ISSUE 9 | AUGUST 2022
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Take me home! Your free copy
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www.flynamibia.com.na flynamibia safari | adventure | lifestyle |
conservation | economic pulse | looking global | explore Damaraland
GOOD TODAY. BETTER TOMORROW.
from the publisher
Stories in FlyNamibia Magazine.
FIRE
This is us.
ISSUE 8 | JULY 2022
ISSUE 7 | JUNE 2022
ISSUE 9 | AUGUST 2022
conservation | economic pulse | looking global | explore cape town
www.flynamibia.com.na flynamibia safari | adventure | lifestyle |
“But how could you live and have no story to tell?” - Fyodor Dostoevsky
A
is for Awesome... and Ads. To advertise in FlyNamibia magazine contact fly@venture.com.na.
Venture Publications (Pty) Ltd. PO Box 21593 Windhoek Namibia info@venture.com.na
conservation | economic pulse | looking global | explore kaokoland
Take me home! Your free copy
Take me home! Your free copy
www.flynamibia.com.na flynamibia safari | adventure | lifestyle |
wa ang issue
Take me home! Your free copy
he
OndT
www.flynamibia.com.na flynamibia safari | adventure | lifestyle |
conservation | economic pulse | looking global | explore Damaraland
Read this issue online!
extraordinary Namibian stories. publishing. content generation. content marketing. print. film. digital.
CONTENT IS
are compiled by Venture Media’s content team, in partnership with Tribefire Studios and freelance contributors.
and also
by Tribefire Studios
FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
1
contents Table of
Content is Fire
01
Collaboration is the future. FlyNamibia Magazine is a compilation of Namibian stories sourced by Venture Media that entertain and surprise with interesting topics, introducing you to a new generation of trendsetters and Namibian personalities.
Welcome on Board 10
08
Fashion Fierce
10
Excited about all things FlyNamibia.
Craig ZoowieThe rising African icon of luxury style and decor.
Life on a Table
13
Warm up this winter with Hilda-Marié’s mouth watering goulash soup.
Shop Local-ish
14
The most unique local lifestyle brands and products.
A Day in Ondangwa with Joyce
16
Join Joyce as she explores this energetic and vibrant northern town.
14
10 Minutes with Local Taste Makers
18
Combining creativity and entrepreneurship with Leon Engelbrecht.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
21
Don't miss any of these exciting upcoming events.
Good Vibes Only
22
Your monthly dose of feel good news from Namibia and abroad.
Thrifting in Ondangwa
24
Finding treasures in a trove full of fast fashion looking for a longer lifespan.
Wellness 18 2
Authenticity is a daily practice of letting go.
29
Economic Pulse
30
An update on the Namibian economy.
Royal Hustlers
32
Reem El Sherif on breaking boundaries, embracing diversity and leading with conviction.
Ongula Academy
36
24
An exceptional educational facility aimed at providing young school leavers, in a country with a high unemployment rate with much-needed vocational skills.
The Tribe
43
45
Namibia’s golden-voiced star, Teqla.
The Project Room
Seibeb presents Mens (gemaak): A reflection on humanity.
Ongula Lodge
48
Diving headfirst into Oshiwambo culture.
The RMB Ride for Rhinos 2022
52
The 8th RMB Ride for Rhinos, a popular annual mountain biking event aimed at raising funds and creating awareness around the ongoing conservation efforts to protect the world's last free-roaming black rhinos.
This is Namibia
45
54
Discovering Damaraland.
Penduka
58
Three decades of dignifying Namibian women.
Did You Know?
63
Fun facts, important dates and Sudoku.
48 FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
3
Purchase all your favourite CYMOT products online!
info@cymot.com +264 61 295 6000
www.cymot.com
Need To Knows. with FlyNamibia
How to buy
a ticket online Choose your ticket Select which tickets you would like to purchase. We offer multiple fare options such as: Saver, Classic or Premium
Passenger details Please enter names as they appear on passport or travel documentation
More options for the perfect trip Baggage policy, sporting equipment, over weight luggage or to add an additional bag(s)
Additional flight information / rules Read up on all our additional information reagarding terms and conditions, and tick the selection box once completed to continue.
LOGIN to upload passenger details from previous booking.
Payment
Confirmation Mail
Fill in your payment details in our DPO paygate to make final payment.
How can you make
You can also purchase
from:
a payment?
Cash payment at: Eros Airport, Ondangwa Airport, Oranjemund Airport
Transaction confirmation will be sent to passenger email entered.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Windhoek Eros Airport Office SkyLounge Eros Ondangwa airport office Rundu airport office Katima Mulilo airport office
Online card transaction
PayToday app Buddy SuperApp
Check-in
prior to flight Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure of the flight on Fly Namibia Check-in opens 1h 30min before domestic flight and 2 hours before international flight. Check-in CLOSES 30 min prior to flight
Hosea Kutako airport office All major travel agents
Luggage
restrictions Items NOT allowed in hand luggage: Lotions and aerosols above 100ml, flammable aerosol, sharp objects, i.e. nail files, nail scissors, Leatherman, matches.
MAX 20kg
Per person
FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
5
Ondangwa - Toivo ya Toivo
Eros Airport
Oranjemund Cape Town
6
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
CONNECTING YOU TO
Windhoek, Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Cape Town, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS FROM
TO
DAYS
DEPARTURE
ARRIVAL
Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun
07:00
07:50
Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo
Windhoek
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun
08:40
09:30
Windhoek
Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo
Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun
16:00
16:50
Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo
Windhoek
Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun
17:40
18:30
Windhoek
Rundu
Mon, Wed, Fri
08:00
09:30
Rundu
Windhoek
Mon, Wed, Fri
10:10
11:40
Windhoek
Windhoek
Katima Mulilo
Wed, Fri, Sun
11:00
12:25
Katima Mulilo
Windhoek
Wed, Fri, Sun
13:10
14:40
Windhoek
Oranjemund
Mon, Thu
12:20
13:50
Oranjemund
Windhoek
Mon, Thu
14:30
16:00
DAYS
DEPARTURE
ARRIVAL
REGIONAL FLIGHTS FROM
TO
Windhoek
Cape Town
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
06:50
08:50
Cape Town
Windhoek
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
09:50
11:50
Windhoek
Cape Town
Sunday
14:00
16:00
Cape Town
Windhoek
Sunday
17:00
19:00
SAFARI FLIGHTS FROM
DAYS
DEPARTURE
ARRIVAL
Swakopmund
Sossusvlei
TO
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
09:00
09:40
Sossusvlei
Windhoek
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
10:20
11:10
Windhoek
Etosha
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
12:10
13:10
Etosha
Windhoek
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
13:50
14:50
Windhoek
Sossusvlei
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
15:50
16:40
Sossusvlei
Swakopmund
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
17:20
18:00
Windhoek
Sossusvlei
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
16:30
17:30
www.flynamibia.com.na
+264 83 339 0011
Schedule as per date of going to print. Please check the FlyNamibia website to stay updated on flight destinations, routes and schedules.
8
Welcome
ON BOARD The best of Namibia and beyond During the winter months, Namibia’s skies are a soft shade of pastel blue. Clear as ever. Bright and beautiful, just as our hopes for the rest of the year. With our FlyNamibia Safari circuit in full swing, we took the time in July to connect with Namibia’s tourism industry and some of its members to discuss possibilities and further broaden our horizons. FlyNamibia Safari was a game-charger for the Namibian tourism industry when we launched it earlier this year. With daily shuttle flights from Hosea Kutako to Namibia’s most popular destinations - Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha. This scenic flight circuit, when linked with our scheduled operations to destinations such as Cape Town, Rundu and Katima Mulilo, allow travellers to make the most of their Namibian experience and get to far flung destinations quickly and with ease. With this in mind, the FlyNamibia team set up a series of Roadshows. These networking sessions were held in Windhoek and Katima Mulilo and allowed our team the opportunity to chat directly to industry members about our product offerings, their needs and potential new routes that can be serviced, furthering our goals to connect both locals and visitors to the best of Namibia and beyond.
This adventure marked Joyce’s first trip to the region. Travelling almost everywhere by boat was one of the best parts for her. The group’s experience included a game drive to Horseshoe bend in Bwabwata National Park, and river cruises on the Zambezi, Kwando and Chobe rivers where they saw hippos, elephants, hyena, crocodile, buffalo and lots of birds. They even visited a traditional healer and observed as she treated a patient. The highlight of their trip was the crew and camaraderie. The Mother City calls We’ve been connecting our clients between Windhoek Hosea Kutako and Cape Town International six days a week since March this year. To make your journey between these two iconic destinations more convenient we have updated our departure times for weekday flights. Flights between Windhoek and Cape Town will now operate as follows on Mondays to Fridays: Departure from Windhoek Hosea Kutako at 06:50, arrival at Cape Town International at 08:50. Departure from Cape Town International at 09:50, arrival at Windhoek Hosea Kutako at 11:50. Sunday flight schedules remain unchanged. Please check our website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules.
If you are a member of the Namibian tourism industry and wish to connect and discuss options with the FlyNamibia team, please contact Marco Theron at marco.theron@westair.com.na.
Flights with us can be booked through all major travel agencies, or directly via FlyNamibia’s 24/7 contact centre at +264 83 339 0011. Customers can also visit www.flynamibia.com.na for online bookings.
Fun in the Zambezi with I Laugh Namibia
Keep in mind that our contact centre operates on a 24/7 basis and can be reached at +264 83 339 0011. For your ease and comfort we provide a wide variety of payment methods, including the PayToday and Paybuddy apps, via EFT, online card transactions or in cash at our Eros Airport, Ondangwa Airport, Oranjemund Airport and Hosea Kutako Airport offices.
In July, our FlyNamibia brand ambassador Joyce was invited to join the Gondwana Collection’s team on an exciting excursion to the Zambezi Region. As part of a new web series named ‘I Laugh Namibia’, Joyce joined Namibian personalities Lazarus Jacobs, Neville Basson and Odile Gertze. ‘I Laugh Namibia’ is a Namibian travel infotainment show which showcases the hosts exploring Namibia and uncovering the wonders of its various destinations, flora and fauna, people, cultures and cuisine. Keep an eye out for Joyce and her bubbly personality in the Zambezi episode on the Gondwana Collection’s Youtube channel.
Enjoy your flight! The FlyNamibia Team
FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
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Photo credits: Optimass Art; Derrick Manieca &nRage Inc Studios
Craig Zoowie
The rising African icon of luxury style and decor
10
W
hen I met Craig Zoowie during the Windhoek Fashion Week in 2016, I just had to ask him what his one styling tip was. Without hesitation the Zimbabwean style icon told me that a wrist watch was an absolute must as an accessory. This was at a time when I had no time for watches, literally. A few years later, I know he will be proud to know that I cannot go without a wristwatch. A multiple award-winning luxury event designer, Craig is a fashion stylist and grooming consultant who merges his taste for luxury and attention to detail in everything he does. He has become a highly sought-after style advisor whose magic touch has attracted the attention of South African mega stars, including Makhadzi and Daliwonga. While we haven’t met since 2016, Craig continues to inspire me with his impeccable style stories which are meticulously documented via his Instagram page. I reached out to him to share his story… What was the “aha” moment that made you realise this is the career you wished to pursue? It was the need for bespoke, well curated, beautiful events a couple of years ago when I was invited to an event and the floral arrangement in the middle of the table was so absolutely baffling to me – it had four stems of roses and the roses were not even fresh. How did you get your big break? It took moving to Harare, which is Zimbabwe’s capital city, to get our brand out to a larger market. Are you a closet editor or builder? I would say I am a Tastemaker. I assist the client acquire a more refined palate – from the design of their homes and the appliances that will complement the furnishings, art pieces, the crockery and cutlery choices to the clothes they wear. What is your take on the sustainable fashion movement we find ourselves in, and where do you think luxury fashion fits into that picture? Sustainable fashion has become a buzzword for brands which want to escape accountability for their harmful practices. I think the power of sustainable fashion comes from the consumer of these fashion goods to really hold a brand accountable by questioning ethics and business practices. And for luxury fashion, this power is in the wallet of the buyer and consumer. If something was made in a way that exploits another person or harms the environment, then a consumer can decide to withhold their buying power. Walk us through the creative process you go through when styling a client. During our initial briefing I ask a lot of questions to understand who the client is, their daily schedule, or whether their part at a production/event is red carpet or hosting. From their description I get to understand the client and will be able to choose which designers to approach for possible garments, etc.
Fashion Fierce
What do you love most about the work you do? Making life more beautiful. Have you ever worked with a Namibian client? If not, who would you envision working with here? I would love to style a couple of Namibian personalities. Among them is probably Luis Munana. What are the parallels between fashion styling and event design and décor? Both are very much creative processes. Understanding the client’s vision and processing it enough for their taste, so that the end product resonates exactly who they are and thereby helping their brand communicate beautifully. How important is décor for a wedding? Do the small details really matter? From the first point of contact which is the invitation either electronic or a hard copy. That sets the tone to the type of wedding you are being invited to. The quality of the design, the wording on it and the attention to detail like advising dress code gives you a general indication. The process of preparing both for the hosts and guests sets the tone too. As guests arrive, that total well curated aesthetic definitely chanels through the mood of the entire wedding. Either romantic, fantasy, hobo, chic, cultural. Those details really do matter as guests will forever remember how the wedding made them feel through all the details from the scent of the space, the lighting, the textures of the linen, the candles, the sounds, etc. Is luxury (be it couture clothing or high-end décor) really worth it, especially in the African context? Have you seen African décor??? We are the definition of luxury because we have always appreciated and used natural products, materials, colour palettes, and our entire aesthetic appeal has always exuded a luxurious warmth. Maybe we just don't call it luxury because it is almost natural. So to answer your question, luxury is absolutely defined by Africa's appreciation for originality, uniqueness, splendour and royalty. If you need to be convinced, look at ancient African kingdoms and the ceremonial dress codes of African royalty, warriors and citizens. We have known luxury before it was a Eurocentric concept. Finally, where do you see the Craig Zoowie brand headed to in the next five years? EUROPE. Watch Craig Zoowie’s fabulous style story continue to unfold on his social media pages: @Craigzoowieofficial on Instagram and @CraigZoowie on Twitter. Rukee Kaakunga is a Windhoek-based Communications Specialist, Blogger and Freelance Fashion Writer. Contact her via email: rukeekaakunga@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @rukeeveni and on Instagram @rukeekaakunga.
FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
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Not For Persons Under The Age Of 18 12
Foodies
Hentie Burger
OSTRICH GOULASH SOUP 500 g onions, chopped 3 cloves garlic 1.5 kg good quality meat (topside), cut into bite-size cubes Olive oil or butter for frying 500 g carrots, peeled and sliced 500 g peppers, mixed, cubed (not too small) or cut into strips 500 g potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 x 410 g tin tomatoes, chopped 60 ml tomato paste 750 ml dry red wine 30 ml paprika powder Sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Hilda-Marié Burger learnt to make this delicious goulash soup from her German friend, Jürgen. You can use beef or venison goulash instead of ostrich. HildaMarié makes a double portion and cooks the soup without the potatoes to freeze it for later use. Boil the potatoes while you defrost the soup and add them while heating the soup. • • • • • •
Sprinkle the meat with freshly ground black pepper and brown small batches in olive or canola oil. Fry the onions and add the meat to the onions. Fry the tomato paste for a while, then add it to the meat. Add the red wine and bring to the boil. Add all the remaining ingredients except for the chopped tomatoes and boil for about 45 minutes until the meat is soft. Add the chopped tomatoes right at the end.
Discover more of Antoinette's delicious recipes in Life on a Table To order your copy contact Bonn Nortjé at Venture Publications: bonn@venture.com.na
FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
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STEEL MAGNOLIA A small business with a beautiful backstory, Steel Magnolia was founded on the idea that the beauty of being a woman lies in the juxtaposition of our soft and sentimental side, with the hard and resilient opposite. The name Steel Magnolia, obviously inspired by the classic film, was a perfect fit for the clay earrings that Marcel Swart makes by hand, with love. These clay earrings are unlike any other. The flower drops dangle and dance above your collarbone – delicate, yet edgy – and each style is named after an inspiring woman known to Marcel. The accessories are available in Windhoek at Family Care Pharmacy and Ostora in Omaruru, or by getting in touch with Marcel. Tel: +264 81 230 3677
SHOP LOCAL-ish
The most unique local lifestyle brands and products that will guide, motivate and inspire you to express your identity.
SILVER & OLIVE If you are the kind of person who gets excited about candles, Silver & Olive is going to be your new obsession. Besides having a ridiculously aesthetic Instagram profile, Silver & Olive candles are trendy without trying too hard. They are minimalistic hand-poured soy wax candles packaged to perfection in reusable glass containers. Most recently they’ve added a gemstone range to the repertoire (for the chakras and such) while the cereal candle is understandably all the rage! Oh, and if you thought you did not need technicolour matchstick heads in your life, you thought wrong. Silver & Olive is here to make every moment a little more aesthetically pleasing. @silverandolive
14
BEE-TIQUE HOTEL By now we all surely know the importance of bees in our greater ecosystem, but how does the average Joe go about supporting bees? Incorporating a BEE-tique Hotel at home is a great place to start. One solitary bee does the pollination work of 100 honey bees, which is why it’s essential to give these okes a safe place to rest and reproduce. BEE-tique Hotels are adorably crafted blocks, fashioned with a roof and plenty of cavities for solitary bees to make a home. Their current offering includes pretty pastel high-rise hotels and Fachwerk-style homes with reeds that provide the cavities. These are a great addition to your outdoor decor, as well as a delighted conscience. @beetiquehotel
ARTKID In no version of reality will graphic T-shirts not be cool. Enter Artkid with a collection of crazy cool and totally original designs from the hands of (you guessed it) an art kid. You know the kind that’s always doodling in the back of the classroom, imagining they had an apparel brand. Artkid is precisely that! Quirky and authentic quotes, sarcastic statements and completely original designs on black, white and navy T-shirts – you’ll find it all on Artkid’s Instagram page at an absolute steal of a price. We are done buying basic graphic tees from Cotton On; it is time for Artkid to grace the torsos of Namibia’s hypebeasts. Six new designs are scheduled to launch in August! @artkidbrand
MINALA One of the best bits about being a new parent is dressing your bundle of joy in adorable outfits. Even better is knowing said cute outfit is locally designed and manufactured, and uses only the softest material. Minala should be your go-to for kiddies’ clothes, whether you’re a mum or aspiring to be the favourite auntie/uncle. Their clothes are geared towards little ones from 0-3 months to 4 years old, all in neutral tones from browns to olive, and handmade in Namibia. Minala was born from the minds of two young moms Marlanda and Stephanie, who obviously have impeccable taste in how to dress their kids and are here to encourage you to do the same. Whether you’ve got little ones of your own, or simply enjoy spoiling other people’s children, Minala will send your baby fever into the 40s. @minala.namibia
Are you a Nam or SA-based small business lifestyle brand? List your label with us for only N$750 per month. fly@venture.com.na
FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
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A Day in Ondangwa with Joyce
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Joyce Nghiishililwa, the Face of FlyNamibia, recaps her first-ever domestic flight to Ondangwa in one of the airline’s bigger aircraft. Joyce and the FlyNamibia Magazine content team explored the town’s open market where locals shop and do business, and spent the night at Ongula Village Homestead Lodge. Here is Joyce’s take on a day in Ondangwa.
How was your first experience on a scheduled flight in a bigger aircraft with FlyNamibia? Well, my experience with FlyNamibia in the much bigger Embraer, used for domestic and regional flights, was definitely less bumpy than the smaller aircraft with which we flew to Swakopmund. You would think the weather way up in the sky would be much colder, but it actually isn’t when you are in a smaller aircraft that flies lower. The bigger aircraft fly higher in much cooler temperatures, definitely one of the reasons I enjoyed the flight to Ondangwa a little more. Not to mention my very favourite part: seeing the scenery from up there. It literally took my breath away! We took the morning flight to Ondangwa and thus saw the sun rising over Windhoek. It looked like wallpaper and was truly beautiful to witness. FlyNamibia is surely taking me to places, and to heights I’ve never been before in my life. In essence, giving me this great opportunity to see and experience just the best of scenery, service and places. What did you do, see, experience in Ondangwa and the surroundings?
tour around the lodge, homestead and skills academy facilities. The tour was an amazing experience. Once again I learnt more about my own culture. Later in the evening we indulged in delicious Oshiwambo cuisine prepared by Ongula’s well-trained chefs. Many of the employees are graduates from the skills academy on the premises. I will definitely go back to the lodge soon. What part of the trip did you enjoy most? Top of the list: definitely the flight! Everything about the flight was enjoyable, from the breathtaking sunrise, to the attentive cabin crew, the awe-inspiring aerial scenes from the window, not to mention how smoothly the flight went. After this one, I will always look forward to more air travel. I am a sucker for sunsets and sunrises! Another dazzling highlight on this trip was the donkey cart ride at Ongula. When we drove off for the short ride, the sun was setting behind silhouettes of makalani palms. The horizon was deep purple and orange, beyond beautiful, and I could not stop oohing and aahing.
We touched down at Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport in Ondangwa pretty early and hopped into a rental vehicle, starting our quest to explore the town. Our first stop was the Ondangwa Open Market, situated in the heart of the town. Just driving along the main road is a pretty great tour of the town. The Open Market reminded me why I am proud of my Oshiwambo culture. The market, to me, was like taking a trip down memory lane back to my childhood days in Tsumeb. So many of the items that are sold there are the traditional pieces that I would see my grandmother have or make from scratch while I was growing up. I even got a chance to find out more about how certain things were made and where they were from. I loved that because I was familiar with the food, clothing and accessories, but learnt about their origins and the processes that bring them to life.
I also really enjoyed the traditional dance performance put on for us at Ongula. The dancing girls were so authentic and full of life, another example of my beautiful Oshiwambo heritage.
After exploring most of the market, we got to my favourite part of visiting it. Thrifting! The team and I bought some really good pieces. It almost seemed as if we were at an ‘all you can eat’ buffet for clothes, because there was literally something of everything, for everyone. Handbags, shirts, coats, jackets, rompers, dresses. You name it! It was a clothing heaven.
Just experiencing a different side of life is honestly reason enough to explore and visit Ondangwa. Our accommodation in Ondangwa was splendid, but I do not doubt that there are many more great places in Ondangwa to eat, sleep and experience. Getting that feel of being in another town will help you unwind and relax. The warmth of that northern sun on your skin is like therapy!
Then we hit the road again, heading to the beautiful Ongula Village Homestead Lodge just 45km outside of town. Ongula is experience-based accommodation centred around traditional Oshiwambo culture. We had a lovely lunch and rested for a bit before we set out on an informative guided
WATCH: Travelling with Joyce: Ondangwa on our social media pages
Why YOU should visit Ondangwa Number one, the people. When we began filming at the Open Market, the stall owners weren’t so eager to participate. After I began chatting to them in Oshiwambo, explaining who we are and that our goal is to entice more people to visit Ondangwa, they warmed up and even went the extra mile to demonstrate how the traditional clothing is worn or what it represents in the Oshiwambo culture. The people are great, not to mention the friendly staff at Ongula Lodge!
Charene Labuschagne
FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
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Tara Mett
18 Willem Vrey
Willem Vrey
Tara Mett
10 minutes with local taste makers
here is something to be said for creative entrepreneurs. Individually, those job titles are challenging enough. Throw them together and you will find an intersection of ridiculously brave (and just a little bit foolish) individuals who choose this challenge on a daily basis. Leon Engelbrecht is one of these crazy genius people.
For over a decade he pursued a career in the IT industry. Fresh out of high school and having little framework of where to start (as so many of us do), Leon went into corporate. And it ended up being the bane of his existence. But like most great stories, this one has a comeback montage: well into his IT career, the pursuit of building a home alongside his partner inspired a love for interior design. This personal project put his entire creative career into motion. He jumped ship, let go of the certainty and created his own breed: Leon Engelbrecht Design.
Tara Mett
Charene Labuschagne
Many Namibians are familiar with his brand of leather goodies. Known colloquially as LED, Leon and his three-strong team of crafters hand stitch duffel bags, wallets, purses, belts, you name it. I repeat: hand stitched, in Windhoek, in an uber cool, up-and-coming corner of the capital. Surrounding the LED studio is an art gallery, a tattoo and barber shop, plus there’s mention of a micro brewery opening around the corner. Very exciting to say the least! Leon’s creative playground is a warehouse-style, screed floor, open-plan space. Two thirds workshop and one third retail. In the latter he’s showcasing Leon Engelbrecht Design’s magnificent leather work and homeware, alongside complementary brands that include delicious olives, ceramics and funky socks to wear with the imported leather shoes he also stocks. The goal is for this space to be a one-stop destination for gifting or simply an eclectic shopping experience.
While we know (and love) Leon for his leather work, his skill in crafting was hard-earned. After departing the corporate world, the artisan embarked on an in-depth course in working with leather. “I never learnt to weld or do carpentry, yet I had this desire to learn something practical and get my hands dirty. Leather craftsmanship ended up being my thing.” For Leon there’s magic in the process. From the sketch on paper and preparing the material, to stitching and perfecting the final product, he’s fond of the journey from start to finish and finds the feeling of creating something from scratch utterly intoxicating. Leon is inspired, first and foremost, by Namibia. The landscapes, wildlife and people form an integral part of the work that is produced at LED. The colour palette of our fauna and flora are visible in the shades of bovine leather used for accessories, or the prints developed for his homeware ranges. Leon personally trained LED’s employees and says he strives for his studio to be a safe and creative space that eventually employs many more Namibians. His second greatest source of inspiration comes from the glossy pages of magazines, particularly House and Leisure. Asked who his dream client might be, “one with a big budget” jokes Leon. He dreams of designing a lodge space, simply because the scale and creative boundaries are seemingly limitless. Once that dream client appears he’ll be including locally crafted furniture and décor elements, while challenging our ideas of what a lodge “should” look like. With his hound as a mascot and a team of hardworking crafters, Leon is reimagining the quintessential Namibian lifestyle and shopping experience, all the while honouring and advocating for the maker’s movement. Groundbreaking stuff! Charene Labuschagne
Charene Labuschagne
T
Leon Engelbrecht
FLYNAMIBIA AUGUST 2022
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Matej Smucr
YOUR 4X4 ADVENTURE AWAITS Tel: +264 61 232871 | 24hr emergency no: 081 129 3355 Email: info@africa-on-wheels.com | Website: www.africa-on-wheels.com
5 & 6 August 2022 Drag Night - Divas Divas and drag are synonymous. You can’t have Trinity The Tuck without Tina Turner, or Ginger Minj without a little Mariah Carey. For this month’s edition of Drag Night, the divas of our heydays come out to play, perform and put on a show. Think Celine, Whitney, Beyonce, Madonna… Book your table in advance to avoid disappointment, leave your pretences at home and come with lots of ten dollar bills to tip your queens. Tickets cost N$80 at the entrance.
26-28 August 2022 KinoNamibia Film Festival The Namibia Film Commission hosts this three-day event for aspiring or established directors, scriptwriters, actors, editors and camera operators. As a branch of the international KinoKabaret movement, the event brings together teams of talent from diverse disciplines to write, direct and produce short local stories within 48 hours. Day three is dedicated to editing, after which the short films are showcased.
What's happening. You know the drill by now, August is windy and only just bearable before we can call it spring and finally defrost. Hang in there guys! Luckily the windy month is blowing in some fresh and fun events to attend, support or even take part in.
Every Saturday
4 August 2022
Green Market Known among its regular customers as the Bio Mark, this Saturday market has been around for nearly a decade and proves to all the fad-markets that consistency is rewarding. Here you can buy a weeks’ worth of organic veggies and other groceries, while supporting small businesses that sell jewellery and other crafts. The market’s coffee and cake is always popular. Buy a belegtes Brötchen and grab a seat at the café area before it fills up with cool and alternatively-minded Windhoekers.
Swakopmund turns 130 The beloved coastal town was proclaimed on this day in 1892. Celebrations to mark 130 years will take place between 29 July and 7 August in and around Swakop. Expect a pageant, an official celebratory parade, a drive-through movie screening and musical performances. No matter what you take part in or attend, Swakop is definitely the place to be during this week of festivities.
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GOOD VIBES ONLY Good news from Namibia and around the world
LOCAL ‘Never Walk Alone’ donates over 4,000 leather shoes The non-profit project initiated by MTC’s Tim Ekandjo in 2021 has raised around N$2.3 million since August last year. The Never Walk Alone project has visited the Hardap, Omaheke, Erongo and Kavango East regions and handed out leather shoes to vulnerable children. The goal is for every child to receive a pair of shoes annually. Shilongo Leather Works, a Namibian owned leather manufacturer, made the 4,475 pairs of leather shoes that have been gifted to date. “While we are proud of this achievement, we know we still have a long way to go. There are over 70,000 barefooted children across the country, waiting and hoping for their turn,” says Beverley Naris, the project's marketing and logistics officer. Source: The Namibian
Renowned ‘Safari Guide of the Year’ award goes to Etoshabased Cameron Pearce South African national Cameron Pearce, who is currently based at Ongava Nature Reserve near Etosha, has scooped the Field Guide’s Association of South Africa’s annual Safari Guide award. He is the current managing and chief instructor of Ongava’s guide training and development, and holds a long list of qualifications including marine, culture and bird guiding. Trails for the award were held in the second half of June and the five finalists competed in categories ranging from guided walks to game drives, photographic safaris, tracking, birding and even rifle handling. This award brings recognition to the calibre of safari guides in Namibia. Source: Field Guides Association of South Africa
AFRICA Karate classes are empowering people with albinism in Tanzania It is estimated that in Tanzania 1 in 1,400 people have albinism. People with this condition are subjected to daily discrimination, often motivated by myths and superstition. In an effort to minimise attacks, mutilation and murder of people with albinism, Jerome Mgahama began a program teaching martial arts to individuals with albinism. He was inspired after teaching children with albinism karate, and seeing first-hand the confidence boost it gives them. Jerome quickly realised he would need more instructors to expand the program, and began offering free, long-term training to adults with albinism who will in turn become karate teachers themselves. Jerome sees a major change in his students’ conduct in daily life since learning martial arts. Source: Al Jazeera
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Solar-powered cold storage is reducing food waste in Nigeria 40% of food in Nigeria goes to waste before it even reaches consumers. This is largely due to a lack of cold storage keeping food items fresh at the markets where they are sold. With this in mind Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu founded ColdHubs. By using solar power instead of diesel generators, the company prevents one million kilograms of CO2v from entering the atmosphere each year, while simultaneously helping farmers and retailers double the earnings they would otherwise get from nearly spoiled produce. According to the UN, food waste accounts for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so finding solutions to reduce waste could be vital in the fight against climate change. Source: CNN
THE WORLD EU Greenhouse gas emissions at their lowest since 1990 According to official European Union data, greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 were at 34% of the 1.94 billion tons of CO2 recorded in the base year of 1990. Before the pandemic, the EU’s emissions had already been reduced by 26%, and the EU achieved the target of 20% before lockdowns began to affect emissions. Key drivers of lowering the emissions include the growing use of renewable energy sources and improvements in energy efficiency. European winters have also become warmer and require less in-door heating. The EU’s substantial greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 dropped by 11% compared to 2019. Source: Good News Network
FDA approves first alopecia drug helping patients restore hair growth Alopecia areata is a disfiguring skin disease whereby the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in partial or complete hair loss. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the very first treatment for alopecia areata. The once-daily pill goes by the name Olumiant and trials have proven to be successful in one in three patients with severe alopecia. Half of the group had no scalp hair before the treatment, resulting in 80% more scalp hair coverage. Olumiant consists of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, which has previously been used for rheumatoid arthritis, and is further being tested for other skin disease treatment including eczema and vitiligo, granuloma annulare and erosive lichen planus. Source: Good News Network
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IN ONDANGWA
THRIFTING
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n the most unlikely of places, on a Saturday morning, I’m strolling through a market, browsing through heaps of second-hand clothes. The air is warm and damp and the local language I have yet to learn, flows through the chaos and breathes life into everything. Since I can’t speak the vernacular I cannot find out where the nearest air-conditioned restaurant might be, and it serves me right, because this is no time or place to be fussy.
puffer coats. The people who sell clothes here everyday have been doing so for many, many years. Most of them are eager businesswomen with an eye for fashion, some “shops” are better than others. The best ones have a niche they cater to. The shop where I bought Asham’s denim skirt specialises in denim skirts and trousers, and puffer-vests. Ronny’s green blouse is from a rail of hundreds of flowy blouses, amongst them one black number labelled Michael Kors.
Sounds exotic, doesn’t it? Yet, if the metaphorical camera were to zoom out, from where I’m standing, the market around me would become a tiny, unassuming speck in the north of Namibia. This is Ondangwa, and this Open Market (like so many in these parts of the country) is the heartbeat of the town. Locals shop here, socialise and eat here. As for me, I’m thrifting. Cape Town’s second-hand clothing scene could never have prepared me for this shopping experience. Knee-high piles of sweaters, jeans, blouses and jackets line the floor. Rails of clothing display the shop owners’ pick of the day, often inspired by the season. It’s monumental and quite intimidating. The only way to approach it is to roll your sleeves up and start digging. You might just find an authentic leather jacket and buy it without hesitation, because who would hesitate at only N$150?
While at face value these clothing drops appear to be a gift to our society, the long-term effects are proving to be precisely the opposite. Selling second-hand clothes for cheap in less developed countries is a great alternative to landfills, but the uncontrolled masses, the cathartic shift of responsibility inevitably becomes Africa’s burden. Indigenous markets have become less favoured as a result, and countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are working to ban the import of used clothes and shoes in an effort to protect local businesses and prevent clothes from inevitably ending up in African landfills.
The clothes that have accumulated here are, first and foremost, a result of fast fashion consumerism. In the United States, 64% of the 32 billion garments produced annually end up in landfills, literally thrown in the trash because the trend has blown over and the next best thing is on the rack, under fluorescent lighting, in a mega-mall shop. While fast fashion continues to fill rubbish dumps, those individuals who have a little more discretion, opt to donate their unwanted clothes to textile recyclers. The cycle continues as the recycler’s unwanted items are packaged into bales divided into gender, age and season, sold by weight and shipped to Africa. This is how many women across the continent earn an income: reselling donated clothing in informal markets, everyday of the week from roughly 9 to 5. It is not the glamorous kind of thrifting experience. Where you browse through a curated handful of items, scarcely displayed in a shop kept by a hipster playing Simon and Garfunkel on the stereo (brownie points for vinyl). If you have not heard it yet, let me be the first to say: those kinds of shops are overpriced, overrated and completely miss the point of thrifting (I am talking about thrift shops, not vintage, which are in a league of their own). Just because the label says something important, does not overshadow the fact that this same item was once unwanted and forgotten. One man’s trash for the price of a treasure? Hell no, you can find me in the open market, scavenging for bargains. Around 9:30 on this particular Saturday morning the market is quiet. Shopkeepers gradually uncover their square metre of thrift-shop. These “shops” predominantly consist of a bedsheet or plastic groundsheet spread out on the floor, with four or five categorised piles of clothes on top, the corners of the sheet kept down by decommissioned bricks and rocks (be warned, these are a tripping hazard). There is almost always a rail of some sorts, be it makeshift from the open-plan steel structures that shelter the market, or an actual free-standing one, exclusively showcasing calf-length
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Knee-high piles of sweaters, jeans, blouses and jackets line the floor. Rails of clothing display the shop owners’ pick of the day, often inspired by the season. It’s monumental and quite intimidating.
This beckons the question: if the unwanted garments of the global West can’t be dumped in Africa, they’ll surely head right back to being dumped in landfills. Reality is, in these parts of Namibia, international franchises that are supplied directly by the fast fashion industry, have a hold on local populations. If someone has money to spend, they’ll go to Ackermans or Tekkie Town, not the open market. I reckon it’s time that changes. The second-hand clothing department of the Ondangwa Open Market directly benefits at least 30 shop-owners, women and members of the community, who are oftentimes breadwinners for their families. While the massive, franchise-filled mall just down the road signifies a sense of development, it’s the open market that truly benefits the local economy. That allows 30-odd women in Ondangwa to earn an income. And simultaneously throws a fat middle finger in revolt of the fast fashion industry. That’s what thrifting is about.
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This photoshoot is a collaboration between the FlyNamibia Magazine content team, Anna Beauty Creations, Asham and Ronny. The models were scouted through a search on social media. Asham and Ronny are Ondangwa locals, for both it was their first-ever professional photoshoot and feature in a magazine. Wardrobe for the shoot was purchased at Ondangwa Open Market on a budget of N$250 per outfit. The four complete outfits featured here ended up costing less than N$180 each. CREDITS: Photographer: Le Roux van Schalkwyk @lerouxvs Hair and makeup: Anna Ashipala @annabeautycreations Creative direction & styling: Charene Labuschagne @charene_labuschagne Models: Asham John & Ronny Awaseb
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A F A M I LY H A V E N A place of tranquility, where lush green gardens await. Only a short drive from Windhoek, Midgard is the perfect destination for you and your family to create unforgettable memories. Midgard welcomes you! For more information, please contact us at: +264 62 503 888 midgard.res@ol.na www.midgardnamibia.com
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Wellness
“A
AUTHENTICITY
uthenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” - Brené Brown
What does it mean to be authentic? To truly know who you are? Not the version you’d like to be, or the version that appears when we put our best foot forward, but the real and raw YOU. If sources like Psychology Today state that authenticity is “aligning our actions with our values, beliefs, preferences and motivations”, then it sounds simply as if this is about being honest with yourself about your thoughts, feelings and desires and not trying to be someone you are not. Which could be so simplistic and easy, yet it is not. In our minds we have a picture of who we are – but is this who we truly are at all times and in all situations? Sometimes it takes a difficult encounter or experience to show us where we are not living up to who we would like to be. Being authentic has major implications for mental health and well-being. Yet, in today’s world we lose who we are in our efforts to “fit” into society and be accepted by the world around us. With the trappings of social media selling us false ideals of perfection, it is easy to think that even the best version of yourself isn’t quite good enough. What’s more, uniqueness has become trendy to a point that people are chasing this notion, and while doing so try to be someone they are not. There is also more risk of hiding our gifts from the world than expressing them. While our unexpressed ideas, dreams and gifts don’t go away, they seek expression. What makes you authentic, is your unique self. But there is no shortcut to authenticity, it requires commitment and real inner work. Your genuine you, the version of you that is the truest, is your authentic you.
feel more comfortable in your skin. Being authentic can help you live a more fulfilling and purposeful life, as you will be doing things that align with who you are. There are a few key signs that you might not be entirely authentic to yourself. If you frequently pretend to be someone else or try to be who you think others want you to be, that’s a red flag. Similarly, if you are not honest about your thoughts and feelings or constantly putting on a front, that is also a sign that you might need to check in with yourself. One of the best ways to stay true to yourself is to practice self-awareness. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings, and notice when you start to feel like you are not being genuine. Another helpful tip is to surround yourself with people who accept and support you for who you are. These people can act as a reminder of your authentic self when you start to stray from it. Finally, don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself – if you don’t agree with something, or if you feel like you are being pressured into something you don’t want to do, then say so. It’s not easy to figure out who you are in a world that is constantly pressuring you to follow the latest trends and be like everybody else. We often lose ourselves by being a chameleon and changing into others. When we do this we forget what it is like to be authentic. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “to be yourself in a world that’s constantly trying to make you something is the greatest accomplishment.” Being authentic is a daily practice. It is a moment by moment choice of embracing your truth and being fearless enough to share it with the world. Don’t compare yourself to others in a world where you can be whoever you want. You can’t compare the sun and the moon: each shines when it is their time.
Kristy Watermeyer
There are many benefits to living an authentic life. For one, it can help you to build a stronger sense of self-identity and to
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NAMIBIAN ECONOMIC UPDATE
Economic Pulse
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merging from the deepest economic contraction on record, Namibia’s economy grew by a modest 2.4% in 2021. The recently released first quarter (Q1) data from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) shows that Namibia’s Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.3% y/ y in Q1 of 2022. The data further shows that Namibia has now experienced four consecutive quarters of growth on a year-on-year basis. This is unsurprising given the depressed base set during the Covid-19 pandemic and poor economic performance during the half-decade preceding the pandemic. Overall output in Q1 is expected to have been in line with Q1 2020, the last pre-pandemic first quarter, and 2.6% down from Q1 2019. The moderate growth recorded in 2021 followed the unprecedented contraction of 7.9% in 2020, the largest in Namibian history. It is easy to forget, however, that 2020 followed four years of economic stagnation in which two of the three annual contractions experienced since independence were recorded. The compound annual growth rate experienced between 2015 and 2021 was -1.1%, indicating that the Namibian economy was shrinking, even as the rest of the world continued to grow. This period of stagnation followed a period of rapid growth between 2010 and 2015 during which the compound annual growth rate reached 5.2%, well above the 4.1% compound annual growth rate experienced from independence to 2010.
The Bank of Namibia currently expects the domestic economy to grow by 3.4% in 2022, with overall growth expected to be driven primarily by diamond mining and the manufacturing sector. Q1 2021 was the last quarterly Covid-19-induced contraction with subsequent quarters posting economic growth off the low base. The base for Q2 to Q4 2022 is thus higher, and growth from this base is likely to be a better reflection of the annual GDP growth we can expect for the year. Even if the central bank’s forecast holds true, the Namibian economy would still be 2.4% smaller in real terms than it was at the end of 2019, which already followed multiple years of stagnation. It is our view that the only component in the GDP equation (Personal Consumption + Private Sector Investment + Government Spending + Net Exports) that can sustainably drive growth is investment. Low revenue growth and large budget deficits mean that government is not currently in a position to drive economic growth. This is also evident in the fact that the development budget expenditure is only half of government’s own target. Distressed consumers are also not able to spur growth and will be in an even weaker position to do so going forward in the rising interest rate environment. Namibia currently runs a trade deficit and while increased output from the mining sector and a weaker currency might reduce this deficit, it is only with meaningful investment into export sectors or import replacement sectors that such a reduction can be maintained. Thus, domestic and foreign direct investment are key to reviving the Namibian economy going forward.
Policy can make Namibia an attractive destination for foreign investment, and being a small economy, even a very small amount of foreign investment by global standards will go a long way.
During Q1 of 2022, 14 of the economy’s 17 sectors expanded. Most notably, mining and quarrying drove nearly half of the growth (contributing 2.2 percentage points of the 5.3% growth figure) on the back of strong commodity price growth over the preceding 12 months. Wholesale and retail trade, historically one of the largest contributors to GDP, only contributed 0.1 percentage points to GDP growth. This is the first Q1 growth in wholesale and retail trade since Q1 2016. Similarly, the construction sector continued to struggle, recording a contraction of 7.5% y/ y in Q1. The sector has been posting annual contractions in output every year post 2015, and thus the further slowdown in activity recorded in Q1 2022 is reflective of the difficulties in the sector not yet alleviating despite a low base.
IJG believes in tailoring their services to a client’s personal and business needs. For more information, visit www.ijg.net.
In order to stimulate investment, one simple tool remains – that of policy. Investment-friendly policy is crucial to negate some of Namibia’s inherent competitive challenges such as a small domestic market, shortage of skills, water scarcity, etc. Investment-friendly policy is also necessary to unlock some of Namibia’s comparative advantages such as geographic location, mineral resources, fish resources, tourism potential, etc. Policy can make Namibia an attractive destination for foreign investment, and being a small economy, even a very small amount of foreign investment by global standards will go a long way. Danie van Wyk - Head: Research
To sign up for the Economic Pulse newsletter, send an email to: daleen@venture.com.na www.namibiatradedirectory.com
NETWORK
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ROYAL HUSTLERS Reem El Sherif on breaking boundaries, embracing diversity and leading with conviction
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seasoned strategist and socio-economic developer, Reem El Sherif boasts an impressive resumé that features nearly a decade of experience in corporate strategy, national strategy and research. She currently leads Strategy at RMB Namibia, where her foresight, intellectual curiosity, and analytical skills have successfully led strategic transformation. Reem has also applied her strategy skills on a national level, having contributed to the president’s development plan, the Harambee Prosperity Plan 2 and NDP5.
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Growing up in a multicultural environment, she has been exposed to diversity her whole life. “There was always this tug of war between the cultures and values that you’re born in, versus the cultures and values that you’re raised in. But I am very grateful to have been born in a household that allowed me to explore and gave me all the liberation I needed,” she says. This is one of the things that kept her grounded in her values, she adds, noting that she developed self-discipline and personal conviction because of the liberty that was afforded to her when growing up.
The youngest among her siblings, Reem was a very self-assured and argumentative child. From an early age she envisioned herself as a very influential woman who would walk in important corridors one day. She manifested a life where she would solve the problems that plague the world and make an impact by influencing especially young minds. Poised for success Reem credits much of her current success to her parents who sacrificed a lot to provide their children with the best education possible. She was privileged enough to attend one of the best schools in Windhoek which, beyond the academics, exposed her to people from different backgrounds and cultures. This, Reem says, was the foundation to her ability to lead diverse teams. She highlights the institutions she has worked at throughout her career, as well as the people who have mentored her along the way, as some of the other factors that shaped her to become who she is today. Reem spent her early career years as an Assistant Lecturer at the British University in Egypt. She also worked as a Research Assistant at the American University in Cairo, where she contributed to several novel research publications on corporate governance and social media and financial performance. This was followed by a short stint at UNDP Namibia, which she felt at the time was the place where “real change happens.” Reem worked with the international organisation’s Economic Advisory Unit and Poverty Programme where she was responsible for providing research and insights to aid the Namibian office’s efforts to eradicate poverty and drive economic development. During her time there, she further assisted in drafting Namibia’s Fifth National Development Plan, amongst other things. “It was amazing exposure, that’s where I really started to dig and explore what sustainability is all about and how world economies work.” But as someone who’s always looking for a challenge, Reem found a new direction, one where she wanted to make an even bigger impact in the world. “I decided to go into the real economy because that’s where real problem solving happens, and so far it’s working for me,” she says. Reem decided to study business and finance in order to manifest her
vision of being an influential woman. She obtained a master’s degree in Finance from the University of Leicester, and a bachelor’s with Honours from the British University in Egypt. “I felt that beyond traditional organisations making a profit, they had a bigger purpose in the economies that they operate in and even though I’m not passionate about how the stock markets work, I’m passionate about how finance drives economic development. I’m passionate about producing new knowledge,” Reem says. “I love seeing the sparkle in people’s eyes when I engage them - that’s what keeps me going,” she adds. Striking a balance So, what is the one thing that people often assume about this powerhouse of a woman? She tells us that her demeanour often surprises people. “People get the impression that I’m quiet and when I challenge them, they are surprised,” she says. On what sets her heart on fire, Reem says that her purpose keeps her going. “I want to affect positive change and make a positive impact, it’s still that vision that I had when I was a little girl.” When she isn’t being a changemaker in her career, Reem spends her free time travelling and experiencing other cultures. She is a huge foodie, and she can also be found pursuing the mindfulness of yoga and alternatively, the adrenaline rush of a good High Intensity Training (HIT) workout. Reem encourages young leaders to always be open to learn. “Stay convicted in your vision… Doors will open if you pursue them, be realistic about your expectations and, really, your work ethic and values are what will differentiate you.” Currently a PHD candidate, Reem continues to push the boundaries of what she is capable of. Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99FM every Monday to Friday at 07h35 or rewind the 99FM App (now available on Play Store and the App Store). Proudly Sponsored by
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FNB changes the way Retail customers make international payments with Forex on App FNB’s launch of Forex on App introduces a better way to make cross-border payments, international payments and transfers to anywhere in the world. With just a few taps on the FNB App, customers can now make foreign exchange payments safely and securely using their mobile devices, which not only makes this innovative solution more convenient, but also ensures a better customer experience. Forex on App is just one of the many capabilities that the bank will be rolling out in 2022 which seek to change the way FNB customers do banking for the better. This drive will include enhancing the value offering across both digital and mobile banking platforms. “We are excited to introduce this new innovation because the benefits to our customers are vast. They will be able to make cross-border and international payments and transfers on their mobile devices on the go,” said Dawid Shikongo, Foreign Exchange Specialist.
The innovative solution comes at no additional cost to customers The Foreign Exchange solution is not new to FNB customers who have experienced the benefits of Forex Online for years. With Forex Online, customers have been able to not only transact in a foreign currency but also save in a wide range of foreign currencies and transfer funds between foreign currency accounts. All these capabilities are now accessible
with Forex on App at no additional cost to FNB customers.
From Forex Online to Forex on App The introduction of Forex on App is FNB’s way of ensuring easier, better and more seamless transactions when customers are making payments beyond our borders. Not so long ago, the bank embarked on a drive to migrate its customers from manual Forex transactions to Forex Online. This convenient change was embraced by most of the bank’s Retail and Commercial customers. “Having walked the journey with customers as they moved from manual Forex processes to Forex Online, I could see first-hand how they experienced the ease and convenience. I believe this next step in our Forex payments evolution will make an even bigger difference, and I can’t wait to see it”, said Morne Husselman, eForex Specialist. “Seeing as a significant base of FNB’s customers have links to family, friends and colleagues living beyond the borders of Namibia, the need for seamless cross-border and international transactions is not a nice-to-have but a musthave and we are happy to create a solution that meets these needs.” Husselman added that although the solution is available now for Retail customers, the bank is working to ensure that its Commercial customers can soon experience the same convenience and ease when they do their own business transactions.
If you import goods and need to pay for them: o You can make an advanced payment in this regard; or o You can pay for the goods once they’ve arrived in Namibia Pay for travel (flights, accommodation and other expenses) Fund your offshore account for your holiday spending Pay for your tuition Pay for your child’s subsistence allowances when studying abroad Pay for other international payment obligations Send a financial gift abroad to a loved one Convert funds received from abroad (individuals who are paid in foreign currency can convert from their foreign currency account to their NAD account)
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What can you do with Forex on the FNB App? Make global payments Whether you are sending a gift, paying for services rendered or imports, funding offshore investments, paying tuition or securing your holiday accommodation, do it all on the FNB App from the comfort of your home or office.
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We always ask ourselves – how can we help make banking easy? “FNB has always led the provision of innovative solutions to its customers, both for digital and mobile banking solutions, and Forex on App is just one of the products that FNB customers will see being rolled out in the year across all platforms.” This was said by Neville Ntema, Head of Foreign Exchange Product House who emphasised the bank’s commitment to being not just a bank but a banking partner to all its customers. “We always ask ourselves – how can we help make banking much easier for our customers? And, in asking this question, we are able to see what enhancements our current offering requires to ensure that it meets customer needs and goes even further to exceed these. The introduction of Forex on App is a result of this constant probing. So we are pleased to now introduce this next phase of cross-border and international payment solutions that is changing the way our customers will do global transactions,” said Ntema.
“We are working towards introducing Forex on the FNB
How to use Forex on the FNB App •
App for Business for our Commercial customers. In the meantime, they can continue to use Forex Online which has recently been enhanced, adding in new features that ensure a better digital journey for the customer. So, although the process is easy for our Commercial and Corporate customers as it stands, our goal is to make sure that we partner with them in always moving ahead of the curve and solutioning differently so that they can continuously bank better.”
Check Forex rates Access the exchange rates of 17 foreign currencies right in the palm of your hand. Whether you want to sell or buy any of the foreign currencies, you will find suitable rates on the FNB App. Make global transfers Easily convert funds from any of your foreign currency accounts (US Dollars, British Pounds or Euros) into your local currency account using Global Transfers on the FNB App.
How to make a once-off Forex payment on the FNB App Click on the Forex icon Select Global Payments Select Once-Off Payment on the bottom right and click on Continue Select the type of beneficiary being paid: Individual or Business Complete the address details of the beneficiary. Scroll down Select the beneficiary’s resident country. Type in the first 3 letters of the country and select the correct one Complete the beneficiary’s banking details. Click on the toggle bar to save the beneficiary for future payments. Click on Continue Scroll through the From accounts to select the account to transact from. Tap on Specify amount in This is where you specify how the rate conversion will be done, e.g. USD to NAD or NAD to USD. Select the currency to be converted from Insert the amount and your own reference to appear on your bank statement. Scroll down If a deal is available that matches the criteria
of this application, the pre-booked screen will display. Click on the deal Click on Use Deal and continue Select how the bank charges will be distributed and then select the account to bear the bank charges. Click on Continue Tap on the Add BoP code to select the reason for this payment. Scroll through the options to find the most appropriate reason Depending on the BoP code selected for your payment, additional information will be requested. Complete the requested fields. Click on Save Click on Continue Tap on the tick boxes to agree to the regulatory declaration above and accept the terms and conditions. Click on Continue Review all the information. Click on Edit to change any information or Confirm that all the information is correct Accept the quote displayed on the screen. If you are not satisfied with the rate, Decline and try again later When the Thank You screen displays, the payment is complete. Click on Finish
Visit our FNB Namibia YouTube page for Forex on App how-to guides.
NAMCOR UPSTREAM EXPLORATION At NAMCOR, we act as a vehicle for the participation of the Namibian government in the oil and gas industry. Oil companies are invited to acquire equity in petroleum exploration licences (PELs) in which we have a working interest. Companies and individuals pursuing activities related to oil exploration are invited to consider Namibia as their next hydrocarbon investment destination. Namibia offers a number of unique commercial features, among them being: • • • •
Geological prospectivity, with a working petroleum system in place A stable political environment, with a judiciary widely lauded as independent An attractive fiscal regime Has attracted key international oil majors such as ExxonMobil, Shell Namibia,TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, BW Offshore and Galp Energia to mention but a few
To date, our local exploration asset base includes five operating licences, and a possible sixth in the pipeline, with working interests between 67 percent and 70 percent, and an average of 10 percent carried interest in 98 percent of the PELs issued in the country. Enquiries: Martin Negonga Asset Manager Tel: +264 61 204 5034 Mobile: +264 81 162 2337 Email: MNegonga@namcor.com.na
National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia | www.namcor.com.na
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Ongula Academy
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he Homestead Skills and Technical Education Academy is a vocational and multipurpose centre situated at the Ongula yaNetanga village in the Ohangwena Region’s Eenhana Constituency. This exceptional educational facility is an initiative that aims to provide young school leavers in a country with a high unemployment rate with much-needed vocational skills. Furthermore, it hopes to inspire these youths to escape the prevalent shebeen culture by equipping them with a skill set which can help them to make something of themselves. The academy offers courses in the following fields: Hospitality and Tourism In a country where tourism is one of the main industries, a continuous supply of hospitality graduates is needed. Apart from offering the necessary courses, students are also able to train on-the-job at Ongula Village Homestead Lodge.
machines. Clothing production gives an excellent jumpstart to anyone looking at opening their own business or working for a manufacturer. Agriculture The agriculture section is immediately recognisable by the various pens for chickens, ducks, hares and doves. Currently, a small laying facility is being set up, while trials are run with different methods of irrigation and plants to see which are best suited for farming in the area. The agriculture course gives students the necessary knowhow to pursue a career in the sector or set up small-scale farming structures. To find out more or ongulaacademy.org.
support
the
academy
visit
Clothing production Walking into the large clothing production classroom, the multiple rows of sewing machines will immediately catch your eye. Students are taught on smaller home-use sewing machines before eventually progressing to commercial
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INTRODUCING THE REVAMPED LIGHTHOUSE IN THE SOUTHERN TOWN OF LÜDERITZ
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THE
TRIBE
T
The Tribe Exclusive – Teqla
his edition of The Tribe features Namibia’s golden-voiced star, Teqla.
The only Namibian vocalist to hit platinum status in South Africa’s competitive music industry, Teqla has had her fair share of success over the years. She featured on Bojo Mujo’s smash hit Thando Lwam, and appeared in Sunny Boy’s sophomore breakthrough single Serious. She also went on to win the 2006 Legal Shield Winna Mariba Songwriting Competition. Other milestones in the singer’s illustrious career include bagging a whopping five awards at the 2012 Namibian Annual Music Awards, including the hotly contested Best Female Artist of the Year nod. On top of her success in the music industry, Teqla has dabbled in film, appearing in Vickson Hangula’s 2008 production Between Friends. But while her career has had impressive highs, the singer also dealt with some bad lows. She took some time off from singing to focus on her personal life. When she returned to music about five years ago, Teqla introduced a rebranded version of herself, ditching her moniker Tequila and joining a new music label, among other changes. We caught up with her to hear all about her latest endeavours. The only Namibian to hit platinum in South Africa! Do you feel like you get your flowers? Funny enough, I get them more from people in the streets, from my family members and from my fans who always remind me of who I am. It’s nice to get recognition from people in the streets, it’s more humbling. What was life like outside the spotlight? People think artists aren’t human beings, but I needed to take a step back and heal. I had so much going on at the time. As much as I wanted to do music, I knew that not taking care of myself meant I wouldn’t be able to do anything else. So I needed to take care of myself first before I could come back. I now feel like I’m ready to be back, I feel whole again and I feel inspired to create. Let’s talk about the transformation from Tequila to Teqla… My name is Teqla Iita. I’m my father’s daughter – I always say that and my mom hates it. She thinks I favour my dad. But I’m my father’s daughter and he gave me this name. I even asked him why he gave me the name, nobody else has this name. When I was coming out as an artist, I felt like I had to be somebody else, so I became Tequila. That was my alter
ego. But I realised that I was always Teqla and it was Teqla who was feeding Tequila to be who she was. Once I realised that, I decided to be the best Teqla that I can be. How different is the Namibian music scene now from when you first started? It’s refreshing. When I got back I was like wow, ok! I was especially proud of the female artists, they came out bold and beautiful. When you started out it was difficult for women to really shine. You were one of the women who paved the way for the current crop of female artists to be able to break those barriers. And they are doing it, you know, I’m so proud of them. It’s amazing. They’ve got talent, they have the looks and they need us to support them. All I advise them to do is to have a message behind their music and inspire the masses. Are there some things that we can still improve on in the industry? I’ve been saying this for years and it seems to have gotten worse. As Namibians, we tend to idolise outside artists without empowering our own people. Our audiences are looking more outside than within. We need to look within first and realise that the international artists we love are as successful as they are because of the support they receive at home. What have you been busy with? AT Digital is behind my music right now. We’re busy with a video shoot and are about to release a single soon. With all the new projects under her sleeve, we are happy to have this songbird back and ready to delight us with her harmonic voice. In the meantime, while her new music finds its way to us, follow Teqla on her social media pages: @teqla_iita on Instagram, Teqla Iita (Misty) on Facebook and @TequilaIita on Twitter. Watch The Tribe on One Africa TV (GOtv 90, DStv 284, DStv Now) every Friday at 18h30 with repeat shows on Saturdays at 17h30, and Mondays at 21h00. Alternatively, listen to The Tribe on 99FM every Friday at 19h00, and follow The Tribe on Instagram @thetribenamibia and on Facebook @TheTribeNamibia.
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The Project Room
SEIBEB PRESENTS MENS (GEMAAK)
A REFLECTION ON HUMANITY
“M
an was created from dust, received breath, became human and was given a name. In this way, we’re all the same, all human, but we’re also all different and unique, and it’s our responsibility as individuals to acknowledge, get to know, and protect each other.” Rudolf Seibeb is a people’s person, “put on this earth to help my fellow humans and make them happy”. His vibrant representations of reality attest to his calling, as each colourful face and shape introduce a playful impression or wisdom on human nature. The artist explains, “I draw my thoughts, paint my ideas, use my imagination…” and adds with a smile, “…my gift is that I can hide things in my paintings, and you have to pay close attention and look carefully to see it.”
our own challenges, we also have the ability to craft a more positive outlook on life, and ultimately, help shape the world we want. Seibeb has been an active participant in the local arts scene since the 90s. However, unlike the majority of his peers, he didn’t start out with a career in art. At the time of his artistic discovery, Seibeb was working as a machine operator for a canning company, keeping himself busy after hours by making small pieces of furniture out of reassembled clothes pegs. By pure chance, it was this very activity that got his talent noticed, and when he started his creative journey in 1998 – enrolling for a course in visual arts at the John Muafangejo Art Centre – “the seed was planted”. Under the watchful eye of teachers and mentors like Jo Rogge, Kay Cowley, Erik Schnack and Helena Brandt, Seibeb developed his artistic trademark and preference for constructed sculpting and colourful paintings of human emotion and activity.
My gift is that I can hide things in my paintings, and you have to pay close attention and look carefully to see it.
Celebrated for granting his viewer “an intriguing space between abstraction and an innocent observation of reality”, Seibeb does not disappoint with his latest solo, Mens (gemaak) (translated from Afrikaans as “Man (made)”). By studying his environment and its happenings, the artist collects and offers creative material that reflects the challenges and joys of day-to-day life. Colourful canvases portray gazing figures that speak of current issues to the likes of People protect endangered species around the world and Peace and love among people and animals. As the artist asks the viewer to contemplate daily experiences, he also hopes to remind that many of these are man-made, or as a result of our own doing, and as we play a part in constructing
While he is well represented in the region, the artist aspires to “get out and see my work all over the world”. As part of his mission to capture a bigger audience, Seibeb opened a small studio and gallery in Okahandja in 2021. Located at the well-known wood workers and sellers’ market, he offers a space where visitors can see his paintings, prints and mixed media works in action, and buy from his personal collection. “It’s better to have a space where others can notice me and get to know my work. When people see my art, they also see me.” Mens (gemaak) is on view at The Project Room from 5 to 20 August 2022. See more of Seibeb’s work at https://www.theprojectroom.com.na/shop-3
The Project Room - Namibia www.theprojectroom.com.na The Project Room has moved to a new locale and is situated at 30 Julius Nyerere Street (former Lazaret Street).
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Photography credit: Le Roux van Schalkwyk & Charene Labuschagne
Diving headfirst into Oshiwambo culture at Ongula
P
eople visit Namibia for many different reasons. While some come to experience our majestic free-roaming wildlife and neverending landscapes, others come here in search of authentic culture. Those looking for the latter will find precisely that at Ongula Village & Homestead Lodge, a place where you will dive headfirst into Oshiwambo culture and emerge with newfound knowledge of Namibia’s largest cultural group. Located in the heart of the Oshana Region in northern Namibia, Ongula is a quick 30 minute drive from the town of Ondangwa. The roadside on the way to the lodge is dotted with those iconic palm trees and oshanas so synonymous with the area. Over there is a gentleman fishing in a nearby pond, and just a kilometre further a family of four is walking barefoot on the beach-like sand, carrying wood back to their homestead. In a flash we pull up at Ongula’s gate and are welcomed by the professional and friendly staff, some of whom are graduates from the onsite hospitality and tourism academy. Ongula is a grand space, yet instantly feels like home when you walk into the main building which houses the dining area, lounge, bar and reception. From the corner of your eye, everywhere you look, you see a cultural relic from Oshiwambo. Wicker sofas in the lounge area are upholstered in classic ondelela print and a larger-than-life suspended, woven basket (used for storing mahango) welcomes you in the entryway. We are quickly helped to a refreshing rock shandy while browsing the curio selection of jewellery, baskets and placemats, most of which are made on the premises or in surrounding towns. Each of the four bungalows have a special touch, be it the combination of dark denim and Ondelela in the curtains, or striking displays of decor fashioned from traditional clay pots. Round, burnt orange in colour, with authentic thatch roofs, the chalets sit like polka dots in the soft, white sand that surrounds them. In the family bungalow foyer, adorning the wall behind a comfy sofa, an interior décor piece created from a traditional Oshiwambo pounding stick (omuhi) used to process mahango’s many forms and extract marula oil.
Features like this, thoughtful and authentic to the area, make a stay extra memorable. What truly sets Ongula apart and makes it a destination well worth a detour, is the unmatched experience of the homestead tour. On the premises is a functional, permanently inhabited Oshiwambo homestead. At its entrance, our guide shouts a greeting to make sure we are permitted to enter. From a distance comes the reply and we tread carefully in the homestead yard. Duck our heads and enter an enclosed hut where three women are processing mahango and marula oil. We are invited to try a hand at pounding the coarse grain into powder for porridge. With pounding sticks the length of a person and mahango in an opening in the floor, two women pound in turns, creating a beautiful rhythm. After pounding, the grain is sifted with a hand-woven basket and a technique perfected over generations. Our guide takes great care to explain each aspect of the homestead, from the all-important fire, the room with four entrances used as a reception or foyer, to the wives’ sleeping chambers and how Oshiwambo customs have evolved with the incorporation of Christian belief systems. The homestead tour ends on a perfect note – with a tasting of the local booze brewed from makalani palm fruits. Surprisingly balanced, considering they have yet to figure out what percentage proof the liquor is. The homestead experience doesn’t end when the donkey cart ride does: a group of young women from the area perform a beautiful dance, their Ondelela skirts dancing along to every stomping beat. With hearts and minds full of Oshiwambo hospitality, the only thing to complete the experience is a wholesome meal of marathon chicken, mopane worms, wild spinach, mahango porridge and fried ground nuts, prepared to perfection and served with a genuine smile. Ongula Village Homestead Lodge is a deep dive into the rich and colourful culture of northern Namibia, not to mention an incredibly comfortable stay and a true testament to the hospitality of the Oshiwambo people.
Charene Labuschagne
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D E L U X E C O F F E E WO R K S WINDHOEK, NA
DELUX COFFEE
Since Independence Day 2017 and, coincidently, starting with our first Namibian shop on Independence Avenue, we do strictly coffee! Located in the centre of Windhoek CBD, our espresso bar has become the hub where we roast, blend and serve our famous House Blend. This being just the start, we now operate from four Deluxe Shops throughout the capital. We don’t follow many rules when it comes to our coffee. In fact, there aren’t a lot of rules that we follow in general. We are passionate about coffee and that’s a good enough reason for us to do what we do: roast, supply and serve coffee in the best way we know. We believe in having a great place where this all comes together and where you can enjoy our coffee. That’s why our coffee shops are the way they are. You won’t find any fancy food or wifi here. That’s not our vibe. A lot of good music, interesting people and great coffee. We like to give you coffee the way we would like to receive it. That’s what we’re all about.
established relationships with coffee farms across the globe, guaranteeing consistency in tastes and aromas for every roast. We believe firmly in the fact that coffee should be made with freshly roasted beans. We roast five days a week to ensure that each bag you pick up is as fresh as possible. Our signature House Blend is specifically blended to create a versatile well-balanced experience using the best characteristics of each of the single origins used therein, hailing respectively from Brazil, Guatemala and Ethiopia. Initial acidity leans to oranges or naartjies, followed by dark chocolate taste and raw cocoa in the finish.
NAMI
And now... Aroma is in the air! We bring you the partnership between Fly Namibia and Deluxe – it just works! So, sit back, enjoy the flight and ask for it by name, we serve Deluxe!
TRADE NET
You will find Deluxe Coffeeworks at: Founded in Church Street, Cape Town by Carl Wessel and Judd Nicolay, doing 400 cups of coffee a day and roasting shifts into the wee hours of the morning, Deluxe has gone from strength to strength. When Carl and his cousin and local partner, Willem Bodenstein, sealed the deal for a fully-fledged Namibian roastery, they created the espresso bar that “explores the global but respects the local”. Deluxe Coffeeworks imports only the finest green beans sourced from around the world. Our coffee bean suppliers have long-
• • • •
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The RMB Ride for
RHINOS 2022
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T
his year marked the 8th RMB Ride for Rhinos, the popular annual event aimed at raising funds and creating awareness around the ongoing conservation efforts to protect the world's last free-roaming black rhinos.
The fight against the poaching of these majestic beasts in Namibia has recently flared up again, signalling to all that the battle is far from won. Thus it is imperative that the hard work done by Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is valued and supported. To this extent, the RMB Ride for Rhinos offers participants the chance to interact with individuals who are active on the frontlines of this battle as well as create a platform where issues hampering the conservation efforts can be discussed and possible solutions found on the side of the private sector. As evident by its name, the event centres around three days of cycling through the rugged, yet beautiful terrain of Damaraland. Cycling the carefully laid out routes allows participants to thoroughly take in their surroundings and sometimes test their skill with a tough climb or two – exhausting, but always done in high spirits. It also makes them appreciate the vast distances that SRT patrols do on foot every day, even though for the riders it is from the seat of a bicycle. The 2022 RMB Ride for Rhinos took place from 22 - 26 July. This year saw the event return to its roots with the first three nights spent glamping at a picturesque campsite among
weathered sandstone hills overlooking the Huab River Valley. While days were spent cycling, followed by game drives in the afternoon and rounded off with epic sundowners, evenings were reserved for chats around the large campfire. Regarding the current status of black rhinos in the northwest, insightful discussions were had with the CEO of SRT, Simson !Uri≠Khob, who joined the group on the first night. Tommy Hall from the Blue Rhino Task Force was present for the duration of the event and gave an interesting talk on the use of mules for patrols in the area. This most recent initiative allows SRT to cover larger distances when out on patrol. Having had years of experience in rhino conservation, Hall’s anecdotes kept riders entertained late into the night. After three days of traversing the challenging Damaraland terrain, the riders cycled into Wilderness Safaris' Damaraland Camp where the pool and cold drinks were waiting. As always, the event finished with a spit braai on the last night, after which the riders retired to the luxurious rooms of the lodge for a well-deserved rest. Venture Media conceived the RMB Ride for Rhinos in an effort to share the company's passion for black rhinos and conservation in general with others in a meaningful way. The continued success of the event is attributable to the much-valued support from the main sponsor, RMB, and the partnership with Wilderness Safaris and CYMOT. Funds raised through the ride are invested in various black rhino conservation projects in north-western Namibia.
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Discovering
Paul Van Schalkwyk
Damaraland The highlight of this region is Twyfelfontein – Namibia’s first World Heritage Site – with its wealth of rock engravings. Other special attractions are the majestic Brandberg with its treasure trove of ancient San rock art and daunting backpacking challenges, the Petrified Forest, Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes, the Spitzkoppe, and the Erongo Mountains. TWYFELFONTEIN AND SURROUNDINGS Namibia’s first World Heritage Site (status awarded in 2007), Twyfelfontein (meaning doubtful fountain), is a massive, open-air art gallery that is of great interest to international rock-art connoisseurs. The 2,000-plus rock engravings, estimated to be 6,000 years old, represent one of Africa’s largest and most noteworthy concentrations of rock art. Contemporary research suggests that the creators of the rock art were San medicine people or shamans who went into an altered state of consciousness and connected with the spiritual world when a trance was induced. This could be used for purposes such as rain-making and healing the sick. The engravings depicted the images they saw after returning to normal consciousness. About 50 km away is the Petrified Forest, where a cataclysmic event millions of years ago deposited giant tree trunks that subsequently turned to stone. Today the Namib’s living fossil plant, Welwitschia mirabilis, grows among these prostrate fossilised trunks. South of Twyfelfontein is the Burnt Mountain, a panorama of desolation with coloured rocks contrasting vividly against the grey-black surroundings. The Organ Pipes, a mass of vertical basalt columns in a ravine gouged out by a river, is another geological curiosity in the area. Southwest of Twyfelfontein is the Doros Crater, where fossil remains have been found among the rocks.
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FINGER ROCK
Dominating the landscape when travelling westwards en route to Khorixas, 95 km west of Outjo, is the Ugab Vingerklip (Finger Rock) situated amongst the rugged Ugab Terraces. About 35 metres high, this distinctive monolith was shaped by erosion spanning many millennia.
MESSUM CRATER
Fine specimens of the desert plant, Welwitschia mirabilis, can be seen at the Messum Crater southwest of the Brandberg. Between 132 and 135 million years old, Messum has a diameter of 18 km. Messum is regarded as a volcanic feature that forms part of the Goboboseb Mountains to the northeast. It dates from the Etendeka period and, according to geologists, was the source of many of the intrusive and quartz-like extrusive rocks found in the area today. The crater was named after Captain W Messum, who was an explorer of the coastal regions of Southern Africa, which he surveyed from the ocean between 1846 and 1848. While driving to the Messum area you should, however, not overlook the lichen fields. The western part of Messum lies in the Dorob National Park and you will need a permit, obtainable at the Henties Bay Tourism Association.
THE BRANDBERG
The imposing Brandberg massif is a challenge to hikers, especially its peak, Königstein, which at 2 573 metres is the
This is Namibia
Rock engraving at Twyfelfontein
highest point in Namibia. The Brandberg is famous for the White Lady painting which can be seen on an overhang in Maack’s Shelter, named after the surveyor who first reported it in 1918. Maack’s Shelter lies in the Tsisab Gorge, a wild and beautiful ravine located amongst a vast jumble of rocks that are remnants of many ancient landslides. Although the figure of the White Lady, surrounded by paintings of numerous animals, has faded over the years, a pilgrimage to see it is well worth the effort. Walks to the shelter are conducted daily by National Heritage Council guides from 08h00 until 16h30 when the last walk departs. The round-trip takes around two-and-a half hours and is best done early in the morning.
To preserve the extremely rich rock painting heritage of the Brandberg, hikers planning to ascend the mountain must be accompanied by a guide provided by the National Heritage Council. The guides know the mountain intimately, including where to find water which can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with the Brandberg. Find more Namibian travel inspiration at www.thisisnamibia.com Follow @thisis_namibia on Facebook and Instagram for extraordinary Namibia travel stories.
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Three decades of dignifying Namibian women
T
he year was 1992, Namibia’s independence was newly declared and there was a buzz in the air, the kind that is tangible when people are hopeful, inspired and excited. In the wake of this buzz came a partnership, almost serendipitously, between two hopeful, inspired and excited women named Christien Roos and Martha Muulyau. The two met while working at the old Ehafo project outside Windhoek that employed handicapped people. Their bond manifested in cofounding a women’s project which focussed on improving the lives and standard of living of disadvantaged women, their extended families and immediate environment. They called it Penduka, which means “Wake up.” With delicious coffee and snacks made by the Penduka hospitality team, a diverse group of friends, partners, supporters and media gathered in their restaurant verandah, overlooking the Goreangab Dam in Windhoek’s Katutura suburb. We have been invited to celebrate this remarkable project which has been a trailblazer in Namibian craft development, women empowerment through education and a source of employment for three decades. At present, Penduka employs 200 Namibian women. Before the pandemic, that number was more than double. Most of the women who sew and embroider, plus the crew that makes recycled glass beads, are hearing impaired. Each maker has a unique story, which Penduka prides itself in sharing. There is something truly special about knowing who made your handbag, tablecloth or jewellery, even more so knowing that this purchase is helping sustain a household. The events of the celebration, which included a traditional Oshiwambo dance group and fashion show of Penduka’s newest products, focussed largely on highlighting the legacy Penduka has built over its 30 years. The project has expanded throughout northern Namibia, where women can work from home embroidering and sewing while honouring family commitments like looking after children or the elderly. In her address at the event, Deputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Hon. Verna Sinimbo, encouraged public support of Penduka. Be it by taking a stroll through the craft shop to buy a handmade gift, making use of the recreational facilities or choosing Penduka as a corporate social partner, this is the ideal opportunity to invest in women who take the initiative to help themselves, their communities and the tradition of craft. Charene Labuschagne You can support Penduka by visiting their website www.penduka.com and following their social media pages @penduka_namibia on Instagram and Penduka Trust on Facebook.
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This year we're focussing on telling and sharing STORIES THAT MATTER across our various magazines and digital platforms. Join the journey and share your stories with audiences that understand and value why certain things matter. Why ethical business, conservation, tourism, people and communities matter. How these elements interrelate and how we can bring about change, contribute to the world and support each other. Whether for an entire nation, an industry, a community, or even just an individual. Visit www.travelnewsnamibia.com to subscribe to our digital publication on Zinio or to order physical copies of the magazine.
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DID YOU KNOW?
This month in history:
Celebrate, observe and take part!
11 Aug 1984 1 Aug 1834 Slavery is abolished in the British Empire.
3 Aug 1958 Nuclear powered submarine Nautilus became the first vessel to cross the north pole underwater.
Unaware that he was on air during a mic check, US president Ronald Reagan said “my fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you that I just signed legislation that would outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in 5 minutes.”
20 Aug 1980 Italian climber Reinold Messner became the first man to make a solo ascent of Mount Everest.
13 Aug 1814 The Cape of Good Hope province was surrendered to Britain after 150 years of Dutch rule.
24 Aug 1979
The atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.
Opening of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, the famous three-day music festival that was held in upstate New York and was attended by around half a million people.
Heroes Day (public holiday in Namibia)
Volcanic eruption of Vesuvius smothered the cities of Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneu.
15 Aug 1969 6 Aug 1945
26 August
24 Aug 1979
5 August
Anglo-Zanzibar war was fought between Britain and Zanzibar. It lasted 45 minutes and holds the record for the shortest war recorded in history.
FUN FACTS ABOUT AUGUST: August was named after Caesar Augustus also known as Octavian, the Roman emperor and adopted son of Julius Caesar.
International Beer Day
Two zodiacs make up the month of August. Leos born between 23 July and 22 August are said to be lively, fun, loyal and honest. The Virgo zodiac runs from 22 August to 23 September and is said to be humble, sympathetic, industrious, and practical.
Peridot is the birthstone of those born in August. It is a green-coloured gem formed in the earth’s magma and brought to the surface by volcanic or tectonic action.
20 August
SUDUKO
World Honey Bee Day
The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9.
HARD 6 7 8 1 5 3 9 2 4
4 8 5 2 6 1 7 9 3
7 6 2 3 9 8 4 5 1
1 9 3 7 4 5 6 8 2
8 5 7 6 3 4 2 1 9
2 4 1 9 8 7 3 6 5
9 3 6 5 1 2 8 4 7
EASY
7
5 2 9 4 7 6 1 3 8
5
3 1 4 8 2 9 5 7 6
7
7 8 9 6 4 5 3 1 2
6 7 1 5 4 2
8 2 3 2
2 3 4 1 9 8 5 7 6
9 6 7
5 6 1 7 2 3 4 8 9
8
8
6 3 8 6 1 9
1 7 6 4 8 9 2 3 5
2
4 9 2 3 5 1 8 6 7
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Love Namibia
THE RUNDU MOKORO | A traditional form of transport on the northeastern rivers of Namibia, the mokoro or watu is still widely used today for both fishing and getting from once place to the next. Pictured here on the Okavango River near Rundu, a local man on his mokoro makes for a striking sunset silhouette. Matthew Sky Angula
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