FlyNamibia November 2022

R R

by Venture

Table of

contents

CONTENT IS FIRE 01

Collaboration is the future. FlyNamibia Magazine is a compilation of Namibian stories sourced by Venture Media that entertain and surprise with interesting topics, introducing you to a new generation of trendsetters and Namibian personalities.

WELCOME ON BOARD 08

Excited about all things FlyNamibia.

FASHION FIERCE 10

Challenging the boundaries of what traditional dresses should look like.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Don't miss any of these exciting upcoming events.

LIFE ON A TABLE

An easy salad for a hot summer’s day.

SHOP LOCAL-ISH 16

Unique local lifestyle brands and products that will guide, motivate and inspire you to express your identity.

ECONOMIC PULSE

Looking at central bank digital currencies.

CAPITAL CITY EXPLORING

Follow along as Joyce explores Namibia’s capital.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF A BASKET

FlyNamibia’s ethos is interwoven with Namibia’s people.

FOODIES

Windhoek’s tastiest summer treat. WELLNESS 27

Kirsty Watermeyer on why it’s okay to be sad sometimes.

PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURE 28

Julia Runge opens an artistic insight into her subjects.

JESAYA TEACHES HOMEGROWN IS BEST

Exceptional times can create exceptional ideas.

KHAUDUM THE ULTIMATE WILDERNESS

Explore one of Namibia’s wilder national parks.

THE FLYNAMIBIA - AIRLINK PARTNERSHIP

An exciting partnership brimming with potential.

THE MASHARI AGRI STORY

Farming blueberries in Namibia’s Kavango-East Region.

OMAKE MOMENTS 45

Celebrating exceptional Namibian businesses and their people.

NAMIBIA AVIATION AND CONNECTIVITY FORUM

It is time for a new dawn in African aviation.

THE BRIEF

A monthly wrap-up of News Worth Knowing.

THE PROJECT ROOM

Hercules Viljoen’s latest collection presents a refreshing reflection on everyday subject matter.

ROYAL HUSTLERS

Rolf Hansen, passionate about touching lives.

10 MINUTES WITH LOCAL TASTE MAKERS

The Spot, a passion project with big heart.

HOLLYWOOD’S NEW FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND

What makes Namibia such a sought-after filming location.

DID YOU KNOW? 63

Fun facts, important dates and Sudoku.

LOVE NAMIBIA 64

Showcasing the beauty of our country.

NATIONAL PARK

PARK

Need To Knows.

details

Payment

Fill in your payment details in our DPO paygate to make final

Confirmation Mail

Windhoek Eros Airport Office

Ondangwa Airport office

Rundu Airport office

Katima Mulilo Airport office

Hosea Kutako Airport office

Ondangwa - Toivo ya Toivo

Oranjemund

Cape Town

Eros Airport

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

CONNECTING YOU TO

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

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

TO DAYS

FROM Windhoek Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Windhoek Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

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

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

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

Windhoek Katima Mulilo

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

Rundu Mon, Wed, Fri Mon, Wed, Fri

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

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

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

DEPARTURE ARRIVAL Windhoek Oranjemund

Oranjemund Mon, Wed, Fri

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

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

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

Cape Town Sunday Sunday

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

SAFARI FLIGHTS

TO DAYS

DEPARTURE ARRIVAL

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

Windhoek

09:45 10:35 11:05 11:45Swakopmund Swakopmund Sossusvlei

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

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

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

Windhoek

Windhoek Swakopmund Swakopmund Windhoek Swakopmund 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

+264 83 339 0011www.flynamibia.com.na

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

Schedule as per date of going to print. Please check the FlyNamibia website to stay updated on flight destinations, routes and schedules.

Welcome on board

Theend of the year is already peeking over the horizon, and what a whirlwind it has been! We have so much to be thankful for and yet so much more to look forward to. November is a busy time in Namibia. People are wrapping up their busy business and everyone may be slightly irritable as they can practically smell the festive season around the corner. The malls have their Christmas decorations up and festive jingles (that don’t suit our snowlacking summer season) play over speakers. But the year is not quite over yet! And we’ve got flights to fly and stories to share, so we hope you enjoy this issue of our inflight magazine - filled to the brim with proudly Namibian content!

Did you know…

That our logo is based on the concept of a basket? Jip! The beautiful basket, ever present in so many African, and global, cultures was the inspiration behind our suncentred logo. We often hand out these baskets as gifts and tokens of appreciation to our partners and friends. They are handmade by a group of ladies from the Nakambale Community near Ondangwa. Each thread is lovingly woven together to create a beautiful and meaningful collective. Read more about the Philosophy of a Basket and how it inspired our brand on page 23.

To the coast!

Last month we were excited to launch our new route between Eros Windhoek and Walvis Bay. On Tuesday 18 October, FlyNamibia hosted a group of industry members and aviation officials on its inaugural flight from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Walvis Bay. The addition of this route to FlyNamibia’s scheduled operations started on 28 October. The inaugural event held at Walvis Bay International Airport was attended by His Worship Trevino Forbes (Mayor of Walvis Bay), Her Worship Dina Namubes (Mayor of Swakopmund), His Worship Lewies Vermaak (Mayor of

Henties Bay), Mr Bisey /Uirab (CEO of Namibia Airports Company), Ambassador Paul Ndjambula (President of the Swakopmund Business Chamber), Mr Andrè Compion (MD of FlyNamibia) and Hon. Benitha Imbamba (Chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council) who gave the keynote address.

“This heralds a new phase where we are connecting the hearts of business in our country - Khomas and Erongo,” said the CEO of the Namibia Airports Company, Mr Bisey /Uirab. He emphasised the importance of air connectivity for productivity, efficiency and economic growth within the country. Sharing his wish for Namibia to become a flying nation, ending his remarks on a powerful note: “May our collective vision and mission to serve this nation be our driving force.”

Message from the MD

I am excited to mention the most significant development yet in FlyNamibia’s history, which is the partnership with Airlink which we have entered into during September 2022. This partnership is aimed at giving the flying public more options, more access and broader horizons to discover and explore, and is set to further increase FlyNamibia’s operational capacity. Read more about it on page 39.

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.

Happy flying!

Andrè Compion Managing Director, FlyNamibia

Our Beechcraft 1900 at Walvis Bay International Airport

Kanyanga Photography

The Namibian women fashionably celebrating their heritage

When it comes to merging fashion and culture, there is no doubt which Namibian women are having the most fun with their traditional attire.

The Ovaherero and Damara women do not only share a painful history at the hands of colonial Germany – they have both taken the former coloniser’s Victorian-style dress and made it their own. Generations later, the women continue to wear their adaptations of the Victorian dress which they have transformed to their taste and style.

Different but the same

While the dresses from these two Namibian communities have the same origin, the groups have put their own signatures on them. With the Ovaherero, the headscarf stands out. Signifying the horns of the cow – a prized possession amongst the Ovaherero – it is intricately tied, and often styled with a beautiful brooch. Their dress is fuller and more voluminous, while the Nama/Damara dress is characterised by a slimmer silhouette. While people can play around with both the Ovaherero and Damara dresses, the colours are often a good way to establish which subtribe the woman wearing the dress is from. For example, Damara women north of the Swakop River wear blue and if the dresses are green, the women are likely from the southern parts of the river. Similarly, the headscarf is also tied differently depending on where the person is from.

Among the Ovaherero, the Ovambanderu traditional colours are predominantly green, while the Ovaherero wear a red traditional dress.

A dress for every occasion

For Ovaherero and Damara women, the traditional dress is worn at most occasions. The Ovaherero used to preserve the dress for married women only, but that rule has relaxed over the years. Ovaherero and Damara women mostly wear the dresses to weddings, funerals and cultural events, and opt for modern clothing on other occasions. Brides who go the traditional route for their weddings wear a conventional white dress which can be played around with in terms of design, but is less open to interpretation.

Pushing boundaries, setting trends

There can be no conversation about the evolution of the Ovaherero dress without the mention of Mc Bright Kavari.

Growing up around women who inspired his love and appreciation for the dress, Mc Bright has been a huge force in challenging the traditional boundaries of how the dress should look.

Because he is not afraid to test the boundaries of “acceptability” when designing an Ovaherero dress,

Mc Bright has faced his fair share of criticism. But he remains unapologetic. “Change is not easy to accept. Fashion is not static, it’s an ongoing thing so I don’t take it personally when my designs are criticised. In fact, many young people copy my designs and for me that’s a huge compliment,” he says.

Steff Skrywer recently faced her own share of criticism for pushing the boundaries on a “modernised” Damara dress she wore to a cultural event. “Although there was some criticism from some elders as I expected, I also got a lot of positive feedback. It wasn’t as bad because all the important features of the dress were incorporated, and most people remarked that ‘it’s the first of its kind, a glamourous Damara dress’.” Her unique Damara dress drew countless compliments from social media users from all corners of Namibia. A collaborative masterpiece that she brought to life with the help of talented designer Ruberto Scholtz, the dress is a fuller, more dramatic version of the often modest traditional attire.

Many elders from these communities continue to be opposed to the idea of modernising traditional dresses. The dresses worn by widows at funerals or by brides at weddings are especially guarded from the transformation that young people crave. Suzy Opperman, who specialises in Ovaherero dresses, also maintains that traditional dresses should not be tampered with. “If you come to me with a design that’s not suitable for the dress, for example an off-the-shoulder design, I won’t make the dress,” she says. Suzy has been making Ovaherero dresses for over 15 years and her clients usually listen to her advice.

Looking ahead

Mc Bright predicts that in years to come, the Ovaherero will revert back to the original style of their traditional dress. Once that happens, he says, a new cycle of change will follow as the dress is “ever evolving”. And while young people are excited to interpret these dresses in their own way, many still remain passionate about maintaining the original features that make them stand out. “I always incorporate the important features of the dress. The headpiece (!Khaib), the pleats and the elbow are a must. The L-shape buttoning and layers are optional but are still important as they help to retain the original look of the dress,” he says.

Young and old people from these communities will not always agree on whether to modernise or not, but it remains exciting to witness how both the Damara and Ovaherero continue to fashionably celebrate their cultural heritage.

Rukee Kaakunga is a Windhoek-based communications specialist, blogger and freelance fashion writer. Contact her via email: rukeekaakunga@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @rukeeveni and Instagram @rukeekaakunga.

MTC Windhoek Fashion Week

What: The country’s very own version of Fashion Week showcases established and up-and-coming accessories and fashion designers. Sponsored by MTC, the events include fashion shows and after parties, plus a chance to strut your stuff on the blue carpet.

Where: Maerua Mall, parking level 3 Damage: N$100 for front row, N$40 for general on Webtickets or PayPulse

Kasi Vibe Festival

What: This will be the 11th instalment of the festival that garners large crowds looking for a good time. Kasi Vibe is a showcase of entrepreneurship, innovation, youth empowerment, brand building and connecting different people through fashion, art, music, food and drinks.

Where: Sam Nujoma Stadium Damage: N$130 for a weekend pass available on Webtickets

Welwitschias vs Griquas

What: Our very own Windhoek Draught Welwitschias will be facing the Windhoek Draught Griquas in the Dr Hage Geingob Cup. The match begins at 16:00. It’s bound to be a fun event for the whole family. Let’s back our boys!

Where: Hage Geingob Stadium Damage: N$40 at the gate

Spoegwolf

What: The popular alternative Afrikaans band hailing from Stellenbosch will be performing live in Swakopmund and Windhoek with local opening acts. Their shows are high-energy, entertaining and if you know the songs, lovely for singing along. The Windhoek performance is part of the Windhoek Woordfees 2022, tickets for this show are available via the Woordfees website.

Where: SFC Sport Centre, Swakopmund and WHS Vegkop Stadium, Windhoek Damage: N$300 - N$700 on myEticket or Webtickets

Droombos Christmas Market

What: Increasingly popular, the Droombos market showcases the best of small businesses and food stalls to support. Stock up on gifts from local crafters, get the kids on a pony ride, and enjoy the ice-cold drinks and lively atmosphere.

Where: Droombos / Vineyard Country Estate Damage: N$20 for adults, free entrance for kids under seven years and pensioners

November 2022

November 2022

MADE BY MOLLZ

Dainty, dreamy and frankly divine, Made by Mollz is the local jewellery brand for the funky minimalist. From delicate waist chains and sunglassstraps to simplistic drop-earrings and necklaces, the Mollz selection caters to lovers of colour and details like beaded strawberries and cobalt blue evil eyes. The latter is the Made by Mollz latest collection. The DMs are wide open (and very responsive) to orders, so you can treat your friends to a beautiful hand-made gift in a jiffy. Or if you want to keep all the glass-beaded body art for yourself, Mollz customises jewellery pieces too. You can find her creations stocked at Parted Hair salon.

@madebymollzzz

SHOP LOCAL -ish

The most unique local lifestyle brands and products that will guide, motivate and inspire you to express your identity.

AFRO BEARD GEAR

A wise man once said “Don't believe what you've heard, our hair is not dead weight, it is an extension of our being. We must take control of our power and nurture it, let it grow, and manifest it into greatness.” This is the motto of African Beard Gear, a brand firmly rooted in empowering men to embrace their identity. Their range consists of a rich beard balm in a classic tin container and fragrance-free beard growth oil. If you’re a fella that likes to maintain his grizzly, switch to this local brand for Namibian beards.You can shop for Afro Beard Gear at The Red Shelf.

Stylist to Namibian stars, Penehafo Vaeta has worked in commercial, corporate, and print media to name but a few. Most noteworthy is her creative styling work for musicians like Lioness and big-gun corporates like MTC and Nedbank. Well versed in the avenues of the industry, she has been styling since 2017. Penehafo’s signature style can be summarised as elevated minimalism, with a keen eye for statement pieces. She offers a range of services from creative consulting and events styling to costume design and visual art direction. Penehafo’s work has been featured on Trace, among other international platforms. She is also a two-time nominated fashion stylist.

The new florist in town, Ambre & Ash is a beautiful boutique in Windhoek’s Bougain Villas centre. Commanding a newly renovated corner of Jenny’s Place, the shop features a temperature-controlled glass box which houses a wide array of fresh and dried flowers. Bohemian chic describes the surrounding space, boasting a lush consultation lounge, fully stocked wrapping station and the pièce de résistance – a rustic swing hanging from the high ceiling complemented with a neon sign and palm-leaf backdrop. Ambre & Ash also houses a curated selection of fashion accessories and home decor.

Are you a Nam or SA-based small business lifestyle brand? List your label with us for only N$750 per month. fly@venture.com.na

PENEHAFO VAETA – STYLIST

AMBRE & ASH

Pulse

A Brief Introduction to Central Bank Digital Currencies

In recent months the Bank of Namibia (BoN) has intensified its efforts to explore central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The basic idea of a digital currency is to – either partially or wholly – replace the need for paper notes and coins as a means of exchange with computer-based money-like assets.

The emergence of Bitcoin in 2009, and the establishment of a decentralised (blockchain-based) ledger for transaction execution and record keeping, has led to a widely traded currency outside the control of an exclusive monetary authority, such as a central bank. Thousands of similar cryptocurrencies have since been created and collectively account for billions of US dollars in global transaction volume every day. Extreme price

wholesale) and the willingness of the market to adopt them. The implications of CBDCs for monetary policy could become interesting as well and are worth exploring. With current fiat currencies, central banks use monetary policy to keep the prices of goods and services we buy stable. It is thus the job of the central bank to make sure that inflation, the rate at which the overall prices for goods and services change over time, remains low, stable and predictable. Monetary policy tools, such as interest rates and quantitative easing, are used to control the overall supply of money that is available to the market, thereby controlling consumer spending and credit extension.

With CBDCs being digital they are in effect programmable and can supply information on the economy directly to the central bank. These features enlarge the monetary authority’s toolkit with which to implement decisions as well as the amount of data on which such decisions are based. It allows for the direct implementation of monetary policy, rather than through the indirect banking channel. Currently, central banks can only reduce interest rates to slightly below zero when they want to stimulate economic activity, as individuals would just switch to holding paper currency which would not lose its value due to deeply negative interest rates.

CBDCs could promote price stability, although it would undoubtedly be somewhat controversial. Another advantage of CBDCs is that they will allow for greater financial inclusion by providing unbanked individuals living in remote areas access to the payment system. They could also facilitate faster and cheaper cross-border payments.

Some of the drawbacks to CBDCs, however, are that central banks, and by extension governments, gain extraordinary power. The business of banking would be absorbed by the state, and authoritarian ambitions would reduce individual freedom. Under an account-based approach, financial intermediaries would continue to see the same types of transactional data that they currently do, but they might be forced to harvest and monetise user data to make up for lost net interest income. A CBDC could come with concentration risk, as the various ways of making payments that we currently have could possibly be reduced to one.

The ultimate question is: How are CBDCs different from the money that exists in digital form in our bank accounts? The South African Reserve Bank’s response to this is, “when money is held in a commercial bank in digital form, it represents an amount owed to you by that bank, and is thus a claim that you have against the bank. It can be withdrawn in its physical form, but only if the bank is solvent. A CBDC is backed by the central bank and is thus a liability on the central bank’s balance sheet. With a CBDC you therefore do not have to rely on a particular bank’s solvency to maintain your balance.”

It is admirable that the BoN is exploring CBDCs and trying to keep up with the technological developments of its peers in the developed world. However, as the BoN’s governor rightfully cautioned, CBDCs are still in their infancy and there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding them. We expect answers on these uncertainties to become clearer over the coming years as CBDCs become more widely available, and the financial industry confronts what could perhaps be one of the biggest disruptions in its history.

Danie van Wyk – Head: Research

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

Capital City Exploring

Penduka on Goreangab Dam

The Red Shelf

Deluxe Coffeeworks

Deluxe Coffeeworks

/Ai-//

Gams, Windhoek, Otjomuise, no matter what you call it, the capital city of Namibia has a vibe. There is so much to do, there are many places to fill your belly, and spend your money. Plus the people are energetic, enigmatic and straightup friendly. Whether you are a local looking to be a tourist in your own county, or a tourist trying to be a local, here is a guide to a day in my lovely city.

EARLY MORNING

First things first, coffee! Windhoek has a handful of brilliant coffee shops, but two stand out for being both roasters and purveyors of the wholesome brown liquid that accelerates you. Slowtown Coffee Roasters has a few locations around the city – on Independence Avenue, in Grove Mall and Maerua Mall. Deluxe Coffeeworks is my personal favourite. You can find Deluxe at the Camelthorn Pod in Klein Windhoek and at the Mutual Tower on Independence Avenue. My standard order is a flat white, but you can’t go wrong with an Americano or mocha either.

Breakfast is not my most important meal of the day, sorry. Brunch is! Luckily most cafés/bistros in town serve breakfast until either 11 or 12. Wilde Eend Bistro is a popular brunch spot with a wide selection of benedicts, omelettes and the Landlord’s Breakfast reminiscent of the English kind, minus black pudding (thankfully). Olivia’s Kitchen is another great brunch/lunch spot offering decadent, filling meals as well as healthy alternatives. The bakery on the premises means that the toast selection goes uncontested!

MIDDAY

During this time of year, midday gets unbearably hot. Your best bet is to stay indoors, preferably in an airconditioned shop, browsing at leisure and exerting no energy other than reaching for a book on the top shelf or trying on clothing. My absolutely favourite shops in Windhoek happen to be within walking distance from each other and conveniently located in the centre of town.

Uncle Spike’s Book Exchange is arguably (nobody is arguing, it’s a fact) the best book shop in town. This hole in the wall

is chock full of second-hand books, stacked cover to cover in floor to ceiling shelves. Take your time, page through the neverending selection of history, self-help, fiction, biographies and African literature. Chances are you will leave with five books for the price of one brand-new one.

The Red Shelf is another cool shop to check out, located at the parking lot of the Namibia Craft Centre. There you will find a beautifully curated selection of vintage and secondhand clothing, books, shoes and accessories. Plus a few small local lifestyle brands, creating a space for micro businesses to reach a bigger clientele.

AFTERNOON/EVENING

For those yearning for activity in the capital, afternoon is a good time to venture out to Penduka, located at Goreangab Dam in Windhoek’s Katutura suburb. There you can get active on paddle boats, or engage in a batik workshop presented by the lovely women employed at the project. They do amazing work to promote and provide consistent income for female handcrafters, particularly hearing-impaired women.

Alternatively you can stay in town and explore some more shops, bars and informal crafters’ stalls along the city’s main road. Check out the Bushman Art Gallery for an immersive curio shopping experience.

Sundowner cocktails are a must, whether you are a local getting off from your 8-5 or a visitor scoping out the best place to watch the sunset. A rooftop bar is probably your best bet for a good view, and there are two great ones right on Independence Avenue – the Hilton Hotel’s Sky Bar and AVANI’s Stratos rooftop bar. My personal favourite for sunset drinks, and staying for dinner, is Urban Camp. This is a beer-gardenstyle pub and restaurant operating on a self-service basis. Order your drinks and food at the bar, sit back and revel in the laid-back, lively atmosphere.

If you are up for something a little more swanky, I can strongly recommend Leo’s Garden Restaurant. Daily specials mean there is always something different and exciting to try. We love sustainable seasonal menus, plus Leo’s has one of the best wine selections in Windhoek.

TO WINDHOEK 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

Charene Labuschagne

Independence Avenue

Uncle Spike's Book Exchange

TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN TOUCH

Talent is how we do both for our clients.

When economies of the future are being defined by technology, we welcome the power of real relationships. The diversity of our people allows us to embrace both.

The Philosophy of a Basket

The basket is something that many cultures in Africa, and across the world, have in common. It is a characteristic feature of our societies, our ethnicities, our history, and our homes. A basket is like a time capsule of information where we come from. Our company ethos is based on the concept of Ubuntu, which contains the school of thought I am, because we are. During our rebranding process last year we decided to delve deeper into this and the stories that shape our lives, our country and our continent. When exploring these stories and ways of thinking we found the collective hope, dreams and journeys we were looking for in the philosophy of a basket.

The basket teaches us that to understand anything you have to go to the very beginning. A basket is woven by joining several strands of material to form a navel, followed by the base, and the rest weaves out from there. Nobody makes a basket starting from the rim. At FlyNamibia we are proud of our Namibian roots and even prouder of the strong team we are continuously weaving together to build an airline that a nation can be proud of.

The basket encapsulates wholeness and completeness. The basket is essentially a circle, and circles are very important symbols in most African cultures. They represent continuity and connectedness. At FlyNamibia we aspire

to offer Namibians more opportunities, more potential for growth and more connections, within Namibia and with the rest of the world.

A basket is woven with multiple threads. Therefore the basket teaches us about interdependence, as expressed in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which is the belief that you become human in the midst of others, and also that all of nature (including humans as part of nature) is interconnected. In that sense, it teaches us respect, responsibility, and the need to cultivate peaceful co-existence.

The basket is a symbol for giving back, or paying forward. In many cultures a basket is used to carry a gift or offering to someone. We continually strive to be in a position in which we can give back to our country, our industry and our team.

The basket is about nourishment. It is a container for food. The aviation industry is an incredibly important economic driver. It not only transports people, but also food and essential services.

The basket is about environmental consciousness. It is made from elements of the land: leaves, grass, fibres, wool, and leather – all of them products of natureh. Our country’s proud heritage of solid environmental practices and sustainability is something all Namibians cherish and a challenge all Namibian companies should strive to support.

Did you know our FlyNamibia logo is inspired by an African basket?

The Taste Bud

Lo and behold, the ice cream kings of Namibia!

Established in 2017 by co-founders Silas Bronkhorst and Luan Badenhorst, The Taste Bud is a local artisan confectionery bar specialising in fried ice cream rolls. You might remember the tantalising flavours and entertaining preparation from their first location in Grove Mall. But if you haven’t yet spotted their ice cream truck at weekend markets or their weekday location at Cycledelic, run, don’t walk!

Trained under the guidance of YouTube tutorials, the Taste Bud team has perfected their self-taught art. Customers pick a base flavour (chocolate or vanilla) and a mix from the wide selection of Oreo, strawberry, brownie or Raffaello, to name a few. The ice cream custard is drizzled onto a sub-zero stainlesssteel plate and chopped, scraped and swirled at a rapid pace while incorporating the decadent mix. Once the ice cream mixture is sufficiently stirred and you are properly mesmerised, they spread it out flat on the plate, giving the confectionery a last blast chill. With a scraping tool the ice cream is chiselled from the plate in long gradual rolls and placed upright in a cup. As if it couldn’t get any better, you can top the whole shebang with sprinkles and sauces to your liking.

Working to include popsicles and gelato in their offering, The Taste Bud is constantly coming up with new ways to bring the joy of ice cream to the Namibian masses. They’ve recently begun offering whey protein as a mix so you can get your gains while delighting in the decadence. During winter months Taste Bud serves waffles with their signature ice cream rolls, and you can even add a shot of booze like Kahlua and Malibu to spruce up the already delicious treat.

Temperatures are bound to soar this summer, reaching their peak in December. Look no further – The Taste Bud will be your retreat from the heat. They’ve secured a spot at the Food Lover’s Market in Swakopmund, so your holiday at the coast simply must include a (daily) stop at the ice cream truck.

Next time you’re planning an event, no matter the size of the crowd, The Taste Bud can rock up with their sleek black mobile and cater the confectionery for your esteemed guests.

Find The Taste Bud on Instagram @thetastebudnam, at their weekday location in front of Cycledelic, 20 Andimba Toivo-ya-Toivo Street, or by contacting Silas at 0817725677.

Charene Labuschagne

Forget toxic positivity, sadness is absolutely fine

Missed your flight? Forgot to pack your favourite jersey? It’s okay to be sad, in fact sadness is a great teacher and guide. But before sadness can teach us anything we have to learn to be okay with being sad.

Scientists have uncovered that there are actual benefits to being sad. Of course these benefits have their limits and prolonged and intense periods of sadness can be debilitating. Also, this is not to suggest we should induce sadness, but rather to say that the endless pretence of positivity can be toxic and that we should not try to avoid our sadness.

Sadness is an emotion that is usually not highly valued in society, with self-help media promoting ‘positive thinking’ and ‘positive vibes only’, labelling sadness as something to hide away from. This kind of thinking is what is often called ‘kindergarten spirituality’. Striving towards only being ‘positive’ is what keeps us from experiencing the fullness of our emotions, but emotions are meant to be a compass for our lives.

One of my favourite poets, Kahlil Gibran, writes in his poem On Joy and Sorrow:

‘Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.’

In the same poem he goes on to say, 'When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.’

What a stirring thought: our sorrows being born out of that which gave us joy. Another thought for you to ponder is that when we block ourselves off from negative emotions we become unable to truly experience positive ones. By opening yourself to feeling sadness more deeply, you automatically open yourself to more joy at the same time.

Experiencing a wide range of emotions suggests there is something right with us. Each emotion has a purpose and with that a value. The value comes in the guidance each emotion provides us.

As I said earlier, science has discovered that there are actual benefits to sadness, and some of these include improved memory and improved judgement. A study found that on a bright, sunny day when people feel happy their memory was far less accurate than on days when they were sad. What’s more, negative moods have been shown to improve our accuracy of framing judgements about people and places, simply because when we are sad we have a more detailed approach to our thinking style.

Another benefit of sadness is that it is cathartic, it brings relief. Crying is a great example of this. When we cry, we feel better. When we suffer a knock in life, sadness could be representing the bridge we must cross in order to return to happiness.

Sadness has its purpose, it is not something to push away as we search for pretend-positivity. Put beautifully, ‘sadness is a normal response to a wound that is ultimately destined to heal.’

If you want to get in touch with sadness without losing yourself in it, there is something you may want to try:

Journaling

Writing down your feelings can help you tap into sadness in a manageable way.

Meditating

Meditation can help regulate emotions like sadness constructively. Meditation also helps us to accept all parts of ourselves by learning to quietly sit with ourselves.

Ultimately, if you are feeling sad about something in your life, it’s okay to feel that way. Not all behaviours are okay, but all feelings are okay. Sit with your sadness, feel into it to uncover what your sadness is trying to show you as you take the steps along the path back to a state of happiness. While you are in a place of sadness, know that sadness is intertwined with joy, and what brought you joy is bringing you sadness in this moment.

Kirsty Watermeyer

Photography Feature: Being noticed - not photographed

When, as a 14-year-old, Julia Runge came across the photo series titled Sleeping by the Mississippi by Alec Soth, she was immediately attracted to documentary and portrait photography. Not long after, Julia joined her first photography class and, at the tender age of 16, did her first internship at a photo studio. After graduating from high school, she studied photography in Berlin.

Today Julia works as a freelance photographer. Although living in Germany, she has been working in Southern Africa for over a decade. Her interest in the region was sparked by a two-year stay in Namibia between 2010 to 2012. She completed her studies in photography in 2015 with the project Basterland , focusing on the cultural legacy of the Baster ethnic group. It resulted in a documentary film in 2022, with Julia playing a major role in its production.

Her work focuses on portraiture and deals primarily with social commitment and social structures, as well as cultural topics in Southern Africa. By using her natural and empathetic pictorial language, she aims to open an artistic insight into the subject.

Julia explains her process: “Ideas for my projects often come to me spontaneously or when moving around in a community. I always try to photograph something that means something to me and not because it is my job. An important factor in the realisation of my work is my strong personal connection to Southern Africa and its people. During my ten years of photographic work in the region, I have been able to establish many personal relationships at eye level, which form a good basis for my photo projects.”

Creating a connection between the audience and the subject is very important in her work. “Mutual trust is essential for me in my personal projects and thus, I take a lot of time. I want the protagonists to feel not only ‘pictured’ but noticed,” says Julia.

For her commercial work, she uses digital cameras but deliberately chooses analogue photography for personal work. Her weapon of choice is a Mamiya 645, manufactured in 1976, and Kodak Portra films. “One reason for that is because access to people who do not know me is easier with this camera. In my experience, the protagonists find my old-fashioned-looking camera less intimidating than a large-format digital camera and behave more naturally in front of the camera. Besides, the analogue camera forces me to slow down the work and reflect on my own images even before I release the shutter because it only allows me 15 images with a medium format film. For a good, intense portrait you have to take your time.”

Throughout her time spent in Namibia, Julia has met many women whose stories have touched her. Therefore, most of her personal projects focus on the individual fates of

women in Southern Africa who have been able to assert themselves as strong, emancipated women and who act as important pillars to their communities in a largely patriarchal society.

“In my photos, I immerse myself in the world of these women and from the viewpoint of an observer I tell analogous and decelerated, quiet and confidential stories about them and their lives.”

One of her projects and its accompanying book, titled Shebeen Queens, is dedicated to the bar culture of Namibia and its predominantly female owners. What began in 2018 as a personal interest in bar culture in the townships ultimately became a heartfelt photographic project about women who do not let their living conditions define them. Women who want to rise above and become masters of their own destinies.

“In response to colonial politics and apartheid, shebeens initially served as a refuge for indigenous people who were persecuted because of their race. These bars, which first started in township living rooms, spread and grew in the shadow of illegality to become commercial bars and subcultural hubs. Today, the image of shebeens remains

an ambivalent representation of a wide range of social manifestations. Shebeens are places of emancipation and subculture but their environments also channel alcoholism and crime. Yet, these are also places where women, despite the most difficult conditions, are able to set up their own businesses and provide for their families.”

Julia has received several awards for her work. Besides her work published in the German and international media, it has also been exhibited in Europe, America, Africa and China. Her workshops have been organised by the Goethe Institute in China and the College of the Arts in Namibia, among others. Since 2016, she has also been working as a trainer and mentor for young photographers.

@j.r.nge Juliarunge.com

Mutual trust is essential for me in my personal projects and thus, I take a lot of time. I want the protagonists to feel not only ‘pictured’ but noticed.

Jesaya teaches homegrown is best

Jesaya Shipingana has dreamed of having his own vegetable garden since he was in secondary school more than 20 years ago. But farming requires land and land is expensive. So he pursued other ways of earning money. He has had various types of informal jobs over the years and recently found himself totally out of work.

Economic downturns and pandemic lockdowns made Jesaya see that a different approach was needed to become self-sufficient. He took dramatic action and demolished his own shack. The open space was used to increase his aerobic compost production for his own use and to sell to fellow community members at a fraction of the price of imported compost.

He then took the opportunity to educate others on how to make their own compost. “I am training our people so that we do not depend on other countries to import compost. We have a system of our own,” he says. He also plants onions, spinach, tomatoes and herbs, amongst others.

Jesaya has set himself the goal to share his knowledge and skills. At 42 years old, he now teaches basic gardening

techniques to young people in his community. “Agriculture is for the benefit of the entire nation and not just for the person owning the land,” he says. He has assisted several community members in setting up gardens in the area with the intention of generating an income for the owners by growing food. If Namibia wants to achieve food security, this is the way to go.

Jesaya hopes to show his fellow Namibians that waiting for handouts is a sign of comfort in poverty. Covid-19 was an exception but it is no excuse to continue to be dependent. Food security is in the hands of the man on the ground and not the government. He feels that the food bank set up by the government increases dependency and fosters a high unemployment rate. “The ability to feed ourselves is in our own hands”, he says.

Ellen Shihepo

I am training our people so that we do not depend on other countries to import compost. We have a system of our own.

When change happens We can help

Photography: Willie Olivier

KHAUDUM

The Ultimate Wilderness

Khaudum National Park offers an unforgettable and authentic wilderness experience for adventurous travellers seeking solitude in one of Namibia's most remote corners. Its deep, loose sandy tracks and large herds of elephants are legendary, and the park attracts a breed of intrepid travellers.

On a recent visit to Khaudum, I decided to explore the southern half of the park from the comfort of Sikereti Camp. It reopened in July after it was closed officially in March 2019 and discouraged for use as far back as 2015 because of its dilapidated state.

If you prefer sleeping under the stars, there are four spacious campsites, each with washing-up facilities, hot water showers (donkey-fired), wash basins and flush toilets. Visitors seeking luxury in the bush can opt for the selfcatering en-suite safari tents, each with a wooden deck and a braai place. In keeping with Khaudum’s wilderness atmosphere, the camp is unfenced.

To ensure that the protection of wildlife and the support of rural communities go hand in hand, the privately operated camp collects a 6% concession fee on behalf of the Khaudum North Complex Conservancy and the Gciriku Traditional Authority.

The game-viewing experience in Khaudum has been enhanced by viewing platforms at nearly all the waterholes in the park. Water reservoirs have been built to relieve the congestion of elephants, while separate drinking places for other species are also provided.

As the temperatures were fairly chilly, the game tended to drink later in the day than during the hot summer months. So I set off on a leisurely drive to one of the viewing platforms with some snacks, binoculars, a camera and a bird book after a hearty brunch. At the viewing platform I simply bided my time to watch the passing parade of animals. Then, around mid-afternoon, I made my way to another waterhole and waited for the animals to show up.

The highlight was undoubtedly an afternoon visit to Tsoanfontein where a pack of six African wild dogs was lying in the shade of the viewing platform. Khaudum is the heartland of one of the largest roan populations in southern Africa and several of these iconic antelopes showed up during the afternoon.

The park attracts over 4,000 elephants during the dry season – that is more than one elephant per square metre. Clouds of dust in the distance signalled the approach of herd after herd of elephants. I counted more than 100 in one herd.

Attracted by the smell of a kudu carcass in the waterhole, a lone spotted hyaena made its appearance with an opportunistic black-backed jackal in tow. But, on becoming aware of the wild dogs, the hyaena beat a hasty retreat. Then, another highlight followed – a honey badger approached the waterhole with its characteristic jog-trot.

During my three-day visit, I ticked 16 mammal species on my checklist. In addition to the species already mentioned, I added kudu, giraffe, steenbok and warthog (all common). Blue wildebeest, gemsbok, eland and common impala (restricted to the south of the park) were among the other species I saw, as well as a few small mammal species.

Although game-viewing is an integral part of a visit to Khaudum, it is its wilderness atmosphere that makes a visit so special. The silence, solitude and the anticipation of always expecting the unexpected is what draws intrepid travellers back time after time. Khaudum’s tracks are less travelled and the only congestion you might experience is a herd of elephants crossing ahead of you. But be warned: Khaudum is not for the faint-hearted!

For more information about Sikereti Camp visit www.khaudum.com.na.

KHAUDUM FAST FACTS

Willie Olivier

• The tracks in the south of the park are mostly hard surface or slightly sandy, while the tracks north of Dussi and Tari Kora waterholes are deep sand requiring four-wheel-drive and tyres to be deflated.

• Overnight facilities are available at Sikereti in the south and Xaudum campsite in the north.

• It is highly advisable that parties should consist of at least two four-wheel drive vehicles. You might be in for a very long wait before help arrives, should you experience a breakdown or an emergency.

• It is not recommended to tow a trailer, even if it has the same track width as the towing vehicle, least of all in the deep sand in the northern section of the park. You might also need to reverse when confronted by an elephant.

• Fuel is available at Tsumkwe, 52 km from the southern park gate. From Khaudum Gate in the north it is a 46 km drive through deep, loose sand to the B8. Fuel is available at Divundu (90 km east of Katere) and at Rundu (120 km west of Katere).

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Namibia

If you want to go far, go together.

FlyNamibia and Airlink announce new partnership

FlyNamibia is excited to announce that, as of September 2022, we have partnered with southern Africa’s largest private airline, Airlink.

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.

FlyNamibia, under its previous brand FlyWestair, was the first private airline to be granted scheduled passenger airline status in Namibia. We have been operational since June 2019 and have expanded our network of flights to include domestic routes from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo and Oranjemund, as well as a regional route from Hosea Kutako International to Cape Town International.

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, including Windhoek to Johannesburg, a higher frequency of flights to Cape Town and new routes to be added to other southern African destinations.

FlyNamibia’s shareholding will continue to be majority-owned

by Namibian private investors, with a minority shareholding now being held by Airlink.

This partnership with Airlink will give FlyNamibia access to routes operated by Qatar, Ethiopian Airlines, United and most of the major international carriers, giving our customers an enormous amount of options and services for their traveling needs. Through this new smart partnership you will be able to book your flight from Windhoek to New York with a single booking. No changing between airlines or having to book multiple flights with different operators. The possibilities are endless.

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.”

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

Rodger Foster, CEO of Airlink, and Andrè Compion, MD of FlyNamibia

Andrè Compion presents Rodger Foster with FlyNamibia basket

Representatives of Airlink and FlyNamibia

BLUEBERRIES GROWN IN ANCIENT DESERT SOILS at Mashare Agri in the Kavango

In the midst of thick bushveld in one of the country’s most beautiful regions, with the soft rustle of the Kavango River in the distance, the team at Mashare Irrigation, now Mashare Agri Group, saw endless potential. They envisioned a world-class irrigation farm that would provide work to the local community and infinite promise for the whole of Namibia.

Mashare Agri is named after the nearby village whose inhabitants, alongside other neighbouring communities, have become part and parcel of the farm and its activities. Initially, Mashare was developed by the government as an estate geared to produce maize, wheat and other cash crops; produce that makes up the majority of local sustenance. In mid-2018, the team started planning its expansion into export-oriented, job-creating permanent crops. The result of the last four years’ hard work, infrastructure and capacity building is redefining Namibia’s agriculture and the economy at large.

In search of the ideal crop to expand the farm with, the team did extensive research on the soil and environment of Mashare. The Kavango Region is not necessarily well-suited to just any kind of crop. After exploring multiple options, all signs pointed to a crop that could grow without much soil manipulation, supply international market needs and serve these markets before the rest of the world’s crops come to fruition. Everything pointed to the humble blueberry. The fundamental research indicated that with the right management and genetics basis, the blueberries could thrive in the Kavango’s more acidic soil and use less water, which is sourced from the abundant Kavango River, than a maize farm of this magnitude would.

Before the blueberries could come about, the groundwork had to be done. An initial 20 hectares of land was prepared by creating soil ridges, laying down irrigation pipes, and covering the expanse with white nets. The first batch of blueberry plants were imported from Spain and carefully planted in the ridges. Over the next couple of months these little plants were tended to with the utmost care and attention – after all, it was still a very expensive proof of concept at this point. In early 2020, white blossoms began forming in the sea of green. Next came the absolutely essential role of the mighty bee, without whose pollination blueberries and infinite other plants cannot carry fruit to their full potential.

Solitary bees that exist naturally in the oasis of the Kavango make no honey, live in tiny holes, and do the pollination work of almost 100 honey bees. Yet, even if all the solitary bees in the area flocked to Mashare, they could not possibly pollinate all the blueberries. Honey bees are

therefore hired, arriving in state-of-the-art hives, and are periodically rotated to other farms. While blueberries have plenty of benefits for humans, honey bees cannot live off the fruit alone.

In preparation for the rapidly growing berry plants, planning started for a state-of-the-art packhouse. As with many other fruit and vegetable production sites, in order for the produce to reach far-away markets in their best state, extensive cooling and sanitary facilities are of the essence. Sparing little expense, an advanced cooling, processing, testing, sorting and packaging facility was erected on the western border of the Mashare property. From this warehouse, where a temperature as low as one degree Celsius is maintained at all times, Mashare’s berries would be dispatched, and shipped to places like Europe, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia.

Once the berries come in season, many contractual workers come on board alongside permanent employees to help make Mashare’s operations run smoothly. Berry pickers make up the majority of the farm’s temporary workers, and are all women from the surrounding community, for many of which this is their first employment experience. Other key roles filled by community members include fertigation management, pest control, weighing station operators and maintenance employees. The packing process also involves warehouse workers, kitted out in thermal uniforms, who run the machine-assisted plant.

In November 2021, an additional 40 hectares of blueberries were planted. With the knowledge and skill obtained from the first and second harvest, which yielded over 350 tons in total, Mashare could scale the knowledge and experience it had obtained. Now in its third blueberry harvest, the team is working hard to ensure that the season’s fruits are harvested, packed and shipped to the same standard that the international and local markets have become accustomed to.

Looking towards the future of Mashare Agri, Namibians can be excited. An expansion plan to grow production to 200 hectares has been developed, promising employment in the thousands and even greater horizons for Namibia as a nation. The brilliant blueberry farm alongside Mashare’s wheat and maize crops that are still producing plentiful harvests for the local market is shifting the gears on our local agriculture industry. Proof that Namibia can be a key player in high-value crop production that directly benefits the Namibian people.

Christmas HAVE A

Where to next ?

EROS WINDHOEK - WALVIS BAY

Look out of your window – A vast open Namibian landscape stretches for miles, from the great Kavango River in the North, to the to the heart of the Capital City Windhoek and a stone throw away to beautiful Coastal Towns of Namibia, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay where dunes of the Namib desert and the majestic shores of the Atlantic Ocean are the order of the day.

Stretch a bit down south and you find Namibia’s best kept secret, the South. How can one not want to stay here, own a house, invest in immovable property and be part of this beautiful country.

Article 16 of the Namibian Constitution provides all persons with the right in any part of Namibia to acquire, own and dispose of all forms of immovable and movable property.

Foreigners (be it natural persons or legal entities (these are persons who are not Namibian citizens, or in the case of a company, any company which is not incorporated under Namibian laws or controlled by a Namibian majority) can acquire immovable property in Namibia provided that there is compliance with legislative provisions.

The Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act regulates the acquisition of agricultural land by foreign nationals and presents an exception to the above general rule in so far as it prohibits foreign nationals from entering into any agreement to occupy or possess agricultural land without the written consent of the Minister in terms of section 58 of the Act. Other than the restriction provided for by the Agricultural Act, nothing in law prohibits a foreign national that is lawfully in Namibia from acquiring immovable property.

Omake Moments

Debmarine Namibia has announced the appointment of Willy Mertens as its new Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 1 November 2022.

Mertens will succeed Otto Shikongo, who retires from the business at the end of this year, and has been at the helm of the marine diamond mining company since 1 January 2004.

To ensure a smooth transition, there will be a handover period with Willy Mertens and Otto Shikongo to the end of this year.

Mertens, a Chartered Accountant by training, is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Debmarine Namibia with oversight accountability for Namdeb Holdings (Pty) Ltd.

“The appointment of a competent Chief Executive is without a doubt one of the critical duties of any Board. We are most pleased that we have been able to draw from the phenomenal talent pool at Debmarine Namibia, to find a suitable candidate to fill the role of CEO. Not only does Mr Mertens have a deep understanding of our business; he also has an acute appreciation of the strategic role of Debmarine Namibia within the broader context of Namibia. Debmarine Namibia is a key contributor [to the] Government Fiscus, enabling the Government to support its many developmental objectives. We are thus pleased that we are able to confirm Mr Willy Mertens as the new CEO of Debmarine Namibia,” Debmarine Namibia Board Chairperson Dr. Ndeulipula Hamutumwa said.

“We also wish to thank Mr Otto Shikongo for his invaluable service to Debmarine Namibia. His astute leadership,

profound engineering knowledge and meticulous business acumen has successfully steered the organisation through many achievements and successes.

“Under his leadership, Debmarine Namibia has become a recognised world class company; an aspect of immense pride for all of [us] at Debmarine Namibia. His many achievements include the migration of the business from South Africa to Namibia in 2001, the acquisition of a worldclass diamond recovery fleet, including the custom-built mv SS Nujoma, the world’s first custombuilt marine diamond sampling vessel, as well as the latest, recently inaugurated, mv Benguela Gem, the world’s largest diamond recovery vessel. We wish him and his family the best for their future endeavors,” Dr. Hamutumwa added.

Commenting on the appointment, De Beers Group CEO Bruce Cleaver said “I extend my sincere appreciation to Otto Shikongo. Otto played a pivotal role in migrating the business from Cape Town in 2001, first as Operations Manager, and then as CEO from 2004. In his time as CEO, he has overseen an accelerated growth plan of Debmarine Namibia, from humble beginnings, to where it is today as the single largest private sector enterprise in Namibia. On behalf of everyone at De Beers Group, we would like to thank Otto for his 35 years of outstanding service. At the same time, we are delighted that Willy will succeed Otto. Willy has been a key member of the Debmarine Namibia leadership team for the last ten years, and I look forward to his leadership as CEO.”

Debmarine Namibia is a joint venture marine diamond prospecting and recovery company, owned in equal shares by the Government of the Republic of Namibia and De Beers Group.

with the Namibia Trade Network

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Debmarine Namibia has become a recognised world class company; an aspect of immense pride for all of [us] at Debmarine Namibia.

MANAGED RISK AND HIGH YIELD

Talent is how we do both for our clients.

The best way is to help our clients thrive with solutions that are considered and effective, our diverse talent put their analytical skills and creativity to work in solving for both.

NAMIBIA AVIATION AND CONNECTIVITY FORUM

A chance to rethink and reimagine aviation

Let us imagine for a moment what the future of African aviation could be like. One could think of Namibia’s local airlines being the pride of the continent. Or, our airports being the hubs that connect Southern Africa to the rest of the world. One could also think of a future where flying to any destination within Namibia is the norm for the average citizen. Or, if you would humour me for a second, we would not need to fly to Europe, Dubai, or Qatar in order to connect to a neighbouring African country.

Maybe that is just me, but I believe that this is a fair enough dream for anyone to have for the future of aviation. In fact, it has been the collective vision of the African Union through its flagship Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and locally, through the Harambee Prosperity Plan, Vision 2030 and the National Development Plans. What perhaps is yet to happen is an honest and inclusive conversation about how all of this can be made possible, and how each facet of the industry can be involved in making this a reality.

Well, that is, until now.

The recent Covid-19 pandemic, being a black swan event in its ghastly nature, could arguably in a twisted way be one of the best things to have happened to local and regional aviation.

For once we are all in this together, reeling from the effects of the pandemic, mourning the loss of some airlines, and some having barely survived. It is time to talk. Have we done things right? Have we done all we could? Are we ready to confront our past mistakes? (If any have in fact been made.) Can we face uncomfortable truths, and perhaps a turbulent transition that a new normal may bring about?

As a lifelong aviation enthusiast, I know I am not the only one who has had these thoughts and questions over the past two years. We have all felt the heartbreak over the loss of a few regional airlines; felt the sadness and gloom of airports being reduced into virtual ghost towns. Not to mention the financial and economic impact of these events.

What we do know is the fact that it is refreshing that everyone – in both the private and public sector – has

agreed that we are ready to reimagine and rethink aviation in Namibia. Perhaps the complacency is gone. Most importantly, we are all ready to have those conversations which we either have not cared to have, or we have had but the urgency of which has been lost to all of us. In that regard, Namibia has indeed chosen to lead the way with the Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum.

A first of its kind, and coming on the heels of the pandemic, the Forum seeks to define what the future of Namibian aviation will look like. This Forum brings together all players in the Namibian and regional aviation ecosystem to address the key issues faced by the industry, as well as determine the future of the aviation landscape in Namibia as well as the region.

In addition to the main Forum event to be held from 16 to 18 November 2022 at the Safari Court Conference Centre in Windhoek, ongoing collaborative working groups have been engaging in the lead-up to the event to deliberate over key issues of concern in the aviation industry. Matters such as cargo development, route development, skills development, regulatory reforms, and building a resilient industry will be central to the discussions both at the main Forum event and in the various working groups.

An industry-wide initiative, the Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum has brought to the fore Namibia’s eagerness to evolve and lead the way in the region. At the end of the Forum, a collective industry white paper will lay the foundation for a new strategy – another first of its kind in the Namibian industry.

It is time for a new dawn in African aviation. Time to reinvent, time to think differently, and most importantly, time to acknowledge the need to build back better, together.

The Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum event will take place in Windhoek from 16 to 18 November. Register to attend the Forum by visiting www.namibiaaviationforum.com.

Verengai Ruswa

Project Lead: Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum

A monthly wrap-up of News Worth Knowing

Namibia records positive, semi-annual rough diamond production

The diamond industry was affected by slow discoveries, sales and exports during the Covid-19 pandemic period. In 2020, Namibia produced a total of 1,549,732 carats and 1,762, 905 carats in 2021.

The historical production of diamonds was to the value of N$16.7 billion recorded in 2018, the total value derived from rough diamonds slumped in 2019 to N$15 billion and N$13 billion in 2020. The preceding year of 2021 recorded a slight recovery of N$13 billion.

The current year, 2022, is displaying positive signs of recovery for the sector as the country’s GDP growth and employment creation are reliant on this sector.

To summarise the optimism for the current year, the preliminary value recovered from rough diamonds for the period of January to June exceeds to a peak of N$8.9 billion (similar to the value recorded during the same period in 2018).

This signifies a positive recovery for diamond production and sales to boost optimism for growth and economic recovery. Challenged with the global volatility towards inflation and escalating interest rates which triggers slower production output globally, the country is faced with uncertainties regarding various industries and need to monitor the performance of various economic and industrial sectors to identify steady growth and recovery.

NWR cuts lodge prices for Namleisure Card holders

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has slashed prices at its resorts and lodges to boost domestic tourism.

Nelson Ashipala, NWR spokesperson, said prices have been reduced to as low as N$660 per person at any resorts, while at some of its top-notch establishments the fee is at N$1,440.

"This is one of the organisation's ways of saying thank you to the nation for carrying tourism through the Covid-19 pandemic. With the release of the latest SADC and domestic rates, citizens can now travel to some of Namibia's best resorts at a fee as low as N$660 per person upon presentation of a Namleisure discount card, including Dinner and Breakfast. For the high-end resorts under the Eco category, such as Sossus Dune Lodge and Dolomite, the fees start from N$1,440 per person with the Namleisure card. Rates are valid for new bookings from 01 November 2022 to 31 October 2023," he said.

Resort prices have often forced Namibians not to fully experience the flora and fauna that is in Namibia. Being the only company allowed to operate in parks, ensuring affordable prices is not only an obligation, but a must, as it gives a great chance to view wildlife in their natural habitat and create great experiences

Muremi encouraged the general public to obtain an NWR Namleisure Card in order to qualify for various discounts "at all of our resorts".

"Resort prices have often forced Namibians not to fully experience the flora and fauna that is in Namibia. Being the only company allowed to operate in parks, ensuring affordable prices is not only an obligation, but a must, as it gives a great chance to view wildlife in their natural habitat and create great experiences," he added.

Rough diamond sales are reliant on international polished diamonds market sales in countries such as Belgium, USA, China, Europe, Canada, etc. In 2021, majority of Namibia’s rough diamonds were exported to Botswana, were the aggregated stock sold from the De Beers Global Sales office that facilitates the sale for stock mined in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana primarily. The non-aggregated stock is sold via NDTC and NAMDIA.

The NWR spokesperson also justified the reduction to cater for escalating costs of travelling and general wellbeing. He added that, with the new prices, NWR can confidently claim to have the country's lowest prices.

Namibia’s investment sector creates 7k jobs

The Namibian investment management sector created 7,777 jobs in the 12 months to March 31, 2022, latest figures from the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) have revealed.

NAMFISA Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Matomola said the period under review saw an uptick in jobs created through investments in unlisted companies, which is in line with the national policy objectives to create sustainable job opportunities for Namibians.

He noted that 5,899 jobs were on a permanent basis while 1,878 were temporary.

This comes as pension funds and collective investment schemes accounted for the biggest portion of assets under management with 51.4% and 27.1% respectively.

Matomola said total assets under management in respect of collective investment schemes increased by 4.9% to N$79.8 billion as at 31 December 2021.

Nghikembua , Mnyupe ranked among top African economic leaders

Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia's (CRAN) Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua and Presidential Economic Advisor, James Mnyupe have been ranked among the top 100 African economic leaders in Choiseul’s 2022 ranking.

The Choiseul 100 Africa is an independent annual study that identifies and ranks the most promising young African leaders 40-years-old and under expected to play a major role in the continent’s economic development in the near future.

The study takes specific criteria into account to rank the selected profiles. Image and reputation, power and function, influence and networks, potential, and leadership are among the considered skills.

The total score obtained in the different categories determines the position of each laureate in the final ranking. Profiles with less than 10% in any of the categories are eliminated.

World Bank forecast Namibia’s growth at 2.8%, public debt at 78.9% of GDP

The World Bank has slashed Namibia’s economic growth for this year and painted a gloomy picture about the country’s public debt.

In its Africa Pulse Report for October 2022, the World Bank said Namibia’s economy is now expected to grow by 2.8%, down from 2.9% predicted in April this year, while the country’s public debt is projected to nudge up to 78.9% of GDP in 2022.

“The Namibian economy struggled to pick up speed, up from 2.7% (2021) to 2.8% (2022). The growth is on account of good performance of the mining sector, particularly, rising output of diamonds, copper, and uranium. However, contractionary monetary policy to maintain parity with the South African rand and to fight rising inflation may drag down growth. The twin deficits recorded last year will persist in 2022,” World Bank’s noted.

This comes as the government’s total debt as a percentage of GDP stood at 68.2%, increasing by 0.4 percentage point at the end of June 2022 according to the Bank of Namibia data released last week.

Mineral and metal resource-rich countries, a grouping in which Namibia is classified under, are forecast to grow by 4.5%, down from 5.1% in 2021 according to the World Bank.

“The growth projected in April is revised down by 0.2 percentage point as the external receipts from high metal prices proved insufficient to make up for rising import bills.”

Growth of the regional economy is expected to slow to 3.3%, from 4.1% in 2021, a downward revision of 0.3 percentage point from the April 2022 Africa’s Pulse forecast.

P E C A N S T R E A M

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Photography: The Project Room

Viljoen’s Domestic Adventures

“Drawing

is my favourite discipline, balanced by the exploration of the physical textures of wood and stone. I love the expressive quality of a robust medium such as charcoal, but also like the detail allowed by sharp pencil. I look for parallel expressive opportunities in different mediums, and often attempt a combination of a variety of materials across traditional boundaries.” – Hercules Viljoen

Whether captured in charcoal, coloured in paint and caught on canvas, or shaped as life-sized objects carefully cast from natural material, Hercules Viljoen’s latest collection presents a refreshing reflection on everyday subject matter. The artist’s Domestic Adventures unfold as he takes the viewer along on a “search for aesthetic qualities in simple subjects, and celebrating the enjoyment of the creative process.” Each artwork exposes an introspective observation and personal attraction to the unhindered exploration of surface, tone, colour and form, or what he calls, “an elimination of boundaries between craft and sculpture, function and aesthetic significance.”

With a creative track record that starts in the early eighties, Viljoen is no stranger to the visual arts scene. On the contrary, having honed a love for drawing from an early age, his calling reflects a life-long dedication to developing the discipline, not only in his personal capacity, but also as art educator and developer.

After formalising his creative journey with a postgraduate qualification in fine arts in 1990, Viljoen embarked on a teaching career that spanned almost three decades, the last ten years of which he was Head of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at the University of Namibia. He retired from teaching in 2012, and served as Director of the National Art Gallery of Namibia for the following five years.

Throughout his professional career, Viljoen remained active as an artist, and enjoyed international recognition for a number of public commissions. Some of his most celebrated works are the sculptures of nationalist heroes Chief Kutako, Reverend Hamutumbangela and Chief Witbooi, on display at the Parliament Gardens in Windhoek. Others include site-specific installations that “carry significant social or political meaning” – at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre, in a historical prison cell in Fort Namutoni and in the Jasper Museum in Oranjemund.

Various national and international exhibitions, as well as professional artist’s workshops further add to Viljoen’s artistic achievements, but it is his role in “assisting others to develop their potential” that provides the most satisfaction. “I have been fortunate to help create some growth opportunities for Namibian artists by introducing them to the workshop circuit and involving them in professional projects,” he says. Throughout the years, Viljoen initiated and managed several community development projects, including co-founding the Tulipamwe International Artists’ Workshop in 1994 and coordinating initiatives like Namibia: The Art of a New GeNerATION as well as Windhoek Redefined and most recently, in 2021, the Oranjemund Public Art Project, Art Can Transform.

Experience Viljoen’s Domestic Adventures at The Project Room from 11 – 26 November 2022.

Marita van Rooyen

The Project Room - Namibia www.theprojectroom.com.na

Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Airport gives you access to northern Namibia

Namibia’s northern airport, Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, was renamed from Ondangwa Airport in 2019 and on 7 October 2022, a statue was unveiled in honour of Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo at the airport. Ya Toivo was a founding member of the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) and its predecessor, the Ovamboland People’s Organisation (OPO).

Following his release from Robben Island in 1984, Ya Toivo committed himself to building a democratic Namibia, serving as secretary general of SWAPO and in various ministerial portfolios in government. Ya Toivo retired from politics in 2006 and died in 2017.

The airport is about 85 km north of the world-famous Etosha National Park and in close proximity to Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Omusati and the Kunene regions of Namibia. A restaurant and car rental services are available at the Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo for your convenience.

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ROYAL HUSTLERS

Inhis own words, Rolf Hansen is the most chilled CEO the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) has had. But that does not mean he takes his job lightly.

Rolf grew up in the 80s and 90s in sleepy Swakopmund. It was a turbulent time for Namibia and yet he describes his childhood as “kind”. Small-town vibes and carefree days shaped him into someone who values family above all. Family are not only blood relations but also those we choose to share our life with and who show cohesion, respect and love.

His parents handed him a mixed heritage. His background is German, Jewish, Norwegian, Herero and Nama. But at heart, he is Namibian. Rolf says his mother was inspiring and powerful. She taught him to value people for who they are and not for their ethnicity. Through his parents’ influence he became passionate about Namibia and making the country a better place for everyone.

Rolf points out that this challenge is not a solo activity. He underlines the critical role of the government and politics in healthcare. “The healthcare sector is in a sensitive space,” he says, “all of us can be the difference.” He encourages all Namibians to lobby the government and encourage each other to be the difference.

Rolf Hansen

A kind childhood and a strong mission

“Everyone can do something to help someone else. Supporting CAN in particular, is not only about donating money, but also about volunteering your time and creating awareness. Death is an inevitable part of life, but CAN hopes to help people live and die with dignity”, Rolf says.

As his mom taught him, Rolf’s advice is: “Never ever give up! If you have a dream, make it become reality – hustle, work and inspire others.”

“There is a season for everything in life,” says Rolf about his varied career. He has been a journalist, an entrepreneur, a guesthouse owner and – for almost 10 years now – the CEO of the Cancer Association. Whatever season he finds himself in, he is passionate and 100% committed. “Right now, that season is the Cancer Association”, he says.

At the young age of 11 years, Rolf lost his best friend to childhood cancer. This experience has left him with a soft spot for young Namibians fighting these rare but devastating forms of cancer. In September, CAN specifically raised awareness around childhood cancers.

What might his next “season” hold? Rolf is certain he will never run for president, but one day he might just open a hula hoop bar in Mauritius… For now, this season is in full swing and under his stewardship the Cancer Association of Namibia is growing and touching lives.

During November, CAN raises awareness around prostate cancer and other male cancers. So, grow a mustache for Movember and visit CAN’s website www.can.org.na for information on how to support their work.

Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99FM every Monday to Friday at 07h35 or rewind the 99FM App (now available on Play Store and the App Store).

minutes

The Spot

WhenGoogle co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin met at Stanford University in 1995, they could not stand one another. Larry thought Sergey was too opinionated and Sergey loathed Larry for his obnoxious attitude. Three years later they both dropped out and founded the company that would become so successful that it is now a verb.

Hugo Wasserfall and John-Morgan Bezuidenhout’s story starts similarly to the now multi-millionaires – with a mutual dislike for each other in high school. Fast-forward to early 2022, when the two teamed up to produce a digitally based platform aptly titled The Spot. On Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube, Hugo and John-Morgan share insight into investment, technology and business-related topics. Most recently, they have trailblazed the online conversation around Namibia’s green hydrogen and oil find, proving that The Spot could be our new go-to for relevant and relatable news. The kind that is as entertaining as it is informative.

An investment analyst by profession, John-Morgan has always believed that if your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough. He originally came up with a concept for The Spot and produced a few videos before this leftbrain found his right brain. John-Morgan is crazy about numbers, which makes him the investment expert in their content, passionately sharing his take on the financial side of things. Hoping to one day manage portfolios from a tropical beach, John-Morgan is currently scaling the investment ladder in Windhoek. He says that choosing Namibia as his career playground might have been the less glamorous decision compared to his peers in Johannesburg and Cape Town, but the sacrifice is already beginning to pay dividends. Because John-Morgan is a big fish in a small pond (and an investment wiz) he has already outranked many of his peers who have to kick-box to simply to get noticed.

Hugo is the creative one with a knack for business. Having grown up in the age of the internet, his passion for

technology manifested early on and eventually led him to study business in Stellenbosch. With arguably one of the most universally useful degrees, Hugo proceeded to establish a fully fledged online store alongside a few of his equally aspirational friends. Yearning to learn more about the startup space, particularly in the Namibian market, Hugo joined the PayToday and IdentityToday team where he has gained incredible knowledge from inspirational founders. He brings his expertise in tech and business to The Spot episodes, clarifying the sometimes hard-to-grasp economic and industry terms with an incredibly engaging attitude. Hugo is a true son of Namibian soil, believing wholeheartedly that with determination and above-average ambition, we can collectively shape an incandescent future not only for ourselves, but the whole country.

While the two frequently quarrel about economics, investment and business-related content ideas, they say it is this nature of their relationship that has fostered mutual respect and understanding. They do not beat around the bush when an idea is subpar, pushing The Spot beyond their comfort zones and inevitably creating critically thought-out content. Another common ground for the two tech-heads is their shared love for combat sports. Hugo has long practiced boxing and John-Morgan is a mixed martial arts fanatic.

The Spot is still a small passion project for the guys who side-hustle to create content. They have recently ventured into public spaces, interviewing everyday Namibians about their take on topics pressing our population. Both say this has added a whole new dimension to their content –bringing raw responses from all walks of life and not just their own, nuanced opinions.

The goal is not to be the next Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Hugo and John-Morgan are forging their very own space in conversations about the opportunities and pitfalls of our nation, its investment scope, business prospects, technological advancements and its undeniably bright future.

Charene Labuschagne

If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.

Hollywood’s new favourite playground

Namibia

is known for many things, including world-class beer, delicious food, friendly people, diverse landscapes and, lately, one of Hollywood’s favourite playgrounds.

Namibia has become a hotspot for movie and television studios to shoot postapocalyptic stories, but that’s not the only scenery the country has to offer. Our various landscapes make it the ideal destination to give visitors a uniquely diverse view of the Land of the Brave.

Hollywood has always been home to some of the biggest blockbusters but as the industry is diversifying, so are the shooting locations. In recent years Namibia has been home to dozens of local and international productions.

The areas where these movies and shows were shot is a mustsee for everyone. Morocco has the Essos setting for Game of Thrones and Thailand has James Bond Island, but we have some special places of our own. There is the beautiful Namib Desert, the Moon Landscape, the Kalahari and so much more. Join us as we take a look at some of the breathtaking film locations in Namibia over the next few months.

The desert dunes of the Namib

The dunes running up the coast at Sandwich Harbour make for breathtaking shoots. Shows like The Grand Tour made a point of showing viewers where the Namib meets the Atlantic. The dunes lie south of Walvis Bay and attract not only film crews but tourists as well.

It is one of the best places in the country to enjoy a sundowner after a long hike along the beach or across the dunes. The Namib’s inland dunes have also attracted filmmakers, serving as a shooting location for parts of the 2013 movie, Zulu, while Dune 7 outside of Walvis Bay hosted a handful of filming crews over the years.

Will Smith was awestruck by the Namib when he shot his documentary series, Welcome to Earth, in the desert in 2021. Other productions shot in the Namib include the Tom Cruise reboot of The Mummy and Monster Hunter. Tourists can book their accommodation in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and surrounding areas to explore the desert.

Other famous films shot in the Namib include Flight of the Phoenix with Dennis Quaid, The Cell with Jennifer Lopez, Red Scorpion with Dolph Lundgren, 10,000 BC and Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Moon Landscape

One of Namibia’s hidden gems is the Moon Landscape just outside of Swakopmund. It served as the main setting for the 2015 hit action film, Mad Max: Fury Road. The setting allows you to explore the area, as the landscape plays an integral role in this post-apocalyptic movie.

The Moon Landscape is not a secret, but many Namibians do not know about it. Millions of years ago the area was a mountain range, but due to erosion by the Swakopmund River it was transformed into the beautiful landscape we see today.

There are special off-road trails and roads that can help you navigate the area. It really looks otherworldly and is worth exploring. The Moon Landscape has served as a shooting location for various documentaries, as the fauna and flora are exceptional as well. The area is a 30-minute drive from Swakopmund and accommodation is offered in the Moon Valley at Goanikontes Oasis.

Next month we continue to explore the beauty of Namibia and how it attracts big-budget film and television crews from across the globe.

Barry de Klerk

Mad Max

Flight of Phoenix

DID YOU KNOW?

This month in history:

3 November 1957

The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2 with a dog aboard. Laika, a mixed breed stray picked up on the streets of Moscow, is the first animal in space.

4 November 2008

Barack Obama becomes the first person of colour to be elected President of the United States, defeating Republican candidate John McCain.

11 November 1918

On "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" the armistice signed by the Allies and Germany ends World War I. The war lasted more than four years and cost millions of lives.

15 November 1884

18 November 1978

In Jonestown, Guyana, 909 members of the Peoples Temple commit suicide under the leadership of cult leader Jim Jones. Five people are murdered at the nearby airstrip, including US Congressman Leo Ryanunder.

Celebrate, observe and take part!

6 November 1913

Mahatma Gandhi is arrested for leading 127 women, 57 children and 2037 men in a march opposing the Indian Relief Bill in South Africa. Released on bail, he rejoins the march and is re-arrested.

At the Berlin Conference the “Scramble for Africa” is formalised. By the end of the conference, the European powers had neatly split up Africa between themselves, drawing the borders in Africa much as we know them today.

17 November 1855

David Livingstone becomes the first European to see the Victoria Falls.

FUN FACTS ABOUT NOVEMBER:

November’s

SUDUKO

US President John F. Kennedy is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas.

22 November 1963 24 November 1859

English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species which brushes aside the notion of creationism and lays the foundation for evolutionary biology.

24 November 1859

The Reinheitsgebot, or German Beer Purity Law, is promulgated in Munich by Albert IV, Duke of Bavaria. It stipulates that beer should be brewed from only three ingredients – water, malt and hops.

The name November – the “ninth” month in Latin – has remained unchanged since the ancient Roman calendar, which was used until 45 BC. The first Roman calendar consisted of only ten months.

World Children's Day

The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

World Origami Day

International Tongue Twister Day

Diabetes Day

Guy Fawkes Day

The land of surprise | The Walvis Bay saltworks are a marvel to behold from above. The striking pink pans of salt can be found just south of Walvis Bay and have become somewhat of an Instagram frenzy of late as they serve as beautiful backdrops. Nearby you will find the wetlands of the Walvis Bay Lagoon, an important RAMSAR site and home to a plethora of birds, including equally pink flamingos.

Paul van Schalkwyk