FlyWestair January 2020 by Venture Media

FlyWestair January 2020

www.flywestair.com

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from the publisher

Stories in FlyWestair Magazine.

FIRE

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

This is us.

FlyWestair December 2019

To advertise in FlyWestair magazine contact fly@venture.com.na.

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"

The Best (& most worthy) Namibian destinations right now.

FEATURED: EXPLORE NAMIBIA WITH YOUR

VOLUME 28 No 1 SUMMER 2019/20

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2019/20

CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN NAMIBIA

A R E N A M I B I A’ S C A R N I VO R E S AT R I S K?

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CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN NAMIBIA

“But how could you live and have no story to tell?”

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

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 CAPITAL CITY’S MARKETS

Every month we introduce you to one of Windhoek’s many popular markets, from early morning farmer’s markets, to late night street parties. This month we take a look at El Barrio Neighborhood Market.

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: Time out in Ondangwa.

10 MINUTES WITH LOCAL TASTE MAKERS 23

We sit down with Namibian photographer Tara Mette to find out how she’s shaped a career in the arts.

CAMELTHORN IPA

Be pleasantly surprised by the growing industry of unique culinary and beverage artisans to be found in Namibia. We introduce you to Namibia Breweries Limited’s latest in their craft range, the Camelthorn IPA.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Update your calendar what 2020’s must-attend events. 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.

LUX LIVING

Leon Engelbrecht of LED leather works on how giving up his day job turned a hobby into his main gig.

ART-IST 27 2

Sean K on his latest album Status Update, brain surgery and performing at the Windhoek Jazz Festival.

ROYAL HUSTLERS

A look at the career of Linda Baumann, an advocate for the rights of marginalised groups in Namibia.

MASTER YOUR DESTINY

Be inspired by the story of Nangula Uaandja, the first black female chartered accountant in Namibia and today one of the senior partners at accounting firm PwC Namibia.

THE TRIBE

An interview with the quintessential Afropolitan musician, Tapz Munya.

ECONOMIC PULSE

Economic researchers from IJG discuss why you need to play the game to protect your capital, in the Namibia Trade Network’s Economic Pulse, a monthly series on finance and the economy.

FASHION FIERCE

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 looks at the biannual Walvis Bay bird count that’s become an institution in local birding.

A YEAR IN WINDHOEK

Remy The Quill entertains us with his take on Windhoek. Engaging, funny and off-beat; his unique writing style and honesty is a breath of fresh air.

HEALTH HACKS FOR BUSY PEOPLE

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

PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURE

Be inspired by a selection of film photographs from Namibian photographer Le Roux van Schalkwyk.

MS KNOW-IT-ALL

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

WELLNESS ON FLYWESTAIR

Kirsty Watermeyer takes a look at making new year’s resolutions that puts our health and happiness first.

30 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

A look at Namibia’s historic journey to becoming a self-governing state.

INSTAFAMOUS

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

21 3

NEED TO KNOWS www.ﬂywestair.com

How to buy

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Eros Airport, Ondangwa Airport, Oranjemund Airport

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from:

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Welcome on Board

FlyWestair

t’s a new year with exciting new adventures that lie ahead. In the past six months of this rollercoaster of excitement that is a new airline, we have learnt that there is always space for innovation and bringing something new to the table… you just need to be brave.

We hope that 2019 was everything you wished it to be and that you are as excited as we are about all that 2020 has in store for us. This January we’re looking at the future. The future of Namibia, aviation and FlyWestair. During our half-year in operation we have expanded our routes from humble beginnings to international destinations. We are proud to know that in just a few short months we have given Namibians and foreign visitors another option when it comes to who they choose as their carrier to and from our corner of Africa. From the start our tagline has been “It’s about time.” In a fast-paced, globally-connected universe such as ours, time is one of our most valuable commodities. Not just when it comes to business, but also the time you have to explore the world, with loved ones and with yourself. Time is the one thing we can never recover once it is lost, and we want to ensure that our clients get the most out of the time they spend travelling with us. So this year, we will move forward and onward from “it’s about time... to “what is time about?” Why do you travel, what do you travel for and who do you travel to or with? The 100-year jubilee edition of Holland Herald, the in-flight magazine of KLM, one of the world’s oldest airlines, explored the future of flying. It highlighted five key factors that will

influence how we travel by air, including revolutionary aircraft design, modern propulsion technology, the way in which pilots fly and navigate, a move towards lower emissions and lastly, but most importantly, the passenger experience. Our clients are at the forefront of every decision we make as an airline: your comfort and experience is our ultimate destination. Namibia celebrates 30 years of independence in 2020. Over the past 3 decades we have seen our country grow as a nation, and despite on-going growing pains, which many nations still experience well into their first century of existence, we are proud to be a part of this Land of the Brave. As the country’s first privately owned scheduled passenger airline we encourage the nation’s entrepreneurial heart and innovative spirit. In this magazine we celebrate Namibia this year with a series following the last 30 years of growth. We will also continue to celebrate our clients with our #flywestair series, which from the February edition will be exploring what time is about for you when it comes to travelling. We hope you have an energetic new start to the year filled with forward-thinking and time well spent. We are excitedly planning new destinations that will be launched shortly, including Walvis Bay and Johannesburg, and our new venture FlyWestair Safaris, which will connect travellers between Eros Airport in Windhoek with Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha on two daily circular routes. Happy 2020 to you! 5

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.

Ash-Lee Prinsloo - Scheduled Operations Manager

Zita van der Merwe - Maintenance Engineer

When you come from a family where almost everyone is involved in the aviation industry, it is almost inevitable that you should find yourself in it, too. For Ash-Lee Prinsloo, originally from Durban, her career kicked off at South African Airways, where she was fortunate to be chosen for the cadet program that sponsored her Commercial Pilots Licence studies. With low hours on completion, finding a flying job was difficult - which is why Ash-Lee packed up her belongings and left everything else behind when she was offered a position at Westair. Initially, though, she worked on the ground to prove herself, and in the process found her initial plans changing. “Flying filters through to so much more,” she says, and her passion now lies in more than just flying: it’s with being involved in the company - knowing what’s going on. And keeping her feet on the ground? It’s exactly where she wants to be.

You know those parents who stand at the window of an airport lounge, pointing out the airplanes to their kids? Zita van der Merwe’s parents did that, and today she has to do with airplanes every day at work. “I have always liked planes,” says Zita, whose career in aviation isn’t the clear-cut trajectory she might have expected it to be. To start with, she studied engineering and worked as a maintenance engineer, taking on the massive responsibility of making sure that every part of the plane is perfect. But then she hurt her back in a motorcycle accident and could no longer do the physical work required by her job. She now uses her previous work experience in her current position, keeping track of maintenance schedules for Westair’s planes, calculating the shortest down-time possible for every plane so that the company can get as much flight hours out of them as possible. Her job is important for the workshop, but even more so for the safety of passengers and crew. Luckily Zita is a perfectionist; “I take my work very seriously”.

Bennie Truter- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Beverly Mungendje – Debtors Controller

Bennie Truter has been working at Westair for ten years now, but it almost didn’t happen. “After school I studied biokinetics,” says Bennie, who describes the move as following the crowd. “What were my friends doing?” was his main concern. One year into his studies, he packed up and moved home, heeding the advice of a family friend who happened to work at Westair. Bennie started as an apprentice and has since made it to the point where he now guides and teaches the next generation. He is open to doing things in different ways: “As long as the end result is the same, it’s OK. Don’t assume that your way is the best way.”

You know you’re onto something good when time spent at work seems to fly by. For Beverly that’s how the past five years as an accountant at Westair have been. After finishing school at Jan Möhr, Beverly, born and bred in Windhoek, went on to study accounting at UNAM. Even though she works at an aviation company she doesn’t travel much - which she plans on changing soon, in addition to obtaining her Masters degree. For her, work is about growth, which is why she came to Westair to start with. Starting at a company from scratch is inspiring, and working with a team that is friendly and always willing to help makes every process that much smoother.

Helena Kanzi - Cabin Crew

Lukas Kaviva - Spray Painter

As the first-born, Helena Kanzi’s parents gave her the opportunity to go to many different schools around Namibia: she moved to a new one every year, starting over, exploring the country, engaging with different cultures and seeing how others live. “I was like a tourist in my own country!” she says of that time, noting that it was never sad for her to leave her friends because she knew she’d make new ones. And with her bubbly personality and big smile, there’s no doubt about that. Which, combined with her work philosophy, is probably why her role at Westair suits her so well. “The passenger is never wrong,” she says, “you make it (the passenger’s problem) your problem.” Helena plans on moving into the cockpit one day, because, as she says, “in aviation, you never stop learning.”

“Everything is nawa. Not a problem,” Lukas Kaviva says when asked about his work as a painter at Westair. He describes the process of spray painting, body-painting and polishing as making an aircraft that is “nie so mooi nie” (not so pretty) as good as new. And he should know how. Lukas has been at it for ten years and is skilled at what he does. When he came to Windhoek at the age of 21 he couldn’t speak a word of English or Afrikaans. Now he understands both, although he says he speaks the latter best. And while he has only been at Westair for little more than a year, he already knows the different airplane models, routinely calling them the 305 or the 206 like an old hand. “This,” he says, “is my purpose in life.”

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: El Barrio Neighbourhood Market

hat sets this market apart from all the others is that the seating area is in the street, which is closed off for vehicles on the night of the market. This connects visitors, stalls and neighbouring businesses as a community. Wooden tables and benches are set out on the tar, beneath the shade of the massive trees on the sidewalk and later, after sunset, lit up by the orange glow of the street lights overhead. Live music sets the tone, while El Barrio’s waitrons rush up and down between the restaurant and the street serving the patrons.

On November 1st the market was themed Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), the Mexican festival held on All Saints Day in remembrance of deceased loved ones. El Barrio Restaurant took part in the Latin celebrations, the faces of the waitrons painted with the iconic and colourful calavera (skull). There were even a few patrons sporting Mexican-inspired outfits and flowery headdresses à la Frida Kahlo. A live DJ had the crowd jamming out in front of his booth to Latin jams and a few retro hits as well. The market is not the largest on the scene in Windhoek, but with its selection of international wines, gins, delicious snacks and vegan comfort food, there’s more than enough to satisfy. And what the market lacks in variety of stalls it makes up for in vibe, attested to by the laid-back, mixed crowd that comes for more than the free entrance.

Live music sets the tone, while El Barrio’s waitrons rush up and down between the restaurant and the street serving the patrons.

Nina van Zyl When: On the first Friday of each month, from 16:00 till late Where: El Barrio Tapas Bar and Restaurant, The Village, Eros

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time out

FlyWestair Destinations

ith its strategic location at the crossroad to Oshikango, the gateway to Angola, and Oshakati and Ruacana further afield it comes as no surprise that Ondangwa is a bustling town. On any day of the week (except Sunday) the town’s resident population swells to nearly double, as people from the surrounding villages do their shopping there. Ondangwa and its immediate surroundings have long been the seat of Ndonga kings. But it is a relatively young town with a curious mix of shopping malls and other modern buildings and an array of informal businesses lining the streets that give it a truly African atmosphere. If you have time on your hands in Ondangwa, here are a few ideas of what there is to do and see. Feeling a bit hungry? Forget about hotel food, head to the Ondjodjo Open Market and let your senses guide you to the area where kapana is being cooked over sizzling hot coals while you wait. This is truly Namibian street food, named after the kapana spice, a mixture of spices, salt and chillies. Buy some salsa from one of the nearby vendors to accompany your kapana meal. The salsa is made from finely chopped tomatoes, onions, chillies, vinegar and oil. Open markets play an important role in the informal economy of the north and many traders come from nearby villages to sell a variety of goods. Take time to look at the wide selection of indigenous dried fruits and leafy vegetables: nuts from the Makalani palm, eembe berries from the Jackalberry tree and ekaka – flat round cakes made from boiled and dried wild spinach. And if you have a very adventurous palate you might even want to try some dried mopane worms. For sundowners head to one of the many cuca shops, the local equivalent of the South African shebeen, and quench your thirst with a Namibian beer – brewed in accordance with the age-old Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) issued by the Duke of Bavaria in 1516. The innovative, entertaining and sometimes intriguing names of these bars are unlikely to escape your attention. The name cuca shop is derived from a Portuguese beer that was traded from Angola in years gone by. If you are interested in history, drive over to the historic Finnish mission station at Olukonda. It was the second station established by the Finnish Mission Society and dates back to 1871. The mission complex consisting of the missionary’s house, the church and a cemetery is intimately associated with the most prominent and influential Finnish missionary, Reverend Martti Rautanen, who was locally known as Nakambale. It was declared a national monument in 1992.

in Ondangwa

Displays in the mission house, the oldest dwelling in northern Namibia, include photographs and maps depicting the history and development of the Finnish Mission Society in Owambo. Also on display are household implements, ornaments worn by women, traditional weapons and an assortment of other items. Rautanen, his wife Frieda and five of his children, several Ondonga kings, members of the royal family and prominent parishioners were buried in the adjoining cemetery. A guided tour through the traditional homestead next to the mission complex provides a fascinating insight into its complex structure and the way of life of the Aandonga – a people who are part of the Ondonga community. To get to Olukonda take the B1 towards Oshivelo until you reach the signposted turnoff onto the D3629. From there drive another 5,3 km on the D3629, then turn left onto a gravel road immediately before the ELCIN Olukonda Church and continue for a few hundred metres to the mission complex. Ondangwa and the surroundings have been the seat of several kings of the Aandonga – one of eight communities of the Aawambo. On your way to Olukonda you will pass the former palace of the 18th king of the Ondonga, King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, who passed away in March 2019. His palace can be seen a few kilometres after turning onto the D3629, but it is rather inconspicuous. The palace of his successor, King Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, is situated just a few kilometres south of Ondangwa. With more time on your hands you can take a leisurely drive to Oshakati, the administrative centre of the Oshana Region and the business hub of the north. Visit the largest open market (locally known as omatala) in the north; its location is south of the Game Shopping Centre. TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS • The Aawambo (‘people of Owambo’) are friendly, welcoming and accommodating. But as anywhere else it is advisable to take sensible precautions to prevent being a victim of opportunistic crime. • It is common courtesy to ask permission from street vendors and vendors in open markets before taking photographs. • When driving, sit back and relax, drive slowly and be prepared to take quick evasive action as local driving tends to be erratic. Willie Olivier

FESTIVE SPECIAL A tranquil, relaxing farmstead oasis awaits you this festive season. Comforting, homestyle cuisine is served in our dining room or terrace areas. Our two swimming pools, kids playground, bowling alley and the great outdoors will ensure that the whole family is entertained!

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10 minutes

with local taste makers

t’s another bloody hot day in Windhoek. And nobody, not even Tara Mette, likes a sweaty handshake. So, naturally, like two gals just meeting for a quick coffee (or Matcha latte, in this case), we hug it out. And just like any other casual conversation with a colleague, we start with bitching about the weather.

We are seated at what’s pretty much the only open table. It’s busy, but that’s the way she likes it. When I asked her where we should meet for the interview and she picked the eclectic coffee shop/bistro/bakery/deli/restaurant that is Olivia’s Kitchen, I knew this girl is multi-faceted. A quick look at her Instagram page (@taramettephoto) and you can quickly gather as much. Fashion, Documentary, Studio, Landscape, Weddings and Newborns. Although the thought of this diverse mix may give an influencer a headache, Tara has managed to make all the above uncannily aesthetic and cohesive - demanding a follow. She was probably destined to be a Capetonian - never mind the fact that she was born in the Mother City. Her energy is the easy-going, zero fuss, no bullshit kind of vibe you can expect from anyone who spends enough time at the foot of Table Mountain. It’s an aura almost identical to that of kids, like herself, who were raised in Swakopmund. “Everyone knows everyone,” she says with a giggle rather than an eyeroll - delighted with the cul-de-sac lifestyle that characterises the seaside town and that shaped her. After completing a BA in Visual Communications - no easy feat, I assure you - she found herself at an all-time low back in her homeland. A lack of inspiration, and even more so, a lack of cool friends, drove her into the kind of slump that is detrimental to any artist. This is when she skedaddled to Australia, picked up a mop and began doing domestic work. “It pays really well.” I could tell from the moment I spotted the leopard print scrunchie around her wrist that this girl is no-nonsense. She’ll surely whip her shoulder-length brown locks into a ponytail at any

given moment - without a moment’s hesitation - and get to work. It’s this kind of moxie that is propelling our whole generation. “I feel guilty when I’m doing nothing.” This time back in Windhoek, however, is different. She’s connected with the cool kids on the block - fellow creators who share her vision of doing dope stuff and birthing brilliant ideas. One creator, in particular: Elzane Ludeke, who landed Tara her first job back in Namibia - shooting the luxurious handbags of Amana Design. Tara rose like a phoenix from the ashes down-under and started a spark that is shaking the whole industry. Her angle is unlike any other. She captures that nick in time as accurately as possible leaving less postproduction work (editing, to you and I). Not because she’s lazy, which I can assure you is not the case, but because many photographers have begun relying too heavily on their mad Photoshop skills to bring an average image up to scratch. Tara’s photographs - as her friend Elzane boasts - are already remarkably captured as you peep over her shoulder and squint at her DSLR’s screen. By the time our ten minutes are up, she hasn’t so much as touched her Matcha Latte - a testament to her investment in the conversation. The bustling space of Olivia’s Kitchen didn’t distract her in the slightest. Rather uncharacteristic of an artist such as herself. You see, Tara Mette defies all stereotypes, which is without a doubt one of the many reasons her photography stands out the way it does. In true tastemaker fashion, her work doesn’t conform and neither does she. Charene Labuschagne

Namibia’s craft

CAMELTHORN IPA

aunched last year, the newest edition to the Camelthorn Brewing Company’s range of tasty craft beers is the India Pale Ale. Produced by Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), this Namibian crafted IPA has been expertly brewed to create a hoppy beer that isn’t a declaration of bitterness but rather emphasises the delicious fruity flavours that the hops can deliver. Brewed with Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops, Camelthorn opted to create an American style IPA. The style is well-known for exploring the rowdy, fruity flavours in hops while shedding some of the bitterness. That is not to say that the beer isn’t bitter, but the result is a meticulously crafted IPA that is surprisingly easy drinking with distinctive berry, grape and floral notes. A beer that will appeal to IPAnewbies trying it for the first time as well as the well-travelled IPA connoisseur.

Unpretentious. No bells. No whistles. Just great tasting beer.

Craft breweries have introduced a whole new world of beer to their consumers, which is great from a beer-lovers perspective, but mostly these are heavy, intricate beers that a pallet that is used to light beers like lagers cannot necessarily drink more than one of. With Camelthorn’s IPA as well as their range of beers that include a Helles Lager with Saphir hops, a Crystal Weiss made with Lemondrop hops and a dark malty Urbock, the drinkability is focused on. Cold brews that are easy, accessible and that can be enjoyed by anyone. Unpretentious. No bells. No whistles. Just great tasting beer. Camelthorn IPA has IBU:40 / ABV: 5% / Original Gravity: 13%. Le Roux van Schalkwyk

2020

What’s happening. It’s the dawn of a new decade. 2020 is finally in our midst and we’re planning on jampacking our calendars met al wat ‘n ding is.

January January, however, is the metaphorical Sunday of months. We’re a little bit broke and fragile from the vacation and festivities, so we’ve put together our list of annual events because we are all taking a nap. For the remainder of January, that is. Keep a lookout for these unmissable events, when the time comes. And sweet dreams in the meantime.

February You guessed it - February is the metaphorical Monday of months. And Mondays are for restarting exercise regimes. Volleyball for All is an action-packed tournament held annually at the DTS Sportsgrounds in Windhoek and promises team building and sunstroke. Luckily you took that nap. So slap on some sunscreen and warm up your wrists, whether you’re playing or not. The Namibian sun does not discriminate and if you’re not playing, strong wrists will help you hold your beer upright.

March/April

June

We interrupt the exercise broadcast to bring you Wika. The Windhoek Karneval is a celebration of all things German. Massive stage productions, the crowning of kings, queens, princes and princesses. And beer. Lots of beer. It’s a festival weekend in late April promising fun for the whole family. Expect dancing on tables due to said beer. And Jägermeister, duh!

Back to regular programming with more fitness stuff. The Fish River Ultra is a gruelling marathon that takes place in - you guessed it - the Fish River Canyon. This one is not for the faint-hearted but is sure to score you some serious bragging rights at your next braai.

September The Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) is your chance to get dolled up for your red... I mean Blue Carpet debut. The who’s who of the music industry rocks up, puts on a massive show and awards the deserving for their hard work and talent. With every production exceeding the flamboyance of the year before, you can expect the NAMAs to be a spectacle not to be missed in 2020. Last year Sally Boss Madam was soaring in the rafters on an African Fish Eagle construction. Just saying...

October Oktoberfest - you didn’t think we would go that long without beer, did you? October is kind of like the Wednesday of months, which means plenty of drinks and dancing and regrets. So strap on your Lederhosen and lace up your Dirndl because we’re celebrating, erm, October?!

November Put down your beer and buy a ticket to the Windhoek Jazz Festival, where you can pick up a glass of wine because we’re sophisticated now. The line up never disappoints and the atmosphere is cosmopolitan and, unironically, jazzy.

December It’s all about balance in 2020. So once you’ve recovered from all that Jazz, click in your cycling shoes and do the Desert Dash. Fair warning that this is no casual cycle classic - preparation is essential! The Desert Dash is a 24 hour, 373 km mountain bike challenge across the oldest desert on the planet. Expect blood, sweat and middle-aged men in spandex. And at the finish line in Swakopmund surprise - beer! Charene Labuschagne

CONTINUING TO CREATE A POSITIVE LEGACY IN NAMIBIA TODAY AND TOMORROW.

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Lux Living

The Legacy of

Leather

aking a leap of faith, Leon Engelbrecht decided to quit his job in IT to do something more creative and fulfilling with his life. Still unsure of what direction this sudden change should take him, he decided to spend time on a new hobby and signed up for a leatherwork course. Three years later he reflects on how that hobby has turned into a full-time venture and led him where he is today.

“The catalyst that started the process of my creative freedom was building a house with my partner a few years ago,” Leon explains. As part of the building process he dabbled in interior design as well as textile design. Eventually he quit his corporate gig and set up a small leather workshop in his garage where he could practice his latest hobby. Unexpectedly he was commissioned to make leather bags for a conference in Swakopmund. As word spread he received more and more orders for leather goods. Motivated by happy clients and his newfound love for working with leather, Leon decided to throw his full weight into this creative craft. “As things happen around you, there are constant signs that show you that you are on the right track.” And so Leon Engelbrecht Designs - LED - was born. Walking through the LED shop in Maerua Mall you’ll find all kinds of leather products from belts to overnight bags, each painstakingly hand-stitched and made to last. According to Leon, his designs are based on what he would like to use himself. “I am interested in fashion and style, but I don’t like things that are over the top. That is why my designs are practical, simple designs. I create products that are meant to be used every day and become part of your life just like drinking coffee or watching television.” Hand-stitching every product ensures top quality, something that is made to last longer than machine-stitching. Although a time-consuming process, clients can be sure that each product is unique. The emphasis that LED puts on quality is evident in the lifetime warranty on stitching and the materials used. Leon says, the reason he loves leather is that it becomes a legacy item if properly cared for. It never goes out of fashion and is something that becomes part of who you are. Clients can even have all products personalised with their initials free of charge. Apart from working with leather, LED has also branched out into textile and interior design. Leon already has a couple of interior design projects under his belt and was recently awarded a Best in Category and Region 5 Star Award in the 2019/2020 International Property Awards. Sometimes the journey of life takes us on a detour before we reach our destination. As Leon puts it: “I am exactly where I need to be and I am doing exactly what I need to be doing.” Visit leonengelbrecht.com

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art-ist

Shato Sean Natangwe Ndemufayo Kamati

hato Sean Natangwe Ndemufayo Kamati, born in Windhoek in 1989, began his music career singing in the church choir. We are having our interview at TribeFire Studios in Suiderhof where he’s just belted out two songs in a live performance, despite a throat cough that has bothered him since he woke up. He sang through it, though. And he sure can hold a note. Status Updated, his latest album, is inspired by updating one’s online status on Twitter and Facebook. A status update is the user’s way to share what they’re thinking. In the first days of Facebook a status began with the user’s name and ‘is’. As in: Sean K is getting over his broken heart. Sean K is inspired. Sean K is writing music. Sean K is recording his new album. Sean K is performing at the Windhoek Jazz Festival. Sean K is celebrating four years since undergoing brain surgery.

creative director. This background must be where he got his advantage: the know-how of forging the Sean K brand and promoting it online. The one thing bigger than Sean’s music is his personality. His big smile easily changes into a pout that is as camera-ready as Kim K. I ask whether it’s hard separating his personal life from the brand he has become. It doesn’t seem to bother him. He is out there, and although he doesn’t swear on social media, he says, he doesn’t hold back either. A sponsor may have strict guidelines when it comes to what can or can’t be said online, and he’s willing to work with that.

It’s easier to see things in a new light when you realise just how limited your time on earth is, how fragile your existence.

About that brain surgery. His album might never have happened if it hadn’t been for his surgery. It’s easier to see things in a new light when you realise just how limited your time on earth is, how fragile your existence. Sean was doing very well for himself in advertising, entering the industry as a copywriter and exiting as a

Sean is an active presence on social media, documenting everything from jamming out to his new favourite song, from his grooming routine to shopping excursions. Same as for many famous #millennials, social media is an extension of his persona, and he uses it adeptly, effortlessly. His instagram page features the places where he may be most commonly found: the Warehouse Theatre before it closed its doors for good; out in nature on a friend’s family farm; at the studio; local events; performances; hanging out with Lize Ehlers, a friend and local music heavyweight; pouting for a selfie. Who is his personal photographer, I wonder. Nina van Zyl

A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESSâ&#x20AC;Ś Linda Baumann is a fierce advocate for the recognition and rights of women and the LGBTI community, as well as a staunch supporter of all minorities. Photo: Contributed

ROYAL HUSTLERS Linda Baumann: The Woman. The Force. The Activist

inda Baumann is a sheer force of a woman. An unwavering advocate for the rights of women, the LGBTI community and for marginalised people in general, she has fought to emancipate these groups and secure equal opportunities for them.

As a youth, Linda was also one of the early members of the Namibian Girl Child Association, which became the first feminist movement for black children. Growing up surrounded by boys, Linda became aware early on that she was not an ordinary girl. She realised that she might be gay but because that was a taboo, she struggled to accept it and even experienced internalised homophobia. She eventually found her identity in the LGBTI movement and became an activist.

A sister, mother and aunt, Linda grew up in the Wambo location in Katutura with a mind of her own and a rebellious streak that set her onto the path of activism. She attended Mandume Primary School and Namutoni Primary School, followed by Jan Jonker Afrikaner Secondary Finding my School. As a creative and active youth she’d often find herself bored after school and spent identity there her afternoons at the Katutura Multipurpose was the key Youth Centre. It was there that she learnt thing for me about the Red Cross and at 14 started to volunteer at the organisation. “I still remember the principles of the Red Cross. I made my own acronym out of them. It stands for humanity and impartiality, neutrality, universality, unity, independence and voluntary service. All these principles are the principles that I still live by and that guide me in my life,” says Linda. She adds that her mother was very instrumental in instilling a humanitarian spirit in her.

to be able to understand what humanity is and how indivisible our human rights are.

Linda then worked at the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA) where she did advocacy work for sexual and reproductive health, and in particular the rights of young people. This is where she met John Nakuta (now Namibia’s media ombudsman) and Yvonne Dausab (Chairperson of the Law Reform Development Commission, LRDC) who became her mentors and introduced her to law.

“Finding my identity there was the key thing for me to be able to understand what humanity is and how indivisible our human rights are. I started finding out more about gay people but I used to always sit at the back,” she recalls. Then she started campaigning for equal rights for the LGBTI community and continued her humanitarian efforts “because there’s no way that I can divide the layers of who I am into packages,” she says about why she doesn’t limit her activism to the LGBTI community.

Her work has earned her recognition in Namibia and beyond, and she has received numerous accolades, the latest being a Feather Award. She has been to the UN to represent Namibia and has achieved all of this without a university degree - something she says she was able to do because of her relentless pursuit of knowledge. This article is based on an interview with Linda Baumann on 99FM. Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99 FM every Monday to Friday at 07h35.

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angula Uaandja has spent decades breaking barriers, always gracefully and with purpose, but not always on purpose. As the first black woman to register as a chartered accountant in Namibia, Nangula is the Country Senior Partner of PwC Namibia.

At first I thought it had to be economics because I was never exposed to accounting. So I applied to UNAM to study for a Bachelor of Economics degree. Only when I started doing research into what type of experts my father needed to help him with his business did I find out that there were chartered accountants. So I changed my degree course to a Bachelor of Commerce.

But her life is about so much more than work; it is about faith, responsibility and overcoming adversities in life.

MYD: Where did you get your drive to realise that you should help your family and push forward? NU: I’ve always had this sense of responsibility. Life is a responsibility and I feel that I was created for a purpose. I’m here to make a difference, not to live for myself but to live for what God wants me to do.

MYD: Tell us about your story. NU: I grew up in the north of Namibia, just a few kilometres from the border of Angola. When I was sixteen, I crossed the border and went into exile in Angola because I heard that you could get a good education if you did so. I stayed in Angola for a couple of months and then, through the Swapo Party, I was blessed to get a scholarship from the UNHCR to study in Sierra Leone, along with about ten other Namibian students.

Nangula Uaandja - Beyond the glass ceiling

Before I could finish Grade 12, however, civil war broke out in Sierra Leone. For those who saw the film Blood Diamonds, it’s based on the war in Sierra Leone. So when the rebels came I decided to go home. MYD: You were the first female black chartered accountant in Namibia. Why did you choose this path? NU: I always thought that I would become highly specialised in science, that fits my personality. I often say that I’m not a people’s person by nature. I’m taskdriven, task-orientated and I thought I wanted to work by myself, not manage people. But my father was a businessman. At some point, because not all of his records were in order, the Receiver of Revenue gave him this huge tax bill that he was to pay and I could see that the amount of tax that they charged him was much more than what the business was making. I started feeling that somebody needed to help my father, that perhaps it was my responsibility to study something that would help him with his business.

MYD: When you became the first black woman chartered accountant in Namibia, how did that feel? NU: I did feel that it was an accomplishment for women but also for black people because before independence black people were not allowed to become chartered accountants, so it was breaking that barrier. When you break a barrier, other people also realise that a barrier can be broken. MYD: Don’t you think that often our challenges make us stronger? NU: Yes, I am who I am today because of everything I’ve gone through. I look at it and say, God, why did we have to go through this? Why did I lose my son? What must I learn from it? Today I actually see a lot of reasons. I’m not happy that I lost my son but now I think God used that incident to do a lot in my life and I believe that I am the person that I am today to a large extent because of that incident, because it made me a different person. It changed my heart and the way I look at things in life. Nangula’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 28

Tapz Munya The Quintessential Afropolitan Musician

ultitalented Tapz Munya, who hails from Zimbabwe, is an ethnomusicologist who was inspired to tap into the authentic African elements of music for his solo debut. In this #TribeExclusive he talks unity through music, representing Namibia beyond borders and his journey as a Afropolitan performer whose music knows no borders. A growing phenomenon in the music world, ethnomusicology is the study of non-Western music. It is focussed on the research side of African music in relation to culture. “I’m really glad to have had an opportunity to study this because it’s something that I love. It’s all about improving, especially African music on a world view, and teaching African music the same way as Western music is taught,” Tapz says. For him, studying African music is about passing down knowledge to children and most of all, preserving the continent’s rich history. As a Zimbabwean musician based in Namibia he notes that he experiences challenges while finding a place for his music here.

Being the quintessential young Afropolitan he has found a way of bringing together the sounds that he grew up with in Zimbabwe with the elements and sounds that he has come to experience in Namibia. This has been easy for him, Tapz says, given the similarities in language and culture between the two countries.

It’s all about improving, especially African music on a world view, and teaching African music the same way as Western music is taught.

“Sometimes you want to do projects and the first thing you are asked by corporates is ‘are you Namibian?’. But many people don’t realise that most of the time when I perform outside the country I actually represent Namibia. My music has also been strongly influenced by Namibian music and that’s something that people need to realise - our art doesn’t have boundaries.”

“We also have similar instruments, we are bound together, we come from the same roots, so there is so much that made it easy for me to adapt to the Namibian music industry,” he says. While some may not know this, Tapz is actually a music lecturer at the College of the Arts in Windhoek. His work at the college has allowed him to gain a world of experience through field research and exploring Namibian sounds. His love for Namibia has grown through these studies and he encourages Namibian musicians to make use of the opportunities that are available for performing in other African countries.

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.

Rugby rules for

protecting your Capital

ometimes it helps to start by focusing on what the game. Leaving money under the mattress or even just in something is not. Leaving your cash under the a bank account, means sitting on the side-lines. If you think mattress is one of the surest ways to cause a “maybe I can sit on the side-lines for a while and re-enter the permanent loss of capital. No, not necessarily game when the time is right…”, the problem is that when it due to burglary on your premises, but rather comes to investments there is too much evidence that it is not the simple facts of economics. possible to consistently get your timing right If one works with a long-term and that you most probably will end up chasing average inflation rate of 6%, your tail as well as incurring unnecessary your purchasing power will decrease by 50% Leaving money transaction costs. every 12 years. Put differently, the average under the cost of consumption will at least double over The question remains, how do we protect a 12-year period. Why “at least”? Because capital? We now know that at least we need mattress or not everyone consumes the average basket to be in the game and grow our assets in tune even just in a of goods or services. Private medical care, for with inflation, but we still need to know what is example, on average increases by around 10% bank account, necessary to at least grow them at the same per year – and so the list goes on. A 12-year rate as inflation. The two goal posts for which means sitting period is a relatively short time considering you have to aim are adequate diversification such a significant effect on your capital. and paying the right price. They have to be on the sideEinstein said that compound interest (interest considered together and require a balancing lines. on interest on interest…) is the eighth wonder act when aiming to create an all-weather of the world, and his reason was that wealth portfolio, allowing you to play well at Newlands is created exponentially, not in a linear way. Inflation is also and at the Hage Geingob Stadium. exponential and therefore the effect over a 12-year period is so substantial, albeit in the wrong direction. Adequate diversification means that you don’t place all your eggs in one basket. If you want to invest in businesses it would If you want to win a rugby game, you at least need to be in be wise to invest in 30 stocks, for example, not just one. This

Economic Pulse

also means that it might be wise to spread your capital across different geographies and/or sectors. The goal post of paying the right price reminds you that you cannot just buy something without considering what it is worth. Those who fly with Westair frequently may have read the article on Investing against Emotions. It refers to the emotional rollercoaster of economic cycles and where humans tend to inflate or deflate the prices of assets based on perceptions of the time. The often reckless geographical allocation calls that investors make are a very practical example that is close to home. Tenyear government bonds in the developed world, for example Germany and the Netherlands, currently have negative annual real returns (after deducting inflation) for 10 years. In simple terms this means that you are paying those governments money to borrow money from you – ludicrous!! The cyclically adjusted S&P 500 Index in the USA is trading at rarely seen expensive valuation levels. The only other years that stand out in this respect are 1929 and 1999. When you have time, ask Google to remind you what happened next. What goes up must come down. Real yields achieved, for example, with 10year South African government bonds are ±5%, already taking very dire economic conditions into account and providing you with a margin of safety. Parts of the Johannesburg Stock

Exchange are on auction for less than during the financial crisis of 2008/2009. Locally, the returns of certain money market funds are between 3% and 4% above inflation. This article by no means aims to provide advice on specific asset categories or geographies, as we are all different and our specific circumstances need to be considered carefully. However, these goal posts remind us that we need to carefully consider the playing field before we play (invest). Yes, we need an all-weather portfolio invested in different jurisdictions, but we cannot just do it at any price – or did we already forget about our own recent property bubble that burst some of our capital permanently? By René Olivier, CFA (MD, IJG Wealth Management) René Olivier(CFA) is the Managing Director of Wealth Management 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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ycling is fast becoming Namibia’s favourite pastime, with mountain biking being particularly popular. And no wonder - the countryside provides the ideal terrain for mountain biking. Only two hours from Windhoek, NamibGrens Guest Farm makes for a much-liked weekend outing for mountain bikers. Exploring the biking trails is rewarded with endless views of the stunning scenery. Come winter, the annual NamibGrens Marathon attracts mountain bikers from all over the country. The competition includes three races over a distance of 13 km, 38 km and 73 km, which vary from relatively easy to quite challenging. The terrain includes sandy and rocky sections, granite and steep, technical downhills. This popular event on the mountain bike racing calendar is especially great for families and groups of friends, as the location has many activities to keep the non-bikers entertained. Swimming pools, volleyball, nature walks and the Nguni cattle farm itself keep the “support team” and cheerleaders busy for hours while the competition is underway. Plus, apart from the competition itself, there’s no need to “rough it”. The campsites feature level ground to set up tents, barbeque areas perfect for cooking and socialising as well as unique ablutions built into the granite boulders. Still too rough? The mountain villas are a luxurious option, with views across the surrounding landscape and all the necessary creature comforts. With the exception of the competition weekend, visitors can request a map at the reception with numbers on gates and intersections to explore the routes around the farm with only their personal best to beat. Load your bike and the car - a weekend away at NamibGrens is what your cyclist-heart has been hoping for. For more information visit www.namibgrens.com/events.

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Cynthia Schimming

Tuwa Wolf

The Past, Present and Future of Namibian Fashion.

Tuwa Wolf Tuwa Wolf

fter some time away from the limelight, Cynthia Schimming revealed her latest collection in October at an event attended by family, friends, the media and fashion industry insiders.

Fashion Beyond Trends featured historical undertones and cultural influences from various Namibian ethnicities. 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. “Even as a young designer who followed European trends I still had the Herero dress as the garment to be worn by my muse at fashion shows,” she says, adding that like many Namibian designers, pressure from clients does force her to follow current trends. “But when I’m not designing for clients I explore, add my own identity and incorporate a Namibian inspiration in the design, whether its plants or the sunset.”

Fashion Beyond Trends was an expression of past, future and current designs and a labour of love from the designer who wanted to share her work and all the new design techniques that she has adopted. “I need to keep myself on par with the rest of the world. And it’s a good feeling to know that I am the only one in Namibia who is either a TR Master or an origami master,” she says.

But when I’m not designing for clients I explore, add my own identity and incorporate a Namibian inspiration in the design, whether its plants or the sunset etc.

Commenting on the state of Namibian fashion, Cynthia says that it still has a long way to go. “The fashion designed by some of our ’designers’ shows that a lot still needs to be learnt. We are not at the point to predict what fashion will look like in 2020, we still have our eyes on what the big fashion designers are offering internationally,” she says. She is also concerned about the structural bodies in fashion. She says; “When it comes to bodies like fashion councils, fashion weeks and beauty pageants who are supposed to harness the power of the industry and to enable sustainable growth and conduct workshops, then I can only say that we are doomed.”

A firm advocate for life-long learning, Cynthia, who is also a retired fashion lecturer, constantly takes on courses that keep her up to date with current developments in the world of design.

But Cynthia does have hope for the future of Namibian fashion. She reckons that young designers like Ruberto Scholtz, Cynthia Likando (House of Cindy), Hafeni Frans, Abisai Ilikela and Kandombo will be the ones to take the industry to greater heights.

She has moved from flat pattern drafting to draping, and through short courses has learnt how to use techniques like origami this year.

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

January 32nd!

ou’ve packed away the last of the Christmas decorations, swept up those wayward bits of tinsel and put the Boney M Christmas CD back in its box for another year! Once all the merriment and fanfare of the Festive Season have faded into the background we are often left feeling subdued. We now start to ponder New Year’s resolutions, move into a time of introspection and often find ourselves wanting: wanting more holiday time, better prospects in the year that lies ahead, changes in our lives. One thing we need to realise is that this lack we perceive is usually just that: a skewed perception of our reality. Resolving to take better care of ourselves should be a priority and this often starts with our mental health. Sleeping well is an essential component of mental well-being and the key to sleeping well is often consistency. Try to keep the times you go to bed and wake up relatively consistent and aim to get at least 7–8 hours of sleep every night. Regular exercise is also a proven antidepressant but before you berate yourself for not getting up early enough to rush to the gym and squeeze in a session, try incorporating simpler exercise routines, such as regular walks, into your daily schedule. Take a break from social media. It’s not necessary to cut

yourself off completely, but reducing time spent on social media, comparing yourself and your life to others, can make a huge difference in your mood and level of contentment. Try limiting your time on social media to an hour or two per day and switch off completely in the evenings to ensure you can rest well. Planning your days can reduce feelings of anxiety and helplessness, especially when you have to get back into a work/home/school routine and easily feel overwhelmed. Try keeping a diary or use one of the many digital apps to help you jot down important reminders and schedule events as they come up. Most importantly: give of yourself. Shifting your focus to others and theirs needs often creates a heightened awareness of all you have to be grateful for. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to make grand gestures such as volunteering for an organisation, although that may be really great. Instead, simply look for small everyday ways you can be helpful to others. Engaging with those around you will give you a boost of happiness and satisfaction that you won’t find anywhere else. The month of January often feels as if it has an extra day (or two!), but by looking after your mental well-being you can make the most of your life every day. Make that New Year’s resolution no. 1!

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The Sling 4 - Our Trusty Trainer

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o most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home.” For those in the aviation community this quote by Jerry Crawford rings very true.

At Signa Aviation Services we spend most of our day in the sky, training the future aviators of Namibia. We do this in our Trusty Trainer, the Sling 4. Manufactured in South Africa, the Sling 4 is intended to assist with the increasing demand of private pilots wanting to fly themselves, and their families, at an affordable cost. The Sling 4 took to the sky on her maiden flight from Tedderfield, South Africa to Oshkosh in Wisconsin, United States of America, in July 2013. The journey took an unbelievable 20 hours, 14 of which was over the ocean! This aircraft is in a class of its own. She is sporty, economical and incredibly comfortable. All of this without breaking the bank. This Sling 4 is a four-seater cruiser that can carry four adults and a respectable amount of baggage, and it consumes less than 24 litres per hour. The full leather interior creates a luxurious feel in the cockpit. Customers can opt to install the new Garmin Electronic Flight Information System Glass Cockpit Screen to keep the aircraft up to date with ever changing technology. The Rotax turbocharged engine gives this aircraft an impressive top speed of 110 knots, which due to Windhoek’s high altitude, is perfect for our operation out of Eros Airport.

At Signa Aviation Services we have completed more than 8000 hours of flight instruction in the Sling 4 during the last four years. We currently operate five of these aircraft and courses range from training for a Private Pilot’s Licence and switching to the Sling 4 all the way to advanced training such as night ratings and instrument training. We are proud and very lucky to be able to fly and operate such an industry-leading trainer on a daily basis. Signa Aviation Services is a partner of the Airplane Factory and the agent for Sling aircraft in Namibia. You can find Signa Aviation Services at Eros Airport in Windhoek. Come visit us at our offices to discuss training with us. Hope to see you soon! Lisa Cowling Website: www.signaaviation.com Office: +264 83 339 0094 Email: info@signaaviation.com

Winging their way between continents Migratory Birds

he Walvis Bay wetlands support over 240,000 birds at a time, which makes them one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important coastal wetlands. Designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in December 1995, it is especially important as a stop-over for Palaearctic migrants. Avid birders have been keeping tabs on the number of birds at the wetland since 1983, and the bi-annual Walvis Bay bird count has become an institution. The birds attracted to the wetland can be divided into three categories: resident species, intra-African migrants and Palaearctic migrant waders and seabirds. Some Palaearctic migrants start their southward journey in the Arctic tundra and Eurasia to escape the harsh winter climate in the northern hemisphere, arriving at our coast from around August/September after a journey of more than 10,000 km. Their numbers fluctuate widely from year to year and are influenced by various factors such as their breeding success, predation by lemmings when other food sources are scarce in the northern hemisphere and the climate. Once they arrive on our shores some migratory birds use the Walvis Bay wetland as a stop-over before continuing to wetlands further south or they concentrate in areas with an abundance of food. Large numbers, however, remain at

Walvis Bay to rest and feed up before setting off on their return journey. By April most migratory birds have left. The numbers of intra-African migrants such as flamingos, Black-necked Grebes, Chestnut-banded Plovers and Avocet also vary considerably from year to year. During the rainy season in the interior of the country they disperse to inland pans to breed, returning to the coast when the pans dry out. A record of 43,400 Lesser Flamingos were counted during the 2003 winter count, while nearly 43,700 Greater Flamingos were counted during the 2004 winter count. What remains a mystery is the sudden departure of flamingos from the coast within days after Etosha Pan and other water bodies in the southern African region have been inundated after good rains. Following the high rainfall during the 1970/71 rainy season an estimated 1.1 million Lesser Flamingos converged on the Etosha Pan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with an influx from as far as the East African lakes. Counting such a large number of birds over a large area is a daunting task. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a labour of love that started way back in 1983 when volunteers conducted the first count. Observers ranging from professional ornithologists and expert birders to beginners from as far afield as Windhoek have been gathering at the coastal town for the count twice a year. The

Pompie Burger

summer count takes place in January/February, while the winter count is conducted in June/July.

works just over four months later â&#x20AC;&#x201C; having flown a distance of possibly close to 10,000 km.

The wetland is divided into counting blocks covering the Numerous organisations, ornithologists, volunteers and sponsors Walvis Bay Lagoon, Pelican Point and the have supported the Walvis Bay Wetland mudflats as well as the salt pans. Counters Count project over the years. The counts were are divided into teams led by an expert, and organised by the Round Table from 1983 to 1993, Avid birders counting is done on a Saturday and Sunday while Keith Wearne coordinated the counts have been morning at low tide. Various factors such as until mid-2008 when he passed away. Former keeping tabs visibility, wind and temperature (birds are nature conservator Peter Bridgeford, who also more concentrated during cold weather) can coordinates the annual tagging of Lappeton the number influence the count. Telescopes and binoculars faced Vultures in the Namib Desert, filled the of birds at are used by the observers who count on foot void and has been organising the counts since or from a vehicle. early 2009. Tribute must also be paid to the the wetland contribution of ornithologists involved in the since 1983, and Bird observatories throughout the world count; among them Dr Tony Williams, Dr Chris the bi-annual provide a fascinating insight into the Brown, Dr Rob Simmonds and Holger Kolberg. movement of migrating birds. One such Walvis Bay institution, the Ottenby Bird Observatory The data that has been collected during the bird count has on the island of Ă&#x2013;land off the east coast of Walvis Bay wetland counts over the past 36 Sweden, was established in 1946. Over 1.2 years are of inestimable value to scientists. The become an million birds have since been ringed there. information is used to determine long-term institution. The observatory has made thousands of trends, fluctuations in bird numbers and the recoveries, including a number of birds that overall health of the Walvis Bay wetland. were subsequently recorded at the Mile 4 salt works north of Swakopmund. One recovery, a Common Tern, was ringed Namibian freelance journalist and travel writer: at Ottenby on 2 August 2010 and recorded at the Mile 4 salt Willie Olivier

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A Year In Windhoek

A young boy thinks back on a dull city, an older man looks forward to some quiet time.

am no stranger to migration. My family moved around a lot in my younger years. Not for holidays, though, for work and the opportunities afforded by a particular place. That is how we wound up in Windhoek. It took some time to become used to the rhythms of life in the city: the early morning rush to get to school, the lunchtime drive with my father when he picked us up, the afternoon traffic jams when everyone headed home, and the quiet hush of the evening when there was little to no traffic on the roads. These were the daily routines, though. There were others. There was January when it was time to hunt down backto-school sales for stationery (wrapping books was the worst of it for me - my life changed when they invented pre-cut sleeves) and uniforms (my siblings and I outgrew ours every year). February was all about settling into the rhythms of the school year. Then, towards March, when it was fiercely hot, athletics season rolled around. That was when the runners, throwers and jumpers excelled. After that it was time to put one’s head down for end-of-term tests. The weather changed. The sunsets stretched across the western horizon, the breeze became nippier, the night came on quicker. By May it was cold - flus were a favourite pastime for me. I could never get used to the cold. I still succumb to the first winter chills. Then June came along. I thought it was the coldest month of the year until I encountered July which became the coldest month of the decade until I encountered August. Together, those three months were an axis of misery I weathered with an ill temper and little grace. Waking up was hard, slugging through the day was a chore. I despised the coldness of Windhoek.

Now, much older, December in Windhoek is something I look forward to. The streets are quiet, the shops are never crowded and a strange peace floats around it, even if the heat remains merciless. After a long year in the city, in which the calendar days pretty much follow the same pattern as in my youth - the first three months are a flurry of activity with work commitments; the winter months are cold and slow; and spring remains a hopeful and optimistic time - the year-end is something I relish. If there was ever a place capable of recharging one’s batteries in relative quiet, it would be Windhoek. And if there was a place from which it was possible to plan for the rest of the year, it would also be Windhoek. When I was younger, one of the few positives of being in the city in December was the turn of the New Year, when January was on the horizon. I am not one for placidity. I flourish on activity. Even now, older, I look forward to January with excitement: there are plans to set in motion, dreams to chase, and new failures to confront.

The streets are quiet, the shops are never crowded and a strange peace floats around it, even if the heat remains merciless.

Thankfully the winter chill was shirked off in September. As if with the flick of a switch, the days brightened and lengthened. The frosty mornings heated up. The afternoons sweltered. I always liked September for its fresh beginnings, even though the national mood was tuned to getting to the year-end. October was about being in shape for upcoming exams and November was spent in the hush of halls writing various tests. Then it was December. I hated December. I hated it because we were not like other families who went away to the coast to relax by the seaside or to the north or the south to visit family. We did not fly to Cape Town for fun and we did not go to Johannesburg for pleasure. No Mauritius, no Caribbean Islands, no Thailand. Nada. We just had the mostly empty city to ourselves.

Now, strangely enough, the last stretch to the December holidays are some of my most productive - as a writer, and in many other capacities besides. There is a general feeling that the country as a whole is in the homestretch of the old year and that the finish line is around the bend. Just ahead is January and the start of a New Year. In some ways it is that optimism about the upcoming year that makes living in Windhoek an interesting endeavour. Without it, I am convinced I would have left a long time ago. If there is one place that weathers a year with determination and looks forward to the challenges of a new one with dignity and quiet grace, it has to be Windhoek.

In another life I will write about the heat. For now, though, with 2020 unfolding, I have to double-dose on the optimism. 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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Health Hacks for

BUSY PEOPLE WHO “DON’T HAVE TIME”

t’s 2020. The numbers themselves look wholesome, balanced and vivacious. Is this the year you’ll become your healthiest fittest self? It sure feels like it. Theoretically, we all want to be healthier but in reality our lives are already so full and a healthy lifestyle feels like one more thing to schedule... Time is what we seem to never have enough of. It goes quickly, like water through a sieve. We think we’re too busy to make the necessary lifestyle changes but here’s what we forget: H ealth is cumulative. It builds up. Every small change you make repeatedly creates wellbeing in your body. You don’t need a total lifestyle makeover to see a positive health change in your life. Research has shown that improving our diet by just 20% could increase health significantly and lower risk of premature death by up to 8-17%. Here are 3 small things you can begin to do today, to make a difference to your overall well-being. 1. Drink around 3 litres of water a day. I told you these were simple tips! People want wellness advice to be novel and glossy but sometimes the simplest things are still the most effective. Proper hydration is hugely underrated and most of us still do not remember to drink enough water throughout the day. Often our brain needs a drink of water more than it needs another cup of coffee or something to eat.

your overnight oats or morning porridge. Use nuts, seeds and dried cherries, berries or dates as a delicious homemade trail mix. Chia and flaxseed puddings are another tasty way to up your intake, and so is adding soaked nuts and seeds to salad dressings and smoothies. 3. Do a 2 minute breathing exercise. If you think a simple breathing exercise is too little to make a difference to how you feel, you clearly haven’t tried it. Something significant happens inside the body when we take a proper deep breath: adrenaline levels decrease and the brain gets a dose of calm. Living in perpetual angst or fear is a real threat to our physical health. The immune system can’t keep up with chronic elevated levels of stress hormones.

Research has shown that improving our diet by just 20% could increase health significantly and lower risk of premature death by up to 8-17%.

Carry a refillable water bottle around with you and aim for 2-4 litres of filtered water depending on how much you sweat. You’ll notice an improvement in your mental focus, your digestion, your skin, your appetite, and more. 2. Go nuts. Mounting evidence suggests that eating nuts and seeds daily can lower inflammation as well as your risk of diabetes and heart disease and could even lengthen your life. Eating nuts five to six times a week was linked to a 15% reduction in health risks resulting in premature death, and seven or more times a week to a 20% reduction of risk factors. That’s significant. An easy, delicious way to eat more nuts and seeds is to add a teaspoon or two of mixed seeds and crushed nuts to

Try a simple box breath: Inhale deep into the belly for a count of 4 seconds, hold that breath for 4 seconds, exhale gradually for 4 seconds, hold the breath out for 4 seconds. Repeat 4 times. Voila. How do you feel? I bet a bit healthier. You want more sensible, science-based 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 Warmth of Film

e Roux van Schalkwyk took his first photo on his dad’s film camera when he was around 10 years old. Although the blurry image of a jackal didn’t get him too excited at the time, he became really interested in photography towards the end of high school. Le Roux received his first DSLR camera as a 21st birthday gift while studying winemaking at Stellenbosch University. That camera taught him the basics of photography through endless hours of experimentation. Using film became a passion in his mid-20’s. He fell in love with the intricacies of composition, developing film and the overall mood that this medium captures. A self-confessed film camera addict, he now owns more than 30 cameras dating from the 1920s to the 1990s, and most of them are in working condition.

Double exposures can easily be a hit or miss. The ones that work, however, create rewarding images. Taken at Von Bach and Friedenau dams on separate occasions.

Taken with a Chinon M1: I shot these photos at a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apartment complex in Cape Town. This was one of my self-developed films hence the visible scratches and dust. I still love the effect that it gives.

Taken with a Ricoh XR500: Moments captured on film have always given me a completely different feeling than digital images.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though I work with a digital camera daily, I love the feeling of warmth that film evokes. It captures moments in a completely different way than digital sensors can. Using older cameras you sometimes have light leaks or other imperfections that just add character to a photo and make it unique, something that is impossible to completely replicate with photo editing software.â&#x20AC;?

Instagram @lerouxvs

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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.

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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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have always found science fascinating. But I’m one of the few. It’s difficult to trust science when as children things are explained to us in half-truths and not-quites. Case in point: genetics.

When I was at school we were taught that the gene for brown eyes was dominant and the gene for blue eyes was recessive. Meaning that if blue-eyed blonde met tall-darkand-brown-eyed, they’d have brown-eyed babies. The evidence for this widely toted theory is openly contrary. Just ask the boy in my biology class. He’d stuck up his hand after our teacher had laboriously explained genes and genetics to us. “Why do I have blue eyes,” he asked, “even though both my parents have brown eyes?” You could almost see the sweat glint on our teacher’s face. This was a tough subject. It was hard enough for him to explain the topic, even harder to understand it. How was he going to get out of this one? This was when I lost a little faith in science. “Perhaps your mother is lying about who your father is,” my teacher joked and the class joined in the laughter. I wasn’t pleased. I wanted answers. And the answer is… there are no answers (assuming that said mother wasn’t unfaithful). Because even as obvious as the evidence against the blue/brown gene explanation is through just the observation of everyday people, it was inscribed into biology books as an example we had to learn by heart. Now that’s not to say that the dominant/recessive gene theory is incorrect. It’s not. It holds for many aspects of genetics, including whether or not you can roll your tongue. It’s just that when it comes to eye colour, things are not so black and white - or blue and brown. Genetics are incredibly complicated. It’s been noted with studies on animals that by changing one characteristic (through selective breeding), another may follow suite, almost randomly. This is called “piggy-back” genes, and refers to how two or more seemingly unrelated aspects of the body can be surprisingly connected. One example of such a case is where foxes were bred to be more human-friendly. Researchers found that with every generation of foxes, as the animals became friendlier to humans (in fact, desperate for human attention), they developed spots on their coats, their ears flopped down and their tails curled up. Imagine doggish foxes, in other words. Which might explain why, on the opposite side of the spectrum, Dobermans, with their pinched and erect ears, are such fierce guard dogs. These days you might hear about genes for almost every aspect of our lives: from what we like to eat to how we feel and why we choose to marry certain people. The evidence is not quite there yet, but I’m not worried. In fact, I’m excited. It means that even though we think we know everything about this world, there are still a few amazing discoveries and breakthroughs waiting to be made. Things yet to be understood. And hopefully explained a little better by parents and teachers. Nina van Zyl

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New Year’s

resolutions

t’s a New Year, and with that comes resolutions. What is it you are determined to do differently this year? If you’re looking for suggestions that are going to lay the foundation for a happy and productive year, perhaps it’s time for our roadmap to health.

If I asked you to describe what a healthy person does to be healthy, my guess is you’d say things like ‘eats healthy food, exercises, takes time to rest, has a good sleep routine, and does enjoyable things in line with their purpose’. There you see, we intuitively know the roadmap to health. We know that a day filled with caffeine and sugar to get you through, popping a plethora of prescription pills, chasing deadlines and schedules that leave no room for rest, and coping mechanisms that include alcohol as a way to unwind at the end of the day are neither signposts of health nor of a happy life. Yet these are the usual tactics we apply to make us ‘feel better’. They are also risk factors in developing depression. Contrary to what most people think depression looks like (i.e. sadness), doctors list symptoms such as feeling anxious, restless, uneasy and inner discomfort, coupled with insomnia, worry and feeling ‘wired but tired’, as some of the most common ways in which depression shows up.

but rather an inflammatory disorder. It’s also more prevalent in people with other inflammatory and autoimmune disorders such as insulin resistance and obesity. A range of factors can increase your risk of developing depression, and they are all associated with systemic inflammation. These include things like stress, poor diet, physical inactivity, altered gut function, sleep deficiency. Looking at it another way, depression is an adaptive response intelligently communicated by the body that something is not right within, often because something is not right in our environment. It can also be an opportunity for us to stop and find balance. This can be balance in life, in personal boundaries or even in the fuel we feed our bodies with. If consuming more vegetables has been touted to cut the odds of developing depression by more than half, perhaps looking at ways in which to incorporate more balance into our lives and lifestyles is on what we should be focusing this year.

If our bodies show symptoms such as anxiety, uneasiness or insomnia, we have simply lost balance.

When we experience feelings of being well, happy and balanced, our bodies are in equilibrium. If our bodies show symptoms such as anxiety, uneasiness or insomnia, we have simply lost balance. Sadly, in all our progress the human race has largely forgotten the intelligent knowledge of our bodies, and seldom listens to the clues on our physical, emotional and environmental state, that our bodies communicate to us. Let’s take depression, for example. Science has shown us that depression is not, in fact, a chemical imbalance in the brain

Despite what society or our minds might tell us, we are not broken. Your body has intuitive intelligence, and one of the ways in which that shows is in your bodies ability to heal itself.

So, if you resolve to do anything new this New Year, let it be an honest and curious look at our own approach to health, our bodies and our lives. You know what to do to live a happy, balanced and fulfilled life, the trick is to apply your knowledge to your own lifestyle. Kirsty Watermeyer Kirsty is a Yoga and Meditation Coach, a Transformation Facilitator and Writer. Contact her at kirsty@seednamibia.com

Celebrating 30 Years of Independence

A (very) Brief History of

NAMIBIA’S ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE

n a wintery November’s day 136 years ago in Berlin an international conference started where a group of European men would play a real-life version of the then unknown board game Risk. A casual affair that would last 104 days and would decide the future of Africa and its people. Not taking this important event lightly, the gentlemen went about their business in a very scientific fashion, drawing national borders on the continent with very little idea of what existed on the ground or caring about who lived there. Although certain forms of colonialist activity had already been taking place in what would become Namibia, the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 meant that the country and all its natural resources now belonged to Germany. It also marked the start of a 105-year struggle for independence.

Relatively little changed during the interwar period and for the country’s black inhabitants it was simply a matter of another day at the (oppressor’s) office. After the Second World War the newly established United Nations refuses to allow South Africa to annex SWA. South Africa retaliates in a very mature manner and refuses to place SWA under UN trusteeship. In 1948 the National Party is elected into power in South Africa and turns the infamous policy of Apartheid into law, something that would greatly affect the lives of black Namibians for the worse. In 1960 the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) is established with the aim to end the South African colonial administration and gain independence. Not surprisingly South Africa refuses to comply with a UN order to withdraw from its mandated territory and after exhausting all peaceful means to gain sovereignty, SWAPO launches an armed struggle against South African occupation. Through its military wing, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia, SWAPO fights a guerrilla war using Angola as a base for operations into Namibia.

A casual affair that would last 104 days and would decide the future of Africa and its people.

Calling their newly acquired colony German South-West Africa, Germany did whatever any self-respecting colonial power would do and started exploiting the country’s resources for its own economic gain. Surprisingly, the locals didn’t enjoy the forced labour and oppression that was imposed on them by their colonial masters. As a result, from 1892-1905, the German Schutztruppe (colonial troops) were hard at work suppressing various uprisings. The conflict culminated in the genocide of the Herero people. An estimated 60 000 Hereros were killed and some 15 000 were left starving as refugees.

Soon after the start of the First World War the South African Union Defence Force invaded the country and fought a brief campaign against the German Schutztruppe. The German capitulation to the Union Forces on 9 July 1915 near Otavi was the first allied victory of the war and an important milestone internationally. It also meant that the country became an official protectorate of the Union of South Africa by mandate of the League of Nations. This created a drastic change in the lives of the local population. The country was now called South West Africa and to all intents and purposes was run like a fifth province of South Africa.

In 1978, the UN recognises SWAPO as the sole representative of the people of Namibia. South Africa agrees to a UN plan for a cease-fire, withdrawal of South African troops and free elections. It took another decade of diplomatic manoeuvring, however, as well as the crippling economic effect of the war, which reportedly cost the country over two million Rand per day, before South Africa agreed to UN-supervised elections to take place in November 1989. SWAPO wins the elections and on 21 March 1990 Namibia gains its hard-fought independence, with Sam Nujoma sworn in as the first elected president. In 1994 the last chapter in the country’s colonial history is closed when South Africa returns the enclave of Walvis Bay to Namibia. In the following issues we will be looking at important events, people and places - past and present - that helped to shape Namibia on its journey through 30 years of independence. Le Roux van Schalkwyk

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

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Christian

judiciary

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MAIN SECTORS:

BIGGEST EMPLOYER:

46%

Agriculture

MINING:

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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.

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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.

INSTAFAMOUS

We saw many window-seat lovers make their debut with the #flywestair tag this month. Go figure - flying over the Namibian landscape and landing in the Mother City provides views on views. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a window warrior or sit aisle in style, we hope your trip in the sky was as spectacular as the snaps that followed. Tag @fly_westair or #flywestair and become Instafamous in our next issue, or win a free return flight! LEFT TO RIGHT 1.

Peace out from @Tuliz on Twitter: Cheaper fare, awesome service, and they feed you.

2. Thumbs up to flying FlyWestair. Thanks Valencia Flora Nimrod. 3. Aircraft wings brighter than our future. @fransy_fps

4. A copy of the FlyWestair magazine? Check. Spectacular views of Cape Town? Check and Check. Thanks for sharing, Bertha Theron.

5. A cheeky Tweet of the FlyWestair fleet. Thanks Katopi Namukwambi

6. Breakfast in the sky has never looked better. @taati_friends 7. Mayday! The Mother City is showing off. Thanks Bertie Horak

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.

LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, NOTARIES & CONVEYANCERS +264 61 38 8850 | info@ferasmuslaw.com.na | 5 Conradie street | Windhoek

PRACTICAL WISDOM, TRUSTED ADVICE

GRETHA DOS SANTOS PROPERTY PRACTITIONER RESIDENTIAL SALES SPECIALIST

stitched by hand in Namibia @barkdesign

+264 61 40 1494 reservations@rivercrossing.com.na www.rivercrossing.com.na

061 22 0673 +264 81 284 3180 Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, 63 Suiderhof, Windhoek, 9000

Namibia Property Appraisers CC

Accredited at all major Financial Institutions

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

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

Windhoek Office +264 81 127 1221 info@namibiaprop.biz Gobabis Office +264 81 128 8655 rural@namibiaprop.biz

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 January 2020

Articles inside

Explore Windhoek's markets

FLYWESTAIR DESTINATIONS