FlyNamibia October 2022

TODAY.

“But how could

and have no story to tell?”

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Tribefire Studios

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

How the Fashion Lab Namibia and StartUis re-imagining fashion mentoring.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Don't miss any of these exciting upcoming events.

LIFE ON A TABLE 15

The perfect salami and blue cheese salad.

SAFARI BINGO 17

A family game for those long game drives.

EAT, SLEEP, EXPERIENCE RUNDU 18

Everything that the jewel of the Kavango has to offer.

MYCOHAB 20

Turning encroacher bush into food and building material.

10 MINUTES WITH LOCAL TASTE MAKERS

Sxdated - the cat dad creative.

WELLNESS 27

Is there a thing such as a wrong choice?

PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURE 28

Jean-Claude Tjitamunisa gives us a glimpse inside his world perspective.

ECONOMIC PULSE 31

Can Namibia’s Uranium play a part in global decarbonising.

GOOD VIBES ONLY 34

Good news from Namibia and around the world.

ROYAL HUSTLERS 37

Selma Kaulinge is anything but laid-back.

MEDIA TRENDS 39

The latest direction in mass communication.

SHOP LOCAL-ISH 40

The most unique local lifestyle brands and products to support and inspire.

AFTER-WORK DRINKS SPOT 44

Forget the day’s worries at these local hangouts.

JOYCE VISITS RUNDU 48

The Face of FlyNamibia visits the central hub of the Kavango regions.

GOOD LUCK EAGLES! 51

The ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup Trophy travelled through Namibia as part of its world tour.

THE PROJECT ROOM 52

Nghipandulwa narrows exhibits her first solo collection.

SPRING TRIPPING 56

See the country in the flower season.

BELLHAUS 58

Art that is raw, real and free from pretences.

DID YOU KNOW? 63

Fun facts, important dates and Sudoku.

Need To Knows.

with FlyNamibia

How to buy a ticket online

www.flynamibia.com.na

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Cash payment at: Eros Airport, Ondangwa Airport, Oranjemund Airport

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You can also purchase from:

Windhoek Eros Airport Office

Ondangwa airport office Rundu airport office

Katima Mulilo airport office

Hosea Kutako airport office

PayToday app Buddy SuperApp

All major travel agents

Luggage restrictions

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure of the flight on Fly Namibia

Check-in opens 1h 30min before domestic flight and 2 hours before international flight.

Check-in CLOSES 30 min prior to domestic flight and 50 min prior to international flight.

Items NOT allowed in hand luggage:

Lotions and aerosols above 100ml, flammable aerosol, sharp objects, i.e. nail files, nail scissors, Leatherman, matches.

20kg Per person

Ondangwa - Toivo ya Toivo

Eros Airport

Cape Oranjemund

Town

FROM Windhoek

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Windhoek

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Windhoek Rundu

Windhoek Katima Mulilo

Windhoek Oranjemund

FROM Windhoek

Cape Town

Windhoek

Cape Town

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

CONNECTING YOU TO

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

TO DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

FROM Swakopmund Sossusvlei

Windhoek Etosha

Windhoek

Windhoek

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

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

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

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

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

Rundu Mon, Wed, Fri Mon, Wed, Fri

08:00 09:30 10:10 11:40Windhoek

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

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

Oranjemund Mon, Thu Mon, Thu

12:20 13:50 14:30 16:00Windhoek

REGIONAL FLIGHTS

TO DAYS

DEPARTURE ARRIVAL

Windhoek

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

06:50 08:50 09:50 11:50

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

Windhoek

Cape Town Sunday Sunday

SAFARI FLIGHTS

TO DAYS

Sossusvlei

Windhoek

Windhoek

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

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

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

Sossusvlei

DEPARTURE ARRIVAL

09:00 09:40 10:20 11:10

12:10 13:10 13:50 14:50

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 15:50 16:40

0011www.flynamibia.com.na Sossusvlei

Swakopmund

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 17:20 18:00

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 16:30 17:30Sossusvlei

+264 83 339

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

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

Welcome on board

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.

Happy flying!

The FlyNamibia Team

When Deon Angelo was hand-picked for a fashion internship with South African designer David Tlale, it was the stepping stone for launching his career. A career that has turned out to be one of the most inspiring in modern Namibian fashion history.

The internship started in 2016, after he had received his Fashion Diploma from the Haute Future Fashion Academy in Milan, Italy, the previous year. As a new graduate on the cusp of becoming a designer, he hadn’t officially applied for the internship, but he had caught the eye of David Tlale, who insisted on taking him under his wing.

Fast forward to more than five years later and Deon is an established designer giving other young creatives the opportunity to learn from him. Partnering with StartUp Namibia through his company, The Fashion Lab Namibia, Deon helps young Namibians to build a sustainable and successful fashion brand.

“What inspired me to create this programme was that I was privileged enough to go through mentorship at the start of my career. So I understand the importance of it. It helped me in my career to see how someone ran a business and to see how they handled things that you would also go through one day. It was easy for me to go forward with my business, to know what I wanted while learning from someone with more experience,” says Deon.

Uplifting young designers

Over the course of three months, the 12 participants will go through the mentorship programme co-facilitated by the Digital Transformation Center. They will be equipped with the skills needed to launch or upscale their fashion brands, including business skills like market analysis, invoicing and client relationship management (facilitated by StartUp Namibia). Other practical tools that participants will be introduced to include how to set up and run a business, understand intellectual property and launch a fashion brand that is sellable.

The Fashion Lab will empower participants with practical production skills like quality control and printmaking. Deon notes that after completing the programme, the designers should walk away with the ability to run a fashion business and understand all areas of a business. “We want to emphasise that as a designer you don’t have to focus on everything, but it’s always a bonus to understand all the steps in the production process.”

As part of the pitching process for selection, participants presented a host of ideas for businesses ranging from garment manufacturing, thrifting and upcycling, shoe-making and accessory design. Based on their five-minute presentations, the panel of judges decided whether the candidate’s vision had the potential to become an authentic Namibian brand with the right guidance and training. One of the judges, Varaakuani Hambira, says that the judging process was another indicator of

The Fashion Lab Namibia and StartUp Namibia’s Fashion Branding programme

how talented Namibians are. “It was really cool to see so much talent and to meet young designers who want to learn. It just shows that outside of the traditional fashion schools, there is a mentorship and up-skilling gap in our industry. The Fashion Lab and StartUp Namibia are taking the first steps toward filling it.”

Re-imagining fashion mentoring

As someone who went through a mentorship programme himself, Deon is confident that his collaboration with StartUp Namibia is unlike most mentorship programmes as it prioritises practical skills. He explains: “My journey as a mentee has helped me personalise this process. I am focusing a lot on practicality – taking the mentees onto the job on shoots and showing them exactly what they will go through in the real world.”

He notes that mentorship programmes are a great way to elevate the growing Namibian fashion sector. “The more designers understand the production phase, and the industry at large, the better the industry should be and the more qualified we will be,” he says. He adds that no matter how successful designers get, they should remember that sharing information is very important because it benefits the whole sector.

Only the beginning

Deon hopes that after the three months of mentorship the participants will walk away with a new outlook on their businesses. “My message to each candidate is to take time through this programme to find themselves, develop their skills and enjoy themselves. There’s no losing here, even though we’ll select a winner at the end of it all. To be part of this programme is a privilege”.

This is hopefully only the beginning for the bright young designers. There is no doubt that all, if not most of them, will use this platform to create their unique Namibian brand or elevate their existing businesses.

For Gettie Molokoshi, an upcoming fashion designer, the programme offers her the chance to gain the skills needed to scale her business. Currently running a multi-purpose fashion design and training business, Gettie has reached a point in her career where she wants to prioritise the areas of her business that have the potential to grow her brand, One Gem Fashions. “We have a lot of designers who unfortunately remain small businesses and ultimately fail to scale. I believe Namibia is growing its fashion industry and we are in a better position than ever before to capitalise on that.

From this mentorship I hope to learn more about developing winning fashion business proposals, pitch decks, sourcing and dealing with clothing manufacturers, sourcing for funding and ultimately developing good tech packs,” she says.

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

Deon Angelo (in blue) pictured with some of the lucky participants

8 & 9 October 2022

Paratus Namibian Cycle Classic

What: The Cycle Classic has been engaging hobby and avid cyclists since 1999. This year they are back with 15 km, 25 km, 60 km and 100 km routes plus a kiddies and mountain biking event at IJG Trails. Entry gets you a goodie bag, a finisher medal, a fully supported course and a lucky draw opportunity.

Where: Starts and finishes at the SKW, some events at IJG Trails.

Damage: N$150 and N$250 for families. Entries close 5 October.

What's happening.

8 October 2022

Future Females Windhoek Expo

What: An entrepreneur expo showcasing the best of femalerun and founded businesses and brands through business talks, keynote sessions and vendors. Established or startup, this event is a must-attend for female entrepreneurs to connect and leverage from the Future Females community at large.

Where: The Barn, Windhoek Damage: N$100 from Webtickets

Secret Sunrise 90s vs 2000s

What: The international Secret Sunrise dance and meditation movement’s Namibian outfit hosts a silent disco, with tracks from the 90s and 2000s. Through dance movement, the event aims to increase mindfulness, wellness and share the joy.

Where: The Barn, Windhoek Damage: N$100

24 October 2022

What: Popular South African musician and singer of Afrikaners is Plesierig and Toe Vind Ek Jou visits the coast for a live rock concert with her band. Wellversed in composing, singing, songwriting and her own talk show, Zoid has been dubbed South Africa’s “Queen of Rock” by several major local publications.

Where: MTC Dome, Swakopmund Damage: N$300 for general tickets, N$800 for VIP, meet & greet

29 October 2022

Joe’s Beerhouse Car Boot Sale - Clothing

What: Book a stall, park your car, open your boot and sell your stuff, or simply shop. This Car Boot Sale is focused on clothing.

Where: Joe’s Beerhouse parking lot Damage: Free entrance

Oktoberfest Windhoek

What: Highly anticipated, this year’s Windhoek Oktoberfest features music by the Kirchdorfer Band from Germany as well as the Jägermeister Brass Cartel and local artists. Every year a special Festbier is brewed and enjoyed alongside our Reinheitsgebot favourites.

Where: SKW Windhoek Damage: N$50 for 12-17-year-olds, N$200 for adults

28 & 29 October 2022

Karen Zoid

October 2022

SALAMI AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Without the pasta this salad makes a perfect topping for fresh bread rolls.

500 g fusilli pasta (corkscrew shape)

250 g Crème Fraiche* or Greek yoghurt

100 g blue cheese, crumbled

100 g salami, finely chopped

100 g thick mayonnaise (e.g. Miracle Whip)

• Cook the pasta al dente and mix with the remaining ingredients. Serve cold.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CRÈME FRAICHE

• Mix 500 ml thick cream with 30 ml buttermilk.

• Cover and let stand for 12 hours, then refrigerate.

Discover more of Antoinette's delicious recipes in Life on a Table

To order your copy contact Bonn Nortjé at Venture Publications: bonn@venture.com.na

Hentie Burger

Make game drives fun again

Going to Etosha National Park for school holidays with your family is always exciting as a youngster. The resorts in the park are fun to explore, the swimming pools are a great place to cool off and, of course, there is plenty of wildlife to see. Although luck plays a large role in seeing certain animals, like leopards, having the patience to sit in your vehicle and wait at a waterhole can be extremely rewarding. You could potentially see anything from a jackal catching a dove to a funny interaction between a lion and an elephant, or you could see nothing but hundreds of springbok. For a child bursting with energy, the time spent in the back of a vehicle can easily become tedious, like hours passing without anything happening. What if there was a way to prevent this boredom from setting in – by drawing inspiration from the wildlife around you?

A Namibian teenager faced with exactly this problem came up with an ingenious idea to keep herself and her brother amused. Clara van Heerden spent Christmas holidays with her family in the Zambezi Region. The area’s abundance of wildlife meant visits to national parks and game drives. As they set off for Nkasa Rupara National Park, she had the idea to scribble some animal names on a piece of paper for a game of trying to spot all the animals on the list first.

Surprised at how much she enjoyed the game, Clara, along with her mother Denise, started expanding on the idea and developing it into a physical product. Their hard work resulted in Safari Bingo – a game in which participants compete to spot all the animals on their Safari Bingo sheet. Each sheet is unique and contains the names and pictures of 15 mammals and birds. Each game set includes

a folder explaining the rules as well as a fact sheet on all the featured animals.

The first Safari Bingo game focuses on Etosha because it is Namibia’s most-visited national park and it thus makes sense to start with, Clara and Denise explain. They decided to include not only mammals but also birds as Namibia has such a rich diversity of birdlife, and to give the game an extra dimension.“We looked at which animals and birds occur in the park and distributed them across the sheets in such a way that no player has an advantage over the other,” Clara says.

Safari Bingo is suitable for children from eight years old, but Clara reckons it is meant for people of all ages looking to spice up their game drives. “We tried it with my grandparents from Germany and they had such a great time playing the game with us.”

Clara’s game recently won the student category of the Agra Grow Competition. Up-and-coming entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel of judges – similar to the television shows Shark Tank or Dragon’s Den. The winners receive a variety of prizes such as marketing, design and brand-building mentorships as well as access to business networks, including banking services and marketing opportunities.

What is next for the young game entrepreneur? Clara is now busy working on Safari Bingo for the wetland parks of the Zambezi Region and possibly releasing German and French versions to reach a broader audience.

To find out more, email safbingo@gmail.com or find Safari Bingo on Instagram or Facebook.

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,

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.

local cuisine in a restaurant setting, but the Open Market is 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

An ecosystem for change

An exciting pilot project is being run on the outskirts of Windhoek. It aims to develop a new way to produce building material, create food security, agricultural jobs and dignified low-cost housing all at once.

MycoHAB is a fascinating initiative implemented by Standard Bank Namibia in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Centre for Bits and Atoms and US architecture firm redhouse studio. The relatively simple process has the potential to solve complex problems that the country is presently facing.

Situated at Brakwater, MycoHAB uses encroacher bush species like Acacia mellifera as a substrate to grow gourmet mushrooms. The waste is turned into bricks which at the same time traps the carbon dioxide accumulated in these plants through their lifetime.

The process starts with encroacher bush that is run through a wood chipper. The small wood bits form the substrate for oyster mushrooms to be grown on. Once they have the right moisture content, the wood chips are placed in cultivation bags and pasteurised to kill off any other organisms that might be present and to ensure a sterile environment for the mycelium to be introduced into. Mycelium is a mass of interwoven fungal threads called hyphen. It is the vegetative portion of a fungus which is often submerged in another body such as soil or another substrate.

After cooling overnight, a little bit of the mycelium spawn is added to each cultivation bag in the on-site lab and transferred to a growing room where the mycelium will multiply and fully colonise the cultivation bags containing the wood chip substrate. When it starts fruiting mushrooms through pre-cut slits, the bag is moved to a fruiting room –

When fully grown the oyster mushrooms are harvested and sent to various supermarkets in Windhoek. The profits of the sales go to Buy-a-Brick, a Standard Bank Namibia project that aims to enable disadvantaged Namibians living in shacks to build a brick house that is safe and healthy to live in.

What is left over after harvesting the mushrooms is a cultivation bag filled with mycelium composite. This composite is placed in a metal brick template and pressed by a 150-tonne press to fully compact the material before it is burned in a kiln. The result is a brick that has the density of wood but the strength of concrete. These bricks are fireresistant, excellent insulators – keeping the house cool in summer and warm in winter – and they are sound attenuating.

If implemented on a large scale, the MycoHAB project can have a massive impact on people’s lives as well as on the conservation of the environment. Removing encroacher species frees up land for grass which improves the carrying capacity for livestock and wildlife. The mushrooms grown on the wood chips are not only a source of income and subsistence but also the food item which compared to other commercial crops uses the least amount of water, land and energy per kg of protein. The waste from this process is turned into a sustainable type of building material that is stronger than concrete and can lock away carbon for hundreds of years.

where the humidity is higher and the temperature lower for the best mushroom growing conditions.

NAMPOWER ADDS ANOTHER POWER STATION TO ITS GENERATION FLEET

NamPower added an additional 20 MW to its generation capacity with the successful commissioning of its new Omburu 20 MW PV Power Station, situated 12 km outside of the town of Omaruru in the Erongo region.

The Omburu Power Station has a footprint of 42ha and is located on a 300ha site adjacent to the Omburu Substation along the C36 gravel road. The station boasts 58,104 solar panels and five inverter stations, each producing 5 MW.

At the inauguration ceremony which took place on 24 June 2022, NamPower Managing Director Kahenge Haulofu highlighted that in addition to the provision of electricity, the Omburu Power Station, including NamPower’s other planned renewable energy generation projects, will reduce the overall NamPower tariff to the customer by introducing an affordable “new-build” renewable energy to the Namibian grid.

NamPower’s planned generation projects will support Namibia’s Energy and Renewable Energy Policy targets for 70% of renewable energy generation by 2030, as well as the commitments made at COP26 to reduce Namibia’s emissions by 91% within the next 5 years.

“NamPower’s investment in clean energy contributes to Namibia’s commitments to increase the share of renewable energy as declared in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC and it supports the National Development Plan 5 (NDP 5) objectives of achieving 755 MW of local generation by 2022,” Haulofu added.

The power station was built by Hopsol Africa and Tulive Private Equity Joint Venture, at a cost of approximately N$337 million. The site construction works were successfully completed on 29

March 2022. NamPower is proud to report that the project was completed within budget, although it was delayed due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Omburu PV Power Station can be regarded as “customer funded”, as the Electricity Control Board permitted NamPower to make use of the Long Run Marginal Cost (LRMC) funds for the project. The LRMC funds are funds that the regulator allows NamPower to over recover through various tariff applications and these funds are intended to cushion future price shocks.

The overall tariff of the Omburu PV Power Station has therefore been substantially reduced to the benefit of all electricity consumers in Namibia.

The project is a truly Namibian product, as the entire workforce that was involved were Namibians, including the consultants involved in the design, the sub-contractors, and the labourers.

“The inauguration of the project is a demonstration of NamPower’s unwavering commitment to becoming the leading electricity solutions provider of choice in SADC, a catalyst for economic growth in Namibia and in the region”.

NamPower is geared towards ensuring security of supply and a predictable tariff path that will support economic growth and maintain the company’s financial sustainability through the implementation of its planned generation projects.

10 minutes with local taste makers

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

Sxdated

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

jolly Christmas HAVE A

Santa is swapping the Arctic cold for a luxurious sunny Christmas at the Strand! And he’s stuffed his bag with all sorts of goodies to make this a jolly good Christmas for all.

CHRISTMAS SURPRISES:

Feel at home with Christmas trees and stockings filled with daily treats in every suite. And if you have a newborn, we have some wonderful surprises for them too.

Book your December stay with us, where waves of festive fun awaits you and the entire family.

For more info and reservations contact: strand.res@ol.na

Can my choice be wrong?

Sossusvlei or Katima Mulilo? Work a bit harder or holiday a bit longer? Do you ever get stuck between two choices, and stop to ask yourself whether you have made the right one? What drives our choices, and will the wrong choice take us along a life path of doom? A new movie that is trending at the moment is about what one choice can do to our lives. It shows one choice as taking our lives on a completely different trajectory and asks the question “will we have the same kind of life after our choices?”.

None of us make perfect decisions all the time. The world would be a much more peaceful place if our decisions were always great. Our decisions are also affected by many things such as conditioning, perspective, rationality, choices and more. Choice is something we have so much of that it has a huge impact on the decisions we make.

I came across this quote by Deepak Chopra, which I thought was very fitting to answer these questions:

"If you obsess over whether you are making the right decision, you are basically assuming that the universe will reward you for one thing and punish you for another. The universe has no fixed agenda. Once you make any decision it works around that decision. There is no right or wrong, only a series of possibilities that shift with each thought, feeling and action that you experience.”

What a beautiful sentiment, as it asserts that no choice is wrong, merely different. If life unfolds around our choices, and possibilities bring experiences, how can there be a wrong choice? Then choice merely is.

We all question ourselves and our choices, all the time. But has this just become another subversive way to beat ourselves up? A way to make ourselves feel ‘not good enough’?

If there is no real ‘right choice’, then why do we put so much pressure on making the perfect choice? Without a cheat sheet or handbook to life, all of us are just figuring it out as we go along. As long as none of the outcomes of your choices will directly harm you, then no matter which path you choose you will be presented with a set of opportunities and challenges. No path is necessarily better than the other but they may be vastly different.

Psychology today says that when we encounter a situation that we have never been in before, this is when we take our time to weigh options. Otherwise, our decisions are sort of automatic.

What about mistakes? All mistakes begin as choices – so have we actually been making the wrong choices? If we heed Deepak Chopra’s words then we see that even mistakes are opportunities and a chance for new learning and growth.

If right now you are sitting with a difficult decision, things that can help include:

• A pros and cons list, where you look at the benefits and drawbacks of your decision

• Meditation, where you find a peaceful place and quiet your mind to help you choose

• Your gut, that funny feeling in the pit of your stomach that makes you feel uncomfortable when you are doing something that isn't in your best interest

But ultimately, whatever you choose, you are going to learn and grow and you might even be setting off on a wonderful new adventure. So long as you are not harming yourself or another, your decision will be the right one.

Just remember that we cannot make progress without making decisions, so trust yourself enough to make a decision and know that it will be the right one for you.

Kirsty Watermeyer

Growing up I was always fascinated by photographs while looking at the many pictures of myself and my relatives.

Photography Feature: Drawing inspiration from all realms of existence

Jean-Claude Tjitamunisa, commonly known as JC or JCNazarii amongst Windhoek’s creative fraternity, is a photographer and visual artist who specialises in fashion, conceptual, boudoir and architectural photography.

He was nominated for the 2021 Bank Windhoek Doek Literary Magazine Awards in the visual arts category for his photo series Gentle Alpha – a visual exploration of contrasting masculinity. This year Jean-Claude had his first solo exhibition at the Namibian Arts Association for his abstract architectural project titled Unseen.

Jean-Claude’s commercial portfolio includes photo shoots for local brands such as MN Creations, ‡Nu/Gôa Accessories, Thriftalot as well as Sarakulé, an international fashion brand from Mali.

“Growing up I was always fascinated by the many pictures of myself and my relatives in my grandmother’s and mother’s photo albums. I had the opportunity to use cameras in church during my teens, and as soon as I got some big money in my account I bought myself a camera. I haven’t looked back since,” he says.

Jean-Claude draws inspiration from both the spiritual and physical planes of his existence and loves using photography as a medium to tell stories, portraying the world from his perspective.

Namibia’s Uranium sector is essential to a decarbonised world

Nuclear power has long been controversial, with proponents citing its potential to decarbonise the world and opponents raising concerns about safety and waste. However, as the need to address climate change grows more urgent, nuclear energy is gaining new support as a clean source of green energy. Nuclear plants do not produce greenhouse gases, and they can run continuously for years without emitting pollutants. Uranium, the fuel for most nuclear plants, is abundant and relatively cheap. Nuclear power also has a high capacity factor, meaning that it produces a large amount of power relative to the amount of fuel it consumes. All of these factors make nuclear energy an attractive option for decarbonising the world.

However, political opposition remains a major obstacle to the expansion of nuclear power. In many countries, public sentiment remains strongly set against nuclear energy, making it difficult to build new plants or expand existing ones. As the fight against climate change intensifies, policymakers and world leaders will need to find ways to overcome this opposition and increase investment in nuclear energy. One person advocating for nuclear power is Bill Gates.

Namibia has a long history of uranium mining. Rössing, the country's first uranium mine, began operating in 1976. Rössing and Husab are currently the two major mines in operation. A third one, Langer Heinrich, is set to resume operations in early 2024. Uranium mining plays a significant role in the Namibian economy. Local reserves of this natural resource are estimated at over 200 million tonnes. With prices for uranium currently improving there is much interest in further exploration and mining in Namibia.

Namibia is one of the world’s leading producers of uranium, with an output of over 6,700 tons in 2021.

Bill Gates is no stranger to big projects. As the co-founder of Microsoft he helped to revolutionise the world of computing. More recently he has turned his attention to the fight against climate change, investing billions of dollars in clean energy technology. In this context Gates is now turning his sights on nuclear power. He is specifically backing small modular reactors (SMRs), which are more efficient and safer than traditional nuclear plants. SMRs are also less expensive to build and can be deployed quickly, making them an attractive option for developing countries looking to participate in more sustainable energy generation practices. Ultimately, Gates is betting that small modular reactors will play a big role in the future of nuclear power, and that nuclear power is the road to Net Zero by 2050.

The uranium industry in Namibia has a key role to play in the decarbonisation of the global economy and the production of clean energy. With its vast reserves of uranium, Namibia is one of the world’s leading producers of this metal, with an output of over 6,700 tons in 2021. This made Namibia the second largest uranium producer last year.

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

This has economic significance for Namibia. Uranium mining can provide an important stream of state revenue, in addition to playing a role in the global transition to clean energy. Uranium is a valuable commodity, and royalties and taxes from uranium mining provide revenue for government programs and services. Apart from that, uranium mining creates procurement opportunities, and thus income, for local businesses. Not to mention the jobs and economic opportunities for communities which are a result of uranium mining. Rössing, for instance, has created sustainable employment for over 45 years, and the Husab mine is the largest employer in the Namibian mining sector today. In short, uranium mining in Namibia has a positive impact on state revenue, the local economy, employment as well as the future of our planet.

Despite concerns about safety and waste disposal, nuclear energy is a necessity in today’s world. And with responsible mining and production, uranium will continue to play an important role in meeting global clean energy needs. Namibia’s uranium industry is vital for decarbonisation and the global transition toward clean energy production. And Namibian mining regulations and policies will be leading the way in maintaining and upholding robust standards that will allow the global community to back Gates and others advocating nuclear energy as a means to achieve global clean energy and “net zero” goals.

Global decarbonisation undoubtedly has to include nuclear energy. And thus, so does the Namibian uranium industry. In fact, through responsible uranium mining and production, Namibia’s part in global progress towards more sustainable clean energy production and decarbonisation will be disproportionately large. This is a story worth repeating.

Eric van Zyl – Managing Director Designate

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

INVESTMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

Talent is how we do both for our clients.

When it comes to solving for good business or a better world, our teams don’t compromise, we challenge the status quo by asking, why not both?

GOOD VIBES ONLY

Good news from Namibia and around the world

LOCAL

HAN announces positive occupancy rates as tourism recovers

The Hospitality Association of Namibia has published occupancy statistics for the peak of this year’s tourism season. CEO Gitta Paetzold announced that the month of July 2022 showed a spectacular national occupancy rate of over 51%. This is only 8% short of the occupancy rate in 2019, the “normal” year before the COVID-19 pandemic shook the globe. Namibia’s main source market – central Europe – now accounts for 57% of our foreign visitors, compared to 53% in 2019.

Source: HAN July report

Walvis Bay Private School donates to government schools

When the Walvis Bay Private High School found itself sitting with a surplus of textbooks it approached the acting Walvis Bay circuit inspector, Joseph Martin, to discuss their use elsewhere. This led to an initiative to donate textbooks to all government schools in the Walvis Bay area. A total of 800 primary school and 661 secondary school used books are part of the drive. “Today, all principals will walk away with books for their pupils. It is really a relief. We cannot thank this school enough", Joseph Martin said. Despite being allocated the largest share of the national budget (N$14.2 billion for 2020/21) the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture relies heavily on the private sector for donations.

Source: The Namibian

Community rakes in N$129 000 from devil's claw

The Namibia Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance to Eradicate Poverty (Nilaleg) project has facilitated the sale of 3 240kg of devil's claw, a plant native to southern Africa. A group of 186 community members from the Kavango West Region harvested the plants, which are used to treat pain, liver and kidney problems, fever and malaria. The Namibia Nature Foundation, on behalf of the Nilaleg project, trained community members on the sustainable harvesting of natural resources, particularly devil's claw. The harvest was sold to EcoSo Dynamics at N$40 per kilogramme, earning N$129 000 for the community. This is a long-term project. The second harvest is scheduled for sale in October.

Source: The Namibian

Fog nets help to combat drought in arid Africa

Thanks to mathematician and businesswoman Dr Aissa Derhem, who invented the fog net, agricultural communities in the Moroccan desert can irrigate their crops during drought. Fog nets are multilayered mesh constructions designed to accumulate water particles in areas where rain is scarce, but ocean fog isn’t. Derhem learned about the use of fog in the driest place on Earth – the Atacama Desert in Chile, where officially it has never rained. Inhabitants use fog nets to capture what little moisture entered their environment. However, in order to make fog nets functional in Dr Derhem’s birthplace, Mount Boutmezguida in southwestern Morocco’s Anti-Atlas range, the design had to be adjusted to cope with extreme winds. The 1,600 inhabitants of this remote region now have a daily water supply of 18 litres each, exclusively gathered from the fog collection nets.

Source: Good News Network

Ordinary plastic can be transformed into a diamond with a laser beam

In recent tests at the University of Rostock in Germany, PET (polyethylene terephthalate plastic), which is usually used for food packaging, was heated by a laser beam at 6,000 degrees celsius. The sheet of plastic is instantly compressed by a weight equal to a millionfold more than Earth’s atmospheric pressure, configuring the PET into a nanodiamond. At their core, diamonds are simply a solid form of carbon arranged intricately along hydrogen and oxygen atoms. PET is made of petroleum, also known as hydrocarbon. The University of Rostock’s breakthrough in synthetic diamond production could mean more demand for water bottles and containers which could otherwise end up in the sea.

Source: Good News Network

THE GLOBE

Botswana cuts HIV transmission to children from 40% to 1%

The World Health Organisation recently congratulated Botswana for the “groundbreaking achievement” in stopping HIV transmission from mothers to their newborns. The national program that was launched 23 years ago urged expecting mothers to test for HIV. Positive mothers would then undergo antiretroviral treatment. Newborns are also given antiretroviral therapy for six months after birth, thereby successfully lowering transmissions from 40% to only 1%. “This is a huge accomplishment for a country that has one of the most severe HIV epidemics in the world. Botswana demonstrates that an AIDS-free generation is possible,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. More than 1.7 million new infections in children have been averted in Botswana since 2010.

Source: Good News Network

Since Independence Day 2017 and, coincidently, starting with our first Namibian shop on Independence Avenue, we do strictly coffee!

Located in the centre of Windhoek CBD, our espresso bar has become the hub where we roast, blend and serve our famous House Blend. This being just the start, we now operate from four Deluxe Shops throughout the capital.

We don’t follow many rules when it comes to our coffee. In fact, there aren’t a lot of rules that we follow in general. We are passionate about coffee and that’s a good enough reason for us to do what we do: roast, supply and serve coffee in the best way we know. We believe in having a great place where this all comes together and where you can enjoy our coffee. That’s why our coffee shops are the way they are. You won’t find any fancy food or wifi here. That’s not our vibe. A lot of good music, interesting people and great coffee. We like to give you coffee the way we would like to receive it. That’s what we’re all about.

Founded in Church Street, Cape Town by Carl Wessel and Judd Nicolay, doing 400 cups of coffee a day and roasting shifts into the wee hours of the morning, Deluxe has gone from strength to strength. When Carl and his cousin and local partner, Willem Bodenstein, sealed the deal for a fully-fledged Namibian roastery, they created the espresso bar that “explores the global but respects the local”.

Deluxe Coffeeworks imports only the finest green beans sourced from around the world. Our coffee bean suppliers have long-

established relationships with coffee farms across the globe, guaranteeing consistency in tastes and aromas for every roast.

We believe firmly in the fact that coffee should be made with freshly roasted beans. We roast five days a week to ensure that each bag you pick up is as fresh as possible.

Our signature House Blend is specifically blended to create a versatile well-balanced experience using the best characteristics of each of the single origins used therein, hailing respectively from Brazil, Guatemala and Ethiopia. Initial acidity leans to oranges or naartjies, followed by dark chocolate taste and raw cocoa in the finish.

And now... Aroma is in the air! We bring you the partnership between Fly Namibia and Deluxe – it just works! So, sit back, enjoy the flight and ask for it by name, we serve Deluxe!

You will find Deluxe Coffeeworks at:

• Shop 5, 42 Berg Street, Klein Windhoek.

• Shop 3, Mutual Tower, 223 Independence Avenue.

• Nictus Giga. 140 Mandume Ndemufayo Ave.

• Nedbank Campus, Ground Floor | Freedom Plaza, c/o Fidel Castro & Rev Michael Scott Street

81 767 7600

ROYAL HUSTLERS

Selma Kaulinge is an inspiring Namibian woman. She is creative, highly determined and now the Manager for Communication and PR at Nedbank Namibia. She has already learned that there are no shortcuts. It’s hard work all the way to success.

Selma was born in the north but grew up a Windhoeker, the sixth of seven girls. Her father was a pastor who gave her a foundation of confidence and spirituality, while her mother raised her to be independent and to “have a voice.” Growing up with mostly women in the house had a big impact on Selma. She learned to go after what she wanted but also to make space for other women.

She read voraciously as a teenager and decided at a young age that she wanted to be a writer. Her favourite authors cover almost every genre, from Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison to John Grisham and Eckard Tolle.

Journalistic articles and fiction, even theatre shows and movies – Selma is passionate about all forms of storytelling. This love for reading and stories has set her up for success in each arena she has stepped into.

being promoted to manager for communication and PR at Nedbank Namibia.

Her artistic essence comes through in her laid-back disposition, but don’t be fooled. Selma says the thing people get wrong about her is that she is not as laid back as she appears. In fact, she is motivated by challenges. “If someone says I can’t do something, I’m probably going to do exactly that”, she says. (We should tell her she can’t become president…)

Selma Kaulinge

Hard-work is the golden thread

Selma was promoted to her current role in 2021, during the height of the pandemic. No-one has come out of this experience unscathed, and Selma has compassion for herself and others who are trying to be strong. She says that these days it’s about the “simple things”. It’s about the people in your tribe. It’s about doing what is important to you. All the motivation and encouragement you need is inside you. “I think everybody has the answers within themselves,” she told Mo.

In 2012, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from UNAM. This young Namibian already has 10 years experience in the corporate space. She also has a strong creative side, having studied PR and art for advertising and worked at the National Art Gallery of Namibia. Her career has flowed from journalism to public relations and most recently to

In this noisy high-speed world, she advises young people to quiet all the voices – social media, parents, etc. – and listen to your heart. Now this doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy… Selma credits her soaring career to listening to her heart and working hard. There are no shortcuts. Once you know what you want from life, you have to do the 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).

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stories that matter

That’s our mantra at Venture Media. Sharing stories, information and inspiration to an audience that understand and value why certain things matter.

Why conservation, tourism, people & communities, businesses and ethics matter.

How these elements interrelate and how we can bring about change, contribute to the world and support each other. Whether for an entire nation, an industry, a community, or even just an individual.

We find, explore, discover, teach, showcase and share stories that matter.

As part of our on-going efforts to share these stories far and wide, we are looking for partners that want to accompany us on this journey. We would thus like to propose a “Stories that Matter” series catered to your product and audience, whereby we will create a series of monthly Content Baskets. Each month we will cover one story (as predetermined between ourselves and your team) and capture, create and distribute it in the following formats and across all our (and your) available channels.

BASKETS

Let

share your stories with the world. Creating content-driven story campaigns to elevate your brand

Media Trends

Fora decade online media houses around the world have prophesied the death of ‘traditional’ media.

In September, Debbie Rowles of Think Human Being presented a media trends report that reveals a different picture of international and local media trends. It seems the death of radio and TV was something of a hoax.

In media trends, as in life, there is BC-19 and AC-19; Before Covid-19 and After Covid-19. BC-19 we were already experiencing fake news and social activism online. But 2 years in, “the default emotion is distrust,” as Debbie stated. People are skeptical of AI, politicians, and mostly big data.

My mobile is my alarm clock, my journal, my family time. It's my dad showing me 'how to', it's my mom sending hugs on tough days. It's my repository of dear friends and dreams. My mobile is my time capsule, a recording of what life is like in 2022 for me. Just me. It is my personal space. The fact that I am the product, has become unbearable. Somehow my algorithm has decided I'm 60+ and in need of chair Pilates.

So, we're sweeping out the cookies and brushing up on PoPI (or is it PoPIA?). We're unsubscribing and deleting apps to overcome the swell of digital clutter. Anyone else tired of being asked to confirm that you're not a robot?

Excuse me if I sound tired. Debbie's stats did show that we Millennials are tired-tired of endless change, burnt-out and asking Google "how to deal". On the other hand, Debbie also showed that the Gen Zs are optimistic and searching for silver linings within the difficulties. Now, when you see your child watching TV while streaming music, posting a dance ‘short’ and chatting to their friends, it can feel like the gap insunbridgeable. But the real shift is not between generations.

And it’s not between media platforms, Debbie’s data shows that media use is stabilising with an omni-channel approach. ‘Traditional’ media is also online while online platforms have begun adding outbound elements to their offerings. This spread is because the user has an omnichannel approach to media. And here’s the real death…

The real death has been the death of the consumer. I am not satisfied being a data point or even finding the ‘best value for money’. I am a citizen. I have values and beliefs that guide my spending. After all, “put your money where your mouth is”, right?

Now social activism has morphed to include brands; what Debbie called brand activism. As a citizen of the world, I insist on brands sharing my ethics and values. I require brand CEOs, specifically, to address social issues and stand for social justice. My loyalty is to the things I hold dear; everything from my cat to political transparency.

This is great news. If we put our money where our values are, we will be creating the world we dream of. At this point in the presentation my story-telling heart was singing... Our stories are who we are. They are beyond channels. It's about telling Namibian stories in our own way on any channel. Whether it's "it ain't me" on TikTok, a 'royal hustler' sharing their journey, the NFC's latest film, or a Namibian soapy playing on prime time, these are the stories I want to hear, see and make.

Debbie's forecast has given me a hopeful outlook on the future of Namibian stories and on being a global citizen with the power to create a better world. Every swipe, like and play is a vote for the world you want to see.

Kay-Leigh de Sousa

Genuine silver jewellery with accents of springbok and Nguni hide, as well as ostrich shell and bovine bone characterise the selection at Ekipa Gold Design.

For thirteen years, master goldsmith Grit Böttcher has been handcrafting the rings, pendants, bangles, brooches and earrings of Ekipa’s range. Precious and semiprecious stones are presented uncut, highlighting Grit’s love for Namibia’s rugged nature. Expect to stand out while wearing Ekipa – this jewellery is for the bold and eccentric.

Available at the Namibia Craft Centre in Windhoek

SHOP LOCAL -ish

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

The ancient Arab craft of Macrame has recently re-emerged among fans of interior design and handiwork. Desert Boho is your local plug for the art of knotting long strands into decorative plant and wall hangings, clutch bags, keychains and coasters. The list goes on to include curtain tie-backs, bookmarks and even dummy clips for the little ones. Anything that can be imagined as macrame: Desert Boho can bring it to life. They even take special requests for the Pinterest obsessed, the most recent being a bunch of decorative chair covers specially made for a wedding.

@desertbohonam

EKIPA

DESERT BOHO

More often than not, the card is just as important as the gift itself. What’s better than receiving a present with a lovely message that can be cherished for years? Cards by Adele specialises in beautifully crafted cards, ranging from birthday and engagement to wedding and get well soon. Adele lovingly creates each card individually. Each comes with an envelope and often includes a three-dimensional element. If you can’t find what you're looking for in her adorable racks at PARTED hair and Ferreira's Garden Centre, Adele custom-makes them too. You’ll never again leave a gift unaccompanied by a Card by Adele!

@cards_by_adele

WOODBURNING ART BY SONJA

Personalised gifts are always well received, especially when they are practical too. Sonja Kilian is a photographer, with a side hustle of creating unique designs burned into wood. From cheese boards and trinket bowls to clocks and cutting planks, Sonja can burn just about anything onto it, be it a name or a quote in a decorative font – or even exceptionally detailed drawings. Woodburning Art by Sonja is the gifting solution we have been waiting for!

@woodburningartbysonja

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

CARDS BY ADELE

We Rise byOthersLifting

Vinyls

UrbanCamp

Sky Lounge

Sky Lounge

UrbanCamp

Vinyls

The Best Bars in Windhoek for After-work Drinks

The capital buzzes with young professionals. From corporates working in Independence Avenue to creatives who freelance and everyone in between, Windhoek locals love an after-work drink. And why shouldn’t they? All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, right? So we’ve rounded up a few of the groovy spots to decompress after your 8-5.

Vinyls

This pint-sized, hole-in-a-wall pub will melt your heart. That is, if you haven’t already attended a stand-up comedy, karaoke, trivia night or live music gig. Situated in Zoo Park, Independence Avenue, Vinyls is perfectly located for a stroll over from your high-rise or coffee shop office. Seating is very limited, which adds to the appeal, and in the centre of it all is a small stage, backdropped by a bookshelf filled with old records, tapes, CDs, books and a bunch of board games. Once you’ve spotted the unassuming door from outside and climbed the stairs up a maximalist decorated vestibule to the grungy cool space, you’ll find a stellar selection of well-priced cocktails and drinks, cold beer, gin on tap and immaculate vibes.

UrbanCamp

A sweet escape from the bustle of town, UrbanCamp is a beer garden-style pub and restaurant on the edge of central Windhoek. Most of the seating is outdoors, scattered around the pool and reception area of the camping/glamping facilities. The odd hammock accompanies wood benches under rustic pergolas stringed with fairy lights. Don’t get too comfortable though, UrbanCamp is all self service, but it’s no hassle since the bar staff are hyper efficient. While this spot is a little more relaxed on weekdays, making for a chilled afterwork drinks experience, Friday nights garner large crowds so be sure to get a table right after you tjaila.

Brewers Market

No stranger to Windhoek’s social scene, The Brewers Market is central to the city’s nightlife. The space is uber cool with exposed brick walls giving it an industrial feel, plus a long bar

and outdoor space. The crowd is even cooler – everyone from white collars and tenderpreneurs to creatives and expats gather at Brewers on weeknights, even more so for a nightcap over the weekend. They maintain a solid rotation of ladies’ night events, frequent DJs and weeknight specials on a variety of drinks. For month-end markets, The Brewers Market offers free stalls for food, drink and diverse craft vendors. We love supporting local businesses who support small businesses!

SKW Brauhaus & Biergarten

This place is perfect to wind down after a long day, or even stay on for dinner. Outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere, plus a proper German menu would suggest that the SKW garners more mature crowds, but don’t be fooled, Saturdays here with cold beers and schnitzel gets vibey. Beer is obviously the order of the day, every day, but you can order everything else your heart desires. The food is tasty, generous and authentically German, so you can enjoy your post-work drink without having to worry about what’s for dinner.

Sky Lounge

For a glamorous capital city experience, Sky Lounge at Am Weinberg should be number one on your list. Spectacular views of Windhoek are complimented by a wide selection of wines and cocktails. Sleek and modern decor further amplify the luxury experience, while large umbrellas and seamless indooroutdoor flows make this the perfect spot for sundowners. Sky Lounge also serves tapas if your martini olive doesn’t suffice, and the cosmopolitan atmosphere is reminiscent of a lahdee-dah bar somewhere in Cape Town.

Charene Labuschagne

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Joyce visits Rundu

The face of FlyNamibia, Joyce Nghiishililwa recently visited the Kavango Region in Namibia’s far north. Here is her take on two splendid days on the banks of the Okavango River and discovering all there is to enjoy in and around Rundu.

What did you do, see and experience in and around Rundu?

Rundu is bliss! Travelling to the north, for me, is like taking a deep relaxing breath and decompressing. The continuously flowing river and vibrant culture and people always leave me feeling content and tranquil.

After landing in Rundu I was warmly welcomed at Taranga Safari Lodge where I settled into my tented chalet. The rooms tower above the ground below, making you feel as if you were in a tree-house, not to mention the insane view of the Okavango River.

It was an exceptionally windy day when we set out to explore the town of Rundu but we didn’t let that dampen our spirits. The first stop was a small market by the roadside on the way into town. 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. I enjoyed chatting to some of the locals.

In the centre of Rundu we visited a local wood carving shop. The shopkeeper was so attentive and eager to tell me about the techniques used in wood carving.

Then, through the dust and wind of that day, we headed to the famous Rundu beach. I couldn’t believe how clear the water is. If it weren’t for the crocodiles, I definitely would have gone for a swim.

We had lunch at the Culture Café, the most aesthetically pleasing restaurant you could imagine. . The food was deliciously prepared and the atmosphere was tranquil and bohemian. It felt like a totally different side of Rundu that I didn't know existed. After lunch we visited a shebeen, called Hubbly Lounge, for the full experience. Luckily the wind settled a little so we could sit outside, enjoy drinks with locals and listen to vibey music, complete with the smell of roasted meat in the air.

Which part of the trip did you enjoy most?

We flew from Eros in a twin-prop aircraft that looked like

a We flew from Eros in a twin-prop aircraft that looked like a private jet, fitted with beige leather seats that face each other. It was such a comfortable flight. Other than the flight itself, my forever 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. The Kavango is a must-do experience.

Tell us about the lodge where you stayed on this trip

Taranga Safari Lodge was our base for the Rundu experience. Situated on the Okavango River, it has a gorgeous wooden deck where we had delicious meals, and a pool area overlooking the floating bar down by the river. They call it the Kingfisher Bar, named after the beautiful bird found in the area. It was the perfect place to watch the sunset and a photographers’ dream. The lodge offers a wide range of exciting activities. One of my favourites was the sundowner cruise we went on with ice-cold beverages and, of course, the beautiful Okavango sunset –always so awe-inspiring.

We were also taken on a drive to the nearby village to get acquainted with the lifestyle of local people. We ended the tour with a ‘wine downer’, as the sun disappeared into the river.

Accommodation is in tented chalets on wooden decks, comfortably and tastefully furnished with a rustic vibe, with a cosy main sitting room and a beautiful spacious balcony looking out over the river. The breeze through the room made it lovely and cool. But when night fell, scaredy-cat me closed all the window flaps so nothing would scare me in the dark. Classic Joyce.

Why should Namibians visit the Kavango Region, with a quick flight to Rundu?

I’ve said this before and I will say it again: the northern side of the country is very beautiful, but it is quite a journey to get there. Save yourself some time, opt for convenience and take that flight with FlyNamibia. It is safer and faster, and I promise you, you won’t be needing that body massage.

ENERGY IS AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING WE DO

From upstream to downstream and every oil and gas function in between, we provide local on-the-ground knowledge and expertise for international partners such as TotalEnergies and Shell.

Now, as we expand into a greener future, we will transform into an energy company which thinks beyond oil and gas to become a world-class NOC that delivers value to every stakeholder.

Throughout it all, we will remain Namibian to the core.

Good luck Eagles!

In September, the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup Trophy travelled through Namibia as part of its world tour. The group from Cricket Namibia and the ICC took the trophy on an authentic Namibian adventure, which featured destinations such as Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha with our FlyNamibia Safari flights. The trophy also visit various schools and cricket development projects along the way and met mayors, governors and other senior officials.

The T20 World Cup, which is set to take place in October in Australia, is a competition watched by an estimated 1.5 billion people across the globe. After a stellar performance in the previous T20 World Cup, Namibia’s national side will participate again this year. Namibia will compete against Sri Lanka, the UAE and the Netherlands in their first round pool, with big hopes to proceed on to the next stage of the competition as they had before.

We wish the Eagles the best of luck. The whole nation is behind you!

Nghipandulwa narrows it down with Just Because

“I’vehad a keen interest in expressing myself creatively ever since I can remember. I started drawing at an early age, scribbling in schoolbooks, mainly to impress girls… But I never actually thought of pursuing art as a career – I didn’t even know it was a thing!”

Despite a fondness for doodling, Ndako Nghipandulwa’s formal art education is limited to a short stint in primary school, as preference was given to honing interests like veterinary science, aviation and civil engineering. The latter enjoyed the most attention, being the subject matter on which Nghipandulwa later focused his tertiary education and thereafter spent almost a decade working in the industry. “I’ve wanted to be a lot of things in my life, but my dad was a civil engineer, so that partly steered me. Plus, I had good grades,” he adds with a smile.

The demands of working life dominated Nghipandulwa’s time for some years, until – as fate would have it – circumstances finally pushed him to dust off his artistic tools again. “In 2014/15, the country was hit by an economic recession, and as the construction industry was one of the first to be affected, I found myself without a job. The only thing that kept me going was my art.” He returned to drawing as a means to pass the time, uploading some of the works to social media platforms, and it was not long until people started asking if they could buy it. “That’s pretty much how I started being a full-time artist – it wasn’t intentional, the situation led me here.”

Seven-odd years later, and Nghipandulwa is finally gracing his ever-growing fan base with a first solo collection, Just Because. He explains, “In the beginning, I was doing a lot of experimenting, trying to find myself, figuring out what medium I want to use, what artworks to create.” Amongst others, he dabbled with wood sculpting, pencil drawing as well as nail-and-string art. “I believe I’ve narrowed it down now. I’ve started seeing a lot more structure in my work, and that’s what gave me the confidence to take on this solo exhibition.”

The exhibition displays what has become Nghipandulwa’s signature style in nails and string, but with the integration of fabrics and the odd addition of paint. “Other than one or two geometrical shapes, I’ve incorporated African material into most of my artworks, to reflect the African experience and show the viewer what it’s like to be African – highlighting our triumphs, sorrows, and so on.”

While this might be his first solo, the artist has various other personal achievements under his belt, including capturing the attention of celebrities through his creative representations of them. Among these, our very own Maria Nepembe, South African actress Connie Ferguson, and Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. Since 2018, he’s also made use of opportunities to partake in local group exhibitions, artists’ workshops, private commissions and charity auctions. Most recently, he was invited to exhibit one of his works at the Beijing International Art Biennale (held from 18 January to 1 March 2022), an accomplishment he calls “the one that stands out most for me so far.”

Get a taste for Nghipandulwa’s world in nails and string between 23 October and 5 November at The Project Room in Lazarette Square, 30 Julius Nyerere Street.

I’ve started seeing a lot more structure in my work, and that’s what gave me the confidence to take on this solo exhibition.

The Project Room and Ndako Nghipandulwa

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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.

Namibia lends itself to the pleasure of revelling in abundance and the magic of discovery when you take the time and effort to look closer.

Pompie Burger

Nina van Schalkwyk

Nina van Schalkwyk

Elzanne McCulloch

Spring Tripping

Rièth van Schalkwyk explores how to find joy in the abundance and discover the magic of looking closer

Spring in Namibia offers everything to please a weather-worn traveller. Except flowers in bright colours. The sun shines every day all day from tangerine sunrise to scarlet sunset. The sky changes to different shades of blue throughout the day and temperatures are pleasantly high. It is hot and dry since most of Namibia is desert, but cool to cold at night because of the lack of moisture.

This year the landscape even sports a golden hue after the good rains of the past season which ended a drought of several years. The dry natural grass cover even on mountain slopes lends a softness to the dramatic landscape of contrasts.

The surest chance to escape cold, rain and wet is a visit to Namibia in spring. That is: August and September. There may be one last icy day or two on the central highland, the highest plateau around the capital, or in the deep south close to the Orange River if a cold front from South Africa pushes north. But it can never be cold enough to spoil your holiday for more than two days.

Namibia is truly a destination where sunshine can be expected almost 365 days a year. And if, for instance, a foggy day along the coast – where I am writing these words now – contradicts my statement, get in your car and drive away from it. Just head inland. The fog supplies necessary moisture to life in the Namib Desert.

If by chance you experience a day like that and you are in Swakopmund, take a tour with Living Desert Adventures. It will introduce you to the amazing variety of desert life. And it will be a happy memory of a single day without sunshine in Namibia.

Visitors from the northern hemisphere will be in wildlife heaven in Etosha and the Zambezi Region where the abundance of animals adds to the joyous weather. Because there is no water in the veld in Etosha at this time of year, animals are forced to walk across the pan and the flat plains to waterholes.

Along the way they stop to feed without hurry and in big numbers, providing ample opportunity for sunseekers to watch

the natural world go by. Lazy lions rest in the shade of trees, watching and waiting. Big elephant bulls walk miles across the open veld in clear view to drink, bathe and dust themselves. Breeding herds choose specific waterholes where the little ones can learn waterhole etiquette and practice the skill of chasing away low-ranking species like giraffe, kudu, warthog and zebra.

Spring, which is truly the driest season in Namibia, offers the best waterhole experiences. Not only for watching animals, but the migrating birds returning from the north also offer pure delight to photographers because of the sparse, dry vegetation.

Coming back to flowers in springtime – Namibia does have a flower secret. It is not obvious and if your eyes are not trained to notice subtle colours in the dry landscape you may miss it altogether.

It is everywhere and in abundance but one cannot be sure when the powder-puff blossoms of the albizia trees or the popcorn fluff on the black thorn acacias will bloom. Along the main roads from south to north and east to west they are everywhere. On the red sand of the Kalahari, on rocky outcrops along the road, on the hillsides around the capital and even in the city where indigenous trees line the streets or grow in open spaces. To me they are as beautiful as cherry blossoms – just not pink and pretentious. The albizia trees are beautiful in form, with a dark trunk. That is how you would notice them. Look for the seemingly dry trees with dark trunks in the landscape devoid of strong colours. The blossoms last for approximately two weeks and they start blooming in the north first. Nobody can say when exactly, but it is worth being on the lookout.

For adventurous travellers to the Zambezi Region a flower surprise is waiting. There, the spring blossoms display a riot of colour. Spare yourself the frustration and buy Helga and Pompie Burger’s book before you travel to that part of Namibia regardless of the season. Namibia lends itself to the pleasure of revelling in abundance and the magic of discovery when you take the time and effort to look closer.

First published in the Spring 2022 issue of Travel News Namibia magazine. Subscribe to Travel News Namibia here: www.zinio.com/za/travel-news-namibia-m38306

OH, MY GOODNESS!

Atwo-woman powerhouse with vastly different backgrounds in many creative facets have come together to create Oh, My Goodness!. The duo exhibition by Heidi Louw and E-Tunga Studio opened on 24 August at BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie and will run until 8 October 2022. With a name chosen for the exhibit that is mostly used as an expression of surprise, this duo will no doubt surprise but even more so share the goodness that is theirs.

Both of these extremely authentic, humble, and preferably “behind the scenes” individuals have the ability, through their creative expression, to give us insight into a world that is raw, real and free from pretences. No shiny happy people, no bubble gum smiles and no fuss.

Heidi Louw lives to paint; art is in her genes. The stories of her artworks are music to the eyes where expressions and situations waltz around the canvas accompanied by a chorus of exceptionally rare colour combinations and compositions. Her portraits are candid and real whilst the still lives ooze serenity. Each artwork leaves the onlooker curiously intrigued. Heidi’s artworks portray fiction rather than fairytale, they aren’t pretty, bold and loud but calm, subdued and considered. “For now colour is a very big thing for me. Black, browns and greys aren’t negative for me, it’s just what I feel most comfortable with. It feels more like me, who I am”, she says while she talks about her still life Abstract City.

Heidi’s technique is naturally defined by her uncommon brush strokes, her sense of colour and the particular way in which she portrays human beings. The person she paints becomes an individual because she wants them to be distinct and authentic. “I have an itch to make the people in my paintings different. They are who they are – there is no pretentiousness.” In Mama Skiatos the artist took inspiration from an experience she had looking at photos from a Greek wedding she attended. The bride’s facial expression and the angle in which the photo was taken moved her to paint the portrait in a simple but largely effective manner. The balance is right, there is depth and there is a sense of wonder. Factors that make Heidi Louw's paintings most desirable.

Enter E-Tunga Studios headed by the creative hands and mastermind of Elisia Nghidishange. Well-known and awarded as a mixed media sculptor and printmaker, Elisia opened E-Tunga Studios at the Eembaxu Campus of the Namibia University of Science and Technology in December 2021. The mission of the artist studio based in the Ohangwena Region in the far north is to provide art classes and workshops. A passion she shares with Heidi Louw who also owned a teaching ceramics studio in Walvis Bay.

As a little girl Elisia watched her mother creating traditional pots for household activities and helped her to prepare the clay in return for being given clay to make her own small pots. In this exhibition Elisia is returning to her roots by exploring product development and designing for E-Tunga Studios. Something she wants to pass on and inspire others to do. And inspirational she is, working on

the objects for Oh, My Goodness! and shaping 80kg of clay by hand.

One of the most distinctive shapes of the exhibition makes you think of a termite hill seen from the inside with its many corridors. It is, however, not inspired by the insect but by the warmest sense of light that exists. Fire. “When I thought of creating the candle holders the first thing that came to mind was my childhood. We didn't grow up with electricity, all we knew as a source of light was firewood and on the rare occasion candles, which we sometimes just used to light up the firewood, and I thought how great to combine the use of these two as one object”, Elisia reveals. This candle holder doubles as a piece of contemporary design that is also functional. A clever way in which she honours her roots once again by going back to creating functional objects for use in the home.

Another signature piece of the E-Tunga Studio collection is the elongated vertical vase-like object that appears like a monk wearing a textured woollen coat. The use of colour compliments one of Heidi’s favourite go to’s – the brown palette. Elisia was inspired by traditional objects and taking

them to the next level. “Traditional pots were always made using baskets, the baskets created very interesting lines, but these lines were cleaned off later, because they were not meant to be there. I thought I could use them as an inspiration to create something useful”, Elisia describes her vision.

Bringing these two artists together was like bringing a moth to the flame. Both have a levelheaded and realistic approach to how they see their art. They love what they do rather than doing it for exposure, recognition, or fame. “I am content and once a painting is finished, I have given it my everything and have reached the ultimate happiness. I am not sentimental about my art; I can let it go. It’s the creative process I thrive on, not the end product”, Heidi adds. Similarly, Elisia confirms, “All I can say is that I will never stop creating, whether I see myself or my business somewhere or not, I don’t really care. As long as I can do what I love. I am happy.”

These two women coming together to create Oh, My Goodness! is reminiscent of words attributed to Theodore Roosevelt: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” A beautiful sentiment to aspire to.

Your recovery starts with us

Medical Rescue Africa (MRA) is Namibia’s leading fixed wing Aeromedical Evacuation company specialising in the evacuation of critically ill and injured patients across Africa, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MRA, through Westair Aviation, has a dedicated fleet of Air Ambulance aircraft on standby which have the ability to land on unimproved airstrips as well as to operate at night and in bad weather conditions. Air crews undergo regular refresher training, and all operations comply with the highest safety and quality standards.

MRA has its own 24-hour Call Centre with trained and dedicated operators utilising state of the art equipment and aviation information technology. The Call Centre liaises with local and international Medical Aid, insurance and medical assistance companies to help facilitate and coordinate medical evacuations, and medical repatriation services.

To ensure the best possible pre-hospital treatment to patients, MRA offers a 24-hour Road Ambulance at Eros Airport for transporting patients from the Airport to the treating Hospital. The MRA Ambulance is equipped to an ICU patient care level. MRA has a standard service-level agreement with all accredited ALS Ambulance Services across Namibia for effective Road Ambulance evacuation services should the requirement be to not activate the fixed wing Air Ambulance.

MRA is led by a management team with extensive experience in medical response, evacuation and support operations.

DID YOU KNOW?

This month in history:

1 October 1989

The first legal gay marriage takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since then, 32 countries around the world have legalised gay marriage.

7 October 1919

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is founded. The first scheduled flight was between Amsterdam and London on 17 May 1920.

KLM is the world’s oldest operating airline.

9 October 1962

Uganda becomes independent after nearly 70 years of British rule. Milton Obote becomes the first elected leader. He was overthrown by Idi Amin in a military coup on 25 January 1971, marking the beginning of a ruthless eight-year regime in which an estimated 300,000 civilians were massacred.

10 October 1903

Formation of the Women’s Social and Political Union by suffragettes Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughter Christabel. The union fought for women’s rights to vote and birthed the feminism movement.

14 October 1884

Patenting of photographic film by US inventor and philanthropist George Eastman who also invented the Kodak camera, and later the Brownie. It is estimated that Eastman contributed more than $100 million of his wealth for philanthropic purposes during his lifetime.

FUN FACTS ABOUT SEPTEMBER:

The birthstone for October is opal. Opal gemstones are believed to strengthen memory, calm nerves and enhance creativity. It is said to have been Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone.

SUDUKO

In October 1994, five box office hits – Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption, The Lion King, Forrest Gump and Jurassic Park – were running in movie theaters at the same time.

19 October 1872

The Holtermann Nugget is unearthed at Hill End, New South Wales, Australia. The nugget had a gold content of 99.8kg and is the largest single mass of gold ever found.

23 October 4004 BC

The day the earth was created according to calculations by James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh, who was the head of the Church of Ireland (1625–1656). A date thoroughly debunked by modern science which estimates the earth to be around 4,5 billion years old.

28 October 1636

The founding of Harvard University, named after its major benefactor, English-born minister John Harvard. The university has educated 161 Nobel Prize Laureates, 23 heads of state, 132 Pulitzer Prize winners and seven US Presidents.

Celebrate, observe and take part!

The Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, takes place in Bavaria, Germany. This traditional gathering has been held since 1810 and is so popular that over 6 million visitors consume over 7 million liters of beer each year.

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 Coffee day

International Day of the Girl Child

United Nations Day 2022 with the theme Families and Urbanization

The land of wide open spaces | Being one of the world’s least populated countries, Namibia gives visitors the chance to be immersed in the freedom the vast expanses of untouched nature offer.

Love Namibia

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