FlyWestair December 2019 by Venture Media

FlyWestair December 2019

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from the publisher

Stories in FlyWestair Magazine.

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FlyWestair December 2019

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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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GENERATION WANDERLUST

A love letter to Windhoek

NAMIBIA'S TAKE ON A 'FOREST"

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VOLUME 28 No 1 SUMMER 2019/20

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CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN NAMIBIA

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VOLUME 28 No 1 | SUMMER 2019/20

YEARS OF

Vo l 2 8

is for Awesome... and Ads.

TRAVEL NEWS

A review of Namibian Trade and Industry

A Manufacturing Basket ﬁlled with Opportunities...

Namibia 27

NAMIBIA TRADE DIRECTORY 2019/20

Read this issue online!

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extraordinary Namibian stories. publishing. content generation. content marketing. print. film. digital.

CONTENT IS

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

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 24

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’S MARKETS

Every month, Charene Labuschagne introduces one of Windhoek’s many local markets. This month she takes a look at The Tannery.

FLYWESTAIR DESTINATIONS

We celebrate FlyWestair destinations and give you some top tips of what to do, see and discover when you fly with us. In this issue: Oranjemund in five words.

DESERT WINE AT NEURAS WINE ESTATE 28

Our favourite foodie, Le Roux van Schalkwyk explores a wine estate in the middle of the Naukluft in this issue’s Namibian culinary and beverage feature.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Find out where you need to be 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 event suggestions need to be sent two months in advance.

ART-IST

Linus Malherbe is a Namibian self-thought artist and architect that is making waves with his future-forward paintings.

ROYAL HUSTLERS

Carin de Klerk has made event-management her career as one half of awardwinning integrated communications company, Sindana Communications.

MASTER YOUR DESTINY 10 2

Namibian politician Kazenambo Kazenambo talks inner-peace, hard work and what it means to be liberated.

THE TRIBE

Musician Vaughn Ahrens chats with The Tribe on why local music still hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves, and more.

ECONOMIC PULSE

Local economic researchers from IJG discuss Layers of Investing - where to begin in the Namibia Trade Network’s Economic Pulse, a monthly series on finance and the economy.

FASHION FIERCE

Over the course of her career, Cynthia Schimming, recipient of the Katutura Fashion Week Lifetime Achievement Award, has remained true to her style, creating timeless couture that lives on beyond common trends.

LOOKING GLOBAL

Global issues with local impact. Seasoned Namibian journalist Willie Olivier delves into the heated topic of water security in Namibia.

MORE THAN A WIDE FLAT BLUE

Author Rémy Ngamije’s entertaining thoughts on life in Namibia.

3 POPULAR NUTRITION MYTHS DEBUNKED

Klara motivates tired, uninspired urbanites to take back their personal health. She (mostly) practices what she preaches.

PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURE

Inspiring shots from Shikwambi Paulus, owner and founder of photography company, The Photobooth.

MS KNOW-IT-ALL

Random facts that will leave you smiling...or just scratching your head.

WELLNESS ON FLYWESTAIR

Kirsty Watermeyer introduces us to the Joy Of Missing Out and why we need more of it.

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.

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NEED TO KNOWS www.ﬂywestair.com

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Welcome on Board

FlyWestair

elcome on board this FlyWestair flight. This month marks our fifth month of operation since starting the scheduled service on the 12th of July 2019. It has been a very exciting few months and we at FlyWestair are very happy with the airline’s performance. We have a dedicated team that has been able to maintain a 98.7% on-time dispatch reliability over the past months. What this means is that of the more than 500 flights that have been conducted to date by the airline, less than ten did not depart on time. This is a performance that we can be proud of and one that ranks us with the best airlines in the sub-region. To give you more perspective, the best on-time performance out of Cape Town International Airport from rival South African airlines ranges between 76% to 94% with a year to date average of 86.6%. This is according to statistics held by Airports Company South Africa (www.airports.co.za/ business/statistics/on-time-performance). “It’s about time” and we at FlyWestair are very proud and excited that we as a privately owned Namibian carrier are able to compete with established carriers from South Africa and deliver on our promise to get you to your destination on time. During the month of November we also carried our tenthousandth passenger. For this we thank you, our clients, for your support and enthusiasm over the past months. We receive a lot of positive feedback from all our travellers, especially our Namibian clients who are naturally very excited about flying a Namibian airline that is no burden to the Namibian fiscus. There has however been one change this month and our Cape Town clients have probably already experienced it - going through immigration in Oranjemund and not Eros Airport. Some background: Eros Airport has always been a sensitive issue for the Namibian Government. In 2002 the cabinet of Namibia decided that Eros should be closed to scheduled international traffic and that only scheduled domestic routes should be allowed to depart from here. At the time, the reason given for this restriction was that jet aircraft operating from Eros Airport posed a safety risk and that the noise pollution will cause a public outcry.

These reasons have in practice been proven to be irrelevant as Air Namibia has been operating jet aircraft out of Eros Airport on domestic schedules since 2012. It has since been widely accepted by the aviation fraternity and the flying public that the actual reason for this restriction was to protect the aforementioned airline, whom at the time in 2002, was not able to compete with an international service out of Eros. This resolution is also the reason why FlyWestair clients are not able to clear immigration at Eros Airport. We believe that there is no reason for imposing this restriction on FlyWestair as we have an initial domestic route going to Oranjemund and that a similar practice has been conducted for many years via Walvis Bay by Air Namibia. However, we at FlyWestair do not make the rules and after various engagements with all government owned stakeholders (Namibian Airports Company, Namibian Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Home Affairs) we had to accept their insistence to clear immigration at Oranjemund. The only alternative would be a counter-productive and costly legal process. This change has proven to be of not much inconvenience, as most of our clients enjoy stretching their legs and breathing in the fresh coastal air whilst clearing immigration at Oranjemund Airport. FlyWestair is working with the airport, immigration authorities and the Namibian Police to make this process as effortless as possible. Their cooperation is critical and thus far we can only thank them for their assistance. The second benefit of not clearing immigration at Eros Airport is that FlyWestair has been able to shorten the check in time at Eros from two hours to one hour for departing clients and arriving clients can just collect their baggage before leaving the terminal, a process that should not take longer than 10 minutes. After operating in this manner for the past three weeks we have been able to prove that this change has no effect on door to door travelling time and has been received very positively by most clients and especially the town of Oranjemund, who desperately needs this international connection for development. Have a wonderful festive season and please do not forget to share your favourite FlyWestair moment on social media using #flywestair.

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.

Theo Naude – Chief Pilot Part 135

Jacky Horn – Accountant

Like most of the employees at Westair, Theo Naude fills more than one position. Not only is he Chief Pilot 135 (turbo props) but also the security manager. “It’s fun to have many hats, Westair gives you many opportunities to do more than one thing, to build knowledge and improve yourself in aviation.” As the chief pilot he has to know all the manuals, to have a good understanding of the aircraft. “The end goal is to be safe.” The best thing about his job, though, is to be a part of the next generation. “To say to a guy you can go to the next level of your career (by qualifying to fly a plane) is the best feeling. You put in time, did everything you can do, and now I get to give you your licence. It’s teamwork. The whole company comes together to get that person there. The whole company applauds a person to achieve and grow.”

Driving past the airport after dropping off her son, Jacky Horn loves looking out of the car window and seeing the Westair Embraer V5-WIN flying overhead. “That red tail… It symbolises success. It’s being proud of yourself.” Jacky has come a long way with Westair, starting out in 2005 as a fresh-faced girl from Aranos straight out of high school. She began her career as a scheduler, which in those days meant dealing with just a few charters here and there. In time, more and more was added to her plate. She was learning all she could while on the job, gaining insight and an understanding of all the departments. No matter what challenges come up, her motto is to “make it work.” And she does. Now, almost fifteen years later, she is an accountant at Westair and continues to grow together with the company. “We help each other to progress.”

Edward Ngurungunda - Refueller

Tangi Olavi - AME

When he came for his job interview he was put to work cleaning one of the aircraft. One of the maintenance engineers who happened to be busy with the plane encouraged and coached him while John was polishing the plane, telling him to give it his all because Mr Grellman was watching from his office window. “My father died a poor man. I wanted to surprise them at Westair,” says Edward, reflecting on that pinnacle moment in his life. After he had gone on to become a refueller, Managing Director Gustav Holz one day called him and his colleague Petrus Barlow and offered them positions at Westair’s new refuelling company, as well as shares. “The day after, we came back and told him we are so proud of him.” Today Edward is involved not only in refuelling, but also ramp control and supervising the cleaning crew. “I didn’t learn to be a hard worker, I learnt skills from Westair.”

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Tangi Olavi feels his success is due to the encouragement he received from the team he works with everyday. “Hendrik du Bruyn (Workshop Manager) believed in me and had a lot of faith in me, he gave me that push. He saw a lot of potential for me. Deslon Kandjara (AME) and Lloyd Nyaguze (AME), too. They were my wings when I couldn’t fly.” As an AME you never stop learning and training, Tangi says. From studying maintenance manuals to doing courses and obtaining new licences. “I don’t want to be a guy who just has qualifications but can’t do the work. I want to be an engineer they can brag with.” The best part of his job? “When you know you worked on an aircraft and it can fly safely.”

John Mbako – AME Apprentice

Derek du Toit – Supply Chain Manager

When he was three years old, Derek du Toit was disassembling radios and remote-control cars. These days he is passionately interested in what is going on at the airport. When the day’s work is done he likes to walk over to see what the maintenance engineers are doing, ask questions and lend a hand. “The best part is the team spirit. When I don’t know something, I ask Mike Meyers (the Technical Director) and he will go out of his way to explain it. The team will always help where they can.” It’s clear he enjoys a challenge, which prompted him to complete several courses at the company. Subsequently he gained some additional roles: health and safety officer, aircraft investigation officer and first aider. “I never sit still,” he says.

School was never easy for John Mbako, who moved around a lot, never getting the chance to settle. His father walked out on the family early in John’s life, and when he was five his mother sent him away to live with his aunt in an effort to keep him away from his abusive stepfather. His older brother, only fifteen, stayed behind with the mother to look after her. The only father he ever had was his brother. In 2013 John applied for a scholarship to study AME in Russia. In his first year there he took Russian classes, the first time he ever learnt another language. He started work at Westair last year and says it feels like it was meant to be. “It’s not an opportunity I thought I would get. Here they make me feel at home.” John was curious to know who the bosses were, and one day Managing Director Gustav Holz invited the young man to sit down with him and have a coffee. After five months he was promoted to work on the ERJ, which he says “stole his heart.”

Ondangwa - Toivo ya Toivo

Eros Airport

Oranjemund

W NE

Cape Town

NE W

! now fl yin g to Cape Town FLIGHT SCHEDULE: FROM

DAYS

DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

Eros Windhoek

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Mon, Wed and Fri

06:30

07:30

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Eros Windhoek

Mon, Wed and Fri

08:00

09:00

Eros Windhoek

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Mon, Wed and Fri

17:45

18:45

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Eros Windhoek

Mon, Wed and Fri

19:15

20:15

Eros Windhoek

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Sun

17:00

18:00

Ondangwa - Toivo Ya Toivo

Eros Windhoek

Sun

18:30

19:30

Eros Windhoek

Oranjemund

Mon, Wed and Fri

09:30

10:40

Oranjemund

Cape Town

Mon, Wed and Fri

11:15

12:30

Cape Town

Oranjemund

Mon, Wed and Fri

14:20

15:30

Oranjemund

Eros Windhoek

Mon, Wed and Fri

16:00

17:10

Eros Windhoek

Oranjemund

Sun

13:00

14:10

Oranjemund

Cape Town

Sun

14:40

15:55

Cape Town

Oranjemund

Sun

16:50

18:00

Oranjemund

Eros Windhoek

Sun

18:30

19:40

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

Explore Windhoek’s markets

Focus: Tannery Market

ust a couple kilometres drive north of Windhoek you’ll find one of the capital’s coolest markets. Akin to The Shed, with the lovely addition of horse-rides – I mean when was the last time any place offered that? – the Tannery Market boasts great food and a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. The whole thing goes down in a rustic and undeniably Instagram-worthy warehouse.

The kids can stay busy in the designated (and adult-supervised) play area complete with jumping castle, while parents stroll around with a cup of good coffee (a la Slowtown Coffee Roasters), sampling the delicious nibbles on offer. Regular bike rides and walks or jogs also take place on the trails leading through the bush around the market, so expect the early crowd to be clad in workout gear, enjoying their runner’s high with a cup of coffee. The cool kids arrive nearer to lunch and make good use of the well-stocked bar and the cool shade of the interior as that midday sun beats down.

The whole thing goes down in a rustic and undeniably Instagramworthy warehouse.

As the market is just starting out, the stalls are still a bit limited, but it’s worth psyching up the family and spending your Saturday here. The market is right around the corner from Elisenheim, which makes it an especially convenient way to spend the day for its residents. The Tannery Market is a regular event on Saturdays from 9h00 to 15h00. For directions check out their Facebook page. Charene Labuschagne

FlyWestair Destinations

ORANJEMUND in Five Words

n terms of tourism Oranjemund in the south-western corner of Namibia is a rough diamond (pun intended). The quaint little mining town has been open to the general public for just over two years and its development potential is enormous. With regular FlyWestair flights from Windhoek and Cape Town it has never been easier to explore the hidden gems of this rustic town and meet its friendly people. Below are five special things to do and see when visiting Oranjemund:

GHOST About 20 km from Oranjemund the Hohenfels police station was a stately building constructed in 1908 on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Orange River. According to local legend, the daughter of the constable stationed there took a disliking to a Nama woman whom her father had taken as his mistress. In 1914, while the constable was away on patrol, the 15-year-old daughter shot and killed the Nama woman after a heated argument. Since then it is said that strange things happen in the middle of the night and that a headless woman would sometimes be seen wandering about in and around the building. Although the former police station has long since turned to rubble, the headless ghost apparently still haunts the area.

TANKS At the end of the Second World War, there was a surplus of redundant military equipment. The number of American-built M4 Sherman medium tanks was especially abundant. Almost 50 000 tanks had been built during the war. Several of these Shermans were bought by the mine and converted into bucket excavators. The tracked vehicles were perfect for the soft, sandy ground surface at the mine. Three Sherman hulls are still on display in the town. GEMSBOK Thanks to the perennial Orange River nearby, Oranjemund boasts some beautifully manicured public gardens and lawns. These lush green patches of grass set against the arid surroundings are a constant temptation to the local gemsbok population which can be seen grazing lazily and resting all over town. BIRDS The Orange River Mouth is the sixth-richest wetland in southern Africa. Covering 2000 ha, this RAMSAR site is home to thousands of water birds. Fourteen rare or endangered species and 57 endemic wetland species, including the endangered Cape Cormorant and vulnerable Damara Tern, have been counted during birding surveys. STEAK You were not expecting steak on this list, were you? Fanie Smit, a descendant of the Afrikaans settlers who emigrated to Argentina after the Second Anglo-Boer War, was born in South America but moved to southern Africa with his mother when he was 17 years old. A selftaught chef and owner of Op My Stoep Lodge, Fanie dishes up mouthwatering steaks done with an Argentinian flair. He is always available for a good chat and he is a wealth of information on the history of the town and its diverse and colourful characters. Le Roux van Schalkwyk

FlyWestair offers flights from Eros Airport to Oranjemund. See our flight schedule on pg 9.

Fanie Smit, owner of Op My Stoep Lodge.

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Neuras Wine Estate

DESERT WINE n the edge of the oldest desert in the world, in stark contrast to the sunscorched landscape, you’ll find a small oasis of date trees and grapevines. An unexpected but welcoming sight for any weary traveller looking for a place to cool down and enjoy a glass of wine.

Neuras Wine & Wildlife Estate is known to be the world’s second-driest vineyard, only outdone by vineyards in the very driest place on earth - the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Fast forward to more than a century later and these same grapevines, although neglected, were still producing fruit. When Allan Walkden-Davis, the predecessor of the current owner, bought the land in 1998 the vines intrigued and inspired him. He planted a vineyard and produced an arid terroir wine.

An unexpected but welcoming sight for any weary traveller looking for a place to cool down and enjoy a glass of wine.

The crystal clear cold springs of Neuras were a well-known and important source of water for the local inhabitants in the area before European settlers arrived in the 19th century. Therefore it is not surprising that the name originates from the Koikoi language, meaning “place of abandoned water” in reference to the five springs that rise along a geological fault line. During Namibia’s German colonial era this source of water played an important role to the Schutztruppe (colonial troops) that patrolled the district. In 1894 a farmer by the name of Ernst Hermann started growing vegetables and cereals at Neuras to provide fresh produce to these troops and their mounts. Because of the abundant water at his disposal he also planted some table grapes.

Walkden-Davis and his wife Sylvia planted Shiraz, Merlot and Petit Verdot in 1998 and bottled the first Neuras wines in 2001. In 2012 Neuras was bought by its current owners, N/a’an ku sê, who have since increased the original 1.2 hectares of vines to just under 4 hectares. N/a’an ku sê was also expanded to combine its ecotourism brand with winemaking and wildlife conservation.

The Neuras range consists of three red wines: Neuras Shiraz, the Neuras Triple Cultivar Blend (Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Grenache) and the Neuras Triple Clone Shiraz (three different clones of Shiraz grown in the same block). At around 5000 bottles per year this is no commercial winery, but like the other wineries in Namibia, that is what makes it special. Interestingly, the country’s first rum and brandy were distilled at Neuras. Le Roux van Schalkwyk

1 December 2019

What’s happening.

First on the list are the numerous Christmas markets to rifle through. Since their revamp, now mostly catering to Millenials, Christmas markets have taken on a new look. ‘Tis the season and the first to kick off the festivities is Lagoon Park, with its own spin on a Christmas market taking place on Sunday, 1 December from 09h00 till 14h00 with trinkets, seasonal delicacies, maybe pink flamingos for good measure.

DECEMBER. Hello, my old friend. We’ve barely survived this adulting thing but somehow we find ourselves here, at the end of another year and this calls for celebration. Repeat after me: Every. Day. In. December. Calls. For. Celebration. Technically, we’re still deskbound. However, science says time does not exist in space therefore work is a figment of November’s past. So call up your friends, get the cars loaded, stock up on the essentials, because we’re all temporarily relocating to the coast! Here is the lowdown on what you can get up to all December.

6 December 2019 We don’t know why anyone would want to put themselves through this arduous challenge, but if you’re into bikes, sand everywhere imaginable and the unyielding heat of the Namibian sun, then look no further, because it’s back: the Nedbank Desert Dash 2019. This endurance biking adventure from Windhoek to the coast is never one to miss. Sure to attract national and international cyclists, the 24-hour race across the Namib Desert kicks off on Friday, 6 December. You only live once, go ahead. It’s December!

13 December 2019 All the cool kids will be at the Social Club’s new home, the Rooftop at the Swakopmund Dome, on Friday, 13 December. Catch your favourite DJ’s sets from 14h00. Good vibes are guaranteed when music is the main attraction.

14 December 2019 Or do Christmas… in an oasis: Goanikontes Christmas Market pairs that homely Christmas spirit with otherworldliness thanks to the Moon Valley. Have a one of a kind Christmas weekend with the market opening on Saturday, 14th and ending on Sunday, 15th.

18-19 December 2019 We bring you fun. We bring you great times. We do, however, have to bring you health as well. And what’s more fun and festive than beach volleyball? It is the coast, mind you. Timeout Beach Volleyball Academy Public is hosting their 3rd Swakop Beach Volleyball Camp to keep your summer body in check. This exclusive camp is a chance to hone those skills or try something new by joining in on the fun on Wednesday, 18 and Thursday, 19 December. Sign up while you still can!

20-21 December 2019 For the night owls, we’ve got you covered, too. Swakopmund Night Market beckons the nocturnal creatures to celebrate - what? You guessed it, Christmas! Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre opens a two-day market at 18h00 on Friday, 20th, closing on Saturday, 21st at 22:00. Christmas just keeps giving.

20 December 2019 Even Free Your Mind got the memo. Making their way to the coast for the first-ever Celebrity Shakedown, comedy is going to the sea-side to treat us with laughter therapy. After the year we’ve witnessed, you’ll see us front-row centre at the Kuisebmund Stadium at 18h00 on Friday, 20 December.

20-22 December 2019

25 December 2019 If overexerting yourself in the kitchen is not how you imagined Christmas Day, your wishes have come true. Lake Oanob Resort is hosting a Christmas lunch at the tranquil resort on Wednesday, 25 December 2019 from 12h00 till 14h00. Over at the coast, Hansa Hotel is taking the burden off your shoulders by inviting you to partake in a Christmas feast from 12h00 till 14h00. Enjoy your meal even more by knowing you don’t need to do the washing up afterwards. We won’t judge you.

Up north, the inaugural Owambo Festival cements itself in history. Aimed at celebrating the collective Owambo culture, the festival is for everyone and anyone with an appreciation of Owambo cuisine, traditional garbs or just for the pure love of the north. The festival kicks off on Friday, 20 December and ends on Saturday, 22 December at the Helao Nafidi Business Expo Centre in Ohangwena.

It will go in a flash, but one thing is certain: December is about celebrating ourselves. Celebrating the fact that we’re still here, we’re shining and we’re about to do it all over again! So why not have fun while doing it? Be wise on those roads, and we’ll see each other again in 2020. Lavinia Kapewasha

28 December 2019 What is a Namibian December if you didn’t party at Langstrand? Here to set the tone and take us into the New Year is the annual music festival, famed for 12 hours of sunshine, music and sand between your toes. Gates open at 11h00 on Saturday, 28 December at the Langstrand Tidal Pool Area. Get your tickets now from Computicket for an unforgettable experience.

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OUR GIFT

art-ist

n elfin face under a Middle Eastern head scarf, an ekipa hanging around the neck, a slash of thick white paint cutting across the canvas.

Linus Malherbe - The inspired artist

A woman stands defiant in a flowing scarlet dress with her sword sheathed at her side. Next to her is a large endangered white rhino. Both stare at the viewer indifferently, perhaps defiantly.

These are two paintings of Linus Malherbe, a self-taught Namibian artist whose striking modern depictions of wildlife combined with futuristic figures have quickly become well-known in his home town of Windhoek. His paintings juxtapose the past with the present, modernity with antiquity, fantasy and fact. Oppression, prejudice and attempting to right past wrongs are a major theme of Linus’ work, which often depicts women or endangered and vulnerable species. His inspiration is Namibia - its honesty and openness. Yet it is the mystery of the White Lady rock painting that he is particularly intrigued with, resulting in images of what his Dame Blanche might have looked like. He has learnt everything he could about where she could have been from, her possible Vikingrelated culture and history, and imagined what it must have been like for this foreigner to be encamped in the rocky desert around the Brandberg, a world away from home. Linus’ own past has informed much of where his obsession with putting past wrongs right comes from. He was a child when Apartheid was in its last stages of atrophy. And while his artistic talent was clear from as early as the age of ten, but as he grew older, being “artistic” was not the feat it is today. The Afrikaner culture at the time informed the perception of masculinity as rough and tough, as what we would today refer to as “toxic masculinity”. Thus Linus stepped away from his passion, choosing the next best thing which was architecture. Only later, much older and perhaps a little braver in the face of society’s judgements, did he decide to give art a serious try.

The commissioned portrait of President Geingob presented to him by Linus.

His paintings juxtapose the past with the present, modernity with antiquity, fantasy and fact.

Since he had never gone to art school, Linus developed a distinct and unique technique of his own. After living in America for fifteen years he moved his family back to Namibia and expected his transition into art to be slow. But to his surprise it took off quickly and now serves as a major source of income during a time when architects are not as much in demand. It seems that art will always be. Art needs to be debated, to be dissected and discussed. But no matter what the subject is, one thing is certain: when the artist is long gone, their artwork will be there to entice us with its mystery, to delight us and inspire us. Linus’ artwork may have ruffled many feathers, but it also starts conversations about who we are and where we come from. And that, after all, is the point. Nina van Zyl

With a wealth of knowledge and experience in Integrated Communications, Carin de Klerk is a formidable force in the PR and events sector.

ROYAL HUSTLERS

Carin de Klerk Conquers The Hustle and Bustle of Events f you’re fluent in the language of communications, then Carin de Klerk is a name that you will be very familiar with.

something about hosting people, coming up with an idea, inspiring people to believe in this idea, creating this wonderful evening that is magical,” she says.

Carin is one of the formidable women behind Sindana Communications, an award-winning integrated communications company known for its innovative partnerships for events, PR and marketing.

“It started with Standard Bank. I was lucky to work for four very forward-thinking MDs who always preached entrepreneurship. They kept saying “We’re never going to have enough jobs for everybody, be an entrepreneur”, and I thought, “How can you do this, how can you literally While a simple interview could never do justice to her chase us away?”. But during this time I started arranging vast experience, she takes us through some special events for the bank,” she says. By the of her career highlights and her transition time she left, she made use of the decade from the corporate world to the world of of opportunities at the bank and the skills There’s entrepreneurship. acquired, and applied all the experience to something her new venture. A true farm girl at heart, Carin was born and about hosting raised in the southern town of Mariental. Sindana, loosely translated from Oshiwambo people, coming and Otjiherero, means “to succeed” or “to up with an idea, win”. After passing the initial hurdles and Her first experience with the workplace came in the form of an internship which she dealing with the struggles that all startups inspiring people began during holidays while still studying PR go through, Carin and her partner eventually to believe in this were victorious. and Marketing at Potchefstroom University in South Africa. idea, creating “We went in heart and soul for the first this wonderful “Being a farm girl I came to Windhoek and three months. We didn’t have an office, a was lucky to have applied to the Ohlthaver laptop or a printer, we didn’t have a client, evening that is & List Group. They took me on, I did some but we had faith in ourselves,” Carin recalls. magical. internships with them during the holidays and then, when I did my Honours, they Sindana Communications is now a fully actually approached my lecturer to say fledged company that employs young people they would be keen to take me on once I completed the and invests in them. Carin believes that this is the core degree,” she recalls. solution to the unemployment issue in Namibia, saying, “It’s about a collective effort, creating opportunities, Carin worked for ten years at Standard Bank before she finding the strength in people that we can utilise, not co-founded Sindana Communications with her partner closing the gate but rather opening it.” Carmen Martins. Carmen handles the communications aspect of the business and Carin is in charge of events. This article is based on an interview with Carin de Klerk on While events management may be stress and a headache 99FM. Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99FM every Monday for some, it’s actually what Carin thrives on. “There’s to Friday at 07h35.

THE ENERGY THAT

KEEPS NAMIBIA MOVING

Opening soon in Ongwediva Tel: +264 61 204 5000 | Email: info@namcor.com.na | Website: www.namcor.com.na

azenambo Kazenambo is well known in Namibia’s political arena for vocally raising controversial issues. After joining SWAPO in 1979 at the age of sixteen, Kazenambo fought with the movement until the struggle for independence ended in 1989. He served as a Deputy Minister and then as a Minister from 2005 to 2012. In an interview he shared his thoughts on duty and how he finds inner peace. MYD: What does inner peace mean to you? KK: You must know that you are on this earth for a purpose. If you are at war with yourself, you’ll always be on a warpath with everything. If you are frustrated and you believe that the frustration that you are going through is caused by the next person, then you are going to have a problem on this earth. First and foremost, you must shape your destiny. You must analyse where you are and how to overcome challenges, because we all face challenges in life.

sitting back and just relaxing in that queue, blaming your fate or your misfortunes on others – for me, that’s self-colonisation, a self-defeating approach. If something is obstructing me from taking off, I should ask myself whether these obstacles come from government policy, if they are man-made or what my contribution is to creating them. If you are liberated, nobody will tell you how to live. It’s for you to say: “I am a human being and I belong to the earth, and all opportunities on earth are available to me as long as I use them within the boundaries of the law. I’m the self-liberator; the sky is my limit.” If you are liberated, you will know that democracy provides space for all of us to articulate ourselves on issues. It provides space for us to say, “No, you cannot cross this boundary.” In a democracy there is no oppression, there is no suppression. That’s why I like democracy: you unleash your potential, be it mentally or physically.

Kazenambo Kazenambo

Our duty to make a difference

MYD: How can Namibia get onto a path of peace with a past of hurt? KK: The most important tool of liberation is to liberate yourself mentally. With the correct mindset you will climb mountains and cross valleys, but with the wrong mindset you will not move an inch. We cannot keep looking back. History provides a very important reference point as to our background, but we cannot get stagnant by always referring to the past. The past is the past – we must deal with the present to shape the future. I always say that we are the leaders we have been waiting for. It means that we are the leaders who should shape tomorrow economically, socially. Of course we know very well that there are policies whose legacies are still haunting and negatively impacting us, but we have got a responsibility. Those who shaped those policies are no longer here. We are here, and we must shape the situation, shape the environment, hands on, without crying about the past. MYD: How does this mindset affect our success in Namibia? KK: Society is an amalgamation of individuals, the coming together of individuals. It’s up to me how I stand up and provide for myself, to deal with the current season. Government may assist me in the process, other human beings may assist me in the process, but my mindset will determine everything. I must be a self-starter; I must look for opportunities. Namibia belongs to everybody, and I’ve got a role to contribute to the improvement of this commonage. I see people knocking down the next person, blaming the next person, vilifying the next person, either ethnically, religiously or otherwise, and for me this is a weak link. Blaming other people,

MYD: How did you find inner peace in your political career? KK: Something that I found to be a guiding principle in life is that you must always be truthful to yourself. Truth is a liberator. Don’t lie to yourself. In many cases I was attacked in the field of politics, but it is my right to question things. Honesty, truthfulness, fairness and justice are my guiding principles; they are my breakfast, they are my lunch, they are my dinner, they are my sleeping pills. MYD: What has helped you with this mindset? KK: There is a book I read, called It’s Not Rocket Science, which says that there are no limits. While people are ridiculing your aims and objectives, focus on your aims and objectives. If you want to go for it, go for it. It’s not rocket science – even rocket science was invented by human beings. So always have a positive mind. It’s the world’s duty to put obstacles in your way; it’s your duty to cross those obstacles. As for those who are here to break human beings and break other beings, I am not their friend. MYD: What wisdom do you want to pass on? KK: My message is simple. We are here in our different colours, in our different sizes and with our differences. Let us relate and contribute. Our mission should be to improve. Our duty should be to face the challenges together. Let’s listen with respect. Let’s have an environment where we listen and hear one another. Kazenambo’s story is part of a series celebrating Namibians in partnership with Master Your Destiny. Read more in the MYD Journal at: www.issuu.com/99fm/ docs/99fm_myd_book_2018

THE TRIBE

Vaughn Ahrens - Not Your Average Musician

ike many musicians, singer/songwriter and guitarist Vaughn Ahrens has always been surrounded by music. He has learnt so much over the years that he simply won’t make mediocre music. For him, sub-standard is not an option.

“Music has always been part of my house growing up because we’re a very musical household. I’m the only one that plays an instrument but I’ve probably got the worst voice in my house,” he jokes. As a child and teenager he was surrounded by many different genres and that influenced the type of music he makes today, which he refuses to pin down into one category. “I wouldn’t classify my music as a certain genre because I don’t only listen to one genre - therefore I don’t just emanate one genre,” he says. Vaughn is one of the few Namibian musicians who pursues his passion fulltime, spending his days in the studio and performing live at the growing number of venues he is getting booked for. And when he’s not mesmerising crowds he shares his talent by teaching music in his home town of Walvis Bay. “I teach guitar to a few people in my hometown as a way of giving back. I want to give back to people who have the kind of passion for music that I have,” he says.

Songwriting is another part of his music that he treasures as a way of expressing himself. When penning songs, he is not only inspired by things that he has witnessed and experienced, but also things that other people go through. “Challenging the status quo of things, it’s not always easy if you’re always questioning everything. Just writing about the same old things is going to kill me inside so I’m also inspired by other people’s stories and life in general,” he says.

force to be reckoned with in the Namibian music scene, and he is no doubt one of the musicians who puts out quality work. After releasing his EP in 2017, he followed up with his debut album titled ‘Music for Wednesdays’ in November 2018. This year his hard work paid off when he was awarded the Namibia Music Awards (NAMAs) for ‘Best Afrikaans’. penning

When songs, he is not only inspired by things that he has witnessed and experienced, but also things that other people go through.

Sharing his thoughts on the Namibian music industry, Vaughn commends artists for the work they are putting out and encourages people to change their perceptions of Namibian music. “A lot of people think that if music is from Namibia it’s not good quality, but there are so many musicians putting out great work here and I don’t think they get the props they deserve because of that view of Namibian artists being substandard.” With his star continuously rising as more and more people get to know his musical talents, Ahrens is steadily becoming a

He has also cast his net beyond the world of music by lending his talents to the creation of the official soundtrack for the #LandOfTheBrave movie. Check out his music on YouTube or follow him on Facebook @VaughnAhrens.

Watch The Tribe on One Africa TV (GoTV 90, DStv 284, DStv Now, TV2Africa.com) every Friday at 21h30 and repeat shows on Wednesdays at 07h00 and on 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.

Layers of Investing – where to begin

he range of options available to investors can often be overwhelming. Where do you even begin? To answer this question it can be useful to break your investment decisions into three simplified layers:

The ‘why layer’ tries to establish exactly what your investment objectives are. It attempts to answer the question as to why is it that you want to invest. 2. The ‘when layer’ tries to match your investment objective with an appropriate investment time horizon of the solution considered. 3. The ‘where layer’ tries to tie together your investment objective, appropriate time horizon and investment geography. Within each layer come other considerations, so let’s go through each one in more detail.

to the projected length of time over which an investment is made or held before it is liquidated. This might sound a bit technical but the concept is actually very simple.

The Why Layer The why layer is a good starting block on which to base Going back to our previous examples: You need a certain your investment decision as it lays the foundation for amount to put down a deposit on a house in 12 months’ asset classes that might be appropriate for you, given your time. Let’s work with a future value of N$100,000. Thus objectives. Your ‘why’ might be that you your investment objective is N$100,000, your would like to put down a deposit on a house in time horizon is 12 months and your volatility 12 months’ time. In that case an investment ...when you finally risk profile would most likely be very low. A that could be characterised as short-term low volatility profile means that you are not might be appropriate. Alternatively, your need the funds as willing to see large fluctuations in the value ‘why’ might be that you would like to start of your investment and would prefer a steady per the original planning for your retirement right from your rate with a steady return that will result in objective, you very first paycheck (good for you). In this the amount of N$100,000 with a high level case an investment characterised as longdon’t want to of predictability. For instance, if you worked term might make more sense. Either way, on a money market rate of 7.5% on an be in a situation you have now established a ‘why’ and can where timing in the annualised basis (compounding monthly) move on to the ‘when’. you could calculate what you would need

markets worked to put away per month to reach your future The When Layer value of N$100,000. In this instance you against you... Now let us consider your investment time would need to put away ~N$8,050 per month horizon and your volatility risk profile. A for 12 months to reach your objective. volatility risk profile refers to up and down movements on your investments and how willing you are to As another example let us consider a 30-year-old who is absorb these movements, whereas your time horizon refers saving for her/his retirement. Now the time horizon is 30

Economic Pulse

40 years (if this particular investor plans to retire at age 70). Suddenly volatility is not such a big risk as the up and down movements over a 40 year period becomes less about what happens in the short to medium term and more about the overall return during the entire effective period of the investment. Now a portfolio with a higher weighting in stocks might become more appealing. When compared to cash type investments, a stock portfolio, by nature, is very volatile over the short to medium term, but over longer periods the likelihood of a well-diversified stock portfolio outperforming its more conservative peers tends to increase. A typical stock portfolio needs at least seven years to absorb the effect of volatility.

objectives (saving for retirement) with an appropriate mix of local and offshore investments, could very much result in the all-weather portfolio that you desire.

In summary, when you finally need the funds as per the original objective, you don’t want to be in a situation where timing in the markets worked against you and resulted in a partial loss short of your objective.

By William Ross Rudd (IJG Wealth and Portfolio Manager)

The Where Layer Once you have established the appropriate investment vehicle according to your time horizon and volatility profile, you may want to consider diversifying your portfolio among different geographies and different asset classes. Investing in a well-diversified portfolio that caters for your shortterm objectives (saving for a house) and your long-term

With the right planning you can achieve your investment objectives without feeling overwhelmed by choice. There are many other factors to consider, of course, such as liquidity constraints, tax constraints or even personal preferences regarding certain investments that you would like to avoid. The point is that when deciding on ‘where to begin’, one should consider taking a holistic view that is unique only to you, as your ‘why, when and where’ could be very different to that of your friends.

William Ross Rudd is the Wealth and Portfolio Manager at IJG, an established Namibian financial services market leader. IJG believes in tailoring their services to a client’s personal and business needs. For more information, visit www.ijg.net. To sign up for the Economic Pulse newsletter, send an email to: daleen@venture.com.na www.namibiatradedirectory.com

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The Mohenn Story

hroughout his childhood, Murenga Oiva Hamunjela had always been fascinated with hunting and everything related to it. He loved hunting, loved all the tools and accessories that hunters use to carry out their work.

In high school he created his first email account and opted to go for a suggested name that was generated from a combination of letters in his first, second and last name: Mohenn. The name, which was created when he was in grade 8 in 2005, has stuck with him ever since. Apart from being his nickname it has become the name of his first streetwear brand. By the time he decided to venture into the business of leather bags and accessories, Mohenn was already a well-known brand among his friends and family but now he decided to go for a larger scale.

that people applauded my work,” Murenga says of his fashion week debut. While the experience brought him much acclaim, it also served as part of a learning curve. “Some people criticised my work but I took it all as positive criticism because without it, you will never grow or learn.” When Murenga first ventured into making leather accessories, a trusted tailor did most of the cutting and hand stitching. But after spending time in the tailor’s workshop, doing his own research on making leather products and practicing at every given opportunity, Murenga has picked up some basic skills and does some of the work himself. “When you are passionate about something, you start learning everything you can about it. I have been using a professional tailor from the beginning but now I have learnt how to cut patterns by myself,” he says proudly.

Some people criticised my work but I took it all as positive criticism because without it, you will never grow or learn.

Then still a full-time employee at British American Tobacco, Murenga took the plunge and re-branded Mohenn into a luxury brand that specialises in leather bags and functional accessories. This hot new Mohenn brand was officially launched in Swakopmund in August 2017 and after two years on the market made its debut at the Windhoek Fashion Week in November 2019.

“That was the best experience ever! Growing up I never had people clapping hands for me, so it meant everything

Initially only imported leather was used for Mohenn accessories but since late last year Murenga has also been sourcing some of the leather in Namibia. He hopes that one day his brand will be 100% Namibian.

Mohenn products are available via the official website www.mohenn.com. Follow Mohenn on Instagram @mohenn_. Rukee Kaakunga is a Windhoek-based Concept Engineer, PR Consultant and fashion writer. Contact her via Twitter @rukeeveni or Instagram @rukeekaakunga.

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From their very first flight our students are exposed to state of the art Electronic Flight Information Systems and automation.

viation is an ever evolving sphere. Much has changed since the Wright Flyer first took to the skies on December 17, 1903. Heavier-than-air aircraft have become a part of everyday life. Gargantuan machines trans-navigating the globe. Modern wonders soaring into the skies and pushing the limits of space.

of this equipment, flight safety can be greatly enhanced. Suffice to say, it is clear that future aviators should be preparing themselves the right way, with the right stuff.

The cockpit, and avionics, had to keep up with the progress.. Automated flight instrumentation began to appear in commercial airliners in the early 1980s. The move to flight automation was in response to the increasing complexity of aircraft systems and the need for an improved pilot/aircraft systems interface. This automation has affectionately been dubbed the ‘glass cockpit’. Since the introduction of glass cockpit systems, a corresponding decrease in air transportation accidents and incidents worldwide clearly indicates the value of this technology. With such advancements in the commercial arena, flight training also needs to evolve.

Jesse Harvey

The future of aviation training is here. And it’s proudly Namibian.

The future is here, in the form of modern, state of the art Ab-Initio training aircraft equipped with Electronic Flight Information Systems (EFIS) and automation. Signa Aviation Services takes pride in the fact that we train our students on aircraft that are equipped with state of the art ‘glass cockpits’ and automation from their very first flight, thus adequately preparing them for the next step. Glass cockpit displays can provide excellent situational awareness, including large moving maps, terrain avoidance, restricted airspace avoidance, traffic and hazardous weather avoidance. With thorough training and proper use

FACING

THE CHALLENGE

OF WATER SECURITY IN NAMIBIA

uman access to potable water sources has come increasingly under threat during the past 50 years. The effect of climate change and the demand for water due to the global increase in populations, especially in arid areas, are two major causes. The unsustainable exploitation of scarce water resources, overuse, decrease in quality, wastage, poor effluent disposal and pollution compound the issue even more. The livelihood of hundreds of millions of people is, therefore, seriously at risk. After three consecutive years of drought, the dams that supply water to the City of Cape Town in South Africa reached critically low levels and it was projected that the taps would run dry by April 2018 unless drastic steps were taken. The definition of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Day Zeroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as the day when the water sources would finally be depleted, made international headlines and is still fresh in the minds of many people all over the world. Fortunately, Day Zero could be avoided due to several water supply interventions and a huge effort to convince the public to reduce water consumption. The participation of the general public to achieve that objective and the rainfall that produced sufficient runoff into the dams during the winter of 2018 not only saved the day, but it served as a wake-up call for the need to manage the available water resources more judiciously and efficiently.

Namibia is the most arid country in sub-Saharan Africa and drought is a common phenomenon. Most of the country received below average rainfall since 2013, and rainfall during the main rainy season of 2019 was extremely poor countrywide. Many people in the rural areas practice subsistence farming, with stock and dryland crop cultivation to produce mahango (pearl millet) as their staple diet. It is estimated that more than 500,000 people are affected by the current drought. This number is expected to grow significantly until the next rainy season brings relief. On May 7th, 2019 the President of Namibia declared a state of emergency due to the deteriorating situation. Water managers in Namibia had to face a similar challenge of increasing water scarcity in the City of Windhoek and the central area of the country as early as the late 1960s when the first signs of trouble emerged. At that time water was mainly supplied from local subterranean sources but that became unreliable for meeting the increasing demand. Additional water supply infrastructure was built to impound surface water runoff during the rainy season and the first reclamation plant was built to purify domestic wastewater to potable water quality standards. The future development of the water supply infrastructure was drawn up in a Master Water Plan which was presented in 1974 and has been implemented and extended in several phases over time as the demand increased and capital funds were made

Paul van Schalkwyk

available. The final objective was to link a water carrier from the Okavango River to central Namibia. But what are the solutions to the present water crisis? Mr Piet Heyns, a civil engineer and former Head of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, who is now a freelance water engineering consultant, addressed some of the options at a recent meeting of the Namibia Scientific Society.

Upgrading of the Windhoek Aquifer and the Karst Aquifer will each yield 12 million cubic metres of water per annum and the water reclamation plant will yield more than 7 million cubic metres per annum. The total cost of the envisaged projects will be more than N$3,4 billion.

It’s the responsibility of all residents to become more efficient by having waterwise gardens and using water-saving devices – before it’s too late.

The short and medium-term remedies for the current situation of reduced water security in the City of Windhoek and other urban areas in central Namibia are based on the implementation of five strategies. These consist of sinking additional boreholes into the Windhoek Aquifer, upgrading the water reclamation plant in Windhoek, drilling a number of additional boreholes into the Karst Aquifer in the Otavi Mountain land in the Grootfontein-Tsumeb-Otavi triangle, the general maintenance of the bulk water transfer system from the Karst area to the Von Bach Dam at Okahandja and increased efforts to achieve better water demand management.

Heyns told the meeting that the proposed extension of the Eastern National Water Carrier from Grootfontein to Rundu to channel water from the Okavango River to central Namibia will also be investigated and compared with other alternatives such as the supply of desalinated water from the coast to central Namibia, or a link from the recently investigated Ohangwena Aquifer to the Eastern National Water Carrier. But providing more water to quench the everincreasing thirst of the City of Windhoek is not the only solution. It’s the responsibility of all residents to become more efficient by having water-wise gardens and using water-saving devices – before it’s too late. Namibian freelance journalist and travel writer: Willie Olivier

Eat, drink & be merry…

hristmas time is all about family, feasting, and recharging before the new year kicks off. At this time of year most of us are travelling to be with loved ones, anticipating another season of love, laughter, sharing of gifts and general overindulging. But all of this overindulging has its consequences, so how can we still really enjoy ourselves without paying for it in January? Moderation! There IS a happy medium – you just need to find yours. Overindulging once in a while rarely has lasting damaging effects on long-term health, but there are methods you can employ to ensure that you minimise the potential damage caused during the Silly Season: Don’t drop your exercise routine. You may need to tweak it to fit in with your new schedule or environment, but keeping it up will ensure you don’t feel like you’re starting from zero in the new year and will help your body cope with everything else you’re going to throw at it during this time. Go easy on the alcohol. Not only will you be avoiding unproductive hangovers the next day, you’ll also be avoiding dehydration and reducing your “empty” calorie intake (read: less time in the gym to work off those extra kilos!).

Drink plenty of water. Water flushes out toxins and also makes you feel fuller, so you end up eating less. Instead of that second (or, third, or fourth...) helping of the delicious spread on the Christmas table, rather fill up the Tupperware and save some leftovers – not only will you feel better, you’ll save yourself the effort of cooking lunch/dinner the following day too. Make time for yourself. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Family feuds and challenging relatives can make for stressful times. Take time out to do activities that you enjoy – even briefly – whether it’s reading a good book, listening to music (something other than Christmas carols), or simply taking a breather away from all the hustle and bustle. Even if you do end up falling off the wagon, don’t use it as an excuse to keep on going; it can lead to feelings of guilt, all willpower goes out the window and a downward spiral of events may be triggered. In short, during this season of giving, look after one of the greatest gifts you have – your health. Have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and productive New Year!

Health tips brought to you by The Namibian Oncology Centre

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More Than A Wide Flat Blue

Namibian skies are both lovely and temperamental

or numerous nature photographers the Namibian landscape has been a rewarding and lucrative muse. The rugged red mountains that look like the spinal cords of long extinct dinosaurs are featured prominently on calendars. The long coastal line between the ocean and the desert, with the cold, blue Atlantic on the left and the maze of dunes on the right, has been a postcard staple. The ghostly silence of the Skeleton Coast has proven to be a robust and steady award-winner. Then there is the bleak majesty of the heat-blasted southern regions that has sold the isolation of many resorts and retreats. The treedotted savannahs towards the north and east have provided photographers with snapshots of that trademark acacia tree at sunset that is associated with the African landscape. There is no shortage of visual stimuli when it comes to Namibia’s geology. The changing texture of the land reminds the observant traveller that it is a country of multitudes. There is one visceral aspect of the landscape, however, that is rarely explored or discussed - the Namibian sky. Not just its colours, its textures and moods, or its subtle but constant changes of costume, but its effect on the land and the people who call it home. Take this for example: a sunny day with a blue sky could be mistaken for the start of a seemingly pleasant third-grade composition. After all, blue skies, we are told, are signifiers of pleasantness and mild weather. Families picnicking at the beach, kids building sandcastles, parents reading in the shade of umbrellas - these are just some of the images that Western literature might conjure up as far as blue skies are concerned.

Then there are days when the sky is a dusty grey, when pollen and dust wreak havoc on those with allergic dispositions and people who have just finished dusting their lounges. Those are the worst days for asthma sufferers and anyone with a feather duster. No amount of polishing or closing of windows can keep the fine sheen of dust at bay. There are the blood orange sunsets of the high summer. They start in the late afternoon and continue into the early evening. The sun’s heat lets off a bit, leaving its fiery light trailing the dark curtain of night behind it. First red, then orange, then pink, and then indigo colours creep onto the horizon. When the sun dips over the western edge the mingling of these colours is a pastel master’s dream. The rhythm of life slows down: people head home from work to prepare for the next day. Then there are days when the skies are dotted with white clouds, which ignite hopes of larger, grey and stormy clouds that will bring the eagerly awaited rain. At those times the national mood is chipper and optimistic. The meteorologists are no longer cursed for their false predictions.

Rarely explored or discussed - the Namibian sky

In Namibia, blue skies mean so many different things to different people. For a pilot a wide flat expanse of blue would mean an untroubled flight. For anyone with a swimming pool it would provide a welcome opportunity to take a dip. For anyone with a shaded braai area it would be an obvious reason to light a fire and invite family or friends over for rambling conversations. But that same blue sky represents something different to a person walking to the shops to purchase a loaf of bread. For them, the cloudless sky is a curse. For the security guard chained to his duty, and for the child without any form of indoor distraction the blue sky is a blight of boredom that must be suffered for as long as is necessary. The drought-stricken farmer looks at the blue, spread evenly from east to west, and is painfully reminded that the rains are yet to come, that the lean times must still be weathered, that hope needs to remain a key ingredient to survival in this harsh and beautiful country.

And there is the night sky: purple, deep blue, and black, dotted with myriads of stars. Because the light pollution remains low, the distant pinpricks of light still crowd the sky. But it is in the south that Namibia’s skies become awe-inspiring. The Milky Way stretches like a scar across the night sky. The stars are humbling in their sheer numbers. Out in the wild, Namibia’s skies are calm, relaxing. They make you aware of your place in the universe.

It is the changing mood of the skies that make Namibia an interesting place to live. Like the pastoral movements of European countries, in which nature played a crucial role in art, so do our temperamental skies help to shape the feelings and moods of the populace. For a writer like me, the Namibian sky - which is more than a wide flat blue - has always given me a reason to look up. Rémy Ngamije is a Rwandan-born Namibian novelist, columnist, essayist, short-story writer and photographer. He also writes for brainwavez.org, a writing collective based in South Africa. He is the editor-in-chief of Doek!, Namibia’s first literary magazine. His debut novel The Eternal Audience Of One is available from Blackbird Books and Amazon. His short stories have appeared in Litro Magazine, AFREADA, The Johannesburg Review of Books, The Amistad, The Kalahari Review, American Chordata, Doek!, and Azure. More of his writing can be read on his website: remythequill.com

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FAMILY FUN WEEKENDS

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Built in 1928, the original farmhouse has been the home of the Rabie family for four generations. The Rabies still run a successful Nguni cattle farm and have also established an accommodation business that thrives on their Namibian hospitality and the stunning scenery of the farm. Nestled against the base of a rocky koppie, the Mountain Camp consists of 12 private campsites with splash pools and unique open-air ablutions built into the rock. Set harmoniously among the boulders against the horizon, the Villas provide all your creature comforts. Bushmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rest is a fully equipped house with kitchen, living area, barbeque and swimming pool - perfect for large groups of nature lovers. All the accommodation facilities, located a little distance away from the farmhouse and its outbuildings, are the perfect starting point from which to explore the numerous walking trails, go bird watching or take on the challenging 4x4 routes which are unlike any other. And then there is the joy of simply doing nothing - breathing the pure, sweet air - curled up with a book in a sunny spot while the rest are off on adventures. Meeting up later in the day, the approaching sunset is the main attraction, painting the sky with hues of deep purple and rose quartz. Whether taking in the picturesque views of the escarpment and the distant Namib Desert on a meandering hike through the granite outcrops, or marvelling at the peaceful and pristine environment around you, NamibGrens Guest Farm is an unforgettable family getaway.

3 NUTRITION MYTHS

DEBUNKED

Klara sets the (newer) record straight.

t can be hard to challenge and change our beliefs about anything. Food, fitness and health practices are no exception. Thanks to continuously emerging nutrition science research we know more now than we once did - and in the future we’ll know even more than we do now. Many ideas that were once believed to be true are being proven incorrect, allowing new (often less restrictive) thinking to come to the fore. I have selected three “truths-turned-myths” that you might want to brush up on. It’s all good news. 1. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Not for everyone. Fasting is now widely appreciated for its beneficial effects on the human metabolism and aging. In very basic terms: when you’re not eating, the body can focus on cellular repair and restoration rather than digestion. As such, time-restricted eating may trigger some beneficial health effects, such as reduced fat mass, increased lean muscle mass, reduced inflammation, improved heart function with age, increased mitochondrial volume, ketone body production, improved repair processes and enhanced aerobic endurance. The most commonly practised type of fasting is time-restricted eating where breakfast is delayed and all of the day’s food is eaten within an 8-9 hour window during the day, leaving the rest (15-16 hours, including the hours during which you sleep) for fasting. T here are several factors that determine whether timerestricted eating or fasting is appropriate and safe for you. Consult your doctor or dietician before considering any form of fasting.

foods at different rates. How we burn our fuel depends on our unique genetic make-up and other variables such as the bacteria in our gut (which differs immensely from person to person) as well as when we eat (see point 1) and how we prepare our food (cooking generally increases the absorption of calories, for example). The sources of our calories matter more than the amount of calories, and not fat but eating sugar is the fastest way to create body fat. 3. “Sleep is for the weak.” Sleep is much more important for our health than we previously realised. Chronic insomnia is linked to an increased risk of developing hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, heart attack, depression, anxiety, and more. Apart from lowering your risks of developing preventable diseases, improving your sleep can also result in more immediate benefits such as better skin health, faster weight loss, more emotional “regeneration” and improved cognitive function (learning and memory). It turns out that getting a good night’s shut eye is one of the best and ironically most beneficial things we can do for our mental and physical health.

The Calorie might be one of the biggest delusions in dietary history.

2. “A calorie is a calorie. To lose weight you need to count calories.” The Calorie might be one of the biggest delusions in dietary history. We used to think that every calorie provided the body with the same amount of energy, no matter what type of food or micronutrient it came from - whether from a protein or carbohydrate, an almond or a square of chocolate, it’s all the same - ”a calorie is a calorie”... Not quite. Here’s what we know now: Different people burn different

Do you want more sensible, sciencebased wellness info? Klara has plenty. Be sure to follow her offbeat Instagram feed (@bothsidesbuttered) where she distills the principles of optimal health down to their most fundamental basics, ones that are accessible and easy for us all to follow. Klara is a Nutritionist and Health Coach with a BSc (Hons) degree from Middlesex University in the UK. She works with corporates and individuals to optimise wellbeing and boost productivity, and regularly writes for a number of leading health and wellness publications, and she speaks at events about the physical effects of psychological stress. NB: This article is not intended as a healthcare or medical service, nor should any information in it be considered medical advice. Only your physician or other healthcare provider can advise you. We make no claims, representations or guarantees. Always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle. No information in this article or publication should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. All information is intended for informational purposes only.

The Photobooth

Martin Amushendje

Started as a hobby now weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here

hikwambi Paulus is the owner and founder of the photography company known as The Photobooth. Shikwambi was born in 1993 in Omaenene in the Kunene Region, and raised in Oshakati in the Oshana Region. In 2017 he graduated from the Namibia University of Science and Technology with a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in Public Management. He has worked in various guesthouses and hotels as well as a call center agent at MTC before taking up photography as a fulltime job.

“Everyone knows me as Augusto and I’m very passionate about my craft. I also enjoy travelling and reading when I’m not getting lost in sci-fi movies. My brand started off as a hobby to pass time but grew and got attention through the entertainment industry, which is what I’m mostly known for now that I also do urban, street, fashion, portrait and corporate photography.”

Twitter Instagram

@thephotoboooth @thephotoboooth

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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

THE

WINDHOEK COLLECTION

Ms Know-It-All

How to be polite in different Namibian cultures

ave you ever been in a situation where you think you are being super polite to someone, only to provoke a less than favourable reaction? That’s because we don’t all speak the same language. Body language, that is.

Good manners have a lot to do with how we express ourselves through our bodies. Do we turn towards someone when they speak, or do we turn away, do we look them in the eye or avoid eye-contact? Depending on the situation, a certain way of behaving could mean respect in one culture and deceitfulness in another. If you ever get asked over to your Significant Other’s parents for dinner, beware. There’s a lot that can go wrong. If you are dating an Afrikaner you need to find out exactly how “old-school” their parents are. Boys and men are expected to shake hands with the father. Keep your elbows off the table, don’t chew with your mouth open and help clear the dishes. Oh, and remember to stand when the man of the house walks into the room the first time. Now, in the case of an Owambo friend you had better get a list of possible no-no’s beforehand. Greetings are a big deal, so asking the parents how they are isn’t something you can rush through. Greetings, or lack thereof, can be a major sign of disrespect. Ask the parents and anyone else you come across how they are, slowly, and like you mean it. Young women make a little curtsey when they greet, guys a little bow. Not making eye-contact conveys respect. Then it’s dinner time. It is customary to wash your hands at the table, DO NOT refuse. Wait for the man of the house to help himself first before you take your turn and then wait for him to take his first bite. Keep your meat for last. If you are the girlfriend you better expect to be clearing the dishes afterwards, starting with your potential father-in-law, then mom, then boo. Plus, you’ll be doing the washing up, so don’t bother getting a manicure before your visit. The best advice I can give you to get through the minefield of cultural etiquette and norms is to just be aware of how other people act, and let their behaviour guide yours. If you’re unsure, ask. When people know your intentions are good they won’t hesitate to help you. Look out for cues from those around you. And never ever, ever address anyone older than you by their first name.

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JOMO

o as the year draws to a close, it’s time for the magic of rest and reconnection, right? All true, but it’s surprising how hard it is to pull away from the grind and embrace the moment.

In our fast-paced world, driven by consumerism and obsessed with social media, we seem to value status and achievement more than fulfilment. Yet, a satisfied life is better than a successful one. Success is measured by others whereas our contentment is measured by our own body, mind and soul. Perhaps it is time during this holiday season to recalibrate our bodies using simple lifestyle interventions. This can include taking time to allow ourselves room to disconnect in order to reconnect to ourselves and our inner stillness. As Eckhart Tolle said, “When you lose touch with your inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose touch with the world.” If this year has been one of perpetual motion and turbo-charged schedules, then the holiday season should be the opposite. Have you heard about JOMO? The acronym stands for the Joy of Missing Out. It is the balance-finding counterpart of FOMO (the Fear of Missing Out). The Joy of Missing Out is the satisfaction that ensues when we break away from digital technology. JOMO is about asking ourselves to take a moment, disconnect and remember that rest is a natural cycle of life that enables periods of productivity. JOMO means that putting your phone on flight mode should not be limited to when onboard an aeroplane. Peace of mind is cultivated through the practice of learning to live in the moment, to find the beauty in each moment. The practise of being in the here and now heals you, and so does taking a nap. Taking a nap is like rebooting your brain. It’s magical. We have a natural biological slump about eight hours after we wake up, usually between 1pm and 3pm. During this time body temperature drops and melatonin levels rise, which are cues for sleep. It is the biological design of our bodies to encourage a period of brief rest in the middle of the day. Without sufficient sleep, our bodies produce fewer cytokines, a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response. A study that spanned six years found that a nap three times a week resulted in a massive drop in the risk of heart disease among participants. Napping is not just sleeping, but rather the act of lying horizontally with the intent to calm your body and mind. The key in cultivating a healthy relationship with rest is to understand that one size does not fit all. There are many ways in which you can rest, including meditation, prayer, napping, or even intentional stretching and deep breathing. All of these support body and mind renewal and restoration. A suggestion for this holiday season is to embrace your relationship with rest, and to remember that you are not a machine. You can stop the grind. Kirsty Watermeyer Kirsty is a Yoga and Meditation Coach, a Transformation Facilitator and Writer. Contact her at kirsty@seednamibia.com

PROUD SPONSOR

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

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

MONEY MATTERS

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

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.

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.

INSTAFAMOU

Flying high and feeling like a star. Like a valued client and friend. That’s what we’re about at FlyWestair. We hope your journey with us is everything you hoped and more. We hope it makes you smile. And then we hope you capture that smile and post it all over! Tag @fly_westair or #flywestair and become Instafamous in our next issue or win a free return flight! 1.

LEFT TO RIGHT The gorgeous @yana_haenisch travelled with us to Cape Town in preparation for her Miss Supranational debut!

2. Cool little dudes with cooler hairstyles… got to love this young passenger. Thanks for sharing @lameezbb 3. @stepseze said it best: “It starts with trying out a new local airline, being accompanied by a travel buddy…” We hope your week in Cape Town was EVERYTHING! 4. @v5_ljk captured them evening skies 5. “A fine view.” by @808penda. Our heads are in the clouds all day, everyday, and we adore the view, too. 6. What a cool shot of the coolest new magazine out there… thanks for sharing the love @marigoldhotelsnam

Win with #flywestair! Take a photo on your flight with FlyWestair and post it to social media - tag us or use the hashtag #flywestair and you could win a free return flight on one of our routes. T&Cs apply.

7. The BEST kind of shoutout from @southboundtours: “When you @flywestair, you do much more than just fly with another airline. You do a spectacular scenic flight, passing #sossusvlei and #fishrivercanyon just to land in #oranjemund, which is a beautiful town on the edge of the #namibdesert. From there you fly all along the #westcoast of South Africa into the beautiful city of Cape Town with a magnificent sight of #tablemountain.” We could not have said it better ourselves!

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PROPERTY PRACTITIONER RESIDENTIAL SALES SPECIALIST 061 22 0673 +264 81 284 3180 Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, 63 Suiderhof, Windhoek, 9000

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En suite bathroom

Work space

Fully air-conditioned

Free wifi

Tea and coffee station

Safe parking

Satelite TV

Complimentay Corporate Sundowner Drink

Rates are in Namibian Dollars (N$) per person per night and include a full English Breakfast buffet, 2% Bed Levy and 15% VAT. Bookings: reservations@hotelthule.com Valid from 01 October 2019 to 31 October 2020; subject to availabilty; not bookable in connection with any other discounted rates; rates only availabe for direct bookings via reservations@hotelthule.com; full pre-payment required to confirm reservation.

An up-market sanctuary for the modern day traveller

76 + 78 Geverstreet (Dr. Kwame Nkrumah), Ludwigsdorf, Klein Windhoek NAMIBIA P: +264 61 25 88 67 | P: +264 81 127 2037

E: belvedere@afol.com.na | W: www.belvedere-boutiquehotel.com

NAKARA SHOP WINDHOEK Gustav Voigts Centre Independence Avenue 131 Tel/Fax 061 224 209 Email: info@nakara.na NAKARA SWAKOPMUND The Arcade, Tel/Fax: +264 64 405 907 NAKARA FACTORY WINDHOEK 3 Solingen Str. Northern Industrial Tel +264 61 429 100

www.nakara-namibia.com

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

FlyWestair December 2019

Articles inside

More Than A Wide Flat Blue

Shikwambi Paulus

JOMO

JOMO

Ms Know-It-All

3 Nutrition Myths Debunked

Family Fun Weekends at NamibGrens

Facing the Challenge of Water Security in Namibia

Luxury, Style and Determination: The Mohenn Story

Layers of Investing - Where to begin

The Tribe

Master Your Destiny

ROYAL HUSTLERS

art-ist

What’s happening.

Neuras Wine Estate

FlyWestair Destinations

Explore Windhoek’s markets

Who is the Real Force behind Westair?

Welcome on Board