FlyWestair September 2019 by Venture Media

FlyWestair September 2019

www.flywestair.com

from the publisher

Stories in FlyWestair Magazine.

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Promoting and supporting conservation of the natural environment. A membership-based organisation established as a voluntary association to support and promote the interests of environmental NGOs and their work to protect Namibia’s environment, biodiversity and landscapes. The NCE currently has 65 members and associate members, comprising environmental NGOs and individuals running nationally significant environmental projects and programmes.

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NETWORK

THE GREEN ECONOMY A review of Namibian Trade and Industry

Share your Namibian lifestyle content with us and you may be featured in our next issue!

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NAMIBIA TRADE DIRECTORY 2019/20

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CONTENT IS

are compiled by Venture Media’s content team, in partnership with Tribefire Studios and freelance contributors.

THE SECRET LIVES OF WILD ANIMALS

and also

by Tribefire Studios

contents Table of

CONTENT IS FIRE

And collaboration is the future. FlyWestair 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 influencers.

WELCOME ON BOARD 10

Read more about travelling with FlyWestair – a scheduled passenger service by Namibian-owned Westair, the first private company to achieve this historic milestone.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND FLYWESTAIR

We share the stories of the individuals who are the real force driving the success of the airline, from the pilots to the crew to the maintenance team.

EXPLORE THE CITY MARKETS

Every month with Charene Labuschagne. September is all about the Windhoek City Market every two weeks at the Windhoek Country Club.

OMNOMNOM

This month’s Omnomnom surprise is not food, but wine made by hand every step of the process at the Thonningii Cellar from grapes cultivated in the Otavi valley.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Find out where you need to be in the capital city this month. Send us your event suggestion to fly@venture.com.na and we will be sure to feature it in upcoming issues. Please note that events suggestions need to be sent two months in advance.

ART -IST

Get to know the rising stars on the Namibian art scene. Each month we feature an inspirational artist in Art-Is. If you know of an artist that deserves to be featured in the next issue, drop us an email. Send your suggestion to fly@venture.com.na.

ROYAL HUSTLERS

Esi Schimming-Chase talks life and the legal hustle with Royal Hustlers.

MASTER YOUR DESTINY 21 2

When passion takes flight it takes many passengers along for the ride. Get inspired by John de Almeida and his hot-air balloon in Master Your Destiny.

THE TRIBE

Maria Immanuel, economist and trade specialist by day and ML the musician by night. We share her story and many more with you in The Tribe.

ECONOMIC PULSE

With Namibia’s current economic situation leaving most of us feeling down in the dumps, we asked local economic researcher Eric van Zyl how it all happened in the Namibia Trade Network’s Economic Pulse, a monthly series on finance and the economy.

FASHION FIERCE

Miles Meroro is a talented Namibian designer and the first to be featured in FlyWestair Fashion with garments stunningly photographed by Eric Mule and ROK.

COCKTAIL HOUR

When it’s Cocktail Hour, think McKane and try their new Citrus Explosion drink infusion. We share every secret ingredient exclusively here with you.

LOOKING GLOBAL

Global issues with local impact. Willie Olivier explains how the depletion of the world’s forests affects Namibia with a research-driven deep dive into the issue.

BRAIN JUNKIE

How does stress affect our brains? Christine Hugo, writer and neuro-plasticity obsessed, explains why she finds the obsession with artificial intelligence so funny, plus how we can customise our minds.

JUST BREATHE

That’s the advice for a quick-fix de-stress from Kirsty Watermeyer, who shares this and many more relaxation tips in Wellness on FlyWestair.

PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURE

We can’t get enough of the first-ever cover of FlyWestair Magazine, shot by local photographer Martin Amushendje. Pore over more of his stunning images in the Photography Feature.

FAST FACTS

For a quick lowdown on Namibia, check out FlyWestair’s Fast Facts. Did we miss something? Send an email to fly@venture.com.na

INSTAFAMOUS Your chance to become Instafamous. Share your pics using the hashtag #flywestair and you could see your image featured here next month.

55 48 3

Welcome on Board

FlyWestair

oday you are making history with FlyWestair and we are extremely excited to share this landmark event with you. Whether you have bought your ticket online, at a travel agent or from our agents, you have paid for a seat on the first-ever, privately-owned Namibian airline.

Yes, FlyWestair is now officially an airline. Originally established in 1967, it only took us fifty-two years to get here. There has been much public speculation about who the people behind Westair are and how we made it to this historical moment. As our passenger, you have the right to know because without you this seat would have been empty. Behind Westair is a team of 170 energetic people. We are a group of Namibian aviators who love aviation, airplanes and flying. We also find machines fascinating. We are positive and excited about contributing, developing and expanding the Namibian aviation sector. If you are interested in the enthusiastic and dedicated individuals at Westair, read more about us on the next page, and in

future issues of the FlyWestair magazine. You will then realise that we are ordinary Namibians with big dreams, qualified to do the job well and willing to provide you with the services expected of us. Westair was initially established at Eros Airport in Windhoek as an aircraft maintenance company. Founded by Wolfgang Grellmann, our current Executive Chairman, we continued to grow organically from a strong foundation in aircraft maintenance before expanding into flight operations, flight-training and other related auxiliary services. Today, Westair is a diversified aviation group able to service all sectors of aviation in Namibia, as well as other parts of Africa. After more than five decades, we were ready to open the FlyWestair chapter. We have now reached the point where we are able to deliver a safe, reliable scheduled air-service to the flying Namibian public. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about time, after 52 years!

Our success is entirely dependent on you, the passenger. Your enthusiasm, support and excitement about the services we provide and we aim to make your journeys pleasant with efficient, premium service and on-time flights. The fact that you are flying with us means you are also as enthusiastic and excited about this bold move in the local aviation sector as we are. Thank you for choosing to FlyWestair. We wish you a pleasant flight and look forward to welcoming you back on another of our scheduled routes. Please take a photo of your best experience on this flight and share to social media using the hashtag #flywestair. Become part of the Instafamous crowd on page 55.

Who is the Real Force behind Westair? In the next few months those who make FlyWestair possible will be introduced to you, one by one. You will meet our pilots, our ground-crew, those who work behind the scenes in finance and operations, in maintenance, as trainees and strategists, deal-makers and groundbreakers. Meet the first of many faces behind Westair.

Chief Thomas

Gabriela Kamaahene

“The experience I get at Westair I could not have gotten anywhere else. One can do training at the best and most expensive schools in the world, but the quality and passion of the instructors at Signa Aviation flight-school at Westair made me progress as a pilot,” said pilot, Chief Thomas. Born and raised in Swakopmund, the closest Chief had ever come to an airplane before he boarded one to receive training in Florida on a bursary, was to look at the Ministry of Fisheries’ Cessna 406 at Arandis airport as a child. “After 18 months in the USA, getting dual-rated (qualified to pilot and navigate both fixed-wing and rotorcraft) and FAA (Federal Aviation Association) registered, I returned home with a licence. I sent my CV to every company I imagined would give me a job. Westair gave me an opportunity to not only work my way through all the departments, getting to know all systems, from flight-tracking, flight support, to assisting the chief pilot, but also to become a pilot with ratings on 8 of the 12 types of aircraft operating on Westair schedules and charters. “I now fly to Swakopmund Airport as pilot in command of the Westair Cessna 406 and when I am at the office at Eros Airport, in Windhoek, I am the airline’s Ground Operations Manager (GOM).’’

‘’It makes me excited that we are an airline now,’’ said Gabriela Kamaahene, currently the only female aircraft engineer on the team. ‘’The experience one gets at Westair is substantial. Actually, the sky’s the limit here. Every step of the way you learn something from someone. And, there is always the potential to move up the ladder.” Gabriela actually wanted to become a pilot but during tests for a bursary application, it came to light that she was more mechanically-minded. After completing her technical training, she returned home and tried to find a job. “I handed in my CV but because I was a girl, nobody wanted to give me a chance. Then, the CEO of Westair offered me an interview and I got the job. I am still a baby in terms of experience but I plan to get a license for every type of aircraft we have. I love to work at Westair because even though I am the only woman in this department, there is no discrimination. And, I love the sound of a plane starting up. I get such a pleasant feeling from hearing that.”

Johan Burger

Chief Pilot Simon Neveling

‘’I spent my entire adult life working as an aircraft engineer and I am excited that the twin-turbine fleet is expanding. The schedules are exciting and a big challenge with great potential. Although the economy is not great at the moment, and although the entire transport sector took a dip, the future for us at Westair looks good with lots of growth potential,’’ said Johan Burger, Westair Hangar Manager at Eros Airport. Johan attended school at Pionierspark Primary and Higher Technical School in Windhoek, before qualifying as an aircraft engineer from Denel in 2011. With all his turbine licences completed, Johan is the workshop manager for the Embraer E-Jet fleet. He looks forward to training apprentices sponsored by Westair to complete their training in South Africa and return with qualifications to join the team.

For as long as he could remember, Simon Neveling had wanted to be a pilot. He had been on his way to the United Kingdom with his British wife and four children when Westair made him an offer he could not refuse: to join the FlyWestair team and usher in the next phase of this successful Namibian company as chief pilot at the airline FlyWestair. His love for his country, a desire to see ‘’this piece of gold on the map of Africa’’ flourish economically, and the sterling opportunity to be involved in a local aviation company with fifty years of experience behind it, made him stay.

Eva Shihepo

Joshua Angula

‘’My dream for FlyWestair is for our VIP jets to fly all over the world with me as hostess,” said Eva Shihepo. Born in Zambia and raised in Angola, Eva returned to Namibia at fifteen and dreamt of becoming an air hostess. ‘’I love people and I love being a hostess.’’ Fluent in both English and Portuguese, Eva is the face of FlyWestair at the check-in counter or on the Embraer flying north and south. “We do everything at Westair and I love it. Everybody is talking about Westair. We have a good, young team and we are going to grow even bigger. Nobody believed us when we said we are going to grow and fly schedules, and here we are.’’

“Sometimes you listen to what the management team says and you think they are crazy, but then you see their vision has become reality. That is exactly what I have experienced since I started working here,’’ said Joshua Angula, pilot-intraining. He currently works at ground operations and flighttracking while studying towards completing his training as a commercial pilot. ‘’It makes you feel like part of the company to work on ground operations, as well. You are actually part of the DNA of the company. I always want to be part of operations, even when I start flying.’’ Joshua who had attended Suiderhof Primary and Centaurus High School said he likes the progressiveness of Westair. “They have an idea and see it through.’’

‘’I love working with a strong and positive team that is both forward-looking and inspirational.’’ Chief pilot Neveling started his career in 2007 at Westair, flying Cessna (aircraft) and is excited about new beginnings and his next big career challenge.

Ondangwa - Toivo ya Toivo

Windhoek Eros Airport

Oranjemund

Cape Town flights soon to be confirmed.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

06:30 08:00 17:45 19:15

EROS WINDHOEK ONDANGWA - TOIVO YA TOIVO EROS WINDHOEK ONDANGWA - TOIVO YA TOIVO

ONDANGWA - TOIVO YA TOIVO EROS WINDHOEK ONDANGWA - TOIVO YA TOIVO EROS WINDHOEK

07:30 09:00 18:45 20:15

09:30 16:00

EROS WINDHOEK ORANJEMUND

ORANJEMUND EROS WINDHOEK

10:45 17:15

Sunday: DEPARTURE

17:00 18:30

ARRIVAL

EROS WINDHOEK ONDANGWA - TOIVO YA TOIVO

ONDANGWA - TOIVO YA TOIVO EROS WINDHOEK

COMING SOON:

WINDHOEK EROS CAPE TOWN

CAPE TOWN WINDHOEK EROS

Cape Town flights soon to be confirmed. See our website for more information.

18:00 19:30

DBphotographynam

Explore Windhoek’s markets Focus: The Windhoek City Market

he vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Windhoek has a market and street-food scene that’s on the rise, with new, exciting additions emerging, regularly. Not only do these events offer great opportunities to gather family and friends for quality-time mixing and mingling, they also encourage the growth of small, local businesses, because, after all, local is lekker. We have compiled a list of our favourite Windhoek markets with good reasons why they shouldn’t be missed. Check out our countdown in each installment of FlyWestair Magazine.

electric. It feels as if one could be anywhere - be it a New York city rooftop or Woodstock in Cape Town.

The biggest and boldest twice-monthly market in Windhoek requires no introduction to the city slicker. We placed it at the top of our list for visitors.

We strongly advise visiting the City Market straight after work because seating is limited; Windhoekers genuinely enjoy participating in themed City Market evenings!

Every second weekend, City Events hosts a market that entices both young and old alike. The atmosphere is always vibrant, aided by live music performances. Held outside, in the refreshing air, on the lawns of the Windhoek Country Club and with starry skies overhead, the atmosphere is

The City Market is held every second Friday at the Windhoek Country Club from 16:00 to 22:00. Follow City Market on Facebook for updates.

Whether you choose to visit the City Market early, while the sun is still out, or to linger for what will certainly be a cosmopolitan Friday night, curated gourmet foods and drinks prevail at the event. Loyal vendors set up their stalls of fragrant Indian finger foods, authentic German Bratwurst rolls, chicken wings to feed a village, tacos, pizza, cocktails made to order and cheeky desserts. Be sure to also indulge in the wide selection of wine and beer on offer.

Charene Labuschagne

This can be your

Naturally Namibia story

‘Naturally Namibia’ brings together the country’s leading safari families to provide a journey of unforgettable experiences. We offer thoughtfully considered safaris through exceptional landscapes with time to appreciate the best of Namibia’s independent lodges. We are owner-run and all the partners are involved in every aspect of our safaris.

www.naturallynamibia.com 12

Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel Big Sky Lodges Okonjima and AfriCat The Mushara Collection Ongava Private Game Reserve Villa Margherita Namib Sky Balloon Safaris Skeleton Coast Safaris

WHEN LUXURY IS THE DESTINATION Your journey to the far reaches of Namibia should be as comfortably indulgent as your breathtaking destination. A 40-year heritage of luxurious interiors and unrivalled capability. - The King Air 350 is the perfect aircraft for your ultimate flying safari experience.

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OMNOMNOM Wine is made in Namibia?

his is typical of the surprised reaction one gets from most tourists and the majority of Namibians when asked about Namibian wine. To avoid having the same reaction, read the following about a Namibian winery hidden in the scenic Otavi Mountain Valley.

Eleven kilometres outside Otavi, along the B8 road to Grootfontein, you will find the vineyard of Thonningii Wine Cellar. It is barely visible from the roadside, like a secret almost that the valley keeps to itself. The vineyard is surprisingly easy to find and after a short drive on a gravel road the rustic cellar soon pops into view. Flanked by towering dolomite mountains covered by indigenous trees and other flora, the picturesque cellar reminds more of a farmhouse than a wine cellar. Thonningii Wine Cellar is situated in an area of Namibia better known for maize production than fine wines. The history of the cellar began in 1991 when Dr. Bertus Boshoff, a medical doctor by profession, planted a small area of vines as an experiment. Not knowing much about winemaking at first, Dr. Boshoff quickly became enthusiastic about it after conducting extensive research into the subject and experimenting with small-batch wines. His passion carried over to his son, Gilmar Boshoff, who went on to study winemaking at Stellenbosch, in South Africa. After his studies, Gilmar worked in the industry for a couple of years before returning home to take over the reins at Thonningii. The goal at Thonningii is to grow grapevines with as little human interference as possible, produce wine in a similar fashion and create wines with complex characters that

reflect the environment in which the grapes are grown. Another characteristic that sets these wines apart is that every part of the winemaking process, from harvesting to labelling, is done by hand. Although the Otavi Mountain Valley can be challenging at times, over the years cultivars best-suited to the climate and the red shale soil of the valley floor were successfully planted. Currently, the size of the vineyard is 5.5 ha and consists of Syrah, Tinta Barocca, Barbera, Viognier, Colombar and Verdelho. Little to no chemicals and pesticides are used in the vineyard and the vines are only sprayed when necessary because a healthy, biodiverse environment is believed to produce the best wines. Wines produced by Thonningii Wine Cellar include white and red blends such as Syrah Rosé, Syrah, Tinta Barocca, Barbera and Grappa. The wines are skin-fermented and not inoculated with commercial yeast, meaning the fermentation process occurs naturally using the wine’s own native yeast (also known as ‘’wild fermentation’’). In keeping with the principle of minimum interference in both vineyard and cellar, no fining agents or filtration methods are used, which help to retain all of the complexities of naturally-fermented wines. Now that you know the secret of the Otavi Mountain Valley, make a point of stopping over at Thonningii Wine Cellar when next you are in the area. For more information, email boshoffwines@gmail.com or call +264 81 041 6083 to make a wine-tasting booking. Le Roux van Schalkwyk

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME FOR THE PERFECT BEER

OUR PERFECT BEER IS AVAILABLE IN 16 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT NBLEXPORT@OL.NA

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18. Enjoy Responsibly.

What’s cookin’ with

Pasta la Vita

INGREDIENTS: • 2 handfuls of Pasta la Vita Tagliatelle • 1/2 cup butter • 3/4 cup thawed frozen chopped spinach • 450 ml cream • 3 tablespoons cream cheese • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 pinch salt and ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat butter in a saucepan over low heat; cook spinach in the melted butter until warmed, about 1 minute. 2. Add cream and cream cheese to spinach mixture; cook and stir until cream cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. 3. Fold Parmesan cheese and garlic powder into spinach mixture; season with salt and pepper. 4. Simmer until sauce is thickened and smooth, about 10 more minutes.

www.namibmills.com

TASTE THE OUTDOORS Come and relax just the way you like at the Midgard Taste Festival. As the outdoors come alive with a variety of live music shows and an array of food and drinks, the stage is set for you to experience the weekend in your own unique way.

outdoor chess takes you into a magical world, while the skittle alley is great fun for those with an undying competitive nature! Take a break and enjoy a relaxing game drive, or take some time out at our spa corner.

For the active outdoor enthusiasts, Midgard offers stunning routes to enjoy cycling, running or hiking. A friendly game of tennis is always a popular pastime, as well as cooling off in one of our clear blue pools.

But of course, the weekend is all about the Taste Festival! So, lift your glass of gin, bubbly, beer or wine and come and enjoy a taste of the great outdoors! Book your tickets for the Midgard Taste Festival on 2 November 2019 and be sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a part of this one of a kind sensory experience.

WEATHERMEN & CO

Whether you see the Taste Festival a break with friends or a family getaway in the countryside, the activities are endless for everyone. Our giant

Tickets available on

For beer lovers, the second volume of Hop Heads Craft Beer Festival is back! It’s not only for the hipsters, although their attendance is guaranteed, because beer is for everyone. Make your way to the United Sports Ground to enjoy craft brews from South Africa and Namibia on Saturday, 7 September 2019. Remember, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

What’s happening It’s no secret that the most epic events on the Namibian social calendar take place toward the end of the year. It could be a sign of spring, the rise in temperatures bringing us out of hibernation or the festive season approaching, but one thing is for sure, September is when the gears change.

20-22 September 2019 For the fit, or those who dedicate themselves to “a life behind bars” (handlebars that is), Tour De Windhoek 2019 beckons both Namibian and international cyclists to compete. Watch how Windhoek will transform into a cyclist festival from Friday, 20 September, 08:00, to Sunday, 22 September 2019.

30 August - 28 September 2019 If you’re looking to find indigenous art from oil & watercolour paintings, sculpture and prints to add to your collection, Omba Arts Trust introduces Roots of the First Tree, an exhibition showcasing contemporary san art on display from Friday, 30 August to Saturday, 28 September 2019 at the National Gallery of Namibia.

26-28 September 2019 @thephotoboooth

Starting the season with a bang is the event that trumps all others, the NAMAS (Namibian Annual Music Awards). Swakopmund, our favourite coastal town, takes centre stage, hosting the glitz and glam at The Dome. Top Cheri, who has had a wonderful musical year, has seven nominations and is vying for the coveted Album of the Year award, alongside Exit, Tate Buti and Tswazis. Lioness holds her own, nominated alongside Y Cliff and Gazza for the other top award, Song of the Year. It will make for an interesting night as more familiar talents, such as Lize Ehlers, Vaughn Ahrens, Sean K and Big Ben, are all up for awards. Moreover, the PanAfrican Artists of the Year awards bring the rest of Africa into the mix. Africa’s biggest musicians are nominated, and this year’s stellar line-up of nominees include African royalty; AKA, Diamond Platnumz, Holly Rey, Master KG and Prince Kaybee. We don’t know about you, but we would love to be at the after-party. Namibians, and the rest of the world, can find out who won and who walked away with nothing more than applause on Saturday, 7 September 2019.

@topcheri

7 September 2019

Whatever you do, there’s lots to keep you busy this September. We hope you have a blast!

September closes off in style, with the innovative introduction of Katutura Fashion Week, dedicated to decentralising fashion and awarding industry members. Fashion designers from different regions of Namibia will be showcasing their work at the Katutura Youth Complex from Thursday, 26 to Saturday, 28 September 2019. An opportunity to find rare treasures and talents while celebrating the spirit of Katutura.

3 September 2019 Back in our sunny capital, Windhoek, September is throbbing with lots to do for all fun-seekers. The Goethe Institut Namibia welcomes spring with Disruption in Time: Exhibition, a showcase curated by JaimeeLee Diergaardt on Tuesday, 3 September 2019 from 18:00 - 20:00. Sip wine, survey the art and take time to contemplate introspective existentialism. Too heavy? What about something lighter, like a night of musical theatre? Anchen Wille Dance Academy brings jazz hands to Windhoek with The Greatest Musicals, a not-to-be-missed dance extravaganza, taking the stage from 17 to 21 September 2019 at the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN).

17-21 September 2019

Lavinia Kapewasha 19

@Windhoek Pedal Power

7 September 2019

Fortune favours the brave It’s about risking everything for an idea. Thinking beyond the crowded blue sky. It’s about recruiting the brightest, attracting the best. Being brave isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. To hook up with Namibia’s most-awarded Advertising Agency, get in touch.

art -ist

Ashwyn Mberi

shwyn Mberi has done it all. An artistic jack-of-all-trades, Mberi has twice hosted the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), is the founder of a platform for underground artists called The Gathering, a playwright, director, a sought-after master of ceremonies and performance artist.

Zimbabwean-born and Namibian-raised Mberi has an impressive resume and he is only just getting started. This young Afropolitan has captivated the Namibian art scene with his smooth voice and impressive wordplay which, surprisingly, was not always the case. “I planned to study Law at UNAM (the University of Namibia) but changed my mind in the registration line and registered for Drama, instead.” Drama gives him the freedom to creatively express himself. ‘’It allows me to reach out and connect with people,” he said. ‘’It gives me the freedom to make a mark in this world because my expression is unique to my experiences and how I interact with the world.’’ In spite of the challenges and shortcomings of the local arts industry, Mberi has grown as a performance artist in leaps and bounds. ‘’The arts sector lacks financial and structural support and we don’t have an arts economy supported by government or the private sector, beyond the occasional event. There needs to be an intentional investment in the Arts,” he explained. Mberi’s most recent show, Bantu-Boy Blooming, was born of the need to tell his own story. ‘’It is based upon my experiences as an artist, a young African travelling from Zimbabwe to Namibia, having a home in both places. I wanted to reflect this in my music and poetry, to give back the love and nurturing I had received from the communities that have embraced me, thus far.”

The Warehouse Theatre & Bar was recently abuzz with energy when Mberi, accompanied by Beauty Boois, Keith Vries and Vitore Kaonjua, delivered a riveting fusion of music and poetry. ‘’It was a sentimental moment, for sure. The Warehouse is where I had debuted as a Spoken Word poet and had been the birthplace for many of my creative ideas. It meant a lot to me, not only for the arts in Namibia but for myself as an artist and my journey.” Not looking to stop anytime soon, Mberi aims to diversify his future projects: ‘’I’m leaning more towards film and music. I’m excited about the adventure. As an actor, I want to reach more audiences, and as a writer-director, I’m keen on telling pan-African stories, particularly those about the Afro-millennial experience.” Asked what we can expect from him soon, Mberi said: ‘’I plan to create impactful and engaging art, art programmes and creative spaces that will allow my voice, and countless other African voices, to be heard well beyond our time.” Follow Ashwyn on Twitter at @ashwynmberi Lavinia Kapewasha

Esi Schimming Chase with her mother, the late Ambassador Nora Schimming-Chase

Esi Schimming Chase with her father the late Dr McDonald Chase

ROYAL HUSTLERS Esi Schimming-Chase Talks Life and Legal Hustle

si Schimming-Chase is a woman who has extensively contributed to the legal fraternity in Namibia, becoming the first black female practicing senior counsel in the country in July 2017. Half Namibian and Saint Lucian (Caribbean), born in exile in Germany during the fight for Namibia’s independence, Esi is an actual struggle kid. A fun fact about her is that her first name, Esi, hails from Ghana and means “girl born on a Sunday”. She shared some of her experiences as a mixed-race child growing up in apartheid Namibia when she arived here from Saint Lucia in 1982, at the age of twelve; she said: “I walked straight into St. Paul’s College. It was quite traumatising because I came from the islands where everybody is black, whether light or dark skinned. You would see two, three white people who were probably tourists, there on the beach or walking around.” It was a very confusing time for little Esi whose experiences in the Caribbean islands shielded her from any notions of race and especially apartheid. “I came to Namibia and it was.. a complete role-reversal. For example, I didn’t know anything about the term ‘Coloured’ because there you were either black or white,” she recalled. You could

be light, medium or dark skinned.. ‘’But, there was no separate concept of a different tribe or group as it were ..for Coloured people,’’ Esi said. She progressed into her legal career over the years, from studying Law in Coventry, United Kingdom, to dabbling in modelling and eventually, rising up the ranks of Namibia’s legal fraternity. Her career began when she was admitted as a Barrister to the Middle Temple Inns of Court in England in October 1994. She returned to Namibia in January, 1995, on her mother’s insistence who underscored that Esi was to return home to plough what she had learned into the Namibian community. “My mother made sure I came back home. She said, I didn’t send you overseas to study for you not to come back and contribute to our country. Contributing to the country was my mother’s mantra, always.” Esi has since become a force to be reckoned with and while she is literally at the top of her game, she remains determined to be diligent and give her all in each and every case she takes on. She shared her working philosophy: “I like doing a good job and I want a happy client; it’s the most important person, in my opinion. I work hard and I play hard’’

Aviation Road | Eros Airport | Windhoek +264 83 339 0094 | info@signaaviation.com www.signaaviation.com NCAA ATO 000777

In Aviation, We Set The Standard

ohn de Almeida’s career has taken many turns, from the restaurant industry to landmine clearing and finally to the skies. Today, John is chief pilot and owner of Samawati Hot Air Ballooning Camp and Tours Namibia.

MYD: You have such an interesting career and such a unique passion. Tell us what it is that you do for a living. JDA: I am a commercial hot-air balloon pilot. I started flying in 2009, first in the south, in Sossusvlei, and then I worked in France for a year. I got my second pilot’s license in Germany and then flew in Switzerland, Germany and France and eventually Ethiopia. After I did the Ethiopian season, I came back to Namibia and started my own company. MYD: What do you love about being in a hot-air balloon? JDA: It’s the sense of being part of the wind and floating above the valleys and looking at life from a different perspective – not with the rush you get in a fixed-wing aircraft or a helicopter. You actually have time to admire and take it in. It has to be a passion otherwise it won’t work.

MYD: How does a hot-air balloon function? JDA: In a hot-air balloon, you have three parts: the basket, the burner and the envelope. The envelope is the actual balloon. You need hot air to inflate the balloon and the hot air inside the balloon has to be hotter than the ambient temperature. Once you get to that temperature, you have lift-off, and then you become one with the wind. When you change altitude and there is a change in wind currents, you feel a bit of a breeze, but once you’re in that current you feel absolutely nothing. You can have a candle in your hand and the wind won’t blow it out because you are the wind. So you just float like a cloud. It’s absolutely marvellous.

Passion takes flight

MYD: If we don’t have passion for what we do, it’s just that much harder, right? JDA: Yes, then it becomes a drag. Then you have moments when want to give up because you think, “It’s not really worth it, all this hard work.” When you realise that your heart is in it, you wake up and say, “I’m going to go for it.” MYD: What have the highlights of your career been as a hot-air balloon pilot? JDA: Flying in Ethiopia. When I was finishing my season in France, I read something about Ethiopian ballooning so I contacted the owner and he said, “Well, you’re welcome – come through and we’ll see where it goes.” I spent two days with him and then he said, “Okay, here’s my company – I’m going back to Holland, so here, take over.” So I took over the company for three months, flying in Ethiopia. That was really beautiful.

MYD: What does it feel like when you are up above Namibia, looking down, and it’s completely silent? JDA: The feeling is absolute bliss because you detach yourself from Earth and you are then in another element. You have a lot more respect for weather – you have to, because Mother Nature is something we cannot control, as much as we think we can. This is where I really got to understand nature, because you have to be part of it. If you try to go against it, you are going to find yourself back on the ground very quickly. MYD: And it’s a good philosophy for life, to learn how to go with the flow. JDA: Go with the flow, exactly. De Almeida continues to soar to greater heights and has recently obtained an instructor’s qualification. This enables him to teach other hot-air ballooning enthusiast and pass down a skill that many Namibians are not exposed to.

John’s story is part of a series celebrating Namibians in tourism and conservation in partnership with Master Your Destiny. Read more in the MYD Journal at: www.issuu.com/99fm/docs/99fm_myd_ book_2018 hotairballooning-safari.com Instagram: @samawatihotairballooning.

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THE TRIBE

he is either known as ML, the musician, or Maria Immanuel, the economist and trade specialist. A true jack of all trades and master of everything she sets her mind to, ML is an inspiring woman who believes in empowering and uplifting others.

In another exclusive interview with The Tribe, ML spoke about the music business and how her day job contributed to her view of the creative industry. She also talked about transitioning between ML the rising musician and Maria the economist and trade specialist. On her debut album and its meaning, she said: “It’s a reflection of my journey.” ML was exposed to the world of music at a young age when she travelled with her grandfather who was a diplomat at the time. After returning to Namibia and completing school, she continued travelling and began representing Namibia during continental and international trade negotiations. She had become a “diplomat” in her own right and that inspired the title of her maiden album. ML has come a long way in the music business, from doing major collaborations with the likes of Exit, and working behind the scenes of some of the biggest Namibian hits over the years. Today, she has amassed a following of loyal fans who support her music. She is passionate about her day job, as she is about her music, always seeking to balance the two worlds. “I’m an economist and a professional but music is my passion,” she said. Her two careers merge effortlessly and ML has through her work travels met some interesting musicians from across

ML - The Economics of Music and Trade

the world as can be seen on her Instagram account. A true millennial who understands the value that social media holds for an entertainer like herself, ML is active on big platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. Her social media accounts are a true reflection of the multifaceted person she is. She shares daily moments from studio-time to work-related selfies with colleagues and precious moments with family. She has had the opportunity of meeting and connecting with Nigerian superstars D-Bandj, 2Face Idibia and Wayo who she met at a trade event where the Nigerians were invited in their capacity as musicians. She finds it admirable that in the West-African nation, entertainment is one of the biggest exports and she believes that for Namibian music to get to the level of Nigerian music, Namibian musicians need to take education and financial literacy seriously. She said: “Education is very important to music because talent is inborn. For you to interpret the talent for music and make it commercially you have to have the know how,” she advised. ML also encouraged musicians to be more business savvy. “I always tell young people to split up their business activities into four quarters.” Always practicing what she preaches, ML continues to contribute positively to the Namibian music industry, striving for continental domination just like her Nigerian counterparts. Watch The Tribe on One Africa TV (GOtv 90, DStv 284, NBC 301, DStv Now, TV2Africa.com) every Friday at 21h30 and repeat shows on Wednesdays at 07h00, and Saturdays at 17h30. Alternatively, listen to The Tribe on 99FM every Friday at 19h00, and follow The Tribe on Instagram @thetribenamibia and on Facebook @TheTribeNamibia.

Namibia in Recession How we ended up here

ntil now it had never been difficult to answer this question because the words ‘’forward’’, ‘’onward’’ or ‘’upward’’ were mostly used to describe Namibia’s economic growth and outlook. Until now, the measures of progress showed Namibia improving consistently despite the challenges presented by her geography and complicated history. Real per capita income has increased, unemployment steadily decreased together with poverty levels, and the expansion of the provision of basic services, such as access to potable water, has markedly improved since independence in 1990. Namibian economic expansion accelerated after stimulus measures were introduced by the government in reaction to the global financial crisis of 2008/09. By 2010, the Namibian economy had recovered from this external shock while monetary and fiscal policies remained accommodative. Interest rates were low and government spending was high even as the economy expanded. Real GDP growth rates between 2010 and 2015 averaged 5.7%, well in excess of the long-term average growth rate of 4% between 1990 and 2010. The elevated growth rates can be explained by various factors, some within and others beyond the purview of the Namibian government. Among the factors that could not be controlled internally were favourable commodity prices, mineral resource wealth, a favourable global monetary environment and foreign investment flows into emerging markets. Although these factors account for a portion of the rapid growth experienced in Namibia between 2010 and 2015, they can also be regarded as a supporting act in procyclical expansion characterised by

a stable, democratic government, institutional strength, and accommodative monetary and fiscal policy which provided the base for the expansion. Government stability and institutional strength encouraged foreign direct investment flow into various sectors of the Namibian economy, especially mining. The strength of commodity prices indicated global optimism about the industry of which Namibia was also a beneficiary. Three large mines were constructed during the period under review, driving growth throughout the economy. A stable political regime and predictable regulatory environment meant such investments were relatively straightforward decisions in terms of quantifying risk. Foreign direct investment such as that into the mining sector drove much of the post-financial crisis expansion. Arguably, the bigger driver of economic growth during the 2010 to 2015 period was the stimulus provided by rapidly increasing government expenditure and low interest rates. This is what is commonly referred to as procyclical monetary and fiscal policy when the rest of the economy is doing well. Government policy, both regulatory and fiscal, as well as monetary policy, are controllable. Expansionary government expenditure into both productive and unproductive projects drove much economic activity. The increase in government expenditure was financed by strong growth in government revenue and the issuance of government debt. Larger fiscal budgets resulted in budget deficits which were financed by the Namibian government issuing bonds and treasury bills. Namibia had low levels of government debt up until then and thus, the initial increase in debt issuance was not of major concern. However, as domestic economic expansion gathered steam, the necessity to issue debt lessened

Economic Pulse

because government revenue grew rapidly. The continued use of debt to fuel government expenditure resulted in governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to the economy growing far more rapidly even than the economy as a whole. Much of the increase in government expenditure went towards recurrent consumptive expenditure, such as salaries and wages, rather than the expansion of productive infrastructure such as roads and rail, water and electricity supply. At the same time, low interest rates resulted in a rapid uptake of debt by the private sector. Both households and businesses increased their uptake of credit to expand on productive and consumptive activities. Businesses expanded rapidly to meet increased demand created by government spending and foreign direct investment. Capacity expansion was often fuelled by debt in the private sector, especially since interest rates were accommodative, at the time. Households increased their uptake of credit because employment opportunities were more abundant and secure, and accommodative interest rates meant that financing bond repayments and consumptive purchases were relatively cheap. This further fuelled demand for goods and services, adding to the economic expansion. The procyclical policy such as was implemented in Namibia between 2010 and 2015 resulted in unsustainable economic growth. Debt sustainability levels were reached at some point, after which the trajectory of economic expansion could not continue and therefore, contracted. The point at which the economy contracted was reached by both government and the private sector in 2015. One of the negative side-effects of expansionary monetary and fiscal policy is that they leave little room to stimulate economic activity in the event of external shocks.

A variety of such shocks coincided with high government and private debt levels at around this time. Drought conditions prevailed in the region between 2013 and 2015. International commodity prices began to fall and windfall SACU (Southern African Customs Union) revenues stagnated along with the South African economy. At the same time, the regulatory environment in Namibia changed without warning with the announcement of the NEEEF (New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework) Draft Bill and the Investment Promotion Act, 2016, which created uncertainty. Namibia is currently in its fourth year of economic stagnation and in a precarious position with regards to its ability and resilience to deal with external economic shocks. The present growth outlook remains depressed and is expected to remain below the population growth rate for the duration of 2019 and 2020. The current economic outlook, and indeed the question of where Namibian is headed, appears decidedly less rosy than it has been for most of the post-independence period. Measures to address and remedy the situation are just now beginning to take root. We will delve into the latter in greater detail next time. Until then, safe travels. Eric van Zyl Eric van Zyl is the head of research at IJG, an established Namibian financial services market leader. IJG believes in tailoring their services to a clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal and business needs. For more information, visit www.ijg.net.

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Lux Living

SPA IN THE CITY Soulstice Day Spa at Am Weinberg

et against a picturesque mountainside that is quintessentially Windhoek, Am Weinberg Estate brought with its development a host of new luxury lifestyle places, including various eateries, a hotel and luxury private homes. Among the glamour of this beautiful estate on a slope overlooking Ludwigsdorf and Klein Windhoek on the capital’s eastern side, is Soulstice Day Spa, Windhoek’s new pinnacle of wellness and ultimate relaxation. Our understanding of “wellness” has changed considerably over the past decades and far-flung destination retreats have always been a maxim for the ultimate relaxing spa experience. The journey to relaxation and indulgence does not have to include long-distance flights. Beauty, balance and restoration is the mantra at Soulstice Day Spa. With personalised individual treatments or various ‘’spa journeys” to choose from, administered by exceptionally skilled therapists, Soulstice is Namibia’s answer to an extraordinary spa experience. In preparation for my recent wedding, with its customary primping, preening and all the hoopla that goes along with it, I found myself stepping off the elevator in Am Weinberg Estate into the well-lit and beautifully designed inner sanctum at Soulstice. I was greeted by whispering and the pleasant melodies of ethereal music. On my right was a wall of beauty products, and on my left a desk attended by smiling

Elzanne McCulloch receptionists. All were as expected. What I did not expect was the stunning interior design and floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking the estate, the mountains in the distance and the clear blue Namibian sky. Dressed in a plush bathrobe, the comfiest of slippers, I was guided down moody hallways and into one treatment room after another. A full-body exfoliation treatment in a rainforest-like Rasul chamber left me feeling like a new human being, literally! I was scrubbed from top-to-toe (pun intended), polished (of the nail variety) and left feeling shiny and new. I passed by an eerie-looking alcove with a large water bath. The therapist informed me that it was used for floatation therapy. One session is apparently equal to four hours of undisturbed sleep while one floats weightlessly in the bodytemperature salty water. This is a definite-must added to my list for the next time. While sipping a glass of champagne and overlooking the sparkling waters of the long rectangular pool, I marveled at the fact that a haven such as this could be found in Windhoek. Soulstice Day Spa offers various packages to be enjoyed alone, with a partner or in a group: skincare, massage, body treatments, nail treatments, hair removal and more. Get a SPARTY package to celebrate that special occasion, or treat a loved one to a voucher. They also offer corporate packages and a membership programme.

Learn more on their website: www.soulsticedayspawindhoek.co.za

ROK

Miles Meroro New Namibian Designer

Eric Mule

hile he is not yet a household name, this young, vibrant creative is making the right moves in the local fashion industry and his name will soon be synonymous with Namibian style.

Born in the village of Aminius and raised in Gobabis, 21-year-old Miles Meroro is not your average smalltown boy. He used his short stay in Windhoek to quickly establish a reputation for himself as one of the country’s most sought-after creatives. As ready-to-wear designer, model and creative director for his brand, Majesty, Meroro is one of a new breed of Namibian fashion designers who are re-energising the Namibian fashion scene. Although a cursory view of his impeccably curated Instagram account will have you believe otherwise, Meroro is not actually a full-time designer. “I work fulltime in rail operations and also a part-time student at the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST),” he responded. CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN FASHION WITH A TWIST Meroro’s style can best be described as contemporary African fashion with a playful twist and his biggest wish is that those who wear his garments feel regal. “I want them to feel like dukes and duchesses, kings and queens, like emperors and genuine royalty, just like the name of my brand, Majesty, implies,” Meroro said. More than anything, his ideal client is any woman or man who loves fashion and enjoys dressing extravagantly and uniquely. He added: “The Majesty man or

woman understands the values and craftsmanship of contemporary clothing. They want to make a statement and they want to turn heads.” Meroro has worked with the dynamic style team for the One Africa Television show, The Tribe, dressing popular TV host and radio personality, Ché Ulenga, in his bold designs. He also worked with Miss Namibia 2018, Selma Kamanya, and Otjiwarongo-based DJ Castro. PERSONAL BRANDING IN FASHION In spite of his youth, Meroro is consistent in his pursuit of excellence and determined to become a force to be reckoned with - not only as a fashion designer, but as Miles Meroro, the all-round fashion creative. For him, personal branding is equally as important as what one does with a commercial entity. He said: “No matter what type of designer you are, your audience won’t be able to resonate with you if you don’t have distinct branding. Even if you’re representing yourself as an individual, rather than a company, the very same concepts apply.” So, even though you are more likely to see him in his locomotive grease-covered work uniform during the day, Miles Meroro, after hours and on weekends, is a totally different person. He effortlessly transforms into Miles Meroro, the stylish fashion creative, who does not allow rules to dictate his approach to fashion by taking on the sewing-machine and catwalk with equal ease. Follow Miles Meroro on Instagram @miles_meroro.

Rukee Kaakunga is a Windhoek-based Concept Engineer, PR Consultant and fashion writer. Contact her via Twitter @rukeeveni or Instagram @rukeekaakunga.

TODAYon

COCKTAIL HOUR

WITH MCKANE

Experience More with McKane’s Citrus Explosion drink infusion Made with the McKane Grapefruit, a bitter-sweet, perfectly balanced grapefruit taste that is great by itself or as a mixer. McKane Mixers believes in getting the most out of life by giving people the opportunity to have diverse experiences and continuously explore what life has to offer. Enjoy the proudly Namibian range of mixers – Tonic Water, Lemonade, Soda Water, Grapefruit, Cranberry and Ginger Ale – they are perfect complements and enhancers to your favourite spirit.

MCKANE CITRUS EXPLOSION RECIPE Ingredients: •

1 x McKane Grapefruit

•

1 x Naartjie

•

1 x Orange

•

1 x Lemon

•

60 ml Vodka

•

Ice

Steps: 1.

Cut slices of orange and lemon and peel naartjie segments.

2. Add vodka into the glass with ice. 3. Top off with ice and McKane Grapefruit. 4. Serve your Citrus Explosion experience.

Visit McKane’s Facebook & Instagram pages for more information & recipes and be sure to tag McKane when enjoying your drink.

Nina van Zyl

UNDER THREAT The Green Lungs of Our Planet

ur lungs are vital organs of the human body but we tend to forget that forests are the green lungs of our planet. They provide clean air and host an astounding 80% of the planet’s terrestrial biodiversity.

was covered in birchwood forests and woodlands as recently as 1,150 years ago. Along came the Vikings, clearing land for settlement, agriculture, fuel and wood building material. As the population increased, the once extensive birchwood forests were reduced to a mere 1% by the mid-1900s.

According to the World Bank, 1.3 million km² of forests were lost, globally, between 1990 and 2016. To put this into perspective, more than oneand-a-half times the size of Namibia.

Central Europe, too, was once covered in large tracts of forest after they had re-emerged at the end of the last glacial period some 11,700 years ago. Clearing forests for an expanding population, agriculture and the exploitation of trees for construction, furniture and paper took a heavy toll.

The United Nations agency, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) estimates that the Earth loses about 7,6 million hectares of forest every year. By the time you have finished reading this article, the equivalent of nearly 190 soccer fields would have been destroyed. Forests have been and are still being destroyed by illegal logging for furniture, paper and other products, forestclearing for cattle ranching and soy plantations. But, alas, forests are also making way for plantations of products that we often use in our daily lives such as cocoa and palm oil, an ingredient in shampoo. It is hard to believe that the icy wastes of Iceland were once largely covered in forest. Fossil evidence provided proof that between 25% and 40% of Iceland

Not surprisingly, the forest giants fell first. For the construction of the roof and spire of the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, 1,300 oak trees that were between 300 and 400 years old were felled, representing an area of 21 hectares. When the cathedral was ravaged by fire in April this year, the realisation dawned that there are no longer trees tall enough in France to replace its massive oak beams. Approximately 17% of the Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest rainforest, was destroyed in just the past 50 years. More alarming is that deforestation in the Amazon reached a record high in May this year when 739 km² of the forest was destroyed in just thirty-one days.

Closer to home, let’s look at the scourge of local deforestation. Namibia is the driest country in subSaharan Africa and it is not surprising that woodlands cover less than 20% of its surface. These woodlands occur mainly in the far north of the country, the two Kavango regions and the Zambezi Region, where, until recently, fire posed the greatest threat to the woodlands. Especially damaging are fires set deliberately during the winter months to stimulate new growth. The slash-and-burn use of land for crop production by small-scale farmers, also known as shifting agriculture, not only denuded pockets of woodlands, but fires spread accidentally. More recently, threats to Namibia’s woodlands, especially in the Kavango East Region, intensified and worsened. An increasing number of unusually overloaded trucks headed to Walvis Bay port from that region to export their valuable cargo of rosewood and other indigenous hardwood to China where the wood is very much in demand for the manufacture of furniture. A local newspaper, The Namibian, reported earlier this year that the number of truck loads with timber increased from 22 in 2015 to 208 in the first two months of this year, while the weight of timber increased from 3,200 tonnes in 2018 to 7,500 tonnes – also in the first two months of this year. Despite a ban on the transportation of timber harvested before 20 November 2018, photos of trucks transporting logs were regularly posted on social media platforms, causing public outcry.

Yes, the situation is depressing but there is hope. Globally, there is greater awareness of the role forests play in sustaining complex ecologies of life on earth. Although the areas replanted by humans are a fraction of the area destroyed every year, progress is being made, albeit slowly. Reforestation projects are being launched all over the world. The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai started the Green Belt Movement in Kenya in 1977. Since then, over 30 million trees have been planted in Kenya. Another initiative, the One Tree Planted Campaign, planted 64,000 trees in the Usumbara Mountains between early 2017 and late last year. And, if that’s not impressive enough, Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology announced recently that more than 350 million trees had been planted in that country in a single day with an eventual aim of 4 billion (yes, four billion) trees. Every citizen was encouraged to plant 40 trees under the country’s national Green Legacy initiative to reduce environmental degradation, the international edition of The Guardian reported. In doing so, Ethiopia broke the previous record for the most trees planted in a single day (60 million) set by India, in 2016. Namibian freelance journalist and travel writer: Willie Olivier

*As per 2018 research conducted by Global Data PLC (on the basis of 2017 actual volume sales) *As per 2018 research conducted by Global Data PLC (on the basis of 2017 actual volume sales)

Not for Persons Under the Age of 18. Not for Persons Under the Age of 18. Enjoy Responsibly.

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Desert Rhino Camp

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WHAT STRESS DOES TO YOUR BRAIN

find it funny that people worry about managing and controlling artificial intelligence when we have not figured out how to control our natural intelligence.

My fascination with the human brain developed from an interest in, and my incomprehension of, human behaviour - much of it my own. Too restless and bored to follow any decent profession that would answer the scientific questions, I went on to study a B.A. Degree, majoring in History of Drama, Language and Classical Culture. I found this particular trio of Human Behavior studies over centuries, across cultures, race and religion tremendously stimulating and they clearly proved to me what the human condition was. Connecting the dots between behaviour and motive remained an enigma while I pursued a career in advertising (is there any industry more suitable for the contemplation of this phenomenon?) as a copywriter. Eighteen years later, I have written more stories than I can remember for magazines, newspapers, radio, television, film, books, billboards, you name it. And, underlying every single sentence was an expectation for connection and ultimately, for something to resonate with a reader. Primitive, I know. The more I learned about human behaviour, the more interested I became in the hard and software of the human brain that was responsible for it. Now, I am not a professional brain expert, at all. What I know I learned from books and articles, and picking the brains of my professional brain friends. I am a brain junkie storyteller and trust me, this is a good story. The more I got to know about the human brain, the more I realised that we are hardwired to do one single thing and that is, to survive. For all our sophistication and innovation, for all our evolution and revolutions, we are responding to perceived threats today in exactly the same way the earliest man responded to wild animals and hostile tribes. Fight. Flight. Faint or freeze. A double-shot of the stress hormone, cortisol, shoots every sense into high alert to assess the situation and decide on a strategy. A decent dose of adrenaline shuts down all idle functions such as rational thinking to get the heart-blood-muscles pumping and ready for superhuman performance: either kill the beast or flee fast. The problem is that our brains, today, process perceived dangers in exactly the same way as way back then. Our early ancestors did not fight lions every waking moment of every day; it was a

temporary crisis that occurred and was resolved, a short while later. The brain provided the chemicals required and, shortly after, returned to a normal state, by treating its human to a lovely dose of endorphins, those euphoric feelings after intense activity, with a side serving of dopamine, the messenger of reward, motivation and memory. I am just listing the basics here. The real professional brain nerds will be able to give you a complete CV and character reference for each neurotransmitter, hormone and every other drug that features in the epic psychological thriller that is your brain. The take-home message, however, is that the chemistry laboratory we carry around in our skulls is programmed to respond, in a very specific way, to every stimulus. It makes sense, of course, if one is faced with hostile lions on a daily basis. The problem is that, to the brain, danger is danger and stress is stress. Today, we have ‘’lions’’ coming at us in the form of emails, whatsapp messages, deadlines, bank statements, corporate hierarchies, social media, the news on television...and we respond to every one of these stressors with our entire chemical army. Impulses, information and impressions are coming at us so fast and so relentlessly that we do not have time for euphoric feelings to kick in and restore our equilibrium. In other words, there is no downtime; there is always, only, action. Brain scans have shown how stress snips neurons in the brain and disrupts its chemical balance. It is shocking. As detrimental as this is to the fully developed human brain, one can only imagine that the effects of stress are toxic to the developing brains of children. Yes, this thinking machine of ours is powerful beyond belief if programmed right, but the joke is on us when our brains process every scenario we see and experience on television, social media, the news, Xbox, wherever, as if it is physically happening to us. By the time a child has been through the local neighborhood watch’s Facebook feed, listened to the news in the car, overheard a parent’s telephone conversation about the dire state of the nation, survived a day at school being bombarded with information, tests and the normal stresses of peer interaction, shot a zillion zombies to pieces on Xbox...you get the picture. And we wonder why we are tired. And depressed. And anxious. The simple truth is that if we don’t mindfully control our brains, our brains will mindlessly control our behaviour, our emotions and our mental health. Yes, it is less romantic than the poetry and drama of love and war but, it is way more fascinating. And, who among us really wants to be our own brain’s bitch?

If we are going to survive modern living we need to level up: 1.

Stop the madness. Switch off your phone. Set boundaries and rules about when and how much you are going to let into your mind.

Wean yourself from stimulation. Switch off your notification settings. Stop things waving and pinging and shouting at you.

Breathe. Deeply. It is a signal to your brain to calm down. I’m serious. Take a really deep breath and you will realise how you’re not breathing.

Replace devices in your house with board games, puzzles, cards, pens and paper, trees, sandpits, playdough, dress-up, tools, blocks. They feed the brain. Digital devices don’t. It’s been scientifically proven. Educate yourself. Google it.

Move. You don’t have to kill the beast to get that feel good mental injection. As little as ten minutes of moderate exercise have proven beneficial to physical and mental health. High-intensity interval training is one of very few ways to generate new brain cells and since you’ve probably been nuking yours with stress, it is best that you start climbing those stairs.

Eat good fats. Omega 3. Sardines. Nuts. The brain feeds on good fat.

Sleep. You can’t sleep if you’ve looked at a screen before you go to bed. The light tells your brain that it is morning and time to wake up. If you’re not sleeping well, fix it. Unless you enjoy being tired, not remembering anything and struggling to solve problems, don’t sleep.

Stop bugging your children to perform better at school and in sports. Don’t be the lion. There is enough for them to deal with in this crazy, modern world. Talk to them. Love them and engage with them. The same goes for your spouse or partner and your friends. Your brain secretes oxytocin, which is necessary for bonding, and originally helped us survive because there’s safety in numbers. Now, it just makes us stress less and really happy. Serotonin. See what I mean?

Brain Junkie, Christine Hugo

A member of the A member of the

Bank Windhoek Bank Windhoek Awarded 2019 Green Awarded 2019Award! Green Bond Pioneer Bond Pioneer Award!

The Pioneer Award is given to organisations that spearhead climate resilient and low carbon investment around the world. The Pioneer Award is given to organisations that spearhead climate Bank Windhoek is thecarbon first commercial bank around to list a Green Bond in the Southern African resilient and low investment the world.

region. This issuance forms part of a strategy to become a key contributor to a green Namibian economy a sustainable for future Launched Bank Windhoek is thethat firstsets commercial bank foundation to list a Green Bond ingenerations. the Southern African in 2016This in partnership with part the London Stock Exchange Group, Green Bond region. issuance forms of a strategy to become a keythe contributor to aPioneer green Awards areeconomy recognised as sets the foremost international green We thank the Namibian that a sustainable foundation forbond futureaccolades. generations. Launched Climate Bond Initative and the committee for this recognition of our green efforts and hope in 2016 in partnership with the London Stock Exchange Group, the Green Bond Pioneer it marksare therecognised beginning as of the more green financing initiatives the accolades. Southern African region. Awards foremost international green in bond We thank the Climate Bond Initative and the committee for this recognition of our green efforts and hope For morethe information: it marks beginning of more green financing initiatives in the Southern African region. Website: www.bankwindhoek.com.na Tel: +264 information: 61 299 1640 /1651 For more Email: bwdealers@bankwindhoek.com.na Website: www.bankwindhoek.com.na

Tel: +264 61 299 1640 /1651 Email: bwdealers@bankwindhoek.com.na

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Luxury Arrives in the Capital t’s the perfect trifecta: a prestigious address, delightful restaurants as neighbours, plus style as well as luxury combine pleasantly to present visitors with the capital’s most soughtafter new lodging, The Windhoek Luxury Suites.

In the quiet neighbourhood of Klein Windhoek, a mere 50 metres from the capital’s best-loved restaurants, one corner is livelier than ever as a new place to stay. The Windhoek Luxury Suites earned all of its cool credits well before it opened to guests in September, 2019. No one passing Bougain Villas on the corner of Sam Nujoma Drive and Hebenstreit Street could have missed seeing the busy construction site that was to become an exciting new property vying for top honours in the Windhoek luxury-stay sphere. Today, guests can choose between family, ground and loft rooms in this modern hotel with its crisp charm. Here, style, class and luxury meet, effortlessly. Airy bedrooms in shades of white or beige with fresh green accents, are bathed in natural light. Chilled wine in the mini-fridge for an evening indulgence and the purr of a Nespresso machine to wake the senses the next morning. The softest linens and modernist simplicity are in every carefully designed corner, complemented by an industrial-chic en-suite. The design of The Windhoek Luxury Suites will certainly make an aesthetic impression. With its superb location off Sam Nujoma Drive, only thirty minutes away from Hosea Kutako International Airport, secure parking for even large camping vehicles, and its proximity to the ever-popular Stellenbosch Wine Bar, Tasting Room and Market, the sunshinebright beacon that is The Windhoek Luxury Suites ticks all boxes for convenience and location. It is ideal for both business travellers and tourists alike. If we were visitors to Namibia’s enigmatic capital you would find us poolside at The Windhoek on hot summer afternoons or savouring the very best South African wines from Stellenbosch Wine Bar or the Tasting Room next door, every night.

To make a booking or to find out more about The Windhoek Luxury Suites visit: www.thewindhoek.com.

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NATURE AND NURTURE meet in the Heart of the World’s Largest Conservation Area

magine sitting in the yoga lotus position. Your eyes are closed and both your body and soul are relaxed. In the distance you can hear the soft slosh of something large moving through water. In a nearby tree a vervet monkey tries to mimic your pose, upside down. Suddenly, there is a vibration. It is the hypnotic sound of an instrument you have never seen nor heard before. Your body is in paradise and your spirit is following closely behind... In Namibia’s north-eastern Bwabwata National Park, where the Kwando River meanders through a lush landscape, lies Nambwa Tented Lodge. The lodge is built on stilts to provide the elephant population right of way and is nestled among towering trees. The soothing effect of nature’s slow rhythm creates an atmosphere of relaxation and peace in complete wilderness. This haven has now become the perfect location for exclusive Nambwa Yoga Safaris retreats. Nambwa offers Yoga daily as an additional holistic activity by Eva Eichhorn, who’s teaching is sharply intuitive but warm-hearted. Her classes aim to create lightness and strength within the heart, body and mind. She brings attention to balancing the nervous system, cultivating physical ease and encouraging a deep soul response towards the meditative qualities of practice. While the yoga sessions provide nourishment for the soul, delicious carefully prepared meals nourish the body. With an eye for detail, the Nambwa staff see to their guests’ every need and ten tastefully decorated luxury tented suites provide incomparable comfort. This is an experience like no other in the heart of the Zambezi wilderness, in the centre of KAZA (the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area), where nature and nurture for the soul come together in awe-inspiring harmony.

The next yoga retreat will be hosted by African Monarch Lodges at Nambwa Tented Lodge in November 2019. Visit their website for more information: www.africanmonarchlodges.com 46

Madison Lavern

Just Breathe… Think about it. When we are stressed and anxious, we take small, shallow breaths. These same shallow breaths inform our brains that we are possibly in a threatening situation which, in turn, induces the activation of the body’s stress responses. Sometimes, while all of this happens, your body automatically and unconsciously tries to take a full breath by sighing, or huffing and puffing.

ellness became a buzzword a few years ago and crept from the fringes of society to become so mainstream that the meaning of the word ‘’wellness’’ became interchangeable with health. But, what is the idea behind the concept of wellness? Is it merely a new take on the old adage that ‘’prevention is better than cure’’? Can it possibly mean that ‘‘health is more than the absence of disease’’? How about ‘’a dynamic process of change and growth’’ or, all of the above? While all of this sounds well and good, the idea of ‘’wellness’’ also appears to be a remote ideal. In order to achieve such noble yet abstract goals, we often have to take convenient, practical and workable steps. Something I find wonderfully accessible to attain wellness is our breath, especially when you are strapped-in and high up in the air.

If we can learn to consciously take a real deep breath, we can kick-start the parasympathetic nervous system into dropping our heart-rate, lowering our blood pressure, all the while helping to promote and create a state of calm inside. One can also cultivate a deeper knowledge of breathing by practising yoga and meditation, but, right now, while you are reading this, use your desire for wellness by taking a long, deep and slow breath. There are many ways to attain ‘’wellness’’ and so much more to know about breath and breathing but, right now, you are aware of the first simple steps. We take more than 21, 000 breaths a day. Why not make a few of those conscious and calming? Use your lung capacity for more than just the next shallow breath of air.

Kirsty is a yoga and meditation coach, a transformation facilitator and writer. Contact her at kirsty@seednamibia.com Kirsty Watermeyer

Place your hand over your diaphragm, palm down, just above your belly. Take a deep, long breath. Try it. Allow your belly to rise as your diaphragm rises. Do not contract nor hide your belly as your inhalation pushes it out. Allow your body to relax as you breathe out. Breathe into your hand again. Don’t worry what the passenger next to you thinks; you are not doing anything less natural than the blood circulating in your veins right now. Yes, breathing is subconscious, just like digestion, and, yet, when we’re stressed, anxious or find ourselves in stressful situations, several subconscious bodily functions are adversely affected. Fortunately for us, breathing is the one function we can consciously influence and control. Breathing, therefore, is a singularly important ingredient to relaxation.

I Just Want to Create Martin Amushendje

artin Amushendje is an all-out creative born in 1991 and raised in Namibia. He is one of the fortunate few who are able to create full-time. Realising early on that academia was not his cup of tea, he had confidently warned his maths teacher that he would very likely fall asleep in class and that any expectations of him performing well academically, would be unwise. Amushendje seemed to have overcome the insecurities that tried to make him feel unintelligent, inadequate and different. He has a long-standing wish to hold spaces where people, children and adults are equally free to express themselves and not necessarily to share finished products or complete concepts. He desires for them to be allowed room to find meaning in the process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just want to create.â&#x20AC;? The rest comes later.

His mother bought Amushendje his first camera in 2012 and since then, he never put it down. Amushendjeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for photography suits his observant personality, capturing moments he finds interesting and allowing other perspectives to come up with their own opinions. Others have noticed his knack for photography resulting in nominations for Best Photographer by Simply You magazine in 2017 and 2018, after he had successfully hosted his first exhibition called BOHF at the John Muafangejo Art Gallery (JMAC) in 2017. Mention of his work and approach appeared in local newspapers and he continues to work with other creatives in the industry. Amushendje has definitely made a name for himself as a trusted commercial photographer in Namibia. He found his niche in fashion and portraiture, street, conceptual and lifestyle photography.

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Martin Amushendje @martinamushendje @mamushendje

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Standard Bank Sky Lounge at Eros Airport

ituated in the heart of the Namibian capital Windhoek, Eros Airport is to many Namibians a modern meeting place. It is a place where tourists, politicians, bankers, lawyers, miners, families and aviation enthusiasts come together. All having a common need or interest in aviation or to just travel by air. Eros Airport does not carry its relevance in terms of its share of global air passenger volumes; it does however carry enormous relevance in Namibia for Namibia. On a daily basis scheduled passenger flights operate out of Eros Airport linking the Namibian capital with Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Oranjemund. Passengers are Namibian icons, role players, movers and shakers with some returning home to North for the weekend, whilst others may return from their latest development project at the coast. Eros Airport is also the corporate airport of choice for most business and corporate aircraft entering and leaving Namibia. Business jets from around the world carrying high net worth individuals, corporate executives and politicians descend into Eros as the most convenient corporate airport in Namibia.

The Standard Bank Sky Lounge is the first and only available passenger leisure and VIP lounge facility at Eros Airport. Having identified a need for luxury facilities aimed at the executive end of the Namibian domestic and international passengers; Standard Bank Sky Lounge is positioned to service all local and international VIP passengers moving through Eros Airport. The Lounge is situated on the top floor of the terminal building with views out onto the flight line and mountains surrounding Windhoek. Services inside the lounge includes free wifi, bar service, coffee supplied by Deluxe Coffeeworks and a wide variety of food and entertainment options.

Offering to passengers and lounge visitors a comfortable and relaxed airport experience with comfortable seating and facilities. Passengers are greeted at the check in counter. Ushered to the lounge and when it is time for their departure; taken by a Sky Lounge representative through security screening to the aircraft. Aimed at offering a hassle and stress free travel experience.

For further information or bookings you can reach us at: Standard Bank Sky Lounge and Cafe - Eros Airport 081 124 1575/081 291 4362 annagret@theskylounge.net/ jamie@theskylounge.net

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With offshore banking

Standard Bank offers safe and secure international banking solutions in EUR, GBP, USD and AUD. Diversify your wealth and save money overseas for foreign property, international travel, offshore school fees, retirement, currency protection and more. Plus, enjoy a range of world-class benefits: • • • • • •

All your currencies consolidated in one place Access to money when working or travelling abroad Unlimited access to foreign exchange Security against currency and exchange rate volatility The ability to accumulate funds for future use Efficient and flexible financial management across borders

For more information, contact our dedicated Offshore Manager: Lorraine Steenkamp Lorraine.Steenkamp@standardbank.com.na +264 81 231 4299 | +264 61 294 2291

CAPITAL: Windhoek

INDEPENDENCE: 21 March 1990

CURRENT PRESIDENT: Hage Geingob

Secular state

Multiparty parliament Democratic Division of power between constitution executive, freedom of religion legislature and

90%

Christian

judiciary

Freedom of the press/media

MAIN SECTORS:

BIGGEST EMPLOYER:

46%

Agriculture

MONEY MATTERS

MINING:

FASTEST-GROWING SECTOR: Tourism Diamonds, uranium, copper, lead, zinc, magnesium, cadmium, arsenic, pyrites, silver, gold, lithium minerals, dimension stones (granite, marble, blue sodalite) and many semiprecious stones

CURRENCY:

The Namibia Dollar (N$) is fixed to and on par with the SA Rand. The South African Rand is also legal tender. Foreign currency, international Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards are accepted.

TAX AND CUSTOMS

All goods and services are priced to include value-added 15% tax of 15%. Visitors may reclaim VAT.

ENQUIRIES: Ministry of Finance

Tel (+264 61) 23 0773 in Windhoek

TRANSPORT

Public transport is NOT available to all tourist destinations in Namibia. There are bus services from Windhoek to Swakopmund as well as Cape Town/Johannesburg/Vic Falls. Namibia’s main railway line runs from the South African border, connecting Windhoek to Swakopmund in the west and Tsumeb in the north. There is an extensive network of international and regional flights from Windhoek and domestic charters to all destinations.

17%

NATURE RESERVES:

of surface area

HIGHEST MOUNTAIN: Brandberg OTHER PROMINENT MOUNTAINS: Spitzkoppe, Moltkeblick, Gamsberg PERENNIAL RIVERS: Orange, Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi and Kwando/Linyanti/Chobe

EPHEMERAL RIVERS:

Numerous, including Fish, Kuiseb, Swakop and Ugab

5,450 km tarred

LIVING FOSSIL PLANT:

BIG GAME:

Elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, giraffe antelope species mammal species (14 endemic)

reptile species frog species bird species

ENDEMIC BIRDS including Herero Chat, Rockrunner, Damara Tern, Monteiro’s Hornbill and Dune Lark

DRINKING WATER Most tap water is purified and safe to drink. Visitors should exercise caution in rural areas.

37,000 km gravel

HARBOURS:

Walvis Bay, Lüderitz

MAIN AIRPORTS: Hosea

airstrips Kutako International Airport,

Eros Airport

RAIL NETWORK: 2,382 km

narrow gauge

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Direct-dialling facilities to

100 inhabitants

Welwitschia mirabilis

20 240 250 50 676

ROADS:

lines per

200 ENDEMIC 14 vegetation zones plant species 120 100+ species species of lichen of trees

INFRASTRUCTURE

6.2 telephone

FLORA

ECONOMY Mining, fishing, tourism and agriculture

ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL

824,268 km²

FAUNA

GENERAL

SURFACE AREA:

ON NAMIBIA

MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM: GSM agreements with

221 countries

117 countries / 255 networks

INFRASTRUCTURE

SOCIAL

FAST FACTS

13,650 people 4 medical doctor per

privately run hospitals in Windhoek with intensive-care units

Medical practitioners (world standard) 24-hour medical emergency services

POPULATION

2.5 million 400 000 inhabitants in Windhoek (15% of total)

ADULT LITERACY RATE:

85%

DENSITY: 2.2 per km²

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:

English

14 regions 13 ethnic cultures 16 languages and dialects POPULATION GROWTH RATE:

2.6%

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS:

over 1,700 schools, various vocational and tertiary institutions

TIME ZONES GMT + 2 hours

ELECTRICITY 220 volts AC, 50hz, with outlets for round three-pin type plugs

www.travelnewsnamibia.com

FOREIGN REPRESENTATION More than 50 countries have Namibian consular or embassy representation in Windhoek.

INSTAFAMOUS

Smile. Strike a pose. Make sure your selfie game is on point. Upload to social media. Any social media. Tag #flywestair. Become InstaFamous in our next issue! LEFT TO RIGHT

@xlthetravelprofessionals visited our offices in July to learn more about the exciting times ahead for FlyWestair. Looking gorgeous @alexisvdm and @jacobs.jacomari!

“Had the best experience flying @fly_westair with my baby.” Thanks for the shout-out @rukeekaakunga! Rukee and her beautiful daughter, Alice, flew with FlyWestair to Ondangwa to visit with her family for the weekend. Namibian photographer, Jandré Germishuizen, captured the Fish River Canyon from the air. We love being tagged in EPIC shots like these. Thanks @jandre_namibia_photo. @desiwillemse enjoyed a glass of bubbly “Somewhere over Namibia…” on a flight to Oranjemund.

@nampapress senior journalist, Anna Salkeus (centre), posed with FlyWestair cabin crew, Ava Shihepo (left), and Mbeurora Tjiuongua Lolly, on the beach in Oranjemund. They flew down on the inaugural FlyWestair flight to the southern diamond town.

@elzanne_mcculloch captured the dramatic contrasts of the north on a flight to Ondangwa and proved that beauty is everywhere, even during a severe drought.

Win with #flywestair! Take photos when you fly with FlyWestair and post them to social media using the hashtag #flywestair and you could stand a chance to win a free return ticket on one of our routes. T&Cs apply.

Namibia Property Appraisers CC

Accredited Assessments Residential properties Commercial properties Industrial properties Agricultural valuations Sworn valuations

Accredited at all major Financial Institutions Principal Valuer

Adri Holz National Diploma: Real Estate (Technicon South Africa) Sworn Appraiser

Windhoek OďŹ&#x192;ce

+264 81 127 1221 info@namibiaprop.biz

Gobabis OďŹ&#x192;ce

+264 81 128 8655 rural@namibiaprop.biz

Find us on Facebook & LinkedIn

CHOOSE COMPREHENSIVE CARE CHOOSE REGION-WIDE COVERAGE CHOOSE PEACE OF MIND

EMERGENCY NUMBER:

IN CASE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Call the EMed 24 hour Call Centre IN CASE OF A MEDICAL EMER 081 924 1. [Namibia] Call the EMed 24 hour Call Centre +264 61 411 600 [SADC] (Namibia) 081 824 061 411 600

Inform the operator of your custom Inform the operator of your2. member number number

3. Give the operator a detailed descri

Give the operator a detailed description of the EMERGENCY 4. If possible, have a pen and paper r the EMERGENCY write down instructions

If possible, have a pen and paper tothe process to guideready you through write down instructions

5. Await further instructions from the

Await further instructions from the operator to guide you through the process

INVESTING IN A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL NAMIBIANS Debmarine Namibia is proud to be a global leader in marine diamond recovery.

FlyWestair September 2019

Articles inside

Standard Bank Sky Lounge

Just Breathe...

I Just Want to Create

Nature and Nurture at Nambwa

Spa in the City

Luxury Arrives in the Capital

What stress does to your brain

The Green Lungs of Our Planet Under Threat

Miles Meroro - New Namibian Designer

Namibia in Recession - How we ended up here

ML - The Economics of Music and Trade

Passion takes flight

Esi Schimming-Chase Talks Life and Legal Hustle

Art-ist with Ashwyn Mberi

Wine is made in Namibia?

The Windhoek City Market

Who is the real force behind Westair?

Welcome on board