FlyNamibia December 2022

GOOD T O D A Y . B E TTE R T OMO R R O W

Stories in FlyNamibia Magazine

contents Table of

CONTENT IS FIRE

WELCOME ON BOARD

WHAT'S HAPPENING

PEDALLING THROUGH LIFE, INSPIRING OTHERS

QUINTESSENTIAL SAFARI

PENDUKA WOMEN’S PROJECT

BELLHAUS ATELIER & GALERIE

THE DESERT GIANTS OF THE NORTHWEST

THRIFTING IN ONDANGWA

PRE-SCHOOLERS, PLANES AND PICNICS

ECONOMIC PULSE

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

FROM THE LOFTY HEIGHTS OF A RED DOUBLE-DECKER BUS

#GOALS 37

FlyNamibia invests in the nation’s next sporting stars by partnering with the Namibia Football Association.

SAFARI DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT 38

FlyNamibia launches its daily fly-in safari route by taking a couple of tastemakers on its inaugural flight.

NAMIBIA AVIATION AND CONNECTIVITY FORUM 41

Facts and figures from the forum, plus what’s next for aviation in Namibia.

CREATE, CHANGE, MAINTAIN. PARTED. 42

Creating your unique identity, changing the bits that need some work, and maintaining the love-affair with yourself and your hair.

ROYAL HUSTLERS 47

Looking back at some inspiring hustlers featured throughout 2022.

EAT, SLEEP, EXPERIENCE RUNDU 48

Check out these places for a memorable experience in the jewel of the Kavango.

FLYNAMIBIA AND AIRLINK

Answering your questions about the exciting new partnership.

51

A LIGHTHOUSE ON THE KWANDO 52

Sewing, gardening, bead making and community upliftment at The Sijwa Project.

STANDARD BANK 55

“Digital banking is the future,” they used to say. That future is here! And Standard Bank is at the forefront of driving convenience in communities digitally.

10 MINUTES WITH GOLDEN BOY SXDATED 56

A heart of gold and humble ambition is taking this local DJ to new heights.

JOYCE TO THE WORLD

Recapping the year’s adventures with the face of FlyNamibia, Joyce Nghiishililwa.

58

CHIVAS REGAL X LUIS MUNANA 63

Redefining regal at Windhoek Fashion Week.

THE BRIEF 66

A monthly wrap-up of News Worth Knowing.

OMAKE MOMENTS

Launching the Namibia Trade Trade Network: Reviving an economy.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fun facts, important dates and Sudoku.

LOVE NAMIBIA

Unforgettable adventure in the lesser visited corner of Namibia.

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71

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Ondangwa - Toivo ya Toivo

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FLIGHT SCHEDULE

CONNECTING YOU TO

Windhoek, Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Cape Town, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

TO DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL

FROM Windhoek

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Windhoek Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Windhoek Rundu

Windhoek Katima Mulilo

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 Windhoek

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun

Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun

16:00 16:50 17:40 18:30 Windhoek

Rundu Mon, Wed, Fri Mon, Wed, Fri

07:00 08:30 09:10 10:40 Windhoek

Katima Mulilo Wed, Fri, Sun Wed, Fri, Sun

11:00 12:25 13:10 14:40 Windhoek

Windhoek Oranjemund

Oranjemund Mon, Wed, Fri

Mon, Wed, Fri 12:50 13:40 Windhoek

Mon, Wed, Fri 14:20 16:00 16:40 18:20 Windhoek Windhoek 11:20 12:10 Walvis Bay Walvis Bay Mon, Wed, Fri

REGIONAL FLIGHTS

TO DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL

FROM Windhoek

Cape Town

Cape Town Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

FROM Windhoek Sossusvlei

Swakopmund Sossusvlei

Windhoek

06:50 08:50 09:50 11:50 Windhoek Windhoek Cape Town

Cape Town Sunday Sunday

14:00 16:00 17:00 19:00 Windhoek

SAFARI FLIGHTS

TO DAYS

Swakopmund

Sossusvlei Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

DEPARTURE ARRIVAL

09:45 10:35 11:05 11:45

12:15 12:55 13:25 14:15 Windhoek

Sossusvlei Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

Windhoek

Windhoek Swakopmund Swakopmund Windhoek Swakopmund Etosha

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 15:15 16:15 Etosha Etosha Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

16:55 17:55 09:45 11:45 12:15 14:15 12:15 16:15

on board

Welcome I

t’s December and we’re knocking on 2023’s door… we can hardly believe it. It’s the end of the year, and what a year it was!

Our 2022 was characterised by changes, new beginnings and exciting partnerships. Among the changes included additional flights on our well-loved routes and new staff members joining our team. December is a time for reminiscing and finding joy. The pages of this month’s magazine are dedicated to celebrating 2022 and the wonderful achievements and stories that encompassed an exciting year. We’re giving some of our favourite tales from the land of the brave and its inspiring people a second chance, just in case you missed it! We hope you enjoy them if it's your first time, and if you’re a frequent traveller and avid follower of our publication, we hope they bring you another round of hope, inspiration and joy.

Here are some of our FlyNamibia highlights from 2022:

January: We welcomed the new year with new projects, including the launch of our FlyNamibia Bursary Scheme - training the aviation professionals of the future.

February: In Feb we shook up our flight schedule to Rundu to make the flying experience better for both our business and leisure travellers.

March: As of 1 March, we started offering flights between Windhoek and Cape Town International six days a week, giving our customers even more options and connections to explore.

April: FlyNamibia launched our safari offeringFlyNamibia Safari. Visitors to Namibia can now reach Namibia’s most popular tourist attractions via fly-ins with us… at the cost of a self-drive.

FlyNamibia Safari is a revolution for the Namibian tourism industry. Read more on page 14.

May: After an exciting search for our company’s first brand ambassador - dubbed The Face of FlyNamibia - we started off the month of May with a splash, being introduced to, and introducing Namibia to, Joyce Nghiishililwa. Joyce took her first ever flight with us, the start of a wonderful journey with FlyNamibia. We also established a new scheduled route between Eros Windhoek and Oranjemund.

June: On 24 June we celebrated three years of FlyNamibia (previously FlyWestair), Namibia’s first privately-owned airline. At the end of June FlyNamibia

joined stakeholders as part of a roadshow in the Zambezi Region. The aim of the roadshow was to find out how to better serve the needs of our tourism industry.

July: 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 on a fun, and laugh-filled, adventure.

August: In August be updated the departure times of our scheduled flights between Windhoek and Cape Town. We also welcomed Andre Compion on board as our new Managing Director.

September: On Tuesday 20 September, FlyNamibia announced a new partnership with the Namibia Football Association, becoming the NFA’s official air travel partner. Read more on page 37. We also added additional flights to our Eros Windhoek and Ondangwa schedule. The big topic on everyone’s minds and lips of course, is our partnership with Airlink, which was announced on 28 September. Read more about it on page 51.

October: On 28 October we started operating our new route between Eros Windhoek and Walvis Bay.

November: We had a ton of fun at the Tourism Expo in Windhoek at the start of November. With multiple competitions and tons of prizes to be won, the FlyNamibia Festival tent was a great spot to hang out and enjoy the vibes.

FlyNamibia currently operates domestic routes from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Oranjemund, as well as a regional route between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Cape Town International. Flights 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.

Excited for the future

There’s always more in store at FlyNamibia and we’re looking forward to an even more eventful 2023, with new routes and further developments on the horizon. We wish you and your family a wonderful festive season. Be safe and enjoy the time together.

Happy flying!

The FlyNamibia Team

Note from the MD

It is with sincere gratitude that I wish to thank all our passengers, stakeholders, colleagues and friends for a most exciting year during which we have enjoyed your continued support. I look forward to 2023 with great excitement as we anticipate the start of our expansion drive that will see FlyNamibia spread its wings much wider over the domestic and regional markets.

I wish everyone a joyful and blessed festive season.

Andrè Compion

Gospel meets Jazz Summer Festival

What: Set to become an annual event, the line-up at the Gospel Meets Jazz event includes South African R’n’B sensation Loyiso Bala, Namibian-born Afrikaans country singer Juanita du Plessis, local saxophonist Suzy Eises, Clive & The Now Generation Band, Nam Gospel United and Fu-Jazz. A portion of the proceeds will be donated for mental health awareness in Namibia.

Where: Vegkop, Windhoek High School. Gates open at 10:00 Damage: General admission starts at N$50-N$350 VIP N$1,500 via WebTickets

Beach Bash

What: Beach volleyball meets live DJs and refreshing drinks. The Beach Bash Volleyball Tournament is one of the most anticipated Namibian sporting events of the year. Dance to electronic music from the country's popular DJs with your toes in the sand and sun on your skin!

What's happening.

It’s Dezemba! Obviously the masses will flock to the coast, where beach music festivals must be budgeted for. To get you into that Christmas spirit, a little saxophony, jazzy, R’n’B and soulful gospel live show is sure to set the tone before venturing off for the festive season. May we all travel safe and responsibly. And those colleagues holding the fort in the capital, while the rest galavant on holiday, we salute you!

28 December 2022

Sound of Summer

What: True to its name, Sound of Summer encapsulates the vibes of December holidays along the Namibian coast with high-quality electronic dance music. It’s a one-day music event, drawing lovers of the local social scene from morning to late!

Where: Langstrand jetty & tide pool, from 11:00 Damage: General admission N$200 available on Howler VIP Sold out

Carnival of Flames

What: For one night only, experience this fire and dance extravaganza. Fire and belly dancers, Hip Hop, Latin & Contemporary Artists, LED lights and more, with added fire effects. Riaan Smit as MC and suitable for the whole family. Where: Swakopmund Adventure Park & Paintball Centre, starts at 19:45

Damage: N$150 available on WebTickets

Where: Langstrand jetty & tide pool, from 11:00 Damage: General admission N$160 VIP N$450 available on Howler Are you hosting a public event? List it with us by contacting fly@venture.com.na

Sarafia ‘Me Fire' pedals through life, inspiring others

wenty-two years ago, Sarafia-Eben Augustinus approached her boss for a loan to help her purchase a bicycle. She realised that she was spending between N$4000 and N$5000 per annum on taxi

Augustinus, now 57 years old, has been cycling to work ever since… and has no plans to stop. Clad in her riding outfit, “Me Fire” as she is nicknamed, pedals for about 45 minutes every day of the week from Windhoek’s Greenwell Matongo informal settlement to her work place in Suiderhof.

“I didn't start cycling here in Windhoek. When I was young, my brother and I always rode bicycles to school in Okatana in the north,” Augustinus told NewsOnOne.

Augustinus started entering cycling competitions and went on to win medals and certificates which she proudly shows off. “I started cycling again at the beginning of the year 2000 and by the end of that year I participated in three competitions and won five medals,” she says. She was even able to build her home with the proceeds from these competitions.

“A lot of people come to my door in the morning asking, ”Lend me N$10 to go to work.” I ride my bicycle and I think to myself, people are struggling, it is not easy. If you do not have taxi money, you have to borrow from someone. Will you now stay away from work or what will you do if you don’t have money?” She ponders the question.

Then she adds that cycling is good for one’s health. “I want to encourage young people. This lifestyle of cycling is good for your health and the main point is you will never wonder how you will go to work or buy bread because you save a lot when you ride a bicycle.”

Hendrina Kanyolo

Namibian Safari The quintessential at Ongava

From the back of a game viewer driving through Ongava Game Reserve, it is hard to imagine what the area must have looked like 30 years ago when it was still a cluster of unproductive cattle farms. Today it is a protected piece of land where antelope are plentiful and lion, rhino and elephant freely go about their business, all part of and contributing to a healthy, thriving biome. Thanks to a massive drive towards the reintroduction of wildlife, unwavering conservation efforts and tireless research – not to mention four exceptional lodges on the property – Ongava offers its guests a truly authentic safari experience in an African paradise.

Situated on the southern boundary of Etosha National Park, just west of Andersson Gate, the 30 000 ha Ongava was founded in 1991 when several families bought four cattle farms to turn it into a sanctuary for wildlife. Since then, Ongava has grown to become one of the premier safari destinations in Namibia.

Apart from offering guests the opportunity to visit the worldrenowned Etosha, being situated literally on its doorstep, Ongava’s guided drives are unforgettable experiences. The reserve boasts more than 100 different mammal species, including anything from white and black rhino to the nearendemic Damara dik-dik, Koakoveld rock hyrax (dassie) and black-faced impala.

Setting the experience apart from others are Ongava’s guides. Their passion for the land and its wildlife is contagious as they share their understanding and love of the wild with guests. Their intimate knowledge is truly showcased when asked to also point out the smaller inhabitants of the reserve and to explain why white-browed sparrow-weavers build nests on the west side of the tree or how to find mopane worms in trees by looking for their droppings.

Rhino approaching on foot in the company of your trained guides is part of their quintessential African adventure.

Adding to the experience is Ongava’s four lodges, each with its unique atmosphere and style – a blend of luxurious seclusion integrated with the colours and textures of the Namibian bush.

Ongava Lodge

Overlooking the stunning landscape of the reserve from atop one of the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana range, Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodation in 14 rock-and-thatch en-suite chalets. The deck of the main lounge and dining area overlooks a productive waterhole. Starlit dinners on the deck while watching a variety of wildlife visiting the waterhole below makes for the perfect end to an eventful day.

Little Ongava

Namibia’s most luxurious and exclusive camp, Little Ongava is designed for privacy, luxury and closeness to its surroundings. Perched on the crest of a hill, each of the three suites as well as the dining area is graced with extraordinary views over the plains below. Designed to be an intimate camp, each spacious suite has its own plunge pool, en-suite bathroom, sala and outdoor shower. A private guide and vehicle ensures the best possible nature experience.

Ongava Tented Camp

Situated at the foot of a dolomite hill, nestled among the mopane trees, Ongava Tented Camp is a classic safari-style camp. Sleeping under the canvas of one of the eight large comfortable Meru-style tents and listening to the bush sounds harks back to the days of early adventurers. Cooling off in the swimming pool allows for a unique eye-level view of wildlife as they drink at the waterhole in front of the main area. Ongava Tented Camp is the best way to be completely immersed in the Namibian bush.

Anderssons at Ongava

Anderssons at Ongava was designed as a direct extension of the landscape using colours, textures and materials to connect guests more closely to their safari experience. It has seven contemporary luxury guest units and one family unit. Built using natural elements, the spacious suites reflect the environment while still giving guests the utmost luxury and comfort. Guests can relax on their own private viewing deck with a 180-degree panorama or have an eye-level game viewing experience watching wildlife at the camp waterhole from an underground photographic hide.

Ongava Research Centre

Situated at Anderssons at Ongava, the Ongava Research Centre is home to the reserve’s resident scientists and visiting researchers. Being home to some incredibly rare and endangered species, the mission of the research centre is to learn more about these animals and help protect them. The Ongava Research Centre’s Visitor Centre allows guests a glimpse into the cutting-edge research being done here.

Get to Ongava 7 days a week with FlyNamibia Safari's daily shuttle schedule.

When festive shopping needs rewards

Change to FNB

The festive season is upon us. And if you shop and swipe your FNB Credit Card at our new FNB Rewards partners, you’ll enjoy an early Christmas gift by earning up to 10% extra cash back! Shop here to earn more with FNB Rewards

• Nictus: Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Ongwediva and Tsumeb

• Kauai: Windhoek

• TrenTyre: Windhoek, Gobabis, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Otjiwarongo, Tsumeb, Oshakati, Ondangwa, Rundu, Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Rosh Pinah and Lüderitz

• Agrimark: Windhoek, Gobabis, Kalahari Padstal, Aranos, Rehoboth, Stampriet, Hochfeld, Hardap, Mariental, Gochas, Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Outjo, Keetmanshoop, Tsumeb, Grünau and Ondangwa

To find out more, check the FNB App or visit www.fnbnamibia.com.na Ts & Cs apply.

Three decades of dignifying Namibian women

The 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.

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.

Charene Labuschagne

Yellow Submarine at Bellhaus

We all live in a yellow submarine. What does that even mean? For curator Marcii Magson of BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie, this was the perfect title for the exhibition because her daughter has recently taught her to look at colour again. “The colour yellow comes from my daughter opening my eyes to colour. I usually look in shape, form, texture, and lines. All colours for Freya are yellow, so I started seeing all colours as yellow as well. “If you are an artist you work in colour and Freya refers to all colours as yellow, I thought it would be a perfect theme.”

Thinking about yellow one does ponder about the meaning of the colour. Is it the cheerful daffodil, the harbinger of spring? Is it our life-giving sun, a ball of warmth, and light? Or is it the colour of illness? Sunny or sticky, yellow’s meaning pervades our lives. It is invigorating, it stimulates nerves, glands and brain, making us more alert and energised. Yellow boosts our memory and encourages communication. It is a colour that promotes activity and interaction.

When pondering about a submarine, the colour yellow comes to mind. A confined, tight space even claustrophobic, but all it actually is, is a boat that floats inside the ocean. Curator Marcii analyses a submarine as the visual interpretation of the subconscious. “Everything that we apply above ground comes from a deep-rooted inside and to express it we must go underground.” The submarine only features underground. So very far beyond what the yellow submarine means to Beatles lovers. “I thought of a full circle, so if the sunset is the yellow half

circle the submarine is the other half circle below the ground”, Marcii concludes.

BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie presents nine artists in a group exhibition for the first time, giving art enthusiasts the opportunity to view their artworks in unseen sizes and shapes. “We aim to attract Christmas shoppers and collectors for this exhibition as we will be offering works affordable for everyone”, Andrea Behnsen of BELLHAUS explains. “This greatly contributes to the development and diversification of our local art buying public of course”, Marcii Magson of BELLHAUS adds.

While Marcii is the brainchild of the concept, she also guided artists to make up their own story about YELLOW SUBMARINE challenging them to move away from the literal translation. Showing Illustrations, Sculptures, Prints and Photography, a first for the Gallery, a wide array of mediums will be showcased at BELLHAUS from November 10th – December 10th, 2022.

Yellow Submarine will be BELLHAUS’s first large group exhibition featuring works by Tina Basson, Hentie Burger, Chris Botha, Marianne Chapman, Trudi Dicks, Kudzanai Katerere, Heidi Louw, Elisia Nghidishange, and Dewald Veldsman. The gallery will be transformed by covering four group installation walls with sensitive, abstract, and original interpretations of an otherworldly subject matter as well as a celebratory palette to feast on!

Text contributed by Bellhaus

Photography: Shawn van Eeden

Artist: Tina Basson

Artist: Chris Botha

Artist: Heidi Louw

Artist: Marianne Chapman

IRDNC and the desert giants of the northwest

Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) is a non-profit organisation that operates in remote rural regions of Namibia. For more than 30 years, IRDNC has worked to improve the lives of rural people by diversifying socio-economic activities in communal areas. The organisation does this by working closely with communities and within the framework of Namibia’s CBNRM (Community-based Natural Resource Management) system to balance the existence of wildlife and humans, and find constructive and sustainable ways in which people can benefit from valuable natural resources, whilst at the same time helping to conserve them.

One of the major conservation issues currently plaguing the northwestern conservancies and landscapes of Namibia is the co-existence of people and the roaming elephant herds of the region, which all too often leads to human-wildlife conflict in the area. Working closely with communities, and in the pursuit of the protection and conservation of the specially-adapted elephant populations who call the region home, IRDNC is undertaking a new project. The core of the project will aim to set up an elephant monitoring system akin to that developed and successfully implemented for many years by Save the Rhino Trust Namibia as they monitor and protect black rhinos in the same area. By keeping tabs on elephant movements, monitoring herds and studying behavioural patterns, IRDNC hopes to be able to prevent human-elephant conflict situations before they occur, set up more feasible mechanisms to completely avoid it and broaden the communities’ and conservation entities’ understanding of what is needed to achieve a balance in which both elephants and humans can thrive.

Two Namibian companies have positively reacted in support of this new initiative. FNB, through the FirstRand Namibia Foundation, recently handed over N$ 300,000 to IRDNC. These funds will be used to enhance and support the efforts of IRDNC toward humans and wildlife coexistence research projects which offer practical solutions to keeping elephants out of crops and villages, and tourism initiatives aimed at helping communities understand the value in keeping these gentle giants alive.

Revonia Kahivere, FirstRand Namibia Foundation CSI Manager said that while people the world over reaped the benefits of maintaining flourishing wildlife populations, there were also cases where wildlife and human conflict has led to death and destruction. “This was the case with the unique elephant population, known as the Kunene Highlands Elephants, which have in the past conflicted with the local communities over natural resources – which has been exacerbated by the drought conditions experienced over the last six years in Kunene.

“With this support IRDNC will continue to work handin-hand with relevant communities, and stakeholders towards establishing a long-term monitoring system as well as facilitating wildlife events. Sharing of knowledge, and incentivising volunteer Elephant Rangers as well as training of rangers and communities on elephant behaviour is also part of this initiative. Since Human-Elephant conflict is one of the issues identified, the focus will also expose communities to different approaches on how to avert and mitigate Human-Elephant Conflicts. Overall, the funding will help to promote the long-term conservation and protection of one of Namibia’s unique elephant populations through implementation of the different interventions and objectives”, said IRDNC Executive Director, Mr. John K. Kasaona.

In March 2022, CYMOT Namibia also contributed products to the value of almost N$ 70,000 to IRDNC’s Elephant Ranger teams. These goods included everything from uniforms, walking boots, backpacks to camping gear - equipping the “boots on the ground” teams to tackle the harsh climate of the northwest in their endeavours to monitor and track these desert giants.

Through research, education, perseverance and teamwork, Namibians have in the past and continue to come together to protect our natural resources and sustain livelihoods for those that choose to live with wildlife everyday. Collaborative efforts such as these, along with the hardy and committed communities that call these regions home and wild animals their neighbours, are what drive Namibia’s continuing conservation success story.

Elzanne McCulloch

THRIFTING IN ONDANGWA

In 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.

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?

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Zell

Hey, Feel Good Crew! You guys always bring the I’m so proud! How has 2022 been for you?

Nashawn

It was bittersweet, Zell. But I am saying “yes” to growth.

Adora

If there’s 1 thing I learned in 2022, it's that the most uncomfortable growth is most rewarding. Be mouldable! You don't always know everything.

3

Morris

Hmmm... Well, I’ve learned to be PRESENT, and enjoy the journey.

Just Treza

Ya, 2022 was a tough one, It really forced me to look at the world differently and also allowed me the chance to get to know MYSELF a little better. 2

Sibo

This year was prodigiously painful, spirit-crushing and mind-breaking. The most difficult year. My soul has had to find some form of godly strength to fight & pretend my way through. My hope for 2023 is, HEALING!

Skrypt

We all had to find our feet again this year. Should we fall, may we fall forward and always have the ability to get back up and plant both feet firmly on the ground.

Zell

You are amazing human beings! Listeners and clients don’t always know what goes on behind the mic. Thank you for showing up every day and giving them your all. You are amazing. We appreciate you!!!

Pre-schoolers, Planes and Picnics

Hanging out with SPES Charity at the Westair Aviation & FlyNamibia hangar in Windhoek

In the spirit of ubuntu FlyNamibia hosted a group of preschoolers, associated with S.P.E.S. Charity, at Eros Airport.

As children are the future, the airline is dedicated to inspiring less fortunate youths and getting them excited about aviation. The children were taken on a tour of the hangar and FlyNamibia facilities. For most of these kids it was the first time they saw aeroplanes of different sizes and even a helicopter from up close, and the excitement of the little ones was tangible.

The tour ended with a picnic at the Standard Bank Sky Lounge overlooking the arrival and departure of planes. The children were also given time to draw the aircraft they had seen during their tour. Their artwork will be used for special FlyNamibia merchandise in celebration of Namibia’s independence day.

S.P.E.S. Charity has been involved in the community for over 14 years with the support of international and local partners. It was established for the main purpose of serving less fortunate children and youth by helping them step out of poverty through encouragement, education and emotional support. The charity currently works with around 1700 children up to six years old and also provides support to about 80 teachers.

FESTIVE SEASON MEMORIES ARE MADE AT MIDGARD

Join us for Christmas lunch or dinner this festive season and take a well-deserved break at Midgard. Whether you are seeking an adventure or simply wish to indulge in good food or a pampering session at the Spa – we’ve got you covered, while the kids enjoy the pool and playground.

Lasting memories for you and your family are created at Midgard.

We are ready to welcome you at Midgardyour chosen holiday destination this festive season.

Best of 2022 –Economic Highlights

Looking back, 2022 was a year of ups and downs. The optimism that pervaded the start of the year faded as the Ukraine conflict escalated. Tightening monetary policy and rampant inflation in major developed economies renewed the uncertainty of economic recovery through mid-to-late 2022. And, as at the time of writing, markets are celebrating an inflation print of 7.7% in the world’s largest economy, a number that would have caused heart attacks on Wall Street on almost any other day in the last 50 years. 2022 has certainly been a rollercoaster ride, and recalling the “lowlights” might be easier than recalling the highlights, so we have put together some Namibia specific highlights to rekindle your optimism as the festive season kicks in.

In January Shell announced that they had discovered oil offshore Namibia. Total Energies followed shortly thereafter with their own announcement of an even larger well. The oil discovered is light and sweet, the good stuff, and the wells have the potential to be significant in volume. The challenge of relatively expensive extraction, kilometres of water and kilometres of drilling into the earth’s crust, will likely be dwarfed by the economic potential of these two projects. Or at least that is the expectation. Should this expectation materialise it would be the most significant economic event in Namibia’s modern history. Oil has the potential to endow Namibia with vast levels of wealth. And while extraction is likely to be a decade or so away, the discovery of oil will boost economic optimism for years to come.

In March Debmarine Namibia launched the Benguela Gem, the largest marine diamond mining vessel in the world. The new vessel was touted to add 500,000 high-quality carats to Namibia’s annual diamond output, an increase of over 30% on output in 2021. Diamond mining is a major contributor to GDP and government revenues and the addition of the Benguela Gem to the Debmarine fleet has likely added around 1.2% to Namibia’s GDP this year and more to government’s revenue. And these contributions will persist.

In light of the positive developments on the natural resource front it is timely that Namibia launched its sovereign wealth fund, the Welwitschia Fund, this year. This state-owned fund will consist of two separate accounts. The first is a liquid stabilisation account that will be used to both counteract the effects of negative macroeconomic shocks and protect the foreign reserve position. The second fund is a longer-term

IJG believes in tailoring their services to a client’s personal and business needs. For more information, visit www.ijg.net

intergenerational savings account. The Bank of Namibia, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, will manage both accounts. These vehicles promises to enhance the longevity of the economic benefits from natural resource assets and should be used to preserve the proceeds of oil and other extractive activities for future generations.

Of more significance in the near term is the fact that Namibia is having a noteworthy year in terms of government revenues. The mid-year national budget review indicated that preliminary revenue stood at N$30.4 billion, and that revenue for the 2022/23 financial year was subsequently revised up to N$64.06 billion. Should the revenue expectations transpire it would be the highest government revenue that Namibia has achieved by quite a large margin. And this despite real GDP not yet reclaiming prior highs. This increase in revenue means that government has a smaller budget deficit to fund and that slightly less debt will be issued during the year than projected. This may be a small step in the right direction, but it is progress nonetheless.

The recent COP27 climate summit provided further signs of progress, this time in terms of Namibia’s ambitions to play a pivotal role in the global green energy transition. Government representatives announced at COP27 that Namibia had secured €540 million towards these ambitions. This follows last year’s announcement that the Namibian government had awarded a preferred bidder, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, with respect to the country’s ambitions of becoming home to a giga-watt scale vertically integrated green hydrogen project. The willingness of international financiers to support Namibian green energy initiatives seems to be gaining momentum as international pressure to reduce emissions mounts. Namibia’s geography and climate make it well suited to playing an important role in cost effective green hydrogen production, and thus in assisting consumers of green hydrogen in achieving their climate goads. Globally financing for climate related projects is increasing, and Namibia is well poised to benefit from such funding through the development of its renewable energy industry.

The future looks bright. While the short term can be a rollercoaster ride of good and bad news, keeping an eye on long-term progress aids in maintaining perspective. With that we wish you a refreshing holiday season and an optimistic start to the new year.

van Zyl

To sign up for the Economic Pulse newsletter, send an email to: daleen@venture.com.na

Eric

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

The corrugated gravel road between Usakos and Henties Bay is one I know well. December holidays at the coast, for as long as I can remember, have involved driving this road. This time, however, it is May. Instead of simply admiring those magnificent granite mountains from a distance, I am headed straight towards them at a snail’s pace of 30km/h. I have loaded my little Toyota Yaris with a tent and a cooler box filled with Tafel Lagers, on a pilgrimage to a techno music festival at the foot of the Spitzkoppe.

Techno music is not on my regular rotation if I am completely honest. But I was not going to let that stop me. I have never been one to shy away from firstly, a music festival of any kind and secondly, an excuse to camp. And while I could easily write a thesis on my experience of the 3rd instalment of BAR-HP, I have opted to round up the highlights instead of bombarding you with every intricate detail of my weekend’s itinerary. Because you are going to the next one (I am sure) and you are going to create your very own unforgettable memories.

SET UP CAMP AND SETTLE IN

The early bird gets a good camping spot, so I show up around noon on Friday and scout the grounds for the perfect place to pitch my tent. Proximity to a loo is essential, but also not too close and definitely not downwind. You want to set up a short

stroll from the music tent for drink refills and recuperation, but not so close as to catch all the traffic stumbling past your campsite at 4am. It is a delicate balance. On my walkabout I run into Melkies, one of the organisers and a talented DJ. He suggests a cosy spot on soft river sand between (you guessed it) a rock and a hard place. Perfect base secured!

At this point, none of my friends have shown up just yet, so I proceed to try and set up my Rubik’s Cube of a tent by myself. It is barely out of the bag when a heavensent soul from Otjiwarongo offers to help. I love festivals for this very reason: kind-hearted, open-minded and eager individuals congregate. That, and cold beer, is an accepted form of payment. I have only been here an hour and already made a friend.

A SEXY TECHNO DUO CALLED COYOTE

At 9:30 on Friday evening practically everyone is on the dance floor under a massive beige stretch tent. Against the granite backdrop, the DJ booth is crowned with lights. In the centre of the halo, behind the decks, are two brunette babes from Cape Town just starting their set. They call themselves Coyote, and I have never heard of them before, yet I am front and centre in a crowd of techno heads, absolutely in awe of the beats they are dropping, or the disks they are spinning. I do not know what to call it, obviously, so I will simply call it brilliant.

Ricardo Richter

Ricardo

Richter

Safe to say that everyone on that dance floor is basking in the vibes, hands in the air and feet stomping up small clouds of dust. Everyone except a couple in my periphery, standing right next to the speakers, one of them trying to engage the other in a conversation amidst 120 beats per minute. I did some research among my peers and can report back that it is widely unacceptable to drag someone into a dialogue when they have consciously positioned themselves close to the speakers. If you want to chat, do so off the dancefloor, way back. It is festival etiquette!

CATCHING

UP WITH OLD FRIENDS AND MEETING NEW ONES

Two beige stretch tents make up the main area. One being the dancefloor –twice the size of the chill tent right next to it. In its shade is a massive ground sheet keeping throw pillows and pallet-wood coffee tables out of the dust. Everyone is lounging around in their Saturday best. Yes, that is right, Saturday at BAR-HP is where all the stops are pulled out and outfits are immaculate. I am sporting a custom-made pair of shades, bedazzled to the nines in a technicolour spectrum on the frames. Some noteworthy looks include a steam-punk-meets-Burning-Man barefoot goddess in a floor-length black skirt, a skin-tight leopard print catsuit paired with an unmistakable Crystal Birch hat, and of course a couple of mad men in bizarre printed tights.

Every time I return to the chill tent from a refill mission and resume sitting cross-legged on the ground, I am chatting to someone new. Old friends from high school who I have not seen in years are here, and we catch up like no time has passed. The next time I am back with a pair of scissors, politely requested by artist and new-found friend Nambzee, and we are cutting up his extra canvas to make cone-shaped hats. With my 75-300mm lens and the perfect vantage point under the chill tent I capture some candid shots of sun and dust-kissed faces playing cards and dancing to the first DJs of the day. Behind my viewfinder I have the fattest grin, because I do not think I have ever seen so many people so utterly happy and unapologetically themselves.

A NOT-SO-SECRET SECRET DANCEFLOOR

Around noon the festival fills up with day-visitors. You can spot them from a mile away because they have recently showered unlike the rest of us day-ones who exclusively rely on wet-wipes. While they have missed out spectacularly on the vibe that was Friday night, my whole gang of friends is finally complete.

The music is picking up pace, so we set our sights for the dust dance floor. At which point I realise that if you have not been parked in the middle of the crowd since sunset, you become bound to the borders. There is no way me and my entourage will be able to squeeze into the prime spot of the previous night. On a quest to find the only fire at the festival (fires are prohibited for the sake of the dry veld that surrounds us) we stumble on a somewhat secret dancefloor merely 20 metres from the official one. A string of primary coloured light bulbs dangles in a zig-zag above our heads, four boulders wrapping us in a cocoon, and right in front, projected onto the rock backdrop of the whole festival, is a constantly shifting show of graphic patterns, swirls and colours. This must be what heaven is like at night.

Frans Lott, UNAM PhD student, Dr Joanne Holt, NOVA Planetarium expert, Hiiko Katjaita,

Ricardo Richter

Ricardo Richter

SLOW-STARTING SUNDAY

Slow from the starting blocks on Sunday, everyone is a little more groggy than we would like to admit. The air is crisp but that is nothing a coffee can’t fix. Perched atop one of the boulders surrounding my brilliant camp spot, I sip on a steaming cup of French press coffee with my back to the morning sun, facing the magnificent Spitzkoppe. In the distance, echoing from the granite, classic 80s love ballads and the odd Mumford and Sons play from someone’s car stereo. If you do not have coffee, the vibe in the air this morning is sure to warm you up.

It seems everyone is in a rush to pack up and head back to the city for a shower and a nap, which is entirely understandable. However, my friends and I have opted for a more relaxed departure. Once the dust settles from those eager to end the weekend, we leisurely deconstruct our campsite, pack our cars and stroll to the main area to savour the last smidgen of the festival that was. The one and only fire is still smouldering from someone’s breakfast braai, so we stack some more wood and proceed to braai boerewors, filling our tummies with boerie rolls after two days of meagre meals. There is no more techno bouncing from the boulders, there are no bare bodies around the pool, no dusty feet on the dancefloor, yet at this moment I can finally take it all in.

In a blink it is all over and I am back on the corrugated road in my little Yaris at 30km/h. The reflection in my rearview mirror is testament to the fact that in every recollection of this weekend, be it photographic or from memory, the magnificent Spitzkoppe is always right there. In the corner of your eye as you boogey to techno, the backdrop to every photo, completing the symphony, the driving base behind the beat drop that was BAR-HP.

Charene Labuschagne

TO CAPE TOWN AND BEYOND

FlyNamibia between Eros Airport in Windhoek and Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Oranjemund, as well as between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Cape Town.

www.flynamibia.com.na

Cape Town

Acarefree holiday mood sets in as soon as the Cape Town City Sightseeing bus starts rolling at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Clear skies, 28 degrees, a gentle breeze and no need to pay attention to the hectic bustle of Cape Town traffic.

Via the Clock Tower entrance of the V&A Waterfront and the CTICC we drive through the busy Heerengracht Street where Jan van Riebeeck and his wife Maria stand on high plinths on a traffic island, and on another the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias. Passing the central railway station adorned with mosaics depicting the history of transport we reach Strand Street. This road used to be on the beachfront – until the great land reclamation during the 1970s which created the entire Foreshore area.

From Strand Street the bus turns into the old town centre full of narrow oneway streets.

Without any buildings or parked vehicles getting swiped, the skilful double-decker driver manoeuvres us into Long Street, famous for its vibrant nightlife. In bright sunlight it shows its other face: well-kept Victorian mansions catch the eye and many interesting shops that do not belong to the ubiquitous retail chains.

Soon we pass the massive pillars at the entrance to the time-honoured Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. Opposite is the upper end of the Company Gardens, where European influence at the southern tip of Africa started some 370 years ago. Then the bus weaves into the multi-lane traffic of the M3 city highway, and via headphones your gaze is directed towards Groote Schuur Hospital, where the first heart transplant was performed.

The next stop is glorious Kirstenbosch, one of the country’s seven national botanical gardens. “A must for every visitor to

Cape Town,” says the voice in the headset, and quite a few passengers vacate their seats. Others get off at Constantia Nek to go on a mini wine tour, compliments of Cape Town City Sightseeing.

Groot Constantia is the oldest, the most famous and among the most distinguished of all South African wine estates, and Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance used to be a favourite throughout Europe some 200 years ago. Napoleon still sipped it while in exile on St Helena.

From Constantia Nek it is steadily downhill between wooded slopes. The first stop in Hout Bay is the World of Birds, a private sanctuary with some 3000 birds in large walk-in aviaries. Monkeys and other small animals add to the park’s attraction.

At Mariner’s Wharf, right on the beach of the charming bay, the bus turns for the ride back along the beautiful coastal road hugging the Table Mountain Range. Many things that are hidden from sight when passing in a car suddenly become visible from the upper deck of the bus: the villas of Llandudno, the beach houses of Bakoven wedged between granite boulders, and the sleek apartment blocks of Clifton which rise like a wall between the ocean and narrow Victoria Road.

But all good things invariably come to an end, and right on time we are back at the Two Oceans Aquarium. My first thought: Let’s do it again!

Or perhaps a harbour cruise? A canal cruise? Or a sunset tour? Award-winning Cape Town City Sightseeing offers a multitude of irresistible tours and combinations.

Visit www.citysightseeing.co.za/en/cape-town

Rockstroh

Clear skies, 28 degrees, a gentle breeze and no need to pay attention to the hectic bustle of Cape Town traffic.

from the lofty heights of a red double-decker bus

Christina

#goals

On Tuesday 20 September, at an event held at Eros Airport, FlyNamibia announced a new partnership with the Namibia Football Association. As the nation’s first private passenger airline, FlyNamibia is proud to support our country’s sporting teams and heroes. On this occasion the airline and the Namibia Football Association confirmed its mutual commitment to each other in furthering Namibia’s international sporting aspirations. The smart partnership is set to run for a period of one year.

The Namibia national under 23 football team departed on their FlyNamibia chartered flight to Luanda to take part in the TotalEnergies U23 Africa Cup of Nations shortly after the event. With a sponsorship value of over half a million Namibian dollars, FlyNamibia hopes the support it was able to extend to the NFA will aid our national football development and the future of the sport in Namibia.

The sponsorship and partnership was officially announced by incumbent FlyNamibia Managing Director, Andre Compion. “For the next year, FlyNamibia will be the official air travel partner of the NFA and we are incredibly proud to be the bearer of this designation. It is our mandate and mission at FlyNamibia to support our country and its people as far as we are able. Whether it be by connecting our customers to their homes, families, businesses or travel destinations, or by connecting the world to Namibia and Namibia to the world,” said Compion of this new relationship. He also added that, “Smart partnerships such as this are the key to driving growth and development. We hope our support and the collective

endeavours of this new relationship will help further Namibia’s football aspirations and bring about even more prosperity to a sport we all enjoy and vehemently support. Football is the world’s game as they say, and we are proud to be the official air travel partner tasked with helping our Namibian footballers reach the world.” The event was attended by FlyNamibia’s CEO Henri van Schalkwyk, CEO of Namibia Airports Company, Bisey /Uirab, and the Interim General Secretary of the Namibia Football Association, Jochen Traut.

“It’s an honour to partner with FlyNamibia. It will make our job easier and get us from country to country when we participate in competitions,” said player Steven Junior Damaseb of his team’s new transport partner.

With an ethos based on the concept of Ubuntu, which is celebrated across the African continent, FlyNamibia aims to be a beacon that connects Namibia as a community with the rest of the world, and helps bring the world to Namibia so that we can showcase how unique and truly special we are as a destination. FlyNamibia remains firmly committed to supporting the Namibian nation and its people and endeavours to be an airline our country can be proud of.

FlyNamibia currently operates domestic routes from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo and Oranjemund, as well as a regional route between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Cape Town International. Flights 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.

FlyNamibia becomes the official air travel partner of the Namibia Football Association

Safari dreams take flight

AWith dune sand in their shoes and something to eat, it was back to the plane for the flight to Swakopmund on a scenic route passing over Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, the shipwrecks of the Eduard Bohlen and the Shawnee as well as Sandwich Harbour.

Upon landing in Swakopmund, Charly's Desert Tours were waiting and ready to take the group to the Brewer and Butcher Restaurant at Strand Hotel Swakopmund for a delicious hearty meal and some ice-cold Namibian beers. A quick stroll on the Mole with its inviting beach overlooked by the iconic lighthouse was the perfect way to let lunch settle before boarding the flight back to Windhoek.

FlyNamibia Safari is a revolution for the Namibian tourism industry. It enables travellers to significantly cut down the hours spent reaching our vast country’s far-flung destinations, giving them more time to truly discover, enjoy and absorb the wonders of this land of endless horizons. Building more memories and making the most of their Namibian adventure. Operated from Hosea Kutako International Airport (which allows for international connections) to Namibia’s most iconic travel destinations: Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha, FlyNamibia Safari is geared to make your journey across this incredible land easier, safer, quicker and more beautiful.

champagne breakfast at Dune 45.

Etosha

Windhoek

The Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum

The first event hosted by the Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum took place in Windhoek on 17 and 18 November 2022. The creation of the Forum has a firm goal of discussing how “aviation can play a central role in the attainment of national goals encapsulated in the Namibian Government’s National Development Plans, Harambee Prosperity Plan II and the National Transport Policy”. It is further aimed at creating an environment in which policy reform and development in the industry will allow Namibia to capitalise on opportunities which better connectivity with the globe will allow, and to enhance economic opportunities for all sectors in a post-pandemic economy. Attendees to the event represented key aviation experts from across the globe, including Airbus, Embraer, IATA and many others. The event kicked off with the Forum’s various working groups each giving a short presentation summarising their respective inputs and conclusions, which had been formulated through consultative meetings of the working groups in the weeks leading up to the event. These Working Groups were established with the aim of an aviation policy review for Namibia.

Working Groups, which were populated by various industry specialists, investigated the following topics: Regulatory Reforms, Training & Skills Development, Route Development, Regional & International Connectivity, Infrastructure Investment, Possibility of a Future National Airline, Cargo Development, Aviation’s Place in Oil Discovery & Green Hydrogen Advances, Sustainability, and Enhancing Aviation’s Role as an Enabler for Tourism.

A common theme throughout presentations and discussions was the need for closer collaboration and partnership between the public and private sector to unlock Namibia's enormous potential. Another factor that was repeatedly acknowledged was the dire need for regulatory reforms in order to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of

aviation, business, the economy, and industries dependent on aviation. Some participants bemoaned the unbalanced focus within the aviation sector which places civil aviation on a low tier of importance even though it makes up almost 80% of the number of flights in Namibia. Speakers and participants to the Forum further acknowledged the importance of moving beyond bureaucracy and the inflexible current status quo, which are major factors in curbing growth and development, while not neglecting the need for stability and emphasis on safety within the industry. Emphasis was placed on the need for a balance between profitability and safety. Namibia should also be aligned with international standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

In speaking to the Forum’s overarching goal, delegates were in agreement that Namibia is at the precipice of major economic opportunities on which it should capitalise. Now is the time for growth and development to flourish and this should be emphasised within the aviation industry as well. With the emergence of gas and green hydrogen, the planned development of a ‘Centre of Excellence’ to aid in skills development, and the return of tourism and international travel, this growth is certainly on the horizon. Now is the time for Namibia to get its systems and plans together and activate a targeted and collaborative restructure of the industry, to the benefit of all Namibians.

The Forum will use the contributions from its Working Groups, panel discussions and further information derived from the event to formulate a White Paper that will outline recommendations and reforms aimed at resuscitation of the industry post-COVID, identifying investment opportunities within the industry, and the development of a national strategy and implementation plan for how aviation can play a key role in fostering Namibia's economic growth.

Elzanne McCulloch

Create, change, maintain. Parted.

My next guests need no introduction. In the span of two years they have trailblazed the Namibian hair scene, fostered a loyal following both online and in their unisex salon space and most noteworthy: they brought back the mullet. Nobody thought it to be possible. Parted Hair is the love-child of two ridiculously ambitious hairdressers – Viggo and Jamie von Scheliha. Together with their talented band of hair magicians, Parted is chopping off the split ends and blow-drying a whole new approach into the Namibian hair scene.

Like most wonderful stories, this one begins with love. First and foremost a love for hair, which brought Parted’s co-founders together while studying in the Western Cape. Viggo and Jamie hustled the Cape Town salon scene, did numerous house calls and finally found their niche in 2017 –uniting the male and female salon experience under one roof.

The men’s and women’s hairdresser setup has always been mutually exclusive, most probably due to the practicality of catering to a single sex and their hair experience desires. And yet, what could be more practical, in this day and age, than to bring men’s and women’s hair into a single space? What could be more with-it than creating a cool collaborative space where men’s and women’s hair can be celebrated and shared? Name it, I will wait.

After successfully running their unisex hair shop in the Mother City and starting a family, Parted made the big move to Namibia at a time when absolutely nobody was cutting their hair. Lockdown. But like a phoenix rising from the offcuts on the salon floor, Viggo and Jamie opened their shop in Windhoek on 6 September 2020. Ever since they hopped onto the scene, you simply cannot ignore them. Parted’s social media presence, along with their incredibly talented team, is what sets them apart from the rest.

It is not the yuppy kind of social media presence though, it is their portfolio displayed in perfect squares, exciting video content, giveaways and challenges. While chatting to Viggo and Jamie I recall a time when I sat in a hairdresser’s chair – one I had never been to before, and the lady next to me complimented me on my bravery. Needless to say my bravery was wasted. A stylist butchered the bangs I was sporting at the time, so much so I decided to grow them out entirely and I am still recovering from the PTSD. If you are visiting Parted for the first time, there is no need to gamble with your hair. Every stylist’s work is featured on their Instagram @parted.hair so you can browse the ample talent and book with a hairdresser who matches your vibe. Deciding on which hairdresser to go to should be based on their portfolio, not your bravery.

Parted prides itself on its three principles: create, change, maintain. But it is so much more than just hair philosophy. Hairdressers are also our part-time psychologists in more ways than just oversharing with your barber. At Parted it is about creating your unique identity, changing the bits that need some work, and maintaining the love-affair with yourself and your hair. Viggo says “Parted” means parting with your old self and emerging bolder, better and ever more confident with every cut.

When asking the co-founders about the feathers they have undoubtedly ruffled in the industry, Viggo frankly says, “If you are original enough, if you are unique and bring something different to the table, there is no competition.” Jamie adds that they do what they do, and how they do

it, not to claim carte blanche of the industry, but to push Namibians to be a little ballsy with their hair, and for the local hairdressing industry to develop as a collective.

Their approach speaks for the next generation of Namibians who feel most alive when outside their comfort zone. It speaks to a new era of hairstyles, stylists and subsequent swag. Parted is as much for the everyday hairdo, as it is for the absolutely outlandish. Viggo, Jamie and their cast of energetic hair stylists really believe that hairstyling is art, a lifestyle.

Very much like the mullet, Parted is business in the front, and a party in the back.

Charene Labuschagne

This photoshoot was a collaboration between Parted Hair and FlyNamibia Magazine’s content team. Head over to @flynamibia_magazine on Instagram for behind the scenes videos and posts.

Hair by @parted_hair

Makeup by @missjeyarts_makeup

Photography by Le Roux van Schalkwyk

Art Direction by Charene Labuschagne

Video by Ruairi Hammond

Visit www.instagram.com/reel/ Ccpdk9ulyVJ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= to see the video.

Eros

Major projects have taken place at Namibia’s busiest airport, Eros Airport in Windhoek city centre. The airport allows for seamless travels and connections to domestic and regional airports.

ROYAL HUSTLERS

A look back at some of our most inspiring Royal Hustlers of 2022.

Reem El Sherif, Strategy and Business Development Manager at RMB Namibia

Reem has experience in academia and worked for UNDP on the Harambee Prosperity Plan 2 and the NDP 5, saying that she is "passionate about producing new knowledge."

The move to commercial banking was strategic. She says, "Even though I’m not passionate about how the stock markets work, I’m passionate about how finance drives economic development."

Reem credits much of her current success to her parents who sacrificed a lot to provide their children with the best education possible on their journey from Cairo to Windhoek.

Wilko Aschenborn, entrepreneur and founder of the Buddy SuperApp

Like many entrepreneurs, Wilko learned by trial and error before he found exactly what he wanted to dedicate his life to. “It was all about failing often, failing forward and failing with success,” he reflects wisely.

The Buddy app came together in a moment of enlightenment between Wilko and his dog named Buddy. This moment inspired the app logo. Buddy helps users find what they are looking for – be it food (BuddyEats) or accommodation (TravelBuddy). The app also serves as a business networking platform.

Robin Rhode, Senior Brand Manager of Namibia Breweries Limited

Sparks fly when passion and career intersect. From working in a call centre to studying HR, Robin describes joining the O&L Group of Companies as the moment “where all the fun started” in his career.

He is a firm believer in the importance of practicing gratitude and living a purposeful life. The wide open spaces of Namibia called him back from abroad for a life of intentionality.

David Namalenga, founder of Dinapama Manufacturing

David operates on a 'we rise' philosophy. Having to overcome a childhood of difficult circumstances, he has built a company that serves the nation. “I believe Namibia can be served by its people, no one must lack anything.” This is one of the guiding principles that Dinapama is rooted in.

Says David, “Life is like a one-time pin. If you don’t use it wisely, it’s gone!”

Samuel "Ninja" Ndahangwapo, auditor by day and martial arts enthusiast all the time

According to Samuel, many of the challenges we face as a nation are rooted in a culture of taking instead of giving. But, he says, his father taught him to focus on what is really important in life. "With every encounter that I have, I think of what I can give to that individual in terms of monetary value or skills instead of just thinking about what I can get from them.”

He believes Namibia's future lies in becoming self-sustaining, producing what we consume and industrialising to meet our needs. "Once we get to the stage where we as citizens move to the mindset of producing everything that we consume, we will have done a good job.”

Proudly Sponsored by

Reem El Sherif Wilko Aschenborn Robin Rhode

Samuel Ndahangwapo David Namalenga

Eat, sleep, experience Rundu

Rundu is the sprawling capital of the Kavango Region. It is a bustling town brimming with cool places to stay, lekker eateries and bars and fun stuff to do. Whether you are visiting for business, connecting with family, or simply stopping over on your way elsewhere, check out these places for a memorable experience in the jewel of the Kavango.

WHERE TO STAY

Taranga Safari Lodge

35 kilometres west of town.

The lodge is situated on a side stream of the Okavango River and boasts timeless safari-esque decor, a large deck overlooking the river, a swimming pool and a floating bar. Taranga has three types of accommodation: two deluxe chalets, six classic luxury tented chalets as well as camping facilities. Activities include cultural walks, drives, river cruises and fishing excursions.

Taranga’s kitchen serves breakfast, light lunches and dinner.

Tambuti Lodge

Located in town near Rundu Beach.

Tambuti is conveniently located within a 4-minute drive from the centre of town. It overlooks the river and floodplain. It’s a quaint lodge with great character and lots of greenery, offering five family rooms and three double/single rooms. The restaurant specialises in traditional cuisine, like roasted manketti nuts and millet pancakes, but equally caters to other appetites.

Activities include visits to the Mbunza Living Museum, kayaking on the river or embarking on a slow cruise on a motorised boat.

Mukuku Rest Camp

65 kilometres eastwards out of town.

Mukuku is a small, charming establishment run by a friendly and accommodating husband and wife team, Ansie and Hannes Pool. It is tucked away nicely, further away from neighbouring villages and therefore very tranquil. There are

While boat cruises and cultural activities are offered, this is a place to sit back and read a book, watch birds and really relax.

WHERE TO EAT/DRINK

Culture Café

Recently opened, this coffee shop is beautifully decorated in a bohemian style. There is a fish pond at the entrance, a shelf filled with homemade jams and rusks, and the seating is ample both indoor and outdoor. Culture Café’s menu features hearty classics like fried breakfasts, burgers, toasties and schnitzel as well as an extensive pizza range. The service is great and the food is delicious, definitely a must when in Rundu.

Grill Masters

In the centre of town, along the bustling main street you’ll find Grill Masters. The restaurant space offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well as takeaways. Chicken wings, basted ribs, chops and burgers are their specialty, but they also do catering and take orders for party platters. Decadent milkshakes topped with cookies and cream round off the offering.

Traditional at the Open Market

There are a bunch of spots around town that offer rustic, local cuisine in a restaurant setting, but the Open Market is

three self-catering chalets, one B&B chalet and three camping spots with private ablution facilities. Ansie cooks all the meals served at Mukuku, which are generous and tasty.

definitely the most authentic experience. Meats are grilled on open fires and spiced to perfection. Expect sides like pap and relish and perhaps some sauce. At the Open Market you can simply follow your noses to the back, where a handful of vendors sell meals daily.

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE

Rundu Beach and lookout point

These two spots are cornerstones of local culture in Rundu. The “beach” is a bank of the Okavango River that boasts soft white sand and the water is super clear. Swimming is not advisable, though, because crocodiles monitor these waters. The lookout point is on the edge of town, around the corner from the beach. From there you get a gorgeous view of the Okavango floodplains, particularly as the sun sets on the horizon. Both these places are ideal for a picnic.

Wood carvers and clay pottery

Crafts like wood carving and pottery have been practised in this part of the country for centuries. Visit Mbangura Wood Carving in the centre of town for beautiful and practical items ranging from bowls and walking sticks to even furniture. This wood carving establishment supports multiple crafters and their handiwork is truly remarkable.

Pots are made from clay found in the area, which is painstakingly constructed into woodburning stoves, plant pots, urns and bowls. The creativity and craftsmanship that go into moulding these pots is unparalleled. You can find a bunch of roadside shops selling traditional clay pots on the way out of Rundu, en route to Grootfontein.

Open Market

Most of the larger towns in the north boast an Open Market. This is the place where locals go to shop and socialise, but it is also a great starting point for visitors. Vendors at those markets can repair your phone while you shop the selection of dresses hand-made on-site, intricately crafted smoking pipes and spears, or brick-making apparatus and hair oils. There are a bunch of butcheries and hair salons on the perimeter, and under the main market roof, you can even try your hand at a game of pool, if you are ready to challenge local experts.

Get a haircut

Barber shops and hair salons are scattered all over town and form an essential part of local culture. Even though they are plentiful, there is almost always a queue. People wait patiently for hours, seated or standing in the salon, observing the maestros at work. One of our content team members managed to jump the queue because the barber was so excited to cut caucasian hair. This particular shop was blasting kwaito music and clients could watch a movie on a laptop.

Explore the river

If you choose to stay at one of the above-mentioned lodges, you will have access to loads of activities on and around the river. Boat trips get you closer to spotting crocodiles and hippos, while fishing is also great fun. Because life in this region revolves around the river, it is essential for you as a visitor to experience it.

Charene Labuschagne

FlyNamibia between Eros Airport in Windhoek and Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Oranjemund, as well as between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Cape Town.

www.flynamibia.com.na

TO RUNDU AND BEYOND

AFRICA’S FEARLESS THINKER A SYMBOL OF EQUALITY

Africa’s Fearless Thinker radiates our stance on gender equality, courage and diversity. At RMB, we don’t just acknowledge it, we stand for it. Facing challenges head-on requires fearless thinking, which in our minds takes pride of place.

Come and view these incredible artworks outside the RMB Head Office on Independence Ave, Windhoek.

The partnership between FlyNamibia and Airlink

We answer your questions

FlyNamibia announced our new partnership with southern Africa’s largest private airline, Airlink in September 2022. This new partnership is an incredible opportunity for our airline to expand its reach and will be a wonderful vehicle of growth for us as a proudly Namibian company.

This new partnership with Airlink will allow us to broaden our horizons even further. Through operational collaboration, FlyNamibia and Airlink will be servicing more regional routes, with new routes to be added to southern African destinations.

You had some questions, so we’ve tried to answer them:

Will Airlink absorb FlyNamibia?

No. Each airline will retain its own identity and operate and market flights independently from one another. Collaboration will take place mainly in an administrative way. The investment is underpinned by a commercial franchise agreement under which FlyNamibia will adopt Airlink’s “4Z” International Air Transport Association (IATA) designator for its ticket sales and scheduled flights, while retaining its unique corporate identity, brand and aircraft livery.

How will this collaboration benefit FlyNamibia?

First and foremost is the fact that FlyNamibia, through the partnership, can now be listed on the GDS (Global Distribution System). This will see FlyNamibia’s inventory attaining higher visibility and being promoted on Airlink’s computerised reservation system and on those of major foreign airlines which have partnered with Airlink, all around the world.

Practical solutions to operational issues will be attained by tapping into Airlinks systems and economies of scale to increase productivity and service delivery.

When will changes relating to the partnership take effect?

The changes will come into effect as soon as practicable, after which all existing bookings for FlyNamibia flights will be amended at no cost or inconvenience to customers.

What was the motivation for the investment and partnership?

FlyNamibia, as a relatively new, small and privately funded airline will hugely benefit from the alignment with Africa’s largest privately owned airline, Airlink. By having Airlink as partner FlyNamibia will be able to tap into all the resources offered by Airlink, thereby enabling expansion and growth at a rate that would be difficult to achieve independently.

What does the ownership structure look like?

FlyNamibia is still majority-owned by Namibian private

investors, including its founder Westair Aviation, with Airlink owning a minority of 40% of shares.

Partners and yet competition?

As each airline still operates independently they continue to be competitors. Competition is good for customers. We are well aware of such concerns and have implemented extensive measures to ensure that no form of collusion, price-fixing or anti-competitive measures will be allowed. Customers will however benefit through more frequencies and optimal scheduling whilst each airline will have to remain competitively priced in order to attract passengers. It should also be noted that neither Airlink or FlyNamibia has the monopoly on any route and entrance of other carriers on the routes that the two airlines currently serve is inevitable.

Our priorities at FlyNamibia are firmly focused on creating the best possible experience for our customers and having a positive impact on our country. This new partnership, and the tremendous growth and potential that will stem from it, will certainly support these goals. Our ethos is based on the concept of Ubuntu. One of the philosophies within this school of thought is that “if you want to go far, go together.”

private

We are proud to partner with a fellow

African airline and we are sure that together we will go very far. We’re excited to take you with us.

A Lighthouse on the Kwando River

TO KATIMA MULILO AND BEYOND

FlyNamibia between Eros Airport in Windhoek and Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Oranjemund, as well as between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Cape Town.

www.flynamibia.com.na

On the bank of the Kwando River, on the edge of Bwabwata National Park, lies a little haven. Born from the generous hearts of Tinolla Rodgers and her late husband Dusty, The Sijwa Project started in 2019 with a humble greenhouse and plastic repurposing plant. Three years later it has become a lighthouse for the local community through employment and education accredited to this African Monarch Lodges (AML) initiative.

Having visited the project in its founding year, and then again in early 2022, it was incredible to witness the growth that Sijwa has achieved. In its infancy, the project employed eight local community members who not only tended to the garden supplying AML with fresh produce, but also filled discarded plastic water bottles with soil from the river banks which were used to construct their workshops. Walking onto the lot this time around, the walls of their glass bead workshop and sewing centre are adorned with the star-shaped bases of all those bottles, protruding in symmetrical perfection. And their team has grown to 20 Mayuni community members. It is hard to believe that on our previous visit all this was only a dream.

The Sijwa Project resulted from the ever more important challenge faced by lodges in such remote areas – their waste and how to manage it sustainably. Additionally, the communities surrounding African Monarch Lodges properties are largely subsistence farmers or without any type of employment. These two factors made for a remarkable opportunity to engage local people in income generating activities, while simultaneously reducing, reusing and recycling the lodges’ waste.

When the construction of the workshops was completed, it was time to fill the spaces with even greater initiatives. The next phase included starting the sewing workshop and glass recycling. A group of young and ambitious community members were trained on how to create glass beads by crushing empty liquor bottles, making moulds and even building a kiln to melt and reshape the glass. Once cooled, the beads are polished by hand with sand and water. The glass beads vary in colour from dark green to brilliant turquoise, and different sizes are stringed together in the workshop to produce fashionable yet authentic jewellery and keychains.

Dusty and Tinolla Rodgers’s greatest dream was to teach the community skills. They approached The Collective Boutique and Myeisha Namibia to form a collaboration to train four local community members to sew, by providing a professional trainer, fabric and sewing machines. The incredible initiatives of Sijwa inspired another Namibian to get hands-on in uplifting the community. Then the national titleholder of Miss Supranational Namibia, Chanique Rabe visited the

project and began discussions with Tinolla and Dusty about introducing a junior sewing school at The Sijwa project. Avril Payment Solution sponsored all the sewing machines required to set up the school for its 40 students. Chani, holding an honours degree in fashion design, compiled a curriculum and thus the Sijwa Junior Sewing School was founded. She proceeded to win the international Supranational title and along with the accolade came global attention to her work at The Sijwa project. A group of young women who had never held a needle and thread or earned an income prior to training here now create unique garments exclusively made at The Sijwa Project, designed by Chani and South African designer Isabel de Villiers, who trained the ladies on embroidery and how to sew her bestselling garment ‘The Isabel Kimono’. Their handcrafted items (including placemats and tote bags) are in high demand and the staff at African Monarch Lodges fashion the namesake dress inspired by the Monarch butterfly, designed by Chanique Rabe.

They are not just sewing for the sake of fashion, however. The Sijwa sewing workshop recently began producing reusable sanitary pads in an effort to destigmatise and simultaneously educate rural communities about menstruation. In many isolated parts of the country girls skip school during menstruation, largely due to a lack of access to feminine hygiene products. The reusable sanitary pads, considerately made by the Sijwa seamstresses, aim to keep girls in school and deconstruct the narrative that menstruation is shameful. Avril Payment Solutions has been this cause’s greatest supporter and managed to distribute 300 pads into the region. In total, 2000 reusable sanitary pads have been made and released from The Sijwa Project.

Sijwa’s permaculture garden now covers the space of two large greenhouses. Other than peppadews, rocket, aubergine, papaya, beans and many others they also grow ginger, turmeric and garlic which are absolute staples in the African Monarch Lodges’ kitchens. By preparing the soil, planting and tending to the garden, Sijwa employees are given the opportunity to learn about sustainable gardening practices. Concepts like crop rotation, how to deal with flooding and essential nutrition from fresh produce are valuable lessons that they can take back from their employment at Sijwa to their communities.

The project keeps growing from strength to strength as more initiatives are introduced by Tinolla, who, in loving memory of Dusty, maintains a keen interest in the everyday challenges faced by community members. Tackling sustainable solutions to human-elephant conflict is the next project on their roster and it is sure not to be the last. The Sijwa Project continues to provide local people with income, but more sincerely, equips them with skills that can change the trajectory and quality of their lives in tangible ways.

Charene Labuschagne

The project equips them with skills that can change the trajectory and quality of their lives in tangible ways.

Driving Convenience in Communities, Digitally

“D

igital banking is the future”, they used to say. That future is here, and digital banking is an integral part of the present, transforming lives and changing the way people do things rapidly.

Standard Bank has taken advantage of the opportunities offered by new technologies, to provide its customers with cutting-edge solutions to improve their banking experiences and offer products that seamlessly layer into their lives.

Standard Bank is committed to understanding a customer’s needs, and tailoring products to ensure that those solutions are not just satisfactory, but they are delightful – going beyond what is expected. Two of Standard Bank’s flagship digital solutions, that are tailored to the customer today, are its PayPulse, a cashless payment option, and Blue Fuel, also a cashless fuel management system.

PayPulse exists in an App format which can be downloaded from the Google and Apple app stores, and USSD via the *140*6626# number, making it accessible on all cellphone devices. It is fast, secure, and easy to use, and users can link up to three different cards from any bank in Namibia. This means that it caters for everybody and not just Standard Bank clients.

What is also special about it is that Standard Bank’s Blue Voucher capability has been incorporated into PayPulse to enable customers to pay via a QR code through a scan and pay method. This feature acts like a wallet on your phone, and is especially user friendly for informal vendors, who can create their own QR code to which people can pay for goods and services instantly. Once the money is in this “wallet”, its safe and secure and they can then make use of this money for different transactions of their own.

In an era where customers are in need of more convenient ways to pay their bills, without queuing up in long lines, customers can perform transactions from the comfort of their mobile devices. And if they are out shopping or enjoying a meal with friends and family, they can pay for it using PayPulse.

PayPulse enables instant cash out of money at the tills of prominent grocery stores, and apart from cashing out and sending Blue Vouchers, it also allows customers to send money to any mobile number in Namibia, even if they don’t have a PayPulse account. Customers can top up on electricity and

airtime and pay for bills such municipal water & electricity and DStv/GOtv accounts.

Our second featured digital technology is our flagship fuel management system, Blue Fuel. Namibian businesses are facing significant pressures to maintain core services with significantly reduced budgets. One way of achieving this is through efficiency savings on the purchase and use of all services, including vehicles, through standardisation and the use of technology.

To address this, Standard Bank offers the Blue Fuel Technology, aimed at simplifying fleet managing with low-cost solutions designed to eliminate the hassle of managing, monitoring and controlling the refuelling of your fleet.

Every fleet manager knows that fuel costs can overshadow other operating expenses. Standard Bank's Blue Fuel offers the newest innovation in fleet management to help you better manage your fleet of vehicles, whether you have a huge company or just three cars.

The technology ensures that only authorised vehicles are able to fill up, without the need to purchase and install expensive vehicle hardware. In addition, drivers can authorise transactions using fleet cards, driver PIN’s or even their mobile phones.

With Blue Fuel all transactions are securely authorised in real-time and checked against multiple, configurable fuel rules using our unprecedented technology. Successful transactions and unsuccessful attempts are instantly available to view on a personalised web portal using any internet-connected device.

Individuals, small businesses and companies with large fleets are all eligible for Blue Fuel, with a hassle-free registration process.

Blue Fuel allows for real-time authorisation at the time of the transaction, instant access to reports, increased security against fraudulent transactions and serves as a management tool to effectively manage financial, technical and operations costs.

Both the PayPulse banking application and the Blue Fuel technology are essentially about having a fast, secure, and easy way for customers to make payments without the need to handle cash.

10 minutes

with golden boy Sxdated.

“I take people, the consumers of my art, into a transcendental state… On a journey,” he says. And I can testify.

The very first time I heard of Sxdated was earlier this year after he was announced winner of the DJ call-out competition at the BAR-HP music festival. Fast forward to the festival weekend, you bet your bottom dollar I was standing front and centre when he started his set. While midday is not the ideal hour for dancing in the desert, Sxdated managed to pull a crowd from the pool and camping areas. After about 24 hours of non-stop techno, his set was a sound for sore ears, a departure from anything and everything I’ve ever heard from behind a DJ deck.

Ewan Mitchell Kisting, the twenty-something cat dad with a degree in IT, has been DJing since 2012. That is a whole decade spent perfecting his craft. Writing, listening, producing, overthinking. While his goal-oriented personality deserves much credit for the musician he has become, it is his roots (genes, really) that swayed him to this industry. The man is a musical wunderkind, with family on both sides deeply talented in every instrument you can imagine. Ewan’s dad tried his very best to convince him to join the family band, but he wasn’t going to become a musician on someone else’s terms. After throwing around a couple of cringeworthy stage names and laying the foundation for the DJ he would become, Sxdated manifested.

What is in a name, though? “I take people, the consumers of my art, into a transcendental state… On a journey,” he says. And I can testify. It is hard to describe the effect, because music is so personal, but if I were pressed to put it into words, it would be to create a warm, fuzzy feeling. Sxdated will leave you and your friends dancing and feeling like the only people on the planet. And when the set is over, you emerge as if from a headfirst dive into a cold pool on a hot summer’s day. Sxdated says his DJing is a dialogue between his mind and hands, and the feet and hearts of the crowd. A poet if I have ever met one.

The poster child for the anti-genre movement, you’ll find Sxdated playing everything from lofi to soul, indie to R&B and just a little sprinkle of techno and trap. He plays just enough of the stuff you know and like for the crowd to get grooving, and the moment Sxdated has you under his spell, an arrangement of alternative, seemingly unrelated genres merge into endless melodic magic. Sxdated is one of the rare ones that, despite having been at it since he was 13, still comes up with funky stuff every time. No two sets are the same, because no two crowds are. For Sxdated it is equally important to read the floor and crowd, tweak accordingly, and to push listeners out of their comfort zone.

At his core, Ewan is a die-hard creative. He winces at the idea of ever giving up creativity for the sake of the corporate IT world he is employed in. Ewan is convinced he can balance both, and with a little help of meditation – which he says has been a crucial part of slowing down and staying focussed – I have no doubt that Sxdated can slay his 8-5, take a nap, and still make it in time for his set at a nightclub.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Gina Jeanz, our very own local girl who has made it big on international stages, Sxdated hopes to spread his wings overseas as well. His dream stage is Tomorrowland. With a heart of gold, humble ambition and international standard music, Sxdated has all the makings of the next Namibian expat we’ll be bragging about when famous.

Sxdated regularly plays at Open Season and Amis Day Club events in the capital. You can follow him @sxdated_ This photoshoot was originally created for FlyNamibia Magazine in collaboration with Ewan Kisting.

Photographer: Le Roux van Schalkwyk Art director: Charene Labuschagne

Joyce to the World

For the first time in FlyNamibia history, we searched far and wide to find the perfect representative for our airline. Our first ambassador had to personify the spirit of the country we wholeheartedly serve, with tenacity, enthusiasm and genuine patriotism. After receiving over 300 entries and narrowing the selection to 10 finalists, Namibia voted for the bubbly, eccentric, travel enthusiast Joyce Nghiishililwa. Her 30-second entry video said it all: “A warm smile is always the universal language of kindness.”

In the months that followed her rise to The Face of FlyNamibia title, we took Joyce on her first (ever) flight to Swakopmund. As the steel bird lifted its nose in the air and the back wheels gently lifted off the Eros Airport runway, she screamed loud enough to shatter the windows. It is pure joy, just like Joyce. Although this trip was just a quick rendezvous to Swakopmund and back, it was monumental for this accounting student who grew up in Tsumeb.

For her first domestic flight, FlyNamibia took Joyce to one of the airline’s most popular routes - Ondangwa. She explored the Open Market where the locals shop, eat and do business.

Joyce says “The Open Market reminded me why I am proud of my Oshiwambo culture. 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”

Ongula Homestead Lodge treated Joyce to comfortable and authentic accommodation, as well as an in-depth tour of the onsite skills training facility and traditional Oshiwambo homestead.

Next up on Joyce’s adventures with FlyNamibia was Katima Mulilo. This time around, she was a guest of Gondwana Collection, who invited Joyce along for the filming of their travel infotainment show called I Laugh Namibia. She says “The Zambezi is a whole different Namibian experience.

It has so much to offer, people really need to explore it. The mellow sunsets, tall green trees, the palms and rivers flowing throughout the year should be enough reason to visit. Hopping from one lodge to another, one river cruise to another, seeing so much wildlife was the highlight for me.”

Exploring even more of the beautiful north of Namibia, Joyce’s next trip was to Rundu, the first stop being a small market by the roadside. It takes place once a month and many people come to stock up on dry and fresh food items as well as clothes and household goods. She enjoyed chatting with some of the locals. In the centre of Rundu Joyce visited a local wood carving shop. The shopkeeper was so attentive and eager to tell her about the traditional techniques used in wood carving.

Here’s what she had to say about the trip: “We flew from Eros in a twin-prop aircraft that looked like a private jet, fitted with beige leather seats that face each other. Other than the flight itself, my favourite moments in the north of Namibia will always be the slow, relaxing boat cruises, sundowners and just the overall river experience. It's like a dream I never want to wake up from, always the perfect escape from the city.”

Her last adventure with FlyNamibia for the year 2022 was through the capital city, Windhoek. Taking a City and Township tour with Chameleon Safaris, the Face of FlyNamibia saw the noteworthy landmarks in the town centre before venturing out to the Single Quarters Market for authentic Namibian street food - Kapana, vetkoek and relish. She also visited the small shops around Independence avenue, buying a self-help book at Uncle Spike’s Book Exchange and ending the day at Vinyls Music Cafe with karaoke and nachos.

Tag along in 2023, as we broaden Joyce’s horizons ever more by exploring the beautiful destinations FlyNamibia flies to.

Namibia

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Chivas Regal x Luis Munana

What is regal? The word meaning royalty has morphed into a more general sense of luxury, status and influence, with Chivas Regal blended Scotch whisky being at the forefront of redefining the term.

In collaboration with Namibian royalty Luis Munana, Chivas has launched a collection of street-cred worthy apparel at the Windhoek Fashion Week 2022, the country’s biggest fashion event founded by Munana. He is a public personality known for international modelling, presenting, and launching his own fashion label ZURIEL. Luis’ notable work in the Namibian entertainment and entrepreneurship sectors gained him a spot on the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list of 2019.

His hustler attitude inspired the partnership, not only for breaking the glass ceiling of Luis’ own career, but holding the door for more Namibians to reach regal heights. Over the years, Chivas has collaborated with many mavericks to promote the brand’s ethos of Be Real, Be Regal. The blended Scotch whisky’s newest ambassador is no exception – Luis Munana is a real Namibian, with unapologetic ambition, always bringing new flavour to the nation and beyond, earning the worthy new title of being truly regal.

We are proud to reveal that the ONE family is growing! This December, catch the newest, hottest Namibian content on One Africa. The 6 partnerships added to the growing OneAfrica family are the Dr Hage Geingob Rugby Cup (which aired live on 4 November), 'Cars and Gears,' Miss and Mister Supranational Namibia, 'The Third Will,' the Namflix series, and the 'Wild Namibia -

in Action’ docu-series.

To celebrate this fantastic new content for Namibians, by Namibians, we ate cake at Tribefire Studios and got to know each other a little better!

OneAfrica is proud to be the home for this fantastic new content for Namibians, by Namibians.

Visit oneafrica.tv and click on ‘TV Guide’ to view our programme schedule, ‘Partner with us’ for sponsorhip or ‘Submit TV content’ for similar content partnerships.

The human need for story is what brings this diverse group together. Storytelling gives the hope and comfort of knowing what is possible; anything that is possible for someone is also possible for you. www.oneafrica.tv

A monthly wrap-up of News Worth Knowing

GIPF registers 8.6% growth in asset base to N$147.9 billion

The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has registered a 8.6% growth in its asset base from N$136.2 billion to N$147.9 billion for the financial year ended 31 March 2022.

“The Fund has a liability-driven investment strategy that is comprised of a robust Asset Liability Modelling (ALM) process. The ALM feeds into the risk and return parameters known as the Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA), which GIPF, as a longterm investor, uses to implement its investment strategy. The ALM process allows the Fund to adapt to prevailing economic market conditions relative to its liabilities and factors in variables that will ensure that GIPF not only safeguards the assets of the Fund but also grows them through investing in return-seeking investment opportunities.”

GIPF’s benefits paid out to its members increased by 7.5% to N$5.54 billion from N$5.15 billion prior year.

“The GIPF’s core business is to ensure that pension and related benefits are paid once they mature, and that income, in the form of member contributions, is invested wisely to generate returns. As a defined benefit pension fund, GIPF provides guaranteed benefits to its members as defined by the Rules of the Fund. Therefore, sufficient assets are needed to cover the payment of liabilities that stretch far into the future.”

TotalEnergies Namibia oil discovery appraisal set for 2023

TotalEnergies is targeting to start the appraisal process of its Namibian oil find in the third quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2024.

The oil major, which has already submitted its application for an Environmental Clearance Certificate with the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism, recently contracted SLR Environmental Consulting (Namibia) to begin work on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

According to SLR, the exploration and appraisal process is set to be undertaken in block 2912 off the Coast of Southern

Namibia, with upto 10 exploration and/or appraisal wells targeted, a process expected to take between three and four months to complete drilling and testing of each well.

TotalEnergies, alongside National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, QatarEnergy, and Impact Oil and Gas early this year announced the Venus-1X discovery, located approximately 290 kilometres off the coast of Namibia, in the deep-water offshore exploration thought to straddle block 2913B and 2912, which covers approximately 8,215 km².

Consultant Wood Mackenzie estimates the Namibia oil find could contain about 6.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of recoverable reserves. According to the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association, exploration companies have sunk in over N$30 billion in the country since independence searching for commercially viable oil finds.

Namcor estimates that Namibia could generate US$5.6 billion in revenue for the country at peak production from its two oil finds, which have the potential to double the country’s economy, which Bloomberg estimates at US$11 billion by 2040.

HDF Energy secures N$179m green hydrogen funding

The European Investment Bank has given Hydrogène de France (HDF) Energy a N$179 million (€10 million) grant to implement Namibia’s first green hydrogen power plant.

HDF Energy is developing the Renewstable® Swakopmund, which consists of an 85MW solar park and a green hydrogen production unit, with the facility expected to begin commercial operations in 2024.

The project is expected to enhance local clean electricity generation and grid supporting services, directly contributing to security of electricity supply in the country.

The new green hydrogen partnership was announced by President Dr. Hage Geingob, European Investment Bank President Dr. Werner Hoyer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the ongoing COP27.

“This partnership represents a concrete step in delivering Namibia’s clean energy ambition. This new investment demonstrates

Namibia’s leadership in green hydrogen.” said President Geingob. HDF’s Director for Southern and East Africa Nicolas Lecomte said the EIB grant brings the project to financial close next year, a development which will allow construction to start.

“I would like to thank the European Investment Bank for the continuous support to the development in Swakopmund. The signature today is a key step of our longstanding engagement with the EIB for the project that takes us closer to reaching financial close in 2023 and starting construction of the first large-scale green hydrogen project in Africa.” Lecomte said.

Meanwhile, Hoyer said the EIB works with leading partners to support clean energy investment across Africa. “I am pleased that the EIB is working closely with HDF Energy to harness Namibia’s solar and wind potential and unlock opportunities for the energy transition. Our agreement confirmed at COP27 today with HDF will help to accelerate large-scale deployment of green hydrogen infrastructure in Namibia based on proven investment in South America.”

The HDF agreement was signed by Maria Shaw-Barragan, EIB Director of lending in Africa, Caribbean, Pacific, Asia and Latin America and Nicolas Lecomte, HDF’s Director for Southern and East Africa, and witnessed by Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi.

The agreement between HDF Energy and the European Investment Bank was unveiled alongside the announcement of a new sovereign loan facility of close to N$9 billion (€500 million) by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and President Geingob, to develop the Namibia’s green hydrogen sector.

long term and that we will face challenges relating to finance, technical capacity, and many others still to be unforeseen. However, we will work closely with our international partners to mitigate such risks, hence a blended finance in the form of SDG Namibia One was launched today with the premise to attract a diverse group of players in our development journey,” a release issued by the government said.

Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte announced a Grant Facility of N$714 million (€40 million) as seed capital to establish the SDG Namibia One during its launch on Tuesday.

“A funding agreement for an initial development capital of €40 million was signed between the Namibian Government and the Dutch Government during the launch, while the strategy is to use the grant to catalyse additional development capital to the SDG Namibia One. This will subsequently derisk private capital and facilitate further investments at scale to support the development of high-quality green hydrogen assets and associated value chains. Infrastructure development is faced with challenges such as scale, risk sharing, speed and competition.”

The platform is therefore designed as a programme, with a multiphase approach that includes a development fund, construction fund and operational fund.

“Such design facilitates successful fundraising and investments in untested markets and projects, as well as able to attract sponsors with limited track record of operating in a market, or innovative schemes with limited proofs of concept. Consequently, suited to enhance participation of domestic financing market and business entrepreneurs.”

The government on Tuesday launched the SDG Namibia One at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27, a new investment platform that will convene and coordinate activities related to the transition to, and exploitation of, the green hydrogen industry in Namibia and aims to mobilise up to N$17.8 billion (€1 billion) of investment capacity over the next 10 months.

“SDG Namibia One is a blended financing platform managed in partnership between Invest International, Climate Fund Managers, and the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia. Despite this great opportunity for Namibia, we recognise that the green hydrogen industry is in its infancy, and it is difficult to predict how the market will develop in the

The SDG Namibia One, according to the Namibian government, is also premised on a partnership which relates to capacity building as the joint venture allows the unique international expertise and investors’ relationship of the Climate Fund Managers to be harnessed while connecting domestic expertise of the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia and giving them exposure to sophisticated capital raising designs and deal structuring elements.

”The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia will therefore benefit from capacity building by being directly involved at the fund manager level from the outset, including development of fund management, investment, fund-raising and capital mobilisation abilities. Moreover, additional skilled bandwidth and bench strength will thereby be created at Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia and ultimately within the government of Namibia.”

Namibia targets N$17.8bn raise with new green hydrogen fund

Launch of the Namibia Trade

Network: Reviving an Economy

The Namibia Trade Directory was started right after Namibia’s independence by the late Paul van Schalkwyk under Venture Media and from the outset was endorsed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (presently the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade). The aim was to compile a portfolio of all that Namibia has to offer in terms of businesses, investment and services. In 2019 the name was changed from Namibia Trade Directory to Namibia Trade Network. Today, after three decades, Namibia Trade Network still offers unparalleled information on the business and investment landscape and still enjoys support from the Ministry, which recognises the value this publication has for Namibian trade development.

On 4 November, the 31st edition was launched and celebrated with clients, the media and relevant ministries, among them the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board with whom the Namibia Trade Network proudly partners.

Speaking at the launch, Margareth Gustavo, Executive Director: Strategy & Branding at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, said this year’s theme, Reviving an Economy, is particularly relevant as the country is at the stage where the business community needs to act. According to her, it is everything but business as usual. “We need to grow fast, in leaps and bounds, as a people and even as companies in a country. We must grow quickly to be able to stand on the world stage and speak about Namibia boldly. Therefore we partnered with the Namibia Trade Network, because it will help us position Namibia better. It will help us to market Namibia and create awareness of our country.”

The Namibia Trade Network offers much more than an annual publication, it is in fact a network of businesses and business professionals. Furthermore, its online footprint has grown into an extensive website where each client is represented on their own profile page. Clients are also represented on the Namibia Trade Networks’ social media pages, boasting 4,000 LinkedIn followers and 11,500 Facebook followers.

The online publication is available for free digitally and is read across the world. The main countries being the USA, South Africa, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, India, Italy, and France.

Hard copies of the Namibia Trade Network are distributed among clients and selected local businesses, at local conferences, trade fairs and expos. They are handed out at events hosted and attended by the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT), to other government ministries, foreign diplomatic missions in Namibia, Namibia’s diplomatic missions and embassies abroad as well as the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to name but a few.

Over the years the Namibia Trade Network has showcased the success of homegrown entities to boost investment in

Namibia both locally and internationally alongside with other major role players.

With the assistance, support and commitment of the MIT and NIPDB, the Namibia Trade Network was able to further expand its mandate to relevant business meetings, expos, summits and conferences.

As stated by Gustavo, “The important thing now is that the NIPDB has the Namibia Trade Network that gives us information on what it means to do business in this country and on top of that, these are the companies that have already invested in Namibia.”

If we were to dissect the words of this year’s theme, Reviving an Economy, the word ‘economy’ is defined as the system according to which money, industries and trade are organised. To revive is to ‘regain life’, ‘to give new strength or energy to’. In pursuit of reviving the economy, Namibians will have to act by giving it new strength and energy to become active and successful again.

We at Venture Media are proud to once again have launched this very special publication and we trust that our partnership with the NIPDB will bring forth further success.

“We are privileged and honoured to be partnering with the Namibia Trade Network. We look forward to putting more publications together that will help us promote Namibia, create a lot of awareness about Namibia and, from the NIPDB’s side, engage with investors and get their feedback to move Namibia forward together and not individually. As we said, we are the envy of the world and everyone is watching us. If we do not ‘gang up’ and work together to promote Namibia with one voice and one message we will miss this one chance that we have. But we won’t miss it as we are in partnership with other Namibians to take Namibia forward,“ Gustavo said.

The Namibia Trade Network would like to thank every business that has walked this road with us. Some participated in each of the 31 editions. We also look to grow newly formed relationships over the next 31 years.

Daleen Small

This month in history:

1 December 1995

US African-American community activist Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat in a bus to a white man and is arrested for defying segregation laws – a milestone in the civil rights movement.

10 December 1953

Hugh Hefner publishes the first issue of Playboy magazine. It had no date because he doubted that there would be a second edition. Spring 2020 saw the last printed issue, ending 66 years of the erotic magazine on paper.

22 December 1895

Physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen takes the first x-ray of his wife’s hand. This achievement earned him the inaugural Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

Human Rights Day / International Women’s Day – a public holiday in Namibia

3 December 1967

South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard performs the first successful heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

17 December 1849

London hatmakers Thoma and William Bowler sell their first bowler hat. At first the bowler was commonly worn by working-class men in Britain. However, in the early 20th century, this headpiece became a feature of the “city gent.”

FUN FACTS ABOUT DECEMBER

December was the 10th month in the ancient Roman calendar, which was in use from around 750 BC until 45 BC.

SUDUKO

23 December 1888

Following a quarrel with French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cuts off part of his own ear. A year later he created his careerdefining Self-Portrait With a Bandaged Ear.

Christmas Day

DID YOU KNOW? Celebrate, observe and take part!

Family Day / Boxing Day (27th observed)

Zodiac signs for December are either Sagittarius (November 23 - December 21) or Capricorn (December 22 - January 19).

December’s birthstone is turquoise, considered a symbol of good fortune and success.

Sagittarians are perceived to be spontaneous and fun, usually with a lot of friends, and possibly the best conversationalists in the zodiac.

Capricorns are believed to be career-oriented and to value truthfulness and wisdom as well as stability in their friendships.

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.

Don’t make the mistake of only visiting Namibia’s well-known attractions like Sossusvlei or Etosha National Park. Lesser visited areas like the Chobe River will surprise you with abundant wildlife and an unforgettable adventure.

Matej