unwittingly fuelled one of the largest humanitarian crises the world had ever seen.

I’ll leave you with a quote by the 14th Dalai Lama: We are visitors to this planet. We are here for ninety or one hundred years at the very most. During that period, we must try to do something good, something useful with our lives. If you contribute to other peoples’ happiness, you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life. THANK YOU.

ADVERTORIAL

VENTURE MEDIA AND DESTINATION 2020 Is what happened to the world in 2020 a reset button, or just a pause? Will the fact that the entire world came to a standstill with fear and panic and new laws, change the modern world? Challenges are not new to Africa. We know them, and on this continent it is not possible to act as if they will just pass us by. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. If there is an Ebola outbreak in West Africa, tourists destined for Namibia cancel their travel plans in panic. We are prepared for the type of events that devastate a tourist season. But nobody could have expected that within a month the entire world would be in lockdown mode borders closed, aircraft grounded, hotels, lodges, restaurants and entire cities shut down. Who could have imagined that within 30 days all travel across borders would stop worldwide. Yet, the unthinkable happened. As a small Namibian business, Venture Media has taken on the responsibility 30 years ago to make sure that the inspirational message of Namibiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incredible diversity and natural unspoiled beauty reached potential visitors globally. In good times and bad, through global economic crises and technological upheaval we continued to use all available media platforms to make sure that images, stories and information reached adventure seekers, armchair travellers and nature lovers in search of a safe destination where their investment in time and money will be spent ethically and sustainably.

As trends and technology changed, we adapted and improved our strategies, increased our reach, enhanced our tools and stayed true to our original obligation to the country and the tourism sector. Our magazines, the original messenger, travelled across oceans and continents to end up on the desk of travel writers, travel agents, tour operators and airlines. When our first publication, the annual Namibia Holiday & Travel tourism directory was lauded for its up to date, comprehensive information, we knew a bi-monthly magazine would have to carry updates throughout the year and published Travel News Namibia. We saw there was a need for the general public to be made aware of the importance of the environment to sustain not only tourism but livelihoods, so we created a conservation magazine. When we realised the importance of the trophy hunting sector for all the same reasons, and that the sector needs support to sustain a credible image, we created a hunting magazine.

social media platforms, in video and with stunning imagery. With a young, creative and innovative team we embraced the new world of information sharing. We continue to provide the tools to get the Namibian message to the world. We continue to tell stories with words and images, on film and on paper that convey the essence of what Namibia offers visitors. Where the world is heading is still unknown, but physical barriers will not prevent us from sharing extraordinary Namibian stories, on whichever your preferred media medium is. Our responsibility will always be to tell it in such a way that it does not harm the very essence that makes Namibia special.

After almost three decades we continue to adapt and renew, staying ahead of the curve on behalf of our tourism partners. Every story we tell transcends the boundaries of conventional media and is transported onto all platforms of the digital sphere as well. Be it through our various websites,

NATURAL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; RUGGED â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SOULFUL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LIBERATING

WITH GINA FIGUEIRA 16 16

THE LANDSCAPE OF HERITAGE G

ina Figueira has spent her whole life surrounded by art. The daughter of the late Tony Figueira, the famous Namibian photographer and journalist, Gina was a curator at the National Art Gallery of Namibia before founding StArt Art Gallery with her friend Helen Harris. Through the gallery’s website, international collectors have purchased impressive works such as the large-scale sculpture of Africa by Fillipus Sheehama. Gina has since completed her master’s at the University of Leeds in England as part of a Chevening Scholarship, and is in the process of restarting StArt Art Gallery’s physical activities in Namibia while it’s online presence continues to grow.

ON CHOOSING A CAREER IN THE ARTS When I left school I was told, like many people who go into the arts, that you can’t really make a living, that it’s just a hobby and you shouldn’t really put all of your eggs into that basket. Fortunately, I had a father who was making a living from his passion for the arts, so that was quite an inspiration. I was really interested in the sciences as well, so right up to applying for universities I was like, “Gosh, should I go the science route? Should I go the art route?” And then there was just a distinct moment when I knew that I had to go the art route. Thank goodness for my dad’s inspiration – saying you can do it, you can live from your passion. ON BEING THE DAUGHTER OF TONY FIGUEIRA Growing up with a photographer as a father, I have the most incredibly welldocumented childhood. There was always a camera around. He was always there, pushing me to challenge myself and to pursue the things that I wanted to pursue. It continues to be quite a wonderful experience. I was very, very lucky to have him as a father. When I started working at the National Art Gallery of Namibia, everyone saw me as Tony Figueira’s daughter. I was also a very young curator in a very large institution, which came with its own set of challenges, on top of being the daughter of this person that the [art] scene knew. I would sometimes find myself in a position where someone would be trying to talk to me as somebody’s daughter instead of in a professional relationship, in a little bit of a patronising way. It’s something I’ve come to terms with now. The time away from Windhoek was good. To not be known for my surname. And then when I got married, it also brought up that question, but I knew I wanted to keep my surname. I think I have come through the whole thing of not wanting to be known as Tony’s

everything that he wanted to do, “What is missing from this situation that I could add, that would make a difference?” That’s something I’ve embraced completely because it is relevant in every single part of life – at work, in your personal relationships, in the art that you make. What is missing from this, that if I were to add it would speak a different volume or make for more depth or a broader understanding or connection with more people.

daughter to be embracing it. It took me a while. Because he was in the arts world, I was driven a lot in those months after he died to start the gallery, because I knew he would have been super proud. That was how I managed to do that and not collapse. Coming back, I’m now living in the city centre, close to where his studio was, and it’s been weird, and also really lovely. You need space, and you need a community and a support network, but even with that you need space.

ON THE SUBJECT OF HER DISSERTATION: THE REITERDENKMAL I was looking particularly at the Reiterdenkmal and how when it was removed there was a big outcry. And I thought, “This is interesting – people really love this statue.” There’s still this clinging on to that heritage. And that forms a large part of how German-Namibians identify themselves. That forms a conundrum for a lot of them – people will understand that they come from a clearly colonialist history but also identify as Namibian and feel like there’s something being taken away from them when people talk about colonialism. And they feel like their right to being Namibian is being questioned. This is, of course, a broad generalisation. I’m talking about the heritage landscape. The research was very interesting. That silhouette of the Reiterdenkmal is used in a lot of Namibian advertising online, European advertising tourism to Namibia and heritage sites. Even during colonial times, that figure became an advertisement that they would send back to Germany to encourage people to take land opportunities in Namibia. My argument is that what often happens is that people celebrate their heritage – like the Reiterdenkmal, like the laying of wreaths for soldiers that died – and at the same time neglect other heritages. It isn’t necessarily a problem to celebrate your heritage, but I think there is a problem when you don’t realise that your heritage has a colonial past. I think that it’s dangerous to have a celebration at the expense of someone else’s heritage. When your grasp of your heritage and your desire to celebrate your heritage neglects the complexity of that heritage, I think it can be very harmful for social cohesion. There’s a lot of people of Herero descent who don’t have access to their family because you do have access to your family. Your German ancestors survived because their ancestors were killed, and when you start looking at it like that, you know, you start realising, your heritage came at someone else’s expense. My research linked German colonial ideas of heritage to something called “authorised heritage discourse”, which is how one heritage is prioritised over another. And how, even though the German descendants are the minority of the population, their heritage is given so much authority. The Reiterdenkmal is the only one of the statues that been moved out of public view – you can still go see it – and yet there was such a huge outcry. There were court threats and death threats, and it just shows that that authority given to the German colonial heritage is constructed. It was constructed that way by German colonialism – it’s not the given. We didn’t just all arrive here. So, once we start to understand that, we realize this is all a very uneven balance of representation.

ON GRIEF I had preparation [for his death]. We had a lot of time together, we’d said the things we wanted to say. That’s why my whole world didn’t turn upside-down. When I look back on it now, it was a whole seven years of preparing for the worst. Not that he didn’t fight. But him possibly not being around was something I’d been thinking about for a long time. And then after my dad died, everyone knowing who I was, it was hard. I had to understand that people were coming from a good place, because people wanted to share their grief and share their condolences, but it was also very overwhelming a lot of times. There was this weird familiarity that people tried to approach me with, because they knew my dad, and so suddenly they knew me, and so that had its challenges in my professional environment, and in my private life. Even before he was in the arts world everyone knew him because he was a journalist and panel-beater. I felt like at some point I couldn’t breathe without seeing the memory of him everywhere. It was tough. You don’t change unless there’s a little bit of discomfort. So we must push ourselves. Sometimes these things happen, and you are forced into this discomfort and then you have to navigate that. And grief is definitely something that happens outside of your control that then pushes you to change. You need to take control – control of your emotions, of the direction you want to go in. The one thing that I always hold on to, that he always said, was that he asked himself in his photography, in his life goals, in

“You don’t change unless there’s a little bit of discomfort. So we must push ourselves.”

ON IDENTITY AND THE POWER OF NAMES I have Portuguese heritage, English heritage. My mum’s family came to South Africa from England as part of efforts to bolster the white population in South Africa. My grandfather came from Portugal to work as a mechanic in Angola in colonial times. I think it’s very important to be aware of the legacies of our heritage. And if you go around without understanding that, you can be harmful in your existence. And I’m trying to be the least harmful that I can be, because I know that my ancestors were very harmful in their existence. Even if they weren’t violent, even if they weren’t immoral, they were still benefiting from a particularly violent structure. You can still love your ancestors, where you’ve come from. They had hard lives in different ways, but they didn’t have hard lives because of their race. It’s just about understanding the systems that we live in as well as the people that are living in them. I’m saying, “Yes, I love my dad – he was a great guy,” but even he was also a beneficiary. Even though he was liberal, even though he was an activist, he was still benefiting because he was white, and we had a lot of discussions about that before he died. He understood that. I was the only person on my course that was from an African country. There were two of us from the Chevening Scholarship programme who went to the University of Leeds, and when I got my registration certificate it said, “Namibia/South West Africa”. And I thought it was interesting. I messaged the other guy and I was like, “Did this also happen to you?” and he was like, “Ja.” We were both outraged because it’s like that name no longer stands for what Namibians identify as. Names are important. So we both wrote a letter to the registrar and we just said that it is unacceptable; that’s not what we’re called. We were just talking about surnames – how do you identify? It’s so much a part of your identity. Because I was the only African student on my course, I became aware that people would turn to me for questions on Africa. And I was very aware that I didn’t want to take on this representation of the whole of Africa, or of Namibia, because I know that my socio-economic class, my racial identity, it’s of a minority. My experience of Namibia is very different to that of the majority, and I’m very aware of that and I think it’s important to take a step back and also say, “Look, I don’t have the experience of the average Namibian.” I’ve already done a lot of internal work to frame for myself what it means to be white in this country. And how not to be harmful and white. It’s interesting as well, I’ve never said I’m from Africa, because I think that in itself is dangerous – to think of the whole continent as one kind of person. But I am a Namibian. I think that as a white person in Namibia it is well within your rights to say you are a Namibian, because that is where you’ve grown up, but with that comes responsibility. You need to understand the complexities of your identity. And not use that as a generalising term to set yourself on the same playing field as someone who hasn’t had the same opportunities as you.

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ART IN SOCIETY I think that the arts hold a space that’s not like any other. Artists give something of themselves in their art-making, a vulnerability that happens when you open yourself up for that sharing. And I think that only when you make yourself vulnerable in that kind of way can you really connect at a level that is meaningful and not superficial. So even if it’s just one person who looks at a piece in an exhibition and somehow is moved or it reminds them of something that then triggers a movement in them or a shift in them – that exchange is something that doesn’t happen in many other places other than arts spaces. Artists set up artworks in the way that they think it’s most likely to be read, but most artists will understand and know and also play on the idea that you look with your own gaze and your life experience, seeing all of the things you’ve seen up until the point that you look at the artwork. That all feeds into how you read the artwork, and artists know that’s going to happen. I think most artists appreciate that. If we all had the same idea, there wouldn’t be discussion, talking, connection, you know?

PERSPECTIVES ON FORBES AFRICA UNDER 30 S

andra Mwiihangele is the founder of Kiyomisandz, a Namibian cosmetic- and toiletry-manufacturing company. In 2016 Kiyomisandz won the Development Bank of Namibia Innovation Award, and in 2017 Sandra was selected by Forbes Africa magazine to be on the “30 Under 30” list. Since then, she has seen her name and her brand spread across the globe. In keeping with its ethos of making a difference, Kiyomisandz recently announced its recycling programme. The programme encourages participants to bring back six empty product containers in exchange for a free Summer Rain product. Sandra, raised by a single mom, went to the Holy Cross Convent and found her calling doing her project for the compulsory Young Scientist competition. “I entered the Young Scientist competition with my best friend. An idea came to mind to create lipstick. We did some research and found that, at the age of eleven, we actually didn’t know anything about organic chemistry, so we had to figure out a way to create lipstick with the natural resources in our back yard and in our kitchen. We managed to successfully create a high-performance matte lipstick that won us first prize in the competition, and we were selected to represent the country in Pretoria at the time. “The whole process of creating the lipstick, the problem-solving and the field experiments awakened a passion in me to create a product from nothing. The problem-solving intrigued me. I love finding a solution to a problem. I told myself that when I grew up, I would own my own cosmeticmanufacturing business.” “The majority of cosmetic products contain water. Water has two hydrogen ions, which affect the pH levels in products. If these levels are too high or too low, they can burn, so you have to do a lot of tests when you create a product. “When I started, I didn’t have the funds to afford hi-tech equipment; I had to find a way to create a well-functioning product that does the job but doesn’t contain water. I wanted to create an exfoliating scrub that removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, but adds an extra advantage of moisturising,

WITH SANDRA MWIIHANGELE because it turns into a lotion you can rinse off after massaging it into your skin. So I created an anhydrous exfoliating scrub, which is a formulation that I’m currently in the process of patenting. That’s really what made Kiyomisandz – that was the first product that really set us apart. “It has been crazy. Ever since the list was announced, I keep getting calls for interviews, international media contacting me wanting to interview me on my business journey, putting Namibia on the international business map. There’s been a lot of business opportunities as well to export my products and to offer the contract manufacturing-services part of my business to potential clients around Africa and overseas. So there have been a lot of opportunities, but I like to filter out my opportunities because not every opportunity is a

good opportunity. “I struggled with my studies after school because I had a full-time job. I got an internship at a cosmetic lab and I knew that through the internship I would gain enough skills and knowledge to start up my company, so the job was my priority. I had to wake up at 6am to travel to work. I would travel by train and then taxi – it took me two hours to get to work. I’d get home around 6pm, and then I had to go to university to work on my research proposal project. I would earn my analytical analysis in the labs doing testings up until 3am, then wake at 6am again. “After almost twelve months I was drained. I was depressed. I was just physically and mentally exhausted. I felt like a failure

because at the time I was surrounded by friends who were doing their master’s, PhDs; a lot of them were buying flats, a lot of them were buying cars and there I was, at the age of twenty-five, still a student and broke. Still depending on my mom’s pocket money. “I felt very much behind in life. I had to make a choice to take control of my life, to do better, because no one else is responsible for the happiness in your life. So I really had to make the choice to want to take myself out of that dark hole. The way I did that was to focus on things that I’m passionate

about and love, which was cosmetic development. “I started creating formulations, I started to focus on developing my Summer Rain collection. I put energy into it and slowly it took me out of depression and into the light. From there, it’s been like an ongoing roller-coaster ride. I think it’s impossible for me to go back to the dark place because I’m so infused in the light.” FIND KIYOMISANDZ’S WEBSITE ON WWW.KIYOMISANDZ.COM

ADVERTORIAL

CAN YOU DANCE A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO CHANGE? Seeing is believing ... Plagued by an astronomical unemployment rate of more than 21%, a culture of alcohol abuse, domestic violence, HIV prevalence and shocking numbers of teenage pregnancies, even in primary schools, the //Kharas region in the south of Namibia is in desperate need of change – change that is only possible through education and personal empowerment. This is where the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) comes in. It reaches out to the region’s youth, engaging them through the non-threatening media of roleplaying, dances, songs, youth-friendly magazines and creating safe spaces with generous support from the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation. OYO is a Namibian Trust that aims to increase social awareness using the arts. All their projects have an art component (such as dance, DVDs and youth publications) and all address social issues. In 2020, OYO partnered with the

an immediate impact but we know that years later they’ll remember the piece and more importantly they’ll remember the message in the piece.”

Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation, MTC and Stichtung Horizon to create a comprehensive set of activities in the //Kharas region. Each project works closely with learners, their schools and, when applicable, the surrounding community.

Recently the OYO dance troupe went on tour and visited thirteen schools, performing its repertoire on GBV and engaging in discussion with learners. A youth counsellor was present to attend to learners who needed support.

Philippe Talavera is the director of the OYO Trust and the creative force behind the project: “The arts have many advantages. They appeal to your heart, not to your brain. Unlike a lecture or a workshop, they are not intellectual. They make you feel more than think. If you feel something, I believe you are more likely to actually remember it.

Mary Jane Andreas, OYO dancer and lead in the piece titled ‘Concrete Angels’, said: ‘‘We must fight against GBV to encourage more women and men to communicate with one another so that they can reduce the levels of violence against children and women. It gives me great pleasure as a woman to be out there spreading the word to fight against GBV because it undermines the security and dignity of its victims. It keeps growing in Namibia because we have a culture of silence. I want the silence to break, allowing the victims to come forward so we can change the narrative and build strong future leaders.”

“If you feel happy, sad, angry or concerned by something that happens in a piece, you will remember that feeling. If one day you find yourself in a similar situation, it will help trigger a response. You will also remember the options that are offered to you: ‘I want to do like this character did,’ or, ‘I don’t want to become like this character.’ With gender-based violence or teenage pregnancy it is particularly important. We talk a lot about GBV but when we suddenly see it played out, we are likely to react differently. We might think it’s fun to go out with a sugar daddy but when suddenly we see the girl coming back pregnant, we get scared for her.

Monray Garoeb, famous for his part as the General in OYO’s DVD ‘Salute!’ and also a lead in ‘Concrete Angels’, added: “I’m fighting GBV because it is affecting our whole upcoming “Seeing is a powerful tool and feeling is an even more powerful generation and the Namibian structure of peace and stability. The //Kharas tour was important as I am very familiar with this one. And we know it works. It is quite magical when you region and there are more cases on GBV there because there perform to a school of 300 to 500 learners and see them is a lot of drug and alcohol abuse. It starts with the parents all focused on what is happening on stage. They love the and relatives at home, the children going through that and physicality of the dance – we use lots of lifts and jumps – and later they start taking drugs and repeat the cycle. For me as relate to the characters. Often, after the pieces, they come a public figure, I want to pass on a message that we have and talk with the dancers. It has an impact. It is not always choices in life and to not be scared to talk to someone if you need to.” Following the dance troupe’s tour, OYO organised two weekend camps full of learning, sharing and fun. Five girls and five boys from each of the schools were invited on separate weekends, and participants had a chance to learn from one another in safe spaces. The important work done by OYO in the desolate southern region of Namibia is like rain in a barren desert. And just like drought-stricken land, the work will have to continue for years to come if it is going to change the landscape and prospects for the communities who have to make life work, against and in spite of the odds – odds that they will have to change themselves. WEBSITE: WWW.OMBETJA.ORG FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OYOTRUST FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: OYO_TRUST SUPPORT OUR PROJECT: WWW.GLOBALGIVING. ORG/PROJECTS/USING-ARTS-EDUCATE-4000NAMIBIAN-TEENAGERS-ON-HIV

REVEALING FOR HEALING W

ith a father as an ambassador to Namibia, Isabel Katjavivi was exposed to politics early on in life. This is what led her to study international relations, before visual art called to her – the unspoken conversation that needed to be had.

Drawing from her cultural history, her family history and a past that needs to be seen, looked at and thereby healed, Isabel developed a narrative art piece. Created with the blessing of her elders, it speaks of the damage, burial and lack of memorialisation of the Herero genocide. The installation piece, titled “The Past is not Buried”, won her first place at the 2017 Bank Windhoek Triennial and is a demonstration of how art can reflect society’s scars, opening a conduit for dialogue. “My dad’s always been very involved with the genocide, getting the story out and also dealing with the reparations, so it’s always been a topic in our household. That sparked an idea. We went on a journey to different locations and it’s just shocking. If you go to places where things happened, you see graves of the ones who were fighting instead of the indigenous people.” It was these visits to sites of horrific acts of violence against Namibian people that sparked Isabel’s idea to create a piece of art that speaks to the unearthing of these pieces of our history. Collecting sand from the Waterberg Ohamakari, the poisoned water holes at Ozombu Zovindimba (where the Hereros gathered before crossing the desert to Botswana) and Ondunduvahi (the manmade hill where the extermination order was read out 2 October 1904), Isabel used nature intertwined with history to tell the story so needing to be told. The story is that of a woman, buried and her body being uncovered. According to Isabel: “This woman represents all those who have died during the uprising and genocide and have never been laid to rest. She is one grain of sand in the process of memorialisation of this history that needs to take place. Across East, Central and Southern Namibia there are sites of slaughter where battles took place, where water holes were poisoned, where people were hung, imprisoned and exterminated between 1904 and 1908. Most of those who died were not buried and their bones still litter the land.

“As an artist I’ve got two processes: times that I dig for inspiration, to figure out what I’m going to do, then moments I have a vision. With this I just saw.” Isabel explains that while at the Waterberg she realised that she would translate this message with a grave. “She’s buried, because it is in the past, but she’s revealed because everything about it is just left undealt with. It’s revealing the past. In order for us to move forward, we have to go back, understand exactly what has happened. This is one grain of sand in the journey we have to take for us to heal that wound and move on, because it’s just going to be a constant. And it’s not only for the Herero and Nama communities – it’s the whole psyche of Namibia. This is what we are all living with, this sort of weight.” Knowing that keeping the past hidden away means you cannot get to a place where you can heal, Isabel is challenging us through her art to question what we memorialise and why. Isabel’s piece was unanimously chosen by the judges as the overall winning work for 2017’s Triennial. One of the judges, Maureen de Jager, noted of the piece: “We believe that the use of materiality to evoke the weight of unspeakable trauma is incredibly sensitive and astute, especially for a young artist.” Speaking of the prestigious competition, Isabel notes that, “this whole journey has awoken my creative spark – and with a purpose. So many artists I admire have told me they are proud of me and I feel like that was her purpose [the woman in the grave]: she needed to shock us. Give us a little shake, if you like. We need to deal with this and people have been really proud and glad that someone’s doing it. So we can actually get to that place where we can heal.” In 2018 Isabel had a solo exhibition, They tried to bury us, at the National Art Gallery of Namibia. In 2019 she spoke at “Colonial Repercussions V: the Namibian case”, a conference organised in Berlin, Germany, by the Akademie der Kunste and European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR). VISIT ISABEL’S WEBSITE ON WWW.ISABELKATJAVIVI.COM

WITH ISABEL KATJAVIVI 25

WITH IGNATIUS MWANYEKANGE 26

FROM HORROR TO HOPE O

n the morning of 4 May 1978, the South African Defence Force ran an airstrike on Camp Cassinga near the village of Cassinga, followed by a deployment of paratroopers. The camp had been inhabited by exiled SWAPO sympathisers and their families. Hundreds of Namibians died in the attack – possibly many more than were reported, according to survivors of that fateful day.

Ignatuis Mwanyekange was on his way to school when the bombs started falling. These are his words. So many years have gone by, but I see it as if it happened yesterday. I was fourteen and that morning we were going to the parade as usual, after which we would attend school. I saw four big planes dropping bombs. I didn’t know what was going on. That moment, everybody started falling down – and there was the smoke and the screaming, the smell and the shouting. I tried to run away from the bombs at first. The first plane came and then the helicopters – their sound was so bad. And you felt that even if you are hiding somewhere, they would see you. I fell down. It was a horrific sight – bodies scattered everywhere. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know what was going on. Children were running, crying. It was horrible, terrifying. We were running between the long grass. One of my friends got to me and said, “We are under attack.” We ran to a bus and tried to go under it, but it had been shot and was on fire. We ran to the river. Some people didn’t know how to swim, but you saw them running into the water. By then there were bodies everywhere, within maybe thirty minutes. Bodies all over. And the shouting . . .

Some don’t even go out on Cassinga Day. They lock themselves inside, crying because it’s so difficult to remember such a day when you see other people taking this day as a joke, as a normal holiday. You see people drinking, laughing, while you are remembering what happened. That adds more injury to the situation. They don’t know that this day is about people burying their loved ones.

We tried to take cover, to lie down in the maize field. We found cover under a tree and I passed out. I completely lost my memory. When I woke up, I didn’t know who I was. That day I lost my auntie. She was pregnant. I survived and my sister also. My elder brother was away during the attack and also survived. When we were taken from Cassinga, we were transported by plane to Luanda and from there to Cuba. And I was looking at the plane and I couldn’t see how I would be able to enter it because to me a plane was something horrible, something used to kill people. I will never forget our mothers receiving us in Cuba, crying.

Remember that people went through hardship on Cassinga Day. Let’s take this day very seriously. This is not a day for joking, it is not a day for enjoyment. It is a day where we can remember those who died for this country. It’s a day to remember all who fell, no matter what colour, because in this country many people lost their lives, on both sides. There were many people who were loved by their families who were lost.

Observing those horrible things at a young age, having an experience that traumatic . . . as the years go on, it affects you.

We have comrades who feel rejected and they live in poverty and there is no peace for them. These people need to be listened to. They need love; they need care. It was not their choice to be there. Perhaps it is God’s will that they should remain behind to be witnesses, to tell their story. We have to make these people also feel that they are human beings, that we are with them in the pain they have gone through.

There are days when you ask yourself, why? Why should people be killed? Why did this have to happen? And those who committed it, can they even sleep? Because it was cruel. It was so cruel. Since I came back home in 1989, I have been involved in the church and I was lucky because I participated in a lot of activities that involved counselling. I met some members of the police, too, some from South Africa, some from Zimbabwe, who had also gone through trauma. I’ve overcome most of it, and I’m glad to say I have met many people from different corners of this country when we’ve held counselling sessions. But there are times – my wife, she knows when these days come – when I do cry. I do cry. What I have seen – scattered bodies, one leg here, an arm there, somebody screaming out at you. But I was young and couldn’t do anything.

We have to educate them and the public at large. If you know a person who has survived trauma, try to talk to the person: “What happened? What did you see?” Through counselling and talking to somebody, you will be released. To get to feel like a human being again. We need to forgive to go forward. If we rely on the past, on the trauma, we end up committing more crimes. Our history gives us an understanding that war is not a good thing. I don’t want my children, I don’t want this country, to ever again come to war. We need to help one another, we need to build this nation in peace, but peace comes with responsibility. Peace comes with respect.

These things are all still on my mind. They still affect me, but in counselling you talk to somebody instead of keeping the pain inside. Most of the survivors around this country still haven’t overcome it.

Thank those who contribute to peace, stability, forgiveness and reconciliation. We should not take it for granted. We should look forward and not blame one another, but rather embrace each other and give a helping hand. We must maintain this peace, because peace is like an egg. The moment you crack it, it’s broken.

“We need to forgive to go forward.” 28

WITH FOIBE SIVANUS 30

FAMILY OF HOPE SERVICES F

oibe Sivanus grew up in Ovamboland. In 2012, after completing Grade 12 in Oshakati, Foibe was diagnosed with an early tumour in her leg. She was transferred to Windhoek Hospital, where she was hospitalised for a month but told that there was nothing they could do about her knee: it would have to be amputated.

“I was so hopeless and I didn’t know what to do about my life. I even thought of committing suicide, because it was just overwhelming. I told the doctor that I wanted to go home and talk to my parents because, really, my mum is my inspiration and where I actually draw all my energy from. “She helped me to realise that I have more to offer to the community than feeling pity for myself. So I decided to join Family of Hope Services.” Foibe chose not to have her leg amputated. She has since managed to keep her leg and overcome her illness. The support she received at the Family of Hope Services inspired her to join the programme to help other people overcome challenging circumstances. She also found her calling – to become a social worker. “Family of Hope Services is a centre where they give you hope. They restore your dignity. I want to be a social worker because of the circumstance and the challenges that I see these people overcome every day. If you are passionate about helping the community, if you are passionate about helping children, Family of Hope is where you can realise your dream.” Today, Foibe is the programmes coordinator for Family of Hope Services. READ MORE ABOUT HER STORY ON THE FAMILY OF HOPE SERVICES WEBSITE, WWW.FAMILYOFHOPESERVICES.ORG

SEPARATING THE DEMONS FROM DEMENTIA B

errie Holtzhausen started an old-age home for thirteen people in Swakopmund in 2009. Moved especially by the plight of dementia sufferers, Berrie started to learn about the disease and subsequently started Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dementia Namibia.

Little did he know then that his compassion would open a Pandoraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s box of ancient customs, fear, superstition, and lack of education regarding mental illness in traditional rural Africa, where dementia can result in sufferers being ostracized, imprisoned, neglected and even abused by their own families and communities. While visiting a bush community in a remote Himba village in 2012, he came across a woman chained to a post in a mud hut. Accused of being a witch, she had been there for over twenty years. He immediately diagnosed her with dementia. Berrie proceeded to negotiate her release and began his mission to prevent the mentally ill from being drugged, chained or murdered. Compelled by this experience, Berrie started a relentless and challenging journey to find and help more sufferers, to create awareness, to campaign against the witchcraft culture that drives inhumane and unconstitutional practices, and to fight for change.

WITH BERRIE HOLTZHAUSEN 33

understood what had happened. I said, ‘Don’t worry. I’m not afraid.’”

Over the years, Berrie has faced many obstacles and put his own life in danger for this cause. In 2018, a documentary of his story was produced by Cloud Break Pictures, a division of Edinburgh-based video production company Heehaw, directed by Mally Graveson and Toby Trueman. The film screened at film festivals in the US and Europe, picking up four awards.

Berrie took two young women from the community to his farm to show them where and how he cared for people with dementia, to show them that it’s not witchcraft, but an illness that many people have. He trained them in identifying the different symptoms and how to care for someone who can’t eat anymore, who can’t use language to say when they are in pain, or hungry, or thirsty. After two months of training, he took them back and set up a village with five huts where Ndjinna could live and be taken care of.

It is the love he has for people that pushes him to continue saving lives. “On a visit to the village, I heard a woman screaming and shouting. They told me not to pay attention – she was a dangerous witch. I asked if I could see her. “One of the signs of dementia is that the part of your brain that manages language disintegrates, so you’ll look for words. You’ll want to say you’re thirsty, but you can’t find the word for ‘water’ or ‘thirsty’. I took a translator along but the only words the woman could say properly in her language was, ‘I need tobacco from Sesfontein.’ More than that the translator couldn’t identify, because the woman was speaking incoherently, unable to put sentences together, which is a symptom of dementia. They can’t find the words in their brain, and they can’t put words together properly.

“So we unchained her and everyone from the villages came to see this unchaining of a witch who can fly at night, according to their belief, and to see what was going to happen to this white man. “We put up some plastic sheets to make a bathroom and I brought a lot of water with me. So they bathed her in twenty litres of water – cleaned her, after twenty years of having no water over her body. We dressed her nicely. Up until then, she couldn’t walk up straight after being hunched in the hut for so long, but after we had bathed her and dressed her, she came out from behind that plastic sheet walking up straight.

“It took us sixteen months to organise her a piece of ground “But I could see that she was so hungry and so thirsty. where we could build her a village for herself. We built a She was only given one cup of water to drink a day and whatever food was left over was shoved to her with a stick. Himba village of five huts. She was then the chief in command of the village, and these ladies cared for her. She could collect She was chained to a pole and a fire burned in the opening wood but she couldn’t make the fire, for instance. And she of the hut. For twenty years . . .” was never aggressive again. Disturbed by the incident, Berrie wanted to speak to the chief “The only way to treat people with dementia is with dignity, to explain what he believed the problem was – but he would with love. Chief Kapika asked me that day, ‘How are you have to wait two weeks for the chief to return to the village. going to treat her? Are you a doctor’? I said no. ‘Are you a witch doctor?’ I said no. ‘Now how are you going to treat “I said to my friend, ‘We need to negotiate it, we need her?’ he asked me. to unchain her, we need to start caring for her, because I know this disease. I’m sure this is dementia.’ I’m not a doctor but the signs were very common for me. So, two weeks I said, ‘With love.’ later, my friend phoned me and said, ‘Okay, Kapika is back.’ I went back 900 kilometres and we met Kapika under a tree and “I trained them to understand the broader picture, to make sure that she had enough to drink, enough to eat, to sleep explained who I was and what I do. I said to him that I wanted well. They should walk with her in the veld, see the goats, to help – I don’t think one can keep someone like this chained listen to the goats, touch the donkeys and the cattle – you for so many years. know, things she was used to but hadn’t done in twenty years. Listen to her songs that she was singing and sing with her. The “He said, ‘Ndjinna, she’s dangerous,’ and he showed me a songs about the colour of the cattle and so on.” mark on his forehead. He said that one night very late there was a commotion in the village, fireworks and shouting, and Berrie cared for her there for five and a half years. They goats and the cattle very restless, and when he got out of his hut, Ndjinna was standing there. She had managed to unchain drilled a borehole and put up a 10 000-litre tank for her. She provided drinking water to Chief Kapika’s very own cattle and herself from the pole of the hut. Inside the hut was nothing, his goats. not the skin of cattle to sleep on, not a blanket, and it was a toilet inside there. He said to me she had managed to unchain “But after five and a half years, I noticed that they were not herself from the pole of the hut, got out of the hut and she’d good for her any more. They started stealing her clothes, her strangled six goats with her bare hands. food. I went to visit to see that she was alright, and I could see that she was afraid – she was hiding behind the hut like a “I think she was driven by hunger and thirst. And when she was scared little child. I said to my friend, ‘No. No, now I’m going caught, she grabbed a piece of wood and she nearly killed to take her out of her culture.’ I don’t believe in this – I believe him. She hit him over the head because she was frantic. I

that everyone needs to be cared for by their own family groups and their own culture, but I said, ‘No, I’m taking her down to Swakopmund, to our place,’ and I did just that.” Realising that there must be many cases of so-called ‘bewitched’ people in the rural areas of Namibia, Berrie started travelling to the Okavango, Zambezi and Ovamboland, where he found many people suffering from dementia, misunderstood and rejected by the community. “There are all these behavioural symptoms that people don’t understand. Hallucinations – they get anxious and walk up and down, and can’t find their way back. They talk to people who are not there any more, who they knew long ago. That makes people very scared. “When certain parts of the brain go, they need to wear diapers; they become incontinent. There’s no signal between the brain and muscles any more, so they can’t swallow their food, and then some of the food ends up in their lungs. “Other symptoms are cognitive. They can’t plan, they don’t have insight into problems. They are like small children. These are BPSD – the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. “So you need to have compassion. You need to love them. You need to know their life history because they do time travelling – they go back to realities far away. Their senses can trigger memories from different times. Smelling coffee, for instance, will trigger a time in their life when they often went to coffee shops with their loved one. For them it’s real – they are in that coffee shop, they can see that coffee shop, they can see the coffee. It’s amazing how the brain works. “If you don’t know this, you can’t care for them. You think they’re just stupid, they’re mad, and there is all this stigma and discrimination. Dementia, or Alzheimer’s, kills the part of the brain that affects recognition. It destroys it and then it’s gone forever – it will be as if they’ve never met you. You can imagine how scary and confusing life must be for these people. So let’s get rid of the stigma and the discrimination. Your brain is an organ, it’s not a place for demons and devils to live in.” Ndjinna still lives in Berrie’s home for the elderly in Swakopmund, where she is happy. WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DEMENTIANAMIBIA. YOU CAN WATCH AFRICAN WITCHFINDER ON WWW.CLOUDBREAKPICTURES.COM/ AFRICAN-WITCHFINDER AND WWW.BLOG.ALZ. CO.UK/2019/09/20/AFRICAN-WITCHFINDER-AFILM-ABOUT-DEMENTIA-STIGMA-IN-NAMIBIA-ANDSOUTH-AFRICA

EMAIL BERRIE ON BERRIE.HOLTZHAUSEN@GMAIL.COM OR CALL +264 064 461 388 OR +264 081 283 3983.

ALZHEIMER’S DEMENTIA NAMIBIA CAN BE REACHED VIA THEIR WEBSITE, WWW.ALZHEIMERSDEMENTIANAMIBIA. WORDPRESS.COM, OR ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE

ALBINISM Action for inclusion

inasra is a Namibian nonprofit organisation passionately committed to empowering people living with albinism. According to Toon Sanders, volunteer and passionate driver of Sinasra, this is much needed in a country with the highest ratio of people living with albinism in the world. Incredible collaborative efforts have seen great work done to assist people living with albinism here in Namibia. The work not only assists Namibians in practical ways, but has also resulted in lower levels of discrimination in Namibia than in many other African countries, and ensured Namibian representation at gatherings dedicated to best practices – for example, for Amnesty International.

“We visit albino children in the North to help them in practical ways. We take sunscreen and hats. We take them to optometrists to check their eyes because for albino children, the degeneration of the eyes is sometimes terrible. In Tsumeb we had a girl who had minus seventeen eyesight and she’s eleven years old, so you can imagine that she didn’t see anything. How is it possible for a girl like that to learn? Now she has glasses that were made in South Africa because they couldn’t make them in Namibia, and this is all done for free.” Toon explains: “All albino children can go to the optometrists who are part of the Namibian Optometrist Association (NOA), and have their eyes checked and get glasses for free. Sinasra has made an arrangement with this organisation, and we now have about forty optometrists throughout the country. This is just one of the many projects Sinasra is involved in. The most recent of their projects was a collaborative effort to raise awareness for the plight of those living with albinism. Passionate people young and old came together to create ‘A song of hope’. Toon explains that one of the collaborators on the project was Michelle McLean-Bailey. She not only offered her voice to introduce the song – “She said, ‘That’s great, I’d like to do it’” – she also facilitated the involvement of the choir from Michelle McLean Primary School. “So that’s what we did, together with some of the visually impaired children from the school in Windhoek. There were some very nice children, who love to sing,” Toon explains, adding that Dolar Yves, the Namibia-based Congolese singer, assisted the team with the lyrics. The melody was composed by Sesamstraat (Sesame Street) in Holland as Toon knows someone who writes for the popular

children’s television show. “I said, ‘Would you like to compose a song?’ So they got together and made, I think, a very nice song.” Repeated rehearsals saw the song come to life. Being entirely dependent on donations means that recording the song was no small feat. Everything was donated. “We had to pick up the kids from various places and schools, and bring them home safely. The company Asco Car Hire said, ‘We want to do that.’ The restaurant Nyama offered the kids lunch after they finished the recording, and the Windhoek Country Club was willing to record the music video at their premises. It all worked out perfectly.” This awareness project is one of many underway by Sinasra. As Toon explains, “We hand out sunglasses because the light is too bright. We got a very nice donation from the German Embassy for sunglasses and special glasses, and hats from FNB. We have two doctors, one at Central Hospital, and they can go there to have their skin checked. Skin cancer is one of the biggest problems for people living with albinism because they don’t have pigment.” Toon says that they are always looking for support for the work they do. Recently, the association put together a children’s book aimed at primary school-children. While it was very well received by the Ministry of Education, the book hasn’t made its way into classrooms because of a lack of funding. “So that’s why we said, okay if there is no funding, we have to move on with the things we have. Donations are always welcome, but all the people who work for Sinsara do it voluntarily. Nobody is paid – it’s just goodwill to people,” he says. “In Namibia we have the highest ratio in the world of persons with albinism. We have close to 2000 persons with albinism here, so that means one in 1000 or one in 1200. Now if you compare that to countries in Europe, there it’s one in 15 000 or one in 20 000. Even in South Africa there’s one in 15 000,” says Toon. Toon suggests that while we have the highest ratio of people living with albinism, there is less discrimination in Namibia than in other African countries. “One of the board members was asked to come to Joburg a few weeks ago to give a presentation for Amnesty International, because they want to see what Namibia is doing differently from many other countries who have organisations caring for persons with albinism.” Toon goes on to explain that in some other countries, people living with albinism face being maimed and killed. “In a way I can say Namibia is setting a good example, but still we see that a lot of people are discriminated against or they are hidden away.” GET IN TOUCH WITH SINASRA THROUGH THEIR WEBSITES: WWW.SINASRA.COM OR WWW.ALBINISM-NAMIBIA.ORG.

ADVERTORIAL

CHANGING LIVES ONE HOUSE AT A TIME There is a reason why proper housing is considered a human right. When people have shelter that is safe, secure and comfortable, they are more likely to add positively to the community around them. In 2015, to celebrate 100 years of Standard Bank in Namibia, employees identified housing as the issue they were most interested in addressing. And thus the Buy-A-Brick Initiative was born in 2015. The provision of housing is something very close to the hearts of Standard Bank’s employees, and they have challenged other public and private partners to make housing an important pillar of their own corporate social initiatives. The initiative raises funds with which to build houses across Namibia. Working alongside the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, and using the database created and updated by them, Buy-A-Brick is able to create proper housing in communities that need it most. In 2019 alone, N$13 million was handed over to the Shack Dwellers Federation for the construction of houses across the country. Every year, the initiative has managed to raise more and more, starting from N$1.4 million in its inaugural year. Buy-A-Brick aims to eventually build at least 1 000 houses per year, providing an essential stepping stone to prosperity for the 900 000 Namibians who live in shacks. The need to increase formal housing in the country is clear. Since its inception in 2015, this project has made an immense impact in the lives of the many Namibians who were previously living in shacks. Recipients of the initiative’s houses have expressed happiness with how their lives have changed and how after moving into proper brick houses they now have a more positive mindset. Every human deserves to live in adequate housing. By looking after our most vulnerable citizens, we can build up our society to be its best.

Thank you to each and every person and corporate that has supported this initiative and helped with the aim of providing all Namibians with a decent home of their own.

PERSPECTIVES ON PRISONERS

WITH MEUNAJO TJIROZE

ith a background as counsellor to offenders at Namibia Correctional Service, Meunajo Tjiroze is now the technical director at the Office of the First Lady. She has a passion for social transformation after experiencing for herself the difficulties faced by so many in society. Meunajo was born in exile to political activist parents. Her mother, who in Meunajo’s early life was a housekeeper, instilled in her daughter a strong sense of empathy. Having navigated the difficulties of being an outsider who could not speak the native languages, as well as being one of the first black children in a previously ‘white’ school, Meunajo later signed up for a career in medicine, believing that it would provide the best financial security for her family. Psychology was, however, the only part of the field that resonated with her, which lead to her becoming a clinical psychologist.

Meunajo’s desire to contribute to the equitable treatment of others has been fuelled by the hardships that she and many people in Namibia have endured. Today, working at the Office of the First Lady, she is flying high. “I worked at a nonprofit while doing my graduate studies in clinical psychology, and then I transitioned to the Correctional Service. A lot of people were asking me, ‘Oh my goodness, you’re such a tiny little woman, what are you going to be doing in that space? Aren’t you afraid of working with those guys?’ “People have a certain perception about the people who end up in prison. So I took the opportunity, feeling that it was also an opportunity for me to get to work with people no one else wants to work with, not even family, because they have committed such atrocious offences that have caused deep trauma for others. “But I’ve always believed – and this was reinforced by Desmond Tutu – that when you treat someone as subhuman, then they don’t see the possibility to change and they don’t see the moral responsibility they have. “It was a challenging time because the Correctional Service was also going through a transition. The system that had existed before then was the apartheid system, and rehabilitation was non-existent. So General Shikongo hired people with backgrounds in social work and psychology, and a lot of resources were invested to ensure that people had a possibility to change. “People who are sentenced are sentenced for a determined period of time, and then they’re going to join society, join our families’ systems. We have to make sure that we target the risks – address problematic patterns of thinking based on entrenched beliefs that lead to violence or present some kind of consequence to society. “Rehabilitation has a very targeted approach, especially how the Correctional Services in Namibia do it. It’s evidence based, so it’s been shown to work. It’s been proven to work in other settings across the globe. “I had a conversation with a gentleman – he was in his mid-fifties and he stole this goat because he just wanted meat, he was tired of having pap every day. So we look at developing vocational skills, educational skills that a lot of times unfortunately people do not have access to outside of Correctional facilities. For the first time, they are able to acquire a skill and this gentleman is an example. He may not have understood the consequences to that farmer, but we were able to help him understand the moral responsibility that he has, and he did apologise to the person he had wronged. So we also try to bring restorative justice, to link people up with the people that they’ve wronged – and you’d be surprised at the immense remorse that a lot offenders sit with.

because of deeply entrenched mental-health conditions, such as psychopathy. There, the sentences are longer to allow for the possibility of giving that person time for change if they want to make use of it. Some of them don’t, and that is a choice that they make, but there are many who are willing to make a change. I think they really appreciate it when someone reaches out, when someone recognises the humanity in them. “We are so quick to judge, but we are not looking at the circumstance that would drive somebody to this place, because it’s damage that creates more damage. “I continue to have these incredible opportunities. I’m not quite sure how they come about, because I think there’s nothing particularly unique about me. I think I’ve just had incredible opportunities in life. “I’ve had this opportunity within the Office of the First Lady. I’m the technical director. I’ve always worked in the treatment space, whether it’s working with women who were abused or working with men who have themselves been abused and became abusers, and so now I get the opportunity to work on the prevention side. How can we ensure that individuals don’t end up following a path where they’re either exposed to abuse or they themselves become abusers? “So, we drive an anti-violence campaign. Violence prevention isn’t just something out there that the police needs to take care of or someone external needs to take care of. We must be part of the change. We have to see what we can do practically on the ground to ensure that children don’t grow up and commit violent offences or themselves become victims of violence. How can we engage with communities, to reduce the levels of violence that we’re going to see in ten or twenty years? “We really want communities to take ownership of this, and so one of the things that you can do is follow us on our different social media platforms. We are asking people to pledge to commit to strategies which could prevent violence in our communities. When someone tells you that they’ve been a victim of violence, believe them. As parents we should teach our children ways of resolving conflict without resorting to violence. So we ask people to get in touch with us through our social media platforms and sign the pledge, stand together with us to say that violence is not a normal behaviour in our society.” For more about the #BreakFree Anti-Violence campaign, take a look at the Facebook page: BreakFree From Violence. To sign a pledge of nonviolence, visit the website: WWW.IPETITIONS.COM/PETITION/BREAKFREEBEFREE-ANTI-VIOLENCE-PLEDGE

“Of course you’ll find a very small proportion of the population that will be callous about their actions and not care, but that’s

THE HOLISTIC BUSINESS OF HAMBELELA S

ince the age of fourteen, Victoria Hambelela Toivo has had a mind for business. When an idea for her own business presented itself, this young Namibian entrepreneur started Hambelela Organic – with nothing but her mother’s wisdom.

Victoria’s products are now used by small enterprises in the manufacture of soaps, creams and other beauty products. “We are wholesalers, trading as Hambelela Organic. The products we wholesale are your essential oils, carrier oils, organic butters and waxes, and then also clays and emulsifiers, and dried herbs and spices,” explains Victoria. “My mom is into medicinal and herbal products, and I wanted to start making my own skincare products,” Victoria notes, adding that it was while looking into developing products for her own use that she uncovered a gap in the market. “The resources are hard to find, so I did more research and I found producers who make these natural products, but don’t sell to individuals. “That was my initial idea, to have people making their own products and having a more holistic approach to their lives. I know I’m contributing something to someone’s life.” Victoria explains the path she took to being a business-owner at the age of twenty-four. “I’m an artistic person and I initially wanted to study architecture and civil engineering. But I’d had a little business ever since I was fourteen, so I’m exposed to being independent. I decided in 2015 to create something for myself after completing my degree in marketing. That decision was one of the contributing factors in growing my business. Now Victoria has big plans to localise her business. “I want to do as much as I can to enable myself to set up my own distillation factory. There are a lot of producers within Southern Africa, but there aren’t a lot of factories where one can distill raw products.” As a female entrepreneur with a growing business, Victoria is aware that the industry she has entered can be challenging for women. “In this type of market – essential oils – there are certain barriers if you are female. I’m planning on setting up my own place, a little farm where I harvest, dry herbs and that type of thing, but it’s been hard to be able to get land.” That shouldn’t discourage other entrepreneurs from starting, Victoria says. “Use the little that you have to create something. Then, with what you get, try to

WITH VICTORIA HAMBELELA TOIVO reinvest that so that you can do bigger and better things. You shouldn’t wait for certain things to happen or for someone to come along and provide you with something. Just start with what you have.

Perhaps educate yourself a bit on the types of products that are not good for your body, check the ingredients of the product, and also try to buy fresh products that are grown locally. I think the way forward is just to have a more holistic approach to life.”

Victoria says the best advice she ever received was from her mother. “She always says just keep pushing, even if somebody says something negative about your business. There are times when you feel you are doing so much but you don’t see the results, but the more you keep at it, the more you grow personally. You learn a lot of things, such as critical thinking, being disciplined and also helping others.

Proving she is a wholesaler with a lot of heart, Victoria approaches a holistic life and a holistic business through empowerment. She has recently launched a project to empower other female entrepreneurs, educating them on how to make their own beauty products to take to the Namibian market.

“The best moments are seeing people’s reactions, and also seeing how people make certain things out of the products – because that was my initial idea, to have people making their own products and having a more holistic approach to their lives. I know I’m contributing something to someone’s life.” Promoting her clean-living and empowered view of life, Victoria adds, “It’s trying to live a more clean, healthy life, being cautious of the things that you put on your body and the things that you consume. I think we just need to be weary.

Hambelela Organic is a Namibian business that supplies and retails 100%-pure essential oils, organic butters, carrier oils, raw materials, dried herbs and preservatives for food and cosmetics grade. FIND OUT MORE VIA THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE, HAMBELELA ORGANIC, WHERE YOU CAN ALSO SIGN UP FOR THEIR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AND PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS.

ETHOS OF ANCIENT D

r Margaret Jacobsohn is a Namibian writer, anthropologist and community-based conservation specialist.

She the cofounder and chairman of the board of the IRDNC, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation – an NGO, trust and pioneer of Namibia’s community-led conservation programme, which started as a small pilot project in the 1980s and went on to become an incredible Namibian success story. An authority on the social organisation and cultural economy of the seminomadic Himba people of Namibia and Angola, her PhD thesis was based on more than five years of living and working with remote Himba communities. She is the author of Himba: Nomads of Namibia, and her memoir, Life is Like a Kudu Horn, was published by Jacana in 2019. For her work, Margaret has been awarded some of the world’s top conservation prizes, including the US Goldman Environmental Prize for Africa, which she won jointly with Garth Owen-Smith, the United Nations Global 500 Roll of Honour award and the WWF Netherlands’ Knights of the Order of the Golden Ark. For the past five years, Margaret has helped to mentor and run a small upmarket mobile safari company, Conservancy Safaris Namibia, which is owned by five Himba and Herero communities through their conservancies in Namibia’s far North West. This is her story. WHERE IT STARTED I came here as an archaeologist. I was a journalist for the first twenty years of my life and then became a mature student and went to university quite late in life. I was already nearly thirty and worked at the interface between huntergathering and herding, first in the Cape, through Cape Town University and then on holiday trips to Namibia. I became really interested in working with some modern-day herders and looking at the way in which they used space and technology and material culture.

to be called “the blunt instrument” in IRDNC because I call a spade a spade.

The Himba were particularly interesting because they were living at a moment of real change. Independence was coming to Namibia, so it was centralised, political control, the cash economy, wage labour – all these things were changing and impacting on this society. I wanted to live with them and try to understand how they were negotiating this change. That’s where it started.

For the last four or five years I’ve been helping to run a Himba-owned safari company, which has been very hard work from my perspective because the shareholders are 4 000 Himba people. But the company is actually run by a small technical team who are very experienced and good at what they do, so that’s a part of my life now. It was very gratifying that the little company called Conservancy Safaris Namibia was able to give N$150 000 in cash back to shareholders at the height of the drought. And 301 families all got a cash dividend in 2016, when they were really battling because two-thirds of the cattle had starved to death in the drought. The company puts about N$500600 000 a year back into the communities that own the company and also a little lodge.

ON HIGHLIGHTS OF HER JOURNEY My memoir, Life is Like a Kudu Horn, looks at the last three strands of my life. First is the research itself. Second is what I learnt from it – because very often a researcher learns more about him or herself than the people they are actually supposed to be studying. It was such a privilege living with remote rural people for a couple of years; that’s a book in itself. And third is that I started working in community-based conservation and spent thirty years in that, the last twenty-five

ON MODERN TRADITION You know many Namibians think that traditional is the opposite of modern. There are many people in the world who see them as opposites, that you can’t be traditional and modern – and that’s not true at all. You can be extremely traditional and very modern at the same time, and there are many examples of that in the world. Swedish friends celebrate summer by eating raw fish and doing all kinds of weird Swedish things, but they’ve all got the most modern phones – and the two aren’t in opposition. The Himba holy fire might be seen as a rather strange custom – the senior elder asks the ancestors to bless the milk from the cattle every morning, and there’s a little ceremony where the ancestors are asked to free the milk of any bad things. Decisions are made around that holy fire. Now this might seem like a quaint, traditional, old-fashioned custom, but it’s not at all. It’s a forum for brilliant environmental and social planning. That holy fire is one of the reasons why the Himba were such superb herders. The Himbas know what they’re talking about. They would say they actually farm grass as much as cattle, and it was often said to me, “Don’t start your farming with cattle, start it with people.” This is why the Himba were among the most successful subsistence cattle herders in the world. ON COUNTING IN PATTERNS I also discovered different ways of counting – not just the one, two, three that children learn in school today. I was sitting with a Himba man once, and about eighty goats were streaming past us and he literally said, “Just hang on – there’s a goat missing. I must go and find out what’s happened.”

WITH DR MARGARET JACOBSOHN

Out of eighty animals, he knew there was a brown-and-white pregnant goat missing. I asked, “How did you pick that up? Did you count one, two, three?”

of them running an NGO, but I stepped down as a director seven years ago. There’s a modern young team of directors, John Kasaona and Willie Boonzaaier, now running IRDNC. I’m on the board – I’m chairman of the board – but apart from working as a consultant in community-based conservation in the region, I’ve lurched very reluctantly into community tourism. I never wanted to work in tourism. I’m not tactful enough – I used

He really thought about it. And we went out into the twilight and found this goat giving birth under a tree. If he hadn’t gone, she and the youngster would definitely have been taken by jackals or hyena or something in the night, so she was brought back safely.

What he said was that he forms a pattern in his head, a picture in his mind of black-and-white goats, brown-and-white, all brown, different colours and it’s a dynamic, moving pattern. It’s not fixed because the goats are moving in different ways. But he sees when the picture is not right. There are many ways of doing things that we’ve lost before we even understand them.

got a huge fuel load, and if lightning strikes or there’s a manmade fire, then you have this dangerous hot fire that kills trees and burns the whole area. People are doing indigenous burning again. It’s taken a number of years to re-empower people to get a fire strategy approved by the Ministry of Forestry, but we’ve managed to do this over a period of three or four years, so fires are not banned as they were for many years in colonial days and during the first part of Independent Namibia.

ON INDIGENOUS BURNING Since Independence we’ve been working with the San people in what used to be West Caprivi, now Bwabwata National Park. Something very interesting is the indigenous burning there. Indigenous people like the San have been burning for thousands of years and the very healthy savannah landscape we have inherited in Namibia is because of that burning – it’s culturally sculpted, you could say.

We’ve had ten fire ecologists, including Australians, visit us and look at IRDNC’s fire programme with the conservancies in the Zambezi Region. It’s a very good programme. FOR MORE, VISIT CONSERVANCY SAFARIS NAMIBIA’S WEBSITE: WWW.KCS-NAMIBIA.COM.NA

It’s done for field management – they did burns early in the seasons, as soon as the grass was dry enough to burn, which is a cool mosaic burn that doesn’t destroy trees. If you leave the veld and the grass and it grows for years, you’ve eventually

ADVERTORIAL

REBEL WITH A CAUSE CEO Gys Joubert You meet Gondwana CEO Gys Joubert in shorts and a linen shirt. He doesn’t do power dressing because he doesn’t give a hoot about status, boxes, titles or hierarchies. That is not how Gondwana was built. That is not what he signed up for and it isn’t why he was appointed to lead a brand built stubbornly and boldly on innovation and disruption. Gys is the perfect rebel for the cause. In addition to being the CEO, he is also chairperson of the Gondwana Care Trust, the company’s social investment arm, which serves the communities surrounding their lodges. The Trust provides for a range of over twenty projects operating across Namibia – including supporting the Sikunga Fish Guards along the Zambezi, who protect the sensitive riverine ecosystem, which includes the southern carmine bee-eater colony. In another project, the excess meat from Gondwana’s Self-Sufficiency Centre in Stampriet is distributed to soup kitchens, orphanages, schools and hostels, and the Trust also provides care and a warm meal to the most needy in the country.

It quickly becomes clear that Gys is not only passionate but also deeply emotional about Gondwana’s unwavering commitment to making a positive impact with every move they make. It is their fundamental purpose. “We have an unconventional way of doing things. We often do first and then apologise later. And there is just one word that gets used a thousand times when it comes to the decisions we make about the Care Trust, and that is impact. We don’t care who gets the credit or who looks good in the process. “I have a serious problem with the concept of ‘VIP’. It implies that some people are lesser beings, and that was the basis of apartheid. The very important people in this country are the children who go to sleep without food in their stomachs – not the honorables and the misters and the sirs,” he says. As the emotions well up, Gys takes a moment to compose himself. “Profit at all costs is easy. And the state of the world as it is now is a result of that. We are in a crisis because it was all for profit at the cost of social and environmental impact. I believe the world is ready for companies like Gondwana. Because the world is fed up.” Gondwana Collection Namibia is indeed a Namibian postindependence success story, a monument to the potential of a new era of equality, empathy and empowerment.

Gondwana as a movement. Some of my colleagues jokingly refer to us as a cult. “It’s a cliché to say that our employees are our biggest asset – but how do you live that? The proof is in the benefits and the effort that you constantly put into your bottom earners especially. Double-inflation increases, medical aid, pension – our staff get shares in the business and that to me is extremely important. “Every decision we make is based on the answer to the same question: What impact will this have? People laugh when we say it, but in Gondwana we have a 1000-year plan … “Whatever we do, it is not to benefit us or even the next generation. Of course, the work is never done. There are always challenges, but we humans are beings of burden. It’s not negative. It’s our calling. It’s what gives purpose and value to life.” He contemplates this for a second, then reaffirms: “The wonderful thing about life here in Namibia is that our ‘burdens’ have an impact. We change lives in this country. We are only 2.4 million people in Namibia. It is possible. We can make it happen. And tourism can play a big role in doing so.” CONTACT GONDWANA CARE TRUST BY CALLING MS DGINI VISSER ON +264 81 242 5900 OR EMAIL CARETRUST@GCNAM.COM. FIND THE WEBSITE ON WWW.GONDWANA-COLLECTION.COM

Gys believes the epitome of this culture translates back to staff accommodation and support for the communities around their lodges. “You know, we’ve taken over some lodges and seeing the state of that personnel housing … I wouldn’t let my dog live there. To make a lodge look good at the front of house is not that difficult. It’s the back of house that’s not so sexy. Waste management, sewage plants and employee accommodation. You know, we’re currently doing an upgrade at Palmwag, a project of around ten million Namibia dollars. Of that, three million is being spent on staff accommodation and one million on a sewage plant. We had many discussions and different opinions about the guest-experience side of the project, but not one person disputed that four million would be invested to serve our team and the environment,” Gys recalls, noting that improving the benefits for their bottom earners has been a priority on the agenda for the last three years. One of the early board members corrects him, saying that has been so for the last twenty-five years. “It goes back to the heart and soul of Gondwana. Gondwana is a weird place. The communities and our employees come first. Our shareholders are important stakeholders, but they are not the most important. I’m sorry if it sounds corny, but it’s a company built on love. And love is a bugger because it takes you to the highest peak, but it also knocks you down and kicks you in the ribs. The commitment of the people in this company is ridiculous. Many companies claim that the employees are like family. But the culture at Gondwana seems to be more engaged than that. Family can often be the exact opposite of like-minded or aligned. I like to refer to

HUMANWILDLIFE COMPATIBILITY IN THE RIEMVASMAKER COMMUNITY T

he Riemvasmaker community lives and farms alongside wildlife. Despite the challenges posed by human-wildlife conflict, they remain committed to protecting wildlife.

Jantjie Rein, a member of the community, shares his experience:

“We never had conservancies back then. There were no opportunities for employment so we had to create jobs for ourselves. I used to seek work in other towns like Uis and Arandis just so that I could provide for my family. “Today, we have realised that we have to find a way to survive beyond livestock farming. We approached the government to give us jurisdiction over the wild animals that are in our area. We love and care for these animals, so we wanted to be given the go-ahead to manage the wildlife in our area,” he says. The community came up with the idea to start a conservancy in Damaraland. Registered in 1989, this conservancy has since become a source of income for the community members.

better knowledge and I stayed on the farm for almost a year. Wilderness gave me an opportunity to actually prove myself as a plumber. “I went to another camp for two months doing more plumbing work and came back to Damara camp. I did one month of plumbing and my contract stopped, so I went back to the farm again and they called me in for maintenance. They actually promoted me to a barman,” says Geraldo. For him, the lion is the most beautiful animal he has ever seen – despite its reputation. “Lions are the first thing a farmer doesn’t want to hear about. I have experienced lions attacking my cows. So I got used to it – I can’t do anything about it. I just love [lions].”

Part of the success of the communal conservancy programme is that people who live in the regions are offered job opportunities through the joint-venture lodges, which have found opportunities for tourism. These lodges rent the land from the local community and provide jobs to people in the area, as is the case with Geraldo Erasmus. Geraldo works at Wilderness Safaris Doro !Nawas camp as a guide, but began his career at the Damaraland camp. He explains that despite the high levels of human-wildlife conflict in the area and the threat that lions pose, his favourite animal is still the lion. He is proud to be part of their protection. “I’m from here. I grew up around this area for almost all my life. I started doing plumbing with my father for a period of time, and things didn’t work out. I came back to get

A STORY OF HOPE T

uhafeni George Dasilva Hishitelwa’s story is remarkable. Born into poverty, Tuhafeni had to provide for himself for most of his childhood and school life. For a long time his life was a struggle, and for a while he was homeless and living in a petrol station. Today he is a successful businessman, motivational speaker, author and owner of Dasilva Investments. This is his story – a story of hope. MYD: Tuhafeni, can you take us back to the early days, when you left the village? TH: I was born in a small village close to the border in Oshikango. My mother left me in the custody of my auntie and my grandmother when I was, I think, four months old. I started school at Antonia Primary School. It was hard because we were fourteen, fifteen grandchildren in one house with my grandmother. It was fourteen or fifteen kilometres from the village to the nearest high school. I left the village with five dollars in my pocket, given to me by my grandmother, and some traditional spinach that I carried on my shoulder. I was agitated. I was, you know, a bit confused. I went to the nearby school at Ukunu. There were only shacks and about eighteen or twenty of us from different villages gathered there. We constructed shacks where we then lived. We called it a boys’ hostel. For Grade 11, I went to Tsumeb, to Etosha Secondary School. It was the same struggle – I remember selling bottles just to have some means. Tsumeb is a big town – people pay rent and for someone from the village, it’s not easy to settle in there. But I always wanted to make an impact. I was passionate about school. I loved going to school and that was the main thing that drove me throughout my struggles.

WITH TUHAFENI GEORGE DASILVA HISHITELWA 51

I had very good friendships with all the teachers. I counted all the teachers that had vehicles and over the weekend I used to go and wash their cars and clean their huts for income. I think that helped me become financially wise, because there was no one to pay for me. When I was in Grade 12, I had to pay examination fees. I didn’t have any money and I missed the due date of payment, but there was an extension. I remember it was a Saturday and the Monday was the final extension date – after that, you wouldn’t be able to write the Grade 12 examination and that would be the end. I think it was a luck or coincidence. I was living in an orphanage centre in Tsumeb with some friends, and we went to town, where we passed by a hotel where they were gambling. I had never gambled in my whole life but I had two dollars and I put it into the gambling machine and I won two thousand dollars.

MYD: What was it like, the process of writing this book and then publishing it? TH: It was not easy. People believe that when you write a book, it’s just about typing the words on the computer then you go to print. But it’s a process and it’s also very expensive. I took it upon myself and I wrote the book – there were no funds. I was not sponsored, I had to sponsor myself. It’s a long process. It requires a lot of energy, passion, talent. You’ll be turned down many times, but you need to keep yourself up. MYD: How did you deal with the rejection? TH: When I receive an email that my book has been turned down, I don’t take rejection as the end. I believe that for every one person that rejects me, there are four or five people who are willing to give me a chance. You can receive a hundred no’s, but if God says yes, then obviously no one will change that fact.

MYD: Wow. TH: It was wow, but it caused a bit of commotion and conflict with my friends. They wanted us to celebrate that money and you know, buy them drinks and those things. It was not an easy decision, but we had to part ways because I had to pay for my school fees. I finished Grade 12 and came to Windhoek to study at Polytech in 2011. This was the hardest thing I could ever imagine. Initially I lived with some family relatives, but I was chased out of the house and was homeless in Windhoek for about a month. I used to sleep at the service station. I passed by that service station on my way here. It’s very, very emotional for me.

MYD: What has the response been to The Story Of Hope? I believe even our First Lady has given you feedback? TH: Yes, the First Lady Monica Geingos loved the book. Immediately after she read the book, she responded – because the book talks about the current sufferings or the aspects that are currently going in our society now. I also provided practical steps that people can take if they are going through challenges, because so many people are talented out there but they don’t know which door to knock on or where to go. MYD: Our series theme is “Spend a Moment in my Reality”. How important do you think compassion is?

MYD: I’m sure. What was that like? TH: It was a very traumatic situation. I look at the street kids now – I was in their shoes. It’s not an easy thing. I didn’t have transport money. I had to walk to Polytech and back. But I was determined. Whenever I walked to school, I always found those guys at the robots, the men who used to sell vetkoek, and they were my motivation and inspiration. When I looked at those guys, they inspired me. Even when it’s rainy, they are selling newspapers, they have to make means. It is a hard struggle, but you should never give up, there is always a way out.

TH: Compassion is a broad aspect but I think as a nation, if we start caring for one another, if we start rendering service and caring for one another, we will be able to prosper. If we are compassionate about helping the next person, I don’t think we will have people suffering, because we are all talented in different ways. MYD: And how would your life have been different if there were more people willing to help you in those difficult moments? TH: I believe the struggle I went through taught me so many lessons. I used to reflect back on what could have happened if I was from a fancy family or a rich family or had everything I needed. I wouldn’t be sharing a story to inspire the next person out there. I believe my struggle was meant to be to teach a lesson to the next person: it’s not the end of the road when someone is suffering. They will be able to get up one day.

MYD: So after you finished tertiary education, you started your own business. Then you started sharing your story with others to motivate people and you wrote your book, The Story of Hope. What inspired you to say, “I’m going to write my story down”? TH: When you write a book, it’s something that will last for generations. They will always reflect back and read, and they will be inspired. Also, I love writing. I’m passionate about writing and personal development. I want to make an impact in the next person’s life and I think, if they happen to read my book, they can be inspired.

MYD: Absolutely. It’s a funny thing about life that so often challenges are actually opportunities for us to learn or to grow, but when we in our challenges we don’t like it. None of us like to go through struggles, but it could just be that this is the greatest gift – a blessing for your life because it’s going to teach you something.

TH: Most definitely. I believe you won’t grow if you don’t have challenges. You will be too reluctant and too soft, and then you won’t even think of alternative solutions for the nation. MYD: What would you say are some of the solutions we need for our nation to grow? TH: I believe Namibian youth have so much potential. They’ve got so much talent and they have a lot to offer, but some of them are a bit reluctant. I think our education system teaches us to go to university, get a degree and start working for someone, which is not creating solutions. A solution is to be a creator of employment. MYD: What would you say has been the highlight of your life so far? TH: I’ve got plenty. Graduating was one of my best highlights. Launching my book really brought so much happiness to my life. I even shed tears during the launch. It’s a great achievement for me to have a book out there in the market that’s not just there for the sake of selling but for transforming lives and making an impact. MYD: For anybody out there going through the lowest part of their life, like you went through, what would your advice be?

“I believe you won’t grow if you don’t have challenges.”

TH: Because I’m a very Christian person, I would give them Philippians 4:13. It reads, “I can do all things through Christ.” God has given us tools so that whatever challenge you might face, He will not neglect you. He is there for you. He will uplift you and you’ll be a great person. You just need to be focused. You need to be determined. You need to be very, very strategic and have a vision that in two, three years’ time, this is what I want to achieve. One of my mottos when I wake up is that I believe every day is a blessing. The fact that I’m able to get up from bed is a blessing on its own. I am privileged that I can achieve more than the people who are struggling. I just recently visited the state hospital. You see so many people there that are going through difficulties – some are on breathing apparatus. You are privileged. Focus on the good things – this is what I’m passionate about, this is what brings happiness in my life. Troubles like relationship troubles or financial troubles, everything in life passes. It won’t stay the same forever.

Tuhafeni’s follow-up book, Failure is Not an Option, was published in 2019. Both books are available at The Book Den in Windhoek, Radical Book Store in Windhoek West, and at Hafeni Restaurant in Walvis Bay. TO GET IN TOUCH WITH TUHAFENI, CONTACT HIM ON SOCIAL MEDIA (TWITTER: @DASILVA900 AND INSTAGRAM: TUHAFENI_GEORGE_DASILVA_), SEND AN EMAIL TO HISHITELWAT.DASILVA@GMAIL.COM OR PHONE HIM ON +264 81 408 3328.

RENEWABLE ENERGY ON THE RISE IN NAMIBIA N

amibia imports around 60 percent of its electricity from neighbouring countries, but has great potential to produce renewable energy. This is why the team from the Promoting Renewable Energies in Namibia project (PREN) are working tirelessly to create awareness around renewable energy.

Alongside a team of his students, Rodney Seibeb from PREN took to the Namibian desert in search of lessons from nature. “Renewable energy,” says Rodney, “is one of the forms of energy Namibia has been exploring. This so-called ‘clean energy’ has been promoted around the world for years. Finally, Namibia is catching up.” Talking about some of the myths around renewable energy, he says: “Since it is modern energy, most people think it is a very expensive way of electrifying your house, but over the past years the cost of these panels and components or the solar systems have really gone down.”

WITH PREN

He adds that with the work happening in the industry today, that myth will eventually be proven inaccurate. One of Seibeb’s students, Peter Hafiku agrees: “I think saving electricity and water may look basic, but they can actually save you a lot of money and also, through the process, energy. Yes, there are things like leaking taps – as soon as you find a leaking tap in your house, you must fix it. Save electricity by switching off the main switch, because most electrical appliances use energy when they are plugged in, even if you are not using any of them.”

The PREN project is a three-year project that is being implemented by the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN). It started in 2017 with the main aim of promoting the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Namibia. “We have the promotion of renewable energies at rural schools. We have identified six rural schools that need to be electrified and we have so far electrified four of those. We’ve given training to the management of the schools and handed over the systems to them to ensure sustainability of the systems,” Seibeb says of the grassroots implementations.

FIND THE HANNS SEIDEL FOUNDATION WEBSITE ON WWW.NAMIBIA.HSS.DE AND THE DESERT RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF NAMIBIA WEBSITE ON WWW.DRFN.ORG.NA

ADVERTORIAL

PUTTING THE “GOOD” INTO BEING A “GOOD SPORT” The slogan for Africa Personnel Services proudly declares Think staff, think APS – and although it refers to the personnel services they offer their clients, when it comes to their own people, this sentiment holds true of APS’s company culture too.

de Villiers: “As a business. I believe that you have a responsibility towards the community. You can’t just take; you also have to put back. And it’s not only about money; it goes beyond that. Lyzanne inspired many of the people in our office to change to a healthier lifestyle.”

Six years ago, fresh out of school, Lyzanne Januarie started working as a receptionist at APS. She made a distinct impression when she ran down a thief who had snatched a computer from the office, and managed to reclaim the stolen item. Her demonstration of loyalty earned her the trust and support of the company, and she quickly worked her way up the ranks to become head marketer in the marketing department. When Lyzanne decided to embark on a complete lifestyle reinvention two years ago, she signed up for, and won, a fitness and body-transformation challenge – and discovered a passion for health and fitness. APS encouraged her to pursue her new sport and assisted her in attending international competitions. She did them proud, walking away with gold and silver medals on several occasions.

From putting up shading nets in front of a clinic in Katatura, to provided shade for long queues of people waiting to be helped, to developing school-leavers into competent, confident and skilled employees, APS understands that for a business to claim that it puts staff and people first, charity must begin at home.

Lyzanne’s transformation has inspired many of her colleagues to make positive lifestyle changes. When they have consulted with her, she’s been happy to help – and motivating others has become a primary goal, which she continues to pursue in her life. APS has a track record of supporting sports development in Namibia. Since APS and other businesses got involved with cricket development in Namibia, it has evolved from being a peripheral sport to becoming an internationally competitive force, which does Namibia proud. The culture of development and support is one fostered by APS’s leaders, especially Managing Director Robert

WITH STEPHANIE FENNESSY 56

STANDING TALL FOR GIRAFFE S

tephanie Fennessy is the Co-Director and Co-Founder of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). GCF is the only organization in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa. From their base in Windhoek, GCF currently works in 15 African countries to secure a future for giraffe in the wild.

“We often call them the forgotten giants of Africa because they go under the radar. Everyone just assumes they’re everywhere, especially here in Namibia.

biggest programmes we have is in Uganda. In Uganda they have Nubian giraffe – this subspecies is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ and we estimate there are only about 3 000 Nubian giraffe remaining in the wild. In Uganda, like many countries, we undertake regular population surveys, have community and school education programmes, support anti-poaching and de-snaring efforts, GPS satellite tag giraffe and coordinate translocations to set up new and/or augment small populations.

“Our estimates say that there are only about 111 000 giraffe left in Africa – that’s a drop of almost 30% in three decades – “Here in Namibia, GCF runs the largest environmental education programme so their numbers have plummeted and giraffe are now listed in the country called KEEP, the Khomas as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. We are always really concerned about the elephant, for example, Environment Education Programme, which takes grade 3 and 4 students from primary but there are at least 400 000 to 450 000 elephant in Africa. It is schools for a school day to Daan Viljoen important to be concerned about them, but if you compare the Game Reserve. Three young Namibian numbers, there are 4 elephant for every 1 giraffe. People should conservationists run this programme and take really start thinking about giraffe as well. between 2 500 and 3 000 children into the And did you know that there are four different species of giraffe? bush per year. We teach the kids about their Our research over the last 15 years has shown that there are four environment, conservation and sustainability. The programme is closely linked to the distinct species of giraffe. These different species split about Namibian school curriculum. We focus on 370 000 years ago. Three of these four species live across East, under-resourced schools and most of these Central and West Africa and they are in real trouble. kids have never seen a giraffe (or any animal) in the wild before. We hope to reconnect “On the positive side, giraffe are doing really well here in Namibian kids with nature by showing them Namibia (and Southern Africa). We predominantly have Angolan the beauty of our country. These are our giraffe – a subspecies of Southern giraffe, and a few South future leaders and decision-makers – they can African giraffe (the other subspecies of the Southern giraffe) make a difference for our future.” live naturally in Bwabwata NP. Almost half of Africa’s giraffe population lives in Southern Africa and we estimate that there 21 June is World Giraffe Day. GCF initiated are at least 12 000 giraffe here in Namibia. That is a relatively this – the longest day or night of the year for healthy number, they are widely distributed in national parks, the tallest animal. Why don’t you stand tall for communal lands and commercial farms – so here in Namibia, it’s giraffe with us this year on World Giraffe Day? really a giraffe success story. “The Giraffe Conservation Foundation works all throughout Africa. We are the go-to organization for giraffe and are involved in giraffe conservation programmes on all four giraffe species in more than 15 African countries. Aside from Namibia, one of the

CONTACT THEM VIA THEIR WEBSITE, WWW.GIRAFFECONSERVATION.ORG

OUTAPI, MOBILITY AND HILYA EKANDJO O

recharge facilities, is the coordinator of a children’s BMX project, is the manager of an e-bike ambulance fleet, and will soon be in charge of Africa’s first e-taxi.

utapi is being hailed as the bicycle hub of Namibia thanks to a collaboration between SunCycles Namibia, the Bicycle Empowerment Network of Namibia and Hilya Ekandjo, the owner of Okathitu Bicycle Shop in Outapi.

Explaining their support for the teachers, Marita notes, “They can travel up to twenty kilometres to reach the kindergartens. At the moment, they mostly do it on foot or they take a taxi, which is really expensive, so they end up spending most of their income on travel expenses, which doesn’t make any sense. We gave them electric bikes to test and see if that made a difference to their daily tasks.” Marita explains this project was supported by the FNB Foundation.

Various projects aimed at mobility solutions are seeing to it that Outapi, a rural town in Northern Namibia, has an inspired bicyclefriendly culture. With approximately 6 500 inhabitants, Outapi has become a centre of two-wheeled transportation.

Their most recent collaboration with Hilya will see electric ambulances being delivered to Outapi. “We are delivering electric ambulances to her, which she will be in charge of. She will be the main point of contact for people who need to go to a clinic or hospital or something that’s a bit further away, and who don’t have a car to do that,” says Marita.

What makes this project unique is that many of the bicycles in the town are SunCycles Namibia bicycles. SunCycles Namibia is a social enterprise that specialises in e-mobility and solar recharge systems, and they were the first to make e-bike (electric bicycle) technology available to Namibians. E-bikes are electricity-powered (making them easier to use), using energy from the sun (making them environmentally friendly).

The ambulance concept, explains Marita, is simple and functional: “It’s a trailer that’s connected to an electric bike. Hilya will be in charge of these ambulances, so they will be stationed at her bike shop, which is very central in town. The e-bikes will be used to bring patients in communities or villages to the hospital or clinic in Outapi.”

99FM’s MYD Heart spoke to Marita van Rooyen, co-founder of SunCycles Namibia, as she was about to travel to Outapi with her latest delivery of solar-powered bicycles destined for people most in need of them. “We are going to Outapi to visit a very inspirational lady, Hilya Ekandjo, who is in charge of a bicycle shop in Outapi. Not only that, she’s also in charge of maintaining e-bikes for the kindergarten teachers at DAPP. They received electric bicycles to take them further, give them a little bit of extra range to visit their students.”

WWW.SUNCYCLES-NAMIBIA.ORG

Hilya Ekandjo is a remarkable woman. She supports teachers from the DAPP Training Centre with e-bike maintenance and free

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ‘P’ WORD I

“

f you are unsure of how you can contribute to the sustainability of Namibia, commit to recycling. It’s easier than you think, and the results will astonish you.” This is according to Jaco Venter, one of the founding members of the Recycle Namibia Forum. Jaco notes that recycling is such a simple process to follow in Namibia because “you can just put everything in one bag and the sorting is done for you.” The result is a positive contribution that eventually adds to the economy of Namibia through the many “add-on activities” that come from recycling.

The RNF was started by business people and companies concerned about the impact of plastic on the environment: packaging. Plastic Packaging, Rent-A-Drum and Namibia Breweries, amongst others, have made it their mission to prioritise sustainability and set the standard by being part of the recycling solution in a way that promotes economic growth.

JACO VENTER CO-FOUNDER RNF two opposite worlds, but the one is part of the other. If we don’t manage the process, packaging will forever be a problematic commodity. So what we are trying to achieve is to get the best possible recycling percentages in Namibia. And I believe that because we are so small, it’s possible for us to become the best recycling country in Africa.”

One of the most important projects on RNF’s calendar is the Schools Recycling Competition, in which forty-seven Namibian schools compete to see who can do the most for the environment. In January 2020, Dagbreek School – one of the competition’s top-performing participants – set up a drivethrough recycling drop-off in Windhoek to make it even easier for locals to recycle.

THE RECYCLE NAMIBIA FORUM CAN BE CONTACTED VIA THEIR WEBSITE WWW.RNF.COM.NA OR ON +264 61 238 919.

“The aim has always been to have a very good alliance between packaging and the environment,” says Jaco. “It sounds like it’s

WITH SHISHANI 60

COLLABORATIONS ACROSS CULTURES S

hishani is a talented Namibian singer-songwriter much loved for her smooth and powerful voice. Her music is known for its social consciousness, and she has won a host of awards both locally and internationally. Shishani has also spearheaded various arts initiatives in Namibia that focus on social upliftment. She is the founder of ARTNAM, which advocates for the promotion of Namibian arts. In 2016, Shishani and Sjahin During, members of the Amsterdam-based quartet Namibian Tales, set out for the Kalahari Desert to learn as much as they could about the San community based there. A year later, Namibian Tales produced a critically acclaimed album in collaboration with four women from Namibia’s San community, singers N!ae Komtsa, Kgao Xoa//an, //Ao N!ani and Baqu Kha//an. Titled Kalahari Encounters, the album recorded and explored the women’s San musical heritage, showcasing the rarely heard vocal harmonies and intricate clapping of the San while merging seamlessly with the sonic warmth, tight ensemble playing and rhythmic drive of the quartet. The album was recorded live at the Warehouse Theatre in Windhoek. Namibian Tales worked on Kalahari Encounters together with the Museums Association of Namibia (MAN), and received support from the Goethe Institute Windhoek, UNESCO’s IFCD Fund, KLM Airlines, Netherlands Embassy in Namibia and South Africa, the National Arts Council of Namibia, and Fonds Podium Kunsten (FPK) in the Netherlands. A year later, the quartet together with their San counterparts completed the album release tour in the Netherlands, Germany and Austria, to critical acclaim. With Kalahari Encounters, Namibian Tales has not only paid homage to the San, but also entered into a musical dialogue through an exchange of culture.

MYD: What does the concept of being ‘woke’ mean to you?

S: Being woke is basically being aware. And I think it is a challenge for all of us because we are spammed with so much information. We have the Internet, we can access so much information – a lot of it is very happy, a lot of it is very sad. For me, I look at what I can do in the spaces where I’m active, because you can’t do everything for everybody in the whole wide world. It’s so easy to say, “Oh, you know, the world is so bad and it’s dramatic out there,” but then the guy next to you doesn’t have anything to eat and you ignore him. It’s just about making choices – where you spend your energy and what you do for your community. For me, staying woke is trying to make that decision every day – to just keep doing what I’m doing, because I try to do as much as I can through the music and musical projects. So, just as part of your daily routine is to wake up, you can also realise that you can be thankful for so many things, and perhaps you can make a change for somebody else, as small as it is – even a smile, just a greeting. I think the main thing of humanity is just being able to look at somebody and be, like, “I see you.” Greet them in the morning, make human contact and you will realise what it means to be woke. If you are not aware, there is nothing you can do. You have to be made aware. You know you cannot blame someone for not knowing, but you can just let them know. It’s our personal responsibility to remind each other – like, okay, we can spend this much money on a cocktail but you can’t spare something for the security guard?

MYD: Shishani, in your own life have you ever suffered dogmatic social norms and been the victim of dogmatic social norms?

fundamentals on which we based apartheid – saying that some people are inferior, and the Bible says so.

S: I think everybody has turmoil and troubles. I wouldn’t say I’ve been a victim because I think I’m on the lucky side of things, to be very honest. But I know if I was born in another area of this country, or in Pakistan, or wherever people don’t have the opportunities that I was given, I would have had a completely different life. I was lucky to be born into where I am now – that allows me the freedom just to live my life.

MYD: What would your advice be for anyone who feels that they don’t fit in, that they can’t meet the dogmatic expectations of society? S: Somehow, when people take the step and have the courage to go for something, the moment you dare, energetically something happens. You might have resistance, but other doors open. The moment I dared to just be me, I attracted people who were like me and I found a social network of people supporting me in times when things were not easy. That courage to step out will gain you support – maybe not from your direct friends and family, but from other people who have been going through the same things as you. So first know yourself and then be willing to be brave for yourself.

MYD: In terms of sexual orientation, how can being woke make people more accepting of another’s choices in life? S: It’s difficult for me to understand why I have to stand up and fight for just being. It’s not even about choices. It’s not like I woke up and I chose to be lesbian, so that people can look at me funny and I can feel unsafe and be a victim of violence or whatever. Why would I choose this lifestyle? This is not a choice – it’s who I am. All these social structures and ideas and religions want to say that it’s wrong, as if it’s a choice, but these are the same

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.NAMIBIANTALES.COM/KALAHARI-PROJECT

ADVERTORIAL

TEACH A MAN TO BUILD A PIT LATRINE How to win against hepatitis E Few community-service projects attempted in Africa can claim the measure of success of the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme that was implemented to combat the hepatitis E outbreak that has been spreading through communities in informal settlements for the last two years. The programme serves as an excellent example of what is possible, practical and impactful in addressing the socioeconomic challenges that so many citizens in our country face every day. From collaborating with organisations such as the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation and other funders, to educating communities on the importance of hygiene, to empowering and restoring the dignity of the residents themselves through job creation in the construction of pit latrines, the CLTS initiative ticks all the boxes. Sanitation Project Coordinator Rimothy Mbeha and his team have been working hard to train and educate local community members on safe toilet construction, hand-washing, solid-waste management and community mobilisation while liaising with partners and stakeholders to keep the project on track.

“Initiatives such as these are very important. With the 100 volunteers we are currently working with, I have seen the impact the project intervention has had on the lives of the community and their behaviour change.

about the impact and the dangers of open defecation – the impact it can have on them economically and socially. At the same time, people learn more about the massive benefits of proper hand-washing, safe disposal of waste and safe toilet construction. Through the construction of sanitation centres and the training of young bricklayers, more and more local sanitation enterprises will be established, thus creating a thriving business industry that is currently dormant but which has huge potential.”

“The primary goal of the project is to combat the hepatitis E outbreak by using a community-based methodology implemented through a collaborative approach involving many different stakeholders,” Rimothy explains. “Although the project only started recently, the first successes are already visible. In the communities where we work, we see changes in hygiene practice and behaviour, and the construction of new, safe toilets. More than thirty-three households are already building their safe toilets, and a total of 288 residents, most of them children, are direct beneficiaries of the eight sanitation centres currently being used.”

Background to the Windhoek Sanitation Programme: In May 2018, the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE) commissioned an assessment on appropriate urban low-cost sanitation systems in Namibia, implemented by Development Workshop Namibia (DWN). With additional support from the GEF Small Grants Programme, and based on the results of the survey, DWN then initiated the construction of best-practice demonstration toilets. Built in Oshakati and Okahao, the demonstration toilets were integrated in so-called “sanitation centres” that involve local residents and promote good sanitation practices. At the same time, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, City of Windhoek, Constituency Councils of Samora Machel and Moses//Garoeb, WHO, UNICEF and UNDP prepared a major Sanitation Programme in Windhoek. The programme adopted a methodology called Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). The methodology uses a community bottom-up approach, sensitising informalsettlement residents to the dangers of open defecation and encouraging the construction of latrines according to guidelines provided by the City of Windhoek. The success of the project is due to the combined efforts of the Namibian Chamber of Environment, Development Workshop, UNICEF, UNDP, B2Gold, RMB Foundation, Ministry of Health and Social Services, City of Windhoek, the Japanese Embassy and the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation.

Asked how this project differs from similar programmes, Rimothy proposes that it stands out because it is jointly implemented by different institutions, both governmental and non-governmental. “It’s a two-pillar project intervention, with one pillar being the construction of sanitation centres in the two constituencies. To date we have constructed eight demonstration centres in both Samora Machel and Moses//Garoeb Constituencies, trained sixty youth bricklayers and established two local sanitation enterprises. The purpose of the centres is to demonstrate to the general public and local residents how to build their own safe toilets based on the designs approved by the City of Windhoek. “The second pillar is a more social process called communityled total sanitation, which encourages residents to build their own toilets and improve their sanitation behaviour – for example, regular hand-washing. “We train local community members on safe toilet construction, hand-washing, waste-management and community mobilisation, and they then go around the two constituencies doing house-to-house visits. They demonstrate how to wash hands properly, and distribute pamphlets on safe toilet construction and on hepatitis E.”

TO GET IN TOUCH WITH BEAT WEBER, CONTACT HIM ON EMAIL TO B.WEBER@DWNAMIBIA.ORG OR PHONE HIM ON 081 358 2179

As for the long-term impact of this project, he believes that, “Namibians residing in informal settlements will learn more

WITH ZODIDI GASEB 64

PERSPECTIVES ON IDENTITY Z

odidi Gaseb is the founder of “Being a teen was the most challenging time. Until I went to African Naturals, a Namibian university and I was like, ‘Wait a minute, there’s a lot of people business that is built on social like me here.’ That’s when I started to get out of this shell that entrepreneurship. In celebration of I had built around myself. TEDx’s one billion views, Zodidi’s talk, “I am not your stereotype. I am not my hair” was “We talk about changing our world and we think it’s this featured as one of fifteen “amazing talks from massive, massive thing and we have to find cures for all around the globe” (https://tedxbillion.ted. diseases and so forth. We tend to forget that our world can com/). She is also the founder of the Natural be our community and when we focus on how people look, Hair & Beauty Expo Namibia, a speaker at what they have, it takes away from the real conversations the Global Media Forum and currently works we can have to change our communities. I mean, when in events planning and management at the you look at the issues that Namibia has, we should not be Namibia Business Innovation Institute. She is a worried about how you look, what you’re wearing, what you’re mother of two teens, an advocate for self-love driving or any of these material things. We should be solving and an image activist who is passionate about problems and working together. innovation and entrepreneurship as a tool to change conversations. “You put so much pressure on yourself if you compare. I know it’s challenging sometimes, but there is so much freedom in “I realised that there was a need to change being yourself. something within my community and that something was hair. I started making products “Do the things that scare you. When you feel like, ‘Oh, are specific for African hair, but it expanded people going to be okay with this?’, do it anyway. People are to conversations about people trying to always going to talk, whether you do it or not, so do it anyway. change their work environment, their school You don’t want to be ninety years old with boring stories. You environment through the topic of hair. want to live your life to the fullest, so just do it. “It grew into an expo where we celebrate our uniqueness, but also encourage especially women entrepreneurs to start making their own products and give back to their own community and to the economy at large. “As a child I was very confused. I went to a multicultural, multiracial school and children can be really mean sometimes and because I was different, I got picked on and bullied and as a result I started to shrink myself with it. “I started doing things to myself that I thought would be acceptable to the rest of the group, but the strange thing is whatever I did, I was never a hundred per cent in the group. But there was always something that was different, whether it was my loving music or reading horror books.

“It’s very challenging and I must share that I don’t always feel that way every single day. It’s a daily conversation you have with yourself. You don’t wake up every day feeling, ‘Ah, I love myself. Life is fantastic.’ You have trying times, but there are certain things that I do. Music, for me personally, is a healer. Listen to things that have a positive impact. Writing is also very good for me. Surround yourself with people who are likeminded and light-hearted. “There is so much therapy and healing in really wonderful conversations about changing the world, and before you know it, you are over that fear that you had. For instance, bungee jumping – I never thought I would ever, ever do it in my life. I did, and I never want to do it again. They had to push me, so . . . But, you know, I did it because I was with the right people at the right time and I don’t regret one minute of it.” FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NANCI.BIZ/AFRICAN-NATURALS

GIRLS JUST WANNA CHANGE THE WORLD F

rustration at seeing the most vulnerable in need is what drove Jasmine-Rose Goagoses to start a project to assist when she was just twenty-four years old. Today her charity, Namkid, runs collections and distributes food, blankets and more to those living in poverty. In 2020, she is focused on changing the lives of ten people living in Khorixas by building simple iron-sheet houses with cement floors. And in-between all of this, Jasmine-Rose is employed as a community care worker for Project Hope, an organisation that focuses on vulnerable young women who are HIV positive or at the risk of becoming HIV positive. 99FM’s MYD Heart spoke to Jasmine-Rose to find out more about the charity, and why such a young Namibian feels it is her responsibility to help those in need.

“Namkid started as ‘Make a Difference’. I used to run it alone but in 2015 my friends and I came together to work on it.” This is how Jasmine-Rose explains the project’s beginnings. “We are thankful for our privileges, but there is an imbalance if one side of life is in torment and the other in

WITH JASMINE-ROSE GOAGOSES 66

paradise. We thought, we have to give back, we have to help and we can, we really can. “In March 2015 I organised a clean-up event in Khomasdal. My neighbourhood gathered children between the ages of 8 and 19. We cleaned up everything that was not rock, sand or flora. Then we moved on to ‘Feed the Streets’ in Okahandja Park in May 2015, where we fed three hundred people. In June 2015 we did ‘Feed the Streets 2000 – Winter Drive’ in Kilimanjaro, where we fed and clothed three thousand people.” Jasmine-Rose and her team moved on to many more projects that involve feeding and clothing Namibian children, with more in the pipeline for this year. One, Jasmine-Rose explains, aims to provide sanctuary for children through a community centre: “We are planning to build a community development centre that not only gives people a chance to be self-sustaining but will also enlighten them, building up their confidence, making them realise that they can accomplish anything.” This community centre will be a central point to continue their food and clothing distribution drive, explains Jasmine-Rose. In addition to the community centre, Namkid are planning a fundraising event later this year, where Namibian artists will partake in beautifying the capital city while addressing social ills through art. When asked why Namibians should support Namkid, Jasmine-Rose says, “Because it is for their people. We are all aware that there are poor people, and we know life is hard, but it is a humanitarian responsibility for everyone who breathes to help those that need it, if they are in the position to do so.” Passionate about the support Namkid provides, Jasmine-Rose notes: “These events are really humbling. It is heart-melting to see the children excited about the clothes they receive. I remember one girl walking home with a handbag and a few clothes. She walked out as if she’d been on a shopping spree. She had a great smile, and appreciated it – while walking out with no shoes on her feet.” Talking about her greatest moment so far, Jasmine-Rose says: “When Mrs Monica Geingos sponsored all the food, up to N$30 000-worth, for the ‘Feed the Streets 2000’ initiative. She also came to the venue and gave a small speech and it was televised. We had a feeling of accomplishment, and we realised that whatever you put your mind to can be in your grasp. Growth as a team and individual inspiration is what is most memorable for us from all our past events. It still keeps us going.” IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED AND SUPPORT NAMKID IN THEIR WORK, FIND THEM ON FACEBOOK OR CONTACT JASMINE-ROSE ON +264 81 573 3651, OR SEND HER AN EMAIL AT JASMINEROSEGOAGOSES@GMAIL.COM OR NAMKIDORG@GMAIL.COM.

PERSPECTIVES ON LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

WITH BIANCA OZCAN 68

“People don’t realise that it’s a chronic disease that affects the brain and the central nervous system. It attacks your nerve fibres, which causes inflammation on your nerves. Myelin starts to harden and break down, and messages can’t be passed on properly from the brain to the rest of the body. That’s when the symptoms start. “Because it’s an invisible illness, people don’t recognise that you suffer from a disability, so you don’t get the necessary support from society. “Managing relapses and your flare ups is hard. To take care of yourself, remain calm and be patient about it all. “The main priority of Multiple Sclerosis Namibia is to create awareness and address misunderstandings and misconceptions. We would like the public to know that it is a disability. “It is a disability of a severe nature, where you may end up completely paralysed. There is nothing anyone can do, because at the moment there is no cure. “It’s difficult, but I love what I do. The reward is so big if someone calls me crying, saying, ‘I had a bad night,’ or ‘What shall I do now?’ I talk to the person and afterwards they’ll say, ‘I’m feeling better already.’ They know I’m going through the same thing, so we are on the same level.

ianca Ozcan is the founder and project manager of Multiple Sclerosis Namibia, an association that supports Namibians living with multiple sclerosis, or MS as it is commonly known. Bianca held a high-profile position in banking before she felt it necessary to leave the corporate world to start Multiple Sclerosis Namibia. As someone who lives with this disease, Bianca had experienced first-hand the lack of support available to people living with MS in Namibia, and took action.

“With MS, you can change from one moment to the next in a second. Sometimes you feel like you’re a different person because of the symptoms. You can go through depression, you can go through fatigue, you have a variety of flare-ups and sometimes you don’t know who you are. It’s not easy and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, but that’s just what MS is. It’s also known as the disease with a thousand faces because of the vast difference in the manifestation and severity of the illness. Because everything is controlled by the brain, different things can happen to your body. “But we advocate – because it does help – positive living and healthy lifestyles. We’ve realised that if you exercise and follow a healthy diet, it can really improve your quality of life and help you to just be more calm.” MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS NAMIBIA CAN BE CONTACTED VIA THE WEBSITE: WWW.MSNAMIBIA.ORG, BY EMAIL ON INFO@MSNAMIBIA.ORG OR ON FACEBOOK VIA THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS NAMIBIA PAGE.

“Living with MS has its ups and downs but I found my equilibrium in between because at some stage you have to accept the fact that you have MS, and there is nothing you can do to change that. You just have to find ways to make life easier and simpler for yourself. “When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t know what it was and I thought, okay, it’s something that’s going to go away. I had to do some research and then I realised, this is serious. The fact that no one else knew about MS made me realise that this was something I should do, I should educate people, because it was really horrifying each time someone didn’t understand what I was talking about when I told them I had MS.

WITH SASCHA OLIVIER SAMPSON 70

BELLY DANCING FOR THE DOGS S

ascha Olivier Sampson is a belly dancer, the owner of Moon Goddess Dance Studio, a lecturer in performing arts at the University of Namibia and the founder of ‘Shimmy for Shelter’, an annual dance extravaganza that raises money for animal welfare. The Shimmy for Shelter 2019 shows successfully raised N$22 000 for Have a Heart Namibia. For her entire life, Sascha has been a dancer, an actress, a performer and a singer. When a doctor broke the news that she had a heart condition that meant she would not be able to dance any more, her world was shattered. This is the story of how her passions had to change, and of the successes and joys in her life since that scary turn. MYD: Please tell us about yourself.

SOS: The thing that I associate with most and that people always associate with me is dance. It’s been part of my life since I was five, and I grew up thinking I’d become a ballerina. I always say that the Dance Goddess heard me wrong and thought I said “bellyrina,” because I ended up discovering belly dance – and it has shaped my life. I was doing ballet, contemporary, African, Latin and ballroom dancing and I was preparing for a show when I started to feel ill. I ignored it, thinking it was just the flu, I’d see to it later. Performers are especially bad like that because the show must go on. So I pushed through, but just felt more and more ill. When the show was done, I had zero energy and I could hardly breath. The doctors discovered it was my heart. The heart is a muscle and I worked mine to an extreme when I was sick – so it just decided ‘no more’. It was only functioning at about fifty per cent, so I was booked off normal life for about a year. Even if I wanted to do something, I couldn’t really. Just getting up to go outside left me out of breath. I was on my doctor’s case about when I could go back to dancing, but he said, ‘No, you can’t. Your body can’t handle it.’

Eventually, though, he agreed that I could do something that was calm and relaxing. I couldn’t do any of the things I had done before and by chance in the mall I saw one of those notices where you tear the little number off – it was for belly dance classes. It wasn’t a style that had ever crossed my path before, but I thought okay, I’d give it a try. It wasn’t calm or relaxing – it was very high energy – but the first class was just incredible. There was only myself and two other ladies there, but I was hooked from then. That class grew to about sixty people. When our teacher stopped teaching at the end of that year, Minka Delport-Greeff, who has the other dance studio in Windhoek, and I started teaching the classes. I went for training with different teachers in South African and internationally to keep up the standard. MYD: Being given the diagnosis and told, ‘No more dance’ when dance was your life – that must have been very difficult. How did you deal with that? SOS: It was very difficult. In the beginning I didn’t really know what to do with myself. I was so used to all my time being taken up developing the skill and working towards a goal, and I would be at rehearsal till ten o’clock at night sometimes throughout high school. I was that person who didn’t go out to friends and things because I was always rehearsing, so I didn’t really know what to do with myself and I didn’t really know how to identify myself. So much of who I was was about being a dancer. But it’s a good thing to listen to your body when it’s saying something doesn’t feel right or you need to take a break. I had been very good at ignoring all of those things before, and now I’m very good at listening to what my body has to say. Also, I’m more sympathetic to others when they don’t feel well or are tired – I understand that it’s not just an excuse and people really are entitled to look after themselves.

Very important to me is raising awareness for charity, and animal welfare has always been a huge passion of mine. ‘Shimmy’ is one of the key movements in belly dancing, and ‘shelter’ referred to the protection of animals. We started off raising funds for the SPCA and it just grew from there. In the beginning I didn’t know how people would take to it because belly dancing was still very new, and people were a bit conservative. So I ended up funding a lot of the show myself, and going on a prayer that people would come to the show and we would make something. I just wanted to be able to hand over something to the SPCA and I think in that year we made N$5 000 or N$7 000. I was so pleased about it. I wanted to keep people coming and interested, so we’ve had a different theme every year. We’ve tried to integrate different styles like fire spinning, poi acts; we’ve had contemporary dancers in our show. We’ve now extended it to two nights and we travel down to the coast with the show. Over the years the show has gained momentum and grown a following We’ve had dancers from Cape Town, from Zambia and one of the dancers came all the way from America. Starting Shimmy, I didn’t really have an end goal in mind – I just wanted to hand over some money to the SPCA. Now that it’s developed, I would really love for people to know exactly what Shimmy for Shelter stands for, to look forward to it, to know that the second Saturday in May every year is World Belly Dance Day and time for Shimmy for Shelter. It’s not just about entertainment – though entertainment is a huge part of it. It’s about supporting the arts and supporting good organisations that do fantastic work. MYD: Tell us about some of the places that belly dance has taken you? SOS: South Africa was where I started going for training and where I go every year for festivals and workshops. The wonderful thing about the Goddess Divine Festival in Johannesburg, for example, is that they bring in dancers from all around the world. I’ve had the opportunity to train with dancers and Middle Eastern musicians from Egypt, America and Turkey. It brings dancers from Southern Africa together but it also gets us in touch with what’s happening around the world, so Cape Town and Johannesburg have been amazing sources of knowledge and information and growth. I’ve also been to Sweden, thanks to the University of Namibia, which is where I work full time. They sent me as a lecturer to teach at one of the universities in Sweden. It was an amazing experience to see how the arts are taken up internationally and to have the opportunity to perform there. Then last year I was invited to teach and perform in Switzerland at the Orient Alp Festival – a beautiful, beautiful place. The atmosphere around an event like that, where everyone comes from literally all over the world for one goal – to perform and to learn and to network and to interact and to share – it’s just incredible. I competed in the Dance Championships in Spain recently and won a gold medal. I also competed at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, where I received a gold medal for belly dance, bronze for contemporary and was the overall category winner in the

MYD: So you haven’t had any complications with your heart as a result of belly dancing? SOS: No, not at all. And one of the things that I really love about the style is that it is so welcoming of all different skill levels, fitness levels, body types. You don’t put yourself in harm’s way with belly dance. It works very well with the natural movement of your body and your own capabilities, and there is so much you can tweak to make it more friendly for your body. MYD: You started Moon Goddess Studio in 2008 and then you initiated Shimmy for Shelter – tell us more about that? SOS: I became aware of this international event called World Belly Dance Day – its main aim being to let people know what belly dancing really is about because there are often misconceptions about it. People think it’s very raunchy and promiscuous, but it’s not that at all. It’s very graceful, it’s very feminine. It was, in fact, created by women for other women – never for the entertainment of men.

folklore dance category for my belly dancing. One of the things that I really love about belly dancing as opposed to some of the other genres I’ve done is the generosity amongst the dancers – the willingness to share information, to give opportunities and not hold things for yourself. When you’re in an arts community that is small and not heavily supported, people think, ‘I’m not going to share what I know because then I lessen my opportunities.’ Actually, it’s the exact opposite. The more you share, the greater you make the whole community. I’ve really enjoyed being part of what they call the sisterhood of belly dancers because they are so generous with their time, their knowledge and their skills. They say knowledge is power, but so is kindness. You can have the most inspiring words for somebody but they’ll remember the time you took to teach them something. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.MOONGODDESSDANCE STUDIO.WEEBLY.COM

ADVERTORIAL

ALWAYS THERE, MAKING IT BETTER FOR COMMUNITIES In a world where the media is under scrutiny for creating confusion and dishing up fear instead of facts, it is beautiful to witness how One Africa Televisionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current affairs programme, #TodayOnOne, is changing communities for the better through factual storytelling that gives a voice to the poor, marginalised and ill-fated. Even more moving are the stories of those community members who rise up to assist, support and comfort even though they themselves have barely enough to come by.

#TodayOnOne restores hope in humanity and in communities, and serves as a reminder of the powerful, positive potential of the media.

of becoming a doctor one day, but his unemployed parents were forced to look for new rented accommodation almost monthly, having been met time and again with hostility and prejudice against their disabled child.

After #TodayOnOne reported on albino twins born to unemployed parents who shared a shack with two other families in Okahandja Park informal settlement, community members reached out with donations of clothes, milk, nappies and blankets. With the assistance of the “No to Gender Based Death and Violence” (No to GBD/V) community-service initiative, the family even received a shack of their own.

Hearing Peter’s plea on One Africa TV for proper medical attention, clothing and a secure place to live, Mario Thaniseb reached out with assistance. Mario, the first ever Namibian quadriplegic to skydive, had featured alongside Peter’s story on #TodayOnOne. Being able to relate to Peter’s disability, Mario offered to buy him a wheelchair and asked his occupational therapist friend to treat Peter. Peter and his family are, however, yet to find a place to call home.

Single mother Anna De Koker and her four children were kicked out of a shack in Havana because she could not afford to pay the monthly rent of N$250. After seeing the conditions she was living in, members of the community came out in numbers to help. Community activists who were campaigning on Anna’s behalf managed to raise enough money to build her a corrugated-iron shack.

With endless passion and dedication, Managing Producer Maggie Forcelledo Paz and her team continue to build #TodayOnOne to change lives for the better. Watch #TodayOnOne weekdays at 19h00 on DStv 284, GOtv 90, DStv Now or TV2Africa.com, One Africa TV’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages.

An orphaned student lived in a government shelter for six years. In spite of the physical and psychological abuse she suffered in her life, she studied hard and managed to pass grade 12 with good grades. Having reached adulthood, she had to leave the shelter and was provided with temporary lodging by one of her teachers. #TodayOnOne featured her appeal for help to attend university. After the story was broadcast, a goodhearted woman took the girl into her home in Kleine Kuppe, where she offered the girl her own room, and offered to pay for her tuition.

CONTACT INFORMATION: #TODAYONONE: +264 61 383483 WHATSAPP: +264 81 166 1838 ONEAFRICA.TV

Nine-year-old Peter Nsamba lives with pseudarthrosis, a condition which led to him being born with severely underdeveloped legs and arms. Peter, who has proven to be a very clever and gifted little boy, taught himself to draw holding a pencil in his mouth. He loves school and dreams

WITH BASSON VAN ROOYEN 76

THE MEDICS IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES T

here is a group of professional men for whom social responsibility is an undertaking not limited to the corporate world. Medic RUSH (Rural Upliftment Social Healthcare) has been operating for ten years and is run by members of the Hochland 154 Round Table – men who “emphasize the fact that one’s calling offers an excellent medium of service to the community.” They have just completed their annual mission to supply much-needed healthcare to remote corners of Namibia. MYD spoke to Basson van Rooyen, Chairman of the Hochland 154 Round Table, to find out more about their Medic RUSH project and the communities that have been assisted through it. “We take medical professionals, doctors, nurses, dentists and optometrists out to rural areas, where Namibians would not normally have access to primary healthcare. A clinic is run over three days and patients can visit for free, be seen by a doctor and receive their required medication. Many times it’s those who don’t have the means to get to a hospital or doctor that we are able to help,” Basson explains. He goes on to tell about their most recent visit. “We went to farms situated along the southern border of Etosha, where primarily San communities have been resettled. There have been two schools built recently but there is very little in terms of healthcare. The closest clinic or help is in Outjo. We visited three communities in the area: Seringkop, Werda and Balakai. We were very well received by the communities and everyone visiting the clinic got an opportunity to see a doctor. “Over the three days, we were able to see 380 patients,” says Basson, explaining that this means 380 people were assisted by a nurse, had a consultation with a doctor and were given any necessary medication free of charge. “All this

without having to travel large distances, which is what would normally be required to receive this healthcare.” It’s a massive project, and even more impressive when you hear that it’s all volunteer-based, and that the people doing this project are doing so in their spare time. Basson notes: “Quite a lot of work goes into a project like this. Every year, doctors, nurses and volunteers give their time for free, to go out to the clinics, to help the communities. “It’s a team effort,” explains Basson, who notes that their team includes the sponsors. “We need to transport everyone and everything to remote locations. We take along all the medical equipment and medication that will be needed. Nampower and Standard Bank have really been great supporters of this project over the years. Without them, there would be no way of seeing to as many people as we do.”

of the medical facilities concentrated around larger towns and cities. For many individuals, not living around the main centres means they do not have access to healthcare. Medic RUSH tries to reach these people and deliver a service not normally accessible to them. “For me, Round Table is an organisation where young, energetic people can get together to give their time and expertise to help those around us and the Namibian community. We create a platform where people can become friends, network and combine their skills. People have the opportunity to learn from much more experienced mentors, and are able to gain valuable skills.” Get involved or support this and other Hochland 154 Round Table initiatives through their Facebook page, @Hochland.154. RT, or the Round Table Namibia website, WWW.ROUNDTABLENAMIBIA.COM

Explaining why Hochland 154 Round Table chose to assist with healthcare in remote areas of Namibia, Basson says, “Namibia is a vast and sparsely populated country, with most

ADVERTORIAL

POWERCOM POWERS WITH COMPASSION Side by Side Early Intervention Centre for children with special needs US president Hubert H Humphrey - ‘It was once said that the moral test of businesses/government is how that business/government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped’. PowerCom is an ICT infrastructure and equipment provider providing worldclass communications infrastructure to improve Internet accessibility and thus economic growth for Namibian citizens. It has also been “powering” various social, entrepreneurial and sport development programmes throughout Namibia.

PowerCom believes that social investment is pivotal for any sustainable business that is committed to making an impact on the economy. As a responsible corporation, PowerCom endeavours to diversify and extend its corporate social investment to its entire ecosystem through a diversified, highimpact approach that concentrates on communities around tower installations. Their support includes contributions and sponsorships to Augustineum Secondary School, the Namibia Internet Government Forum, the #TshipahuSoccerTournament, Baumgartsburg Primary School, the Tobias Hainyeko Soccer League and the Windhoek Central Hospital’s Cancer Ward, amongst others. Of all the worthy causes they contribute to, it is Side by Side Early Intervention Centre for children with special needs that really makes PowerCom Customer Relations Officer Taimi Hamukwaya’s eyes light up. “Huipie van Wyk, the director of Side by Side, is just an incredible human being. I have so much admiration for her. She herself is the mother of a child with a disability and her commitment and dedication to these children is incredible. She is the most wonderful person I have ever met,” says Taimi.

years, she has been able to improve Side by Side’s service and maintain the pace at which the centre needs to grow in order to meet the demands of the community and Namibian children with special needs. SIDE BY SIDE SERVICES INCLUDE: • Daycare center (rehabilitation) for 24 children with multiple/ severe disabilities. • Early intervention services accommodating approximately 44 families for early intervention sessions at the centre. • Neuro Natal Clinic attendance with a team of doctors and therapists to diagnose children early and effectively implement the process of early intervention. • Home visits carried out in Okuryangava, Khomasdal and Goreangab for children who find it challenging to travel due to the severity of their special needs. • Parent workshops on ECD topics throughout the year for staff, parents, class assistants and kindergarten teachers. Emotional, physical and economical tools are given to sufficiently support families and communities. • Special school readiness focused on preparing children to enter a special-needs or mainstream school. Side by Side is a registered non-profit organization under Section 21 (Reg. Number: 21/2013/0487)

Based in Goreangab township in Windhoek, Side by Side operates as a day care and early intervention centre for families of children with special needs in very poor communities. Their mission is to provide early childhood development for children with special needs, to train parents as well as the community and caregivers, and to expand early detection and intervention throughout Namibia.

THEY CAN BE CONTACTED ON +264 81 147 7760, INFO@SIDEBYSIDENAMIBIA.COM AND WWW.SIDEBYSIDENAMIBIA.COM

Disabilities they support include autism, brain damage, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus and developmental delays. Cerebral palsy is especially common among the children. Co-founder and former director of Side by Side, Sandra Hollweg used her profession and knowledge to create a strong supporting system within the township community. Due to the lack of support for early intervention and pre-primary education for children with special needs, her investment over the last years has made a tremendous impact. Her passion for these children and their development was contagious and inspiring. In December 2017, when Sandra returned to Germany, Huipie van Wyk took up the position. As a mother of a child with a severe disability, Huipie understands the importance of support through the community as well as through the medical field. Using her drive, knowledge, experience and the contacts she has made over the last seven

WITH SAMUEL KAPEPO 80

FOOD AND INSPIRATION S

amuel Kapepo was born in 1985 in the township at Oshakati. His mother left when he was very young, and he was raised by other families. Not seeing the point of school, he dropped out, and made trouble stealing other children’s food and getting up to mischief.

Samuel’s life took a dramatic turn when he moved to Windhoek in 2004. That’s when he started the Kids’ Soup Kitchen, where, with the help of the community, he feeds less privileged people. Every Sunday, around a hundred and twenty people visit his soup kitchen. There they receive not only food, but also books from his container ‘library’ in Katutura – and along with that, inspiration. “In my storeroom, I have a bunch of books. Sometimes I feed their minds. “I’m proud of the way I am, you know, because some of the guys that I grew up with, some of them are behind bars, some of them went to rest forever.” In 2010 Samuel was nominated for the Jet Store Community award, which he won and was presented with in Johannesburg. “I couldn’t believe it, you know, I went from zero to hero. Going to Joburg and getting on the stage to pick up that award was something. I remember when I started this project, people couldn’t understand what I was doing. They thought I was doing things just to impress human beings, you know? But going to South Africa with one of my family, taking that flight, and having that magnificent hotel to sleep in, encouraged me so much. It inspired me.” The success of the project is driven by the many helping hands that go every Sunday to peel potatoes and onions, and play with the children. Samuel uses this opportunity to engage with children and inspire their parents to start initiatives to earn money – to fix what is broken.

“It’s a team effort,” explains Basson, who notes that

healthcare. Medic RUSH tries to reach these people and

“I tell them to go to school, and why you have to go to school. their team includes the sponsors. “We need to transport You want to drive this car, you want to live in luxury? Go to everyone and everything to remote locations. We take school. Don’t smoke. You know, we were not told why when along all the medical equipment and medication that will we grew up. We thought washing our hands was punishment be needed. Nampower and Standard Bank have really from parents, but it was hygienic.”

For additional income, Samuel regularly takes visitors on tours deliver a service not normally accessible to them. around his community in Katutura, showing them a unique Namibian experience.

been great supporters of this project over the years. Without them, there would be no way of seeing to as Samuel’s inspiration to continue comes from the work itself. many people as we do.”

“Number one is the smile on their faces. Number two, they call Explaining why Hochland 154 Round Table chose to assist me ‘father’. Number three, they call me ‘brother’. Number four, with healthcare in remote areas of Namibia, Basson says, they call me ‘Uncle Kapepo’.” “Namibia is a vast and sparsely populated country, with most of the medical facilities concentrated around larger towns and cities. For many individuals, not living around the main centres means they do not have access to

“For me, Round Table is an organisation where young, energetic people can get together to give their time TO CONTACT SAMUEL, CALL HIM ON and expertise to help those around us and the Namibian TEL +264 81 234 6589 OR EMAIL HIM community. We create a platform where people can ONSKAPEPO@GMAIL.COM become friends, network and combine their skills. People have the opportunity to learn from much more experienced mentors, and are able to gain valuable skills.” Get involved or support this and other Hochland 154 Round Table initiatives through their Facebook page, @Hochland.154. RT, or the Round Table Namibia website, WWW.ROUNDTABLENAMIBIA.COM.

Positive Change for Our Communities As a responsible corporate citizen, Capricorn Group and its subsidiaries, like Bank Windhoek, aspires to be Connectors of Positive Change by creating economic value in a responsible way, that creates sustainable opportunities for advancing and improving the economic and social conditions in the communities in which we operate. This sense of responsibility helps us to be socially accountable to ourselves and our stakeholders and to minimise any adverse effects on society so that we make an overall positive impact. For us, Corporate Social Responsibility means doing the right thing, for the right reasons.

82 82

As a group of companies, we would like to make a profound and lasting impact on society, based on a deep understanding and appreciation of societal needs, in line with our brand purpose of being Connectors of Positive Change. Every Capricorn citizen has embraced this purpose and is encouraged to dedicate their time and own resources as Changemakers to bring positive change to our communities through impactful deeds. Throughout the year, our Group of Changemakers, as we refer to our employees who volunteer their time and resources, support the CSI initiatives of the Group and reach out to the most vulnerable of communities by actively engaging with the beneficiaries of these projects. The Capricorn Group Changemakers creates a lasting impact through their willingness to serve and will continuously look for opportunities to make a difference in our communities.

Some Supported Recipients: • Launched in 2000, The Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project is one of Namibia’s largest and most successful fundraising projects. The funds collected through the sale of apples nationally, enables the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), to reach out and screen Namibians in all 14 regions for prostate, cervical and breast cancer, at no cost. • Omba Arts Trust is a non-profit organisation committed to poverty alleviation and job creation. The Trust assists marginalised communities by providing them with a platform to generate revenue from their traditional handicrafts. • Women at Work is a not-for-gain organisation, and dedicated to developing semi-skilled, unemployed Namibian women and men by providing high quality basic skills training. • Action Child Mobilisation is a non-profit organisation committed to Early Childhood Development. The organisation provides training to teachers, equipping them with the necessary equipment to educate children between the ages of 3 and 5 years, in impoverished communities across Namibia.

Capricorn Group believes that getting the basics right is vital in building our society and that social responsibility goes beyond just investing financially in social projects. We also commit to spending our time, skills and other resources to support these projects to become successful and sustainable. Bank Windhoek, the flagship brand of Capricorn Group through its Social Investment Fund (SIF) strives to make an impact in the communities in which it operates. To achieve this, the Bank focuses on the following investment areas: • Economic advancement with a focus on entrepreneurial skills development • Education and training • Health with a focus on diseases such as cancer, as well as mental health and disability programmes • Projects that address and support the basic needs of vulnerable children, specifically those who experience hunger, poverty and gender-based violence • Sustainability programmes in support of the SDG’s with a focus on No Poverty and Hunger, Good Health, Gender Equality, and Climate Action.

In addition to providing financial support, projects must have a long term vision and have a desire to become self-sustaining. Each project is accountable for the spend of allocated funding and reports to SIF on their progress every quarter. Bank Windhoek hosts a bank-wide Empathy Project annually, where branches and departments across the country are provided with funding to support any community project in their respective towns or region. This creates great excitement among staff members, as they are able to give back to their communities and make a difference. As we look into the future, we are excited about the imminence of the Capricorn Foundation, as the vehicle through which the Group will run its corporate social responsibility programmes, funded and supported by Bank Windhoek.

A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY. A VISION WITHIN VIEW As it happened, One Africa Television had already been developing #LearnOnOne, an education-support platform to provide extra classes, learning support and education to all Namibians via all the One Africa platforms, free of charge. One Africa television reaches and connects with a vast audience right in their living rooms or on their mobile devices.

Imagine what would happen if every child in Namibia had access to education, at no cost, in every corner of this country. Imagine it. And then help to make it happen ... Frikkie Louw, founder of Edugate Academy in Otjiwarongo, has one mission in life: to make quality education available to as many children as possible through the Eduvision Project. Three years ago, he deliberately sought out the school in Namibia with the worst pass rate. It was Tsumkwe Secondary School situated in Bushmanland, in the Otjozondjupa region in the east of the country – and it had a pass rate of zero.

Compelled by the implications of the Covid-19 lockdown on school learners across the country, One Africa TV accelerated the process and found in Eduvision an eager, excited and “ready yesterday” partner. Within a matter of weeks, One Africa launched #LearnOnOne, a non-profit sub-brand of One Africa TV, with the purpose of sustainably providing Namibian children and adult-education learners with free extra classes and access to educational material.

It was remote, cut off from the world, and unable to attract and keep teachers. Frikkie got into his car and drove to the school to see what he could do.

On 14 April 2020, #LearnOnOne started broadcasting recorded lessons of the current Namibian school curriculum for Grade 12, 11 and 10, provided by Eduvision.

The resulting collaboration between Edugate Academy, Paratus Telecom and B2Gold is a beautiful story of remote learning. Lessons from Edugate are beamed via a dedicated satellite link onto “smart boards” in a classroom hundreds of kilometers away, which allows for interactive teaching of the children. Through the smart application of technology, one teacher is now able to reach a number of classrooms simultaneously, thereby multiplying the available intellectual capital.

Morning schedules already included early-childhood development educational programmes and the vision for #LearnOnOne is to eventually provide extra classes and educational content for all school grades, early childhood and adult education. This will empower caregivers, parents, teachers, children and learners of all ages, from all walks of life. One Africa TV is a free-to-view channel providing content free of charge to broadcast platforms. It is supported by clients who advertise on the channel and who sponsor content – so the more support #LearnOnOne gets, the more content can be sourced, produced and supplied to enable a new culture of learning in our country.

Within two years, Tsumkwe Secondary School had moved up about a hundred places in Grade 12 results, with one of their learners now studying at UNAM, something that was previously unfathomable. Wonderful as this solution is, the exercise is extremely costly and technology dependent, which made it difficult to roll out to all schools across the country.

Taleni Shimhopileni, Content Manager at One Africa TV and #LearnOnOne project leader adds: “The alignment of purpose between Eduvision and One Africa TV for this project makes us extremely excited. We are grateful and thankful to Eduvision for agreeing to partner with us.” How to support this project Organisations interested in joining to support free TV learning for Namibian children are encouraged to contact One Africa TV or Eduvision. STEFAN HUGO, CEO, ONE AFRICA TV STEFAN.HUGO@ONEAFRICA.TV +264 81 141 0504 TALENI SHIMHOPILENI, CONTENT MANAGER, ONE AFRICA TV TALENI@ONEAFRICA.TV +264 81 792 8897 FRIKKIE LOUW EDUVISION PROJECT +264 81 246 7259

Free extra classes and edutainment on One Africa TV Invite learning in… Into your home, on your couch, on your phone, within reach. For everyone. #LearnOnOne brings quality extra classes and educational programs to supplement school education during daytime on One Africa TV. All children should attend school, but an extra lesson at the right time can unlock a new world for many Namibian children.

One Africa TV will broadcast #LearnOnOne material during daytime-TV hours on its channel on DStv 284 and GOtv 90, as well as on streaming platforms Tv2Africa.com (subscriptionfree) and DStv Now.

#LearnOnOne broadcasts weekdays on One Africa TV’s platforms:

Stefan Hugo, CEO of One Africa TV, commented on why One Africa TV is investing in #LearnOnOne: “With the rebranding of One Africa TV in 2018, we committed ourselves to using our platforms and audience-access to make life better for every Namibian we cross paths with. The #LearnOnOne platform and the partnership with Eduvision aligns perfectly with this goal. We believe that access to quality education for all Namibian children will change the trajectory of Namibia’s future for the better.”

DSTV 284, GOTV 90, TV2AFRICA.COM (SUBSCRIPTION FREE), DSTV NOW, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, TWITTER. SEARCH FOR #LEARNONONE OR VISIT LEARNONONE.ORG FOR OUR VIEWING SCHEDULE

The Edugate Academy states that: “It has always been our dream and aim that every learner in Namibia would benefit from the type of supplementary teaching that the Eduvision project has managed to bring to schools, especially in remote areas. The agreement with One Africa TV brings us another step closer to this dream. Yes, recorded lessons can never replace a teacher, but using it as supplementary material has demonstrated great benefits for learners.”

The next generation

Namibia is a place of great inspiration, where dedicated people are driven to make a difference. At Ongava, our inspiration comes from the land and the life it supports. Our conservation efforts are bold - land reclamation and rehabilitation, reintroduction of wildlife, and the creation of a partnership for the future that is vital for the health of the planet and our souls. Ongava - eco-tourism for the next generation.

Master Your Destiny 2020

Articles inside

FOOD AND INSPIRATION with Samuel Kapepo

THE MEDICS IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES with Basson van Rooyen

BELLY DANCING FOR THE DOGS with Sascha Olivier Sampson

PERSPECTIVES ON LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS with Bianca Ozcan

GIRLS JUST WANNA CHANGE THE WORLD with Jasmine-Rose Goagoses

COLLABORATIONS ACROSS CULTURES with Shishani

PERSPECTIVES ON IDENTITY with Zodidi Gaseb

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ‘P’ WORD the Recycle Namibia Forum

OUTAPI, MOBILITY AND HILYA EKANDJO “the bicycle lady

STANDING TALL FOR GIRAFFE with Stephanie Fennessy

RENEWABLE ENERGY ON THE RISE IN NAMIBIA with PREN

A STORY OF HOPE with Tuhafeni George Dasilva Hishitelwa

HUMAN-WILDLIFE COMPATIBILITY in the Riemvasmaker Community

THE HOLISTIC BUSINESS OF HAMBELELA with Victoria Hambelela Toivo

ETHOS OF ANCIENT with Dr. Margaret Jacobsohn

THE LANDSCAPE OF HERITAGE with Gina Figueira

SEPARATING THE DEMONS FROM DEMENTIA with Berrie Holtzhausen

ALBINISM Action for inclusion with Sinasra

FAMILY OF HOPE SERVICES with Foibe Sivanus

FROM HORROR TO HOPE with Ignatius Mwanyekange

PERSPECTIVES ON PRISONERS with Meunajo Tjiroze

PERSPECTIVES ON FORBES AFRICA’S “30 UNDER 30” with Sandra Mwiihangele

REVEALING FOR HEALING with Isabel Katjavivi