FlyWestair June 2021

FlyWestair www.flywestair.com

Your free copy

June 2021

discover etosha | lifestyle |

conservation | royal hustlers | economic pulse | looking global | explore the northeast

GOOD TODAY. BETTER TOMORROW.

from the publisher

Stories in FlyWestair Magazine.

FIRE

This is us.

FlyWestair www.flywestair.com

Read this issue online!

A

Your free copy

June 2021

discover etosha | lifestyle |

conservation | royal hustlers | economic pulse | looking global | explore the northeast

is for Awesome... and Ads. To advertise in FlyWestair magazine contact fly@venture.com.na.

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

- Fyodor Dostoevsky

Venture Publications (Pty) Ltd. PO Box 21593 Windhoek Namibia info@venture.com.na

Cover image:

Urban Lens Photography See more on pg. 38

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

CONTENT IS

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

and also

by Tribefire Studios

3

Table of

contents

CONTENT IS FIRE

01

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

09

Celebrating Two Years of FlyWestair.

THE SERENITY OF A BUSHLAND RETREAT

10

Ondili’s Etosha Oberland Lodge is the perfect combination of splendid luxury and authentic nature.

LIFE ON A TABLE

13

Scrumptious Thai Prawn Skewers.

PERSPECTIVE INTO THE STEREOGRAM OF YOUR EMOTIONS

15

Learn to recognise the deeper meaning in your experiences and gain some valuable insights.

SHOP LOCAL-ISH

16

Shopping local is so much more rewarding. Have a look at what some hot local Namibian and South African brands have to offer.

16

WONDERVELD APOTHECARY

18

A locally made and loved skincare product line that is all-natural and ethical.

FASHION FIERCE

20

Beverly Kaposiao’s journey to becoming a professional fashion designer.

LOOKING GLOBAL

22

Creating global awareness through the annual Desertification and Drought Day.

DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT

23

FlyWestair takes a group of children from SPES Charity in Windhoek on their very first flight.

ECONOMIC PULSE 33 4

Josh Singer Mansfeld looks at the urgent decisions that have to be made to revive the Namibian economy.

24

REMY THE QUILL

27

Remy Ngamije on abusing some and neglecting other senses during the time of Covid.

ROYAL HUSTLERS

29

Mauriza Fredericks and her pursuit of education, self-development and overcoming life’s challenges.

15 MIN SWEAT SET WITH ENA

30

34

Exercises for those Michelle Obama arms.

THE TRIBE

33

Marv Town on showcasing his musical talents.

DISCOVERING THE KAVANGO & ZAMBEZI

34

The wild and untamed northeast.

ZINA

38

A lifestyle guide for women.

PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURE

42

Life through the lens of Emidio Kasper.

ART-IST

46

42

Martha Mukaiwa attends the prestigious Bank Windhoek Triennial opening and awards ceremony.

OMBA ARTS TRUST

48

Hard hit by the global pandemic but looking to the future.

GAINS FOR GENERATIONS WITH BIOCHAR

50

Produced from encroacher bush, biochar holds the answer to improving agriculture and healthy ecosystems.

DID YOU KNOW?

53

Fun facts, important dates and Suduko

LOVE NAMIBIA

Showcasing the beauty of our country.

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46 5

A SUDDEN STORM SHOULDN’T DISRUPT YOUR LONG-TERM OUTLOOK ACCESS RMB’S FLEXIBLE SHORT-TERM LIQUIDITY Rebuilding our economy starts now.

www.rmb.com.na

CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANKING 6

FlyWestair

NEED TO KNOWS. with www.flywestair.com

How to buy

a ticket online Choose your ticket

Select which tickets you would like to purchase. We offer multiple fare options such as: Saver, Classic or Premium

Passenger details Please enter names as they appear on passport or travel documentation LOGIN to upload passenger details from previous booking.

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

How can you make

a payment?

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Eros Airport, Ondangwa Airport, Oranjemund Airport

Online card transaction

Immigration procedure Final Destination OMD

Oranjemund Exit

Transaction confirmation will be sent to passenger email entered.

You can also purchase

from:

• Windhoek Eros Airport Office • SkyLounge Eros • Ondangwa airport office • Oranjemund airport office • All major travel agents

restrictions Items NOT allowed in hand luggage: Lotions and aerosols above 100ml, flammable aerosol, sharp objects, i.e. nail files, nail scissors, Leatherman, matches.

MAX 20kg Per person

prior to flight

Departures Immagration

Online check-in opens 24hours before departure of the flight on www.flywestair.com Check-in opens 1h 30min before domestic flight and 2 hours before international flight.

Coffee Shop

Toilets

Read up on all our additional information reagarding terms and conditions, and tick the selection box once completed to continue.

Check-in

Arrivals Immagration

Arrival Gate

Additional flight information / rules

Luggage

Oranjemund Airport Final Destination CPT / ERS

Baggage policy, sporting equipment, over weight luggage or to add an additional bag(s)

Confirmation Mail

Payment

Cash payment at:

More options for the perfect trip

Office

Check-in CLOSES 30min prior to flight

Departure Gate

7

Ondangwa - Toivo ya Toivo

Eros Airport

Cape Town 8

FLIGHT SCHEDULE (EROS - ONDANGWA - EROS) FROM

DEPARTURE TIME

TO

ARRIVAL TIME

DAYS

W I NDHO E K

0 7 : 3 0

ON D A NGWA

0 8 : 3 0

T U E

WE D

ON D A NGWA

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W I NDHO E K

1 0 : 0 0

T U E

WE D

W I NDHO E K

1 5 : 1 5

ON D A NGWA

1 6 : 1 5

MON

T HU

F R I

S UN

ON D A NGWA

1 6 : 5 0

W I NDHO E K

1 7 : 5 0

MON

T HU

F R I

S UN

(WINDHOEK - CAPE TOWN - WINDHOEK) FROM

DEPARTURE TIME

TO

ARRIVAL TIME

W I NDHO E K

0 8 : 3 0

C A P E

C A P E

1 2 : 3 0

W I NDHO E K

T OWN

T OWN

DAYS

1 0 : 3 0

MON

F R I

1 4 : 3 0

MON

F R I

It’s about time.

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

It’s about connecting with our customers.

Get in touch with us 24/7 via our new call centre.

+264 83 339 0011 It’s about time.

AOC: NCAA/010/2013

FW Call Centre ad.indd 1

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+263 83 339 0011 www.flywestair.com 21/05/2021 12:37 PM

Welcome on Board

FlyWestair

T

wo is an interesting number. Many great things come in pairs. The Wright brothers.

Kapana and salsa. Beyonce and Jay-Z. Simon and Garfunkel. Gin and Tonic. Socks.

There are two factors that make an airline exceptional: loyal customers and great staff.

We believe that what makes FlyWestair so special is the authentic way these two factors connect. We are passionate about Namibia and its people, and incredibly proud to be the country’s first privately owned scheduled passenger airline. FlyWestair was launched exactly two years ago this June, and though it has been a rocky ride with the tumult of a global pandemic, and though many airlines globally have not survived the storm, we are incredibly honoured and proud of where we stand today. The bottom line is that we couldn’t have done it without you, our loyal customers, and our incredible staff. Our staff carry that pride through into their everyday lives, and we are fully committed to offering a continued on-time, reliable and safe service to our loyal returning and future customers. Thank you for choosing to fly FlyWestair. We hope your experience with us will transfer that same sense of Namibian pride into your journey. So here’s to two years of FlyWestair - It’s about time.

What’s new as we wrap up Year Two? FlyWestair is proud to announce another additional scheduled flight per week between Windhoek (Eros Airport) and Ondangwa (Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Airport). FlyWestair thus connects the North of Namibia to Windhoek, and beyond, with a flight every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

In addition, FlyWestair also offers scheduled flights from Windhoek (Hosea Kutako International Airport) to Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport) weekly on Fridays and Mondays.

We have also recently launched our new call centre, which will be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure our customers the very best service possible. Our call centre can be reached at +264 83 339 0011.

We also offer COVID testing to the general public, conveniently done at our Eros Airport offices. These tests can be done between 08h00 – 10h00 every Monday to Saturday.

Expansions of domestic offering to Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Lüderitz We would also like to remind our clients of our intention to start with flights between Windhoek (Eros) and Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Lüderitz. The current delay in starting with these operations is due to delays with the transportation commission of Namibia not being able to approve these routes. FlyWestair would like to assure our clients that we have had ongoing discussions with the Minister of Transport Hon. John Mutorwa on the matter and his office has given us the assurance that the delays will be resolved soon. FlyWestair will keep all our clients up to date on developments in this regard.

Stay safe and enjoy your flight.

The FlyWestair Team

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The serenity of a bushland retreat Ondili’s Etosha Oberland Lodge

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“T

he slight sting of the early winter morning air awakens all our senses.

Around us, the mopane bushland is silent but for the soft call of a mourning dove in a tree nearby.

Some way off we hear the slow and soft footfall of gentle horned giants ambling through the brush. The sounds of their grazing crunch follow soon after. The sun’s morning rays peek through the butterfly-wing leaves of the iconic mopane as we set off on a game drive into neighbouring Etosha – Namibia’s most prolific wildlife sanctuary. Later in the day, after hours of wildlife, we enjoy the serenity of our bushland retreat. The play of light in the beautiful lodge spaces brings peace. Nature seeps into it and into your soul.

This is Etosha Oberland Lodge. Splendid luxury without the need for extravagant grandeur. Just nature – true and authentic. Appreciated at its own pace and in its most genuine form.”

Located on a 5,000 ha private nature reserve, Etosha Oberland Lodge shares a 10 kilometre border with Etosha National Park. The completely solar-powered lodge celebrates nature and space. Its large open-plan areas and accommodation create a wonderful sense of solitude and privacy. The chalets are set far apart and blend into the mopane bushland, each with an undisturbed view of nature’s beauty. With an infinity pool overlooking two waterholes, which are frequented by an array of plains game and the reserve’s family of white rhinos, the main area is grand without being ostentatious. Private waterhole viewing decks and a wide selection of dinner seating options underline the feeling of seclusion. While your days are spent enjoying the wild wonders that Etosha offers on a game drive, your evenings combine elegant five-course dinners with lounging in front of a crackling fire, indulging in a glass of wine or locally made gin and tonic, and the sounds of nature beyond.

Book now or find out more at ondili.com

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IT’S TIME FOR THE PERFECT BEER

Not For Persons Under The Age Of 18.

Enjoy Responsibly.

Foodies

Thai Prawn Skewers These prawn skewers can be served as a starter before dinner.

120 ml desiccated coconut 15 ml white sesame seeds 25 ml black sesame seeds 15 prawns, skinned and de-veined with tail intact Cake flour for dusting 2 eggs, beaten Sweet chilli sauce for a dip

Hentie Burger

• Soak 15 wooden skewers in water.

• Mix the coconut and sesame seeds together.

• Thread the prawns onto the skewers, dust with flour.

• Dip the prawns in egg and then coat with the coconut mixture.

• Deep-fry until cooked.

• Serve with the sweet chillie sauce.

Discover more of Antoinette's delicious recipes in Life on a Table To order your copy contact Bonn Nortjé at Venture Publications: bonn@venture.com.na

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Wellness

Perspective into the stereogram of your emotions

D

o you remember stereograms? They are twodimensional computer-generated graphic images that have 3D images hidden inside them. Only with the right perspective can you view the hidden 3D image inside. On the surface, a stereogram looks chaotic and disorganised.

When you go deeper, you find a hidden level of reality, the hidden message and the real meaning of the stereogram.

To be able to view this real meaning, the image needs to be viewed from the right visual and mental perspective.

Perspective, being our mental point of view, is something shaped by our life experiences. It is also the main factor in determining how an event resonates with you, how you feel about a situation, and how you will remember what happened.

Perspective is our mental attitude and it has a huge impact on how we feel. If our perspective is negative, so, too, are our experiences as this will become the filter through which we view them.

Taking a look at our current shared experience, the global pandemic, all of us have by now accumulated a lot of negativity inside ourselves. Even seemingly optimistic people are finding themselves with shorter fuses. In some cases, anger and rage have become our default. The thing with unbridled rage is that it becomes something we inevitably push onto others.

Anger is also something we become habituated to, it has its own addictive properties. The angrier we are, the more we start looking for things to get angry about. While rage carries with it an illusion of power, we feel falsely powerful when we are enraged. Yet both these emotions have consequences for our health, both individually and for society as a whole. With every angry outburst legitimising the next one, unprocessed anger pollutes happy societies.

What’s interesting about anger is that it increases our heart rate and testosterone level but also produces what is called a motivation of closeness. This means that anger drives us closer to what made us angry, in order to try and eliminate it.

The purpose of anger is to help us maintain our personal boundaries. Anger is an indicator of our boundaries, a road sign that tells us we need to make some adjustments

because our personal boundaries are being challenged. When left unchecked, anger can become rage which is a sign that we are actually not in touch with our foundational feelings.

These two emotions (like all emotions) are necessary and have their place. However, when bottled or unprocessed they can be dangerous.

Emotions act as a compass, giving us guidance and direction into ourselves. Which brings us back to our stereograms, and the valuable message they give us. If we view our lives from the chaotic and disorganised two-dimensional perspective, without taking into account the deeper meaning in our experiences, we will miss valuable insights into ourselves.

Asking yourself why you feel a certain way is the departure point to understanding what you need.

Remember that what you believe is what you have been trained to see since your day one. When we look for the deeper meaning behind what we are feeling, we are able to navigate what we are experiencing with greater ease.

This willingness to look at our emotions can often lead to a change in our perspective, as meaning gives new insight.

With all the billions of people in the world, there are billions of perspectives. Many battles could have been avoided if people saw things from another person’s perspective. Focusing on our differences is what keeps us in disagreements. Whenever your perspective is required (meaning every time you interpret events), always remember that yours is not the alpha perspective, it is just one of many.

If you would like to try and become aware of your own perspective, with a view to finding the deeper meaning, then a good place to start is with an anti-complaining campaign.

When we complain, we are indicating that we actually do not want to address the grievance meaningfully. Complaining re-enforces our own perspective, while keeping the problem intact by ensuring that we don’t find meaningful resolution.

So, for this next month, whenever you feel like complaining, try to stop yourself. Whether you need to bite your tongue or fold your hands, do something other than letting out the complaint. When you do this you will find yourself listening more than complaining, and from there you can begin to see diverse perspectives, the hidden meaning and real truth.

Kirsty Watermeyer

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BROIDEO Clothes and Accessories with unique stitches that brighten up your day.

All designs are handcrafted. Broideo offers embroidered T-shirts, rings, socks, pouches and tote bags of which the pouches and tote bags are 100% Namibian made! Broideo pieces can be an authentic addition to your closet, or a super sweet and unique gift.

Get in touch at broideo@outlook.com @broideo

SHOP LOCAL-ish

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

KONKOKZIES

FOM The vision of Freedom Of Movement is to create a lifestyle brand on the core principles of quality, longevity, value and worth. FOM saw leather as the one raw material that epitomized all four of these values and that is how it started.

They currently exhibit their beautiful leather products at Living by Vanilla House in 40 Berg Street, Klein Windhoek.

Alternatively they also take orders via email at namibia@freedomofmovement. co.za and deliver for free in Windhoek, but shoppers can look forward to the exciting near future when FOM will be opening a permanent walk-in store in the Grove Mall of Namibia in July 2021. @fombrand 18

Konkokzies unique clay creations. These earrings are designed with great care and passion, which is evident in the beautiful detail of each earring. Each different design adds colour and beauty to accessorising, in its own special way.

In addition, Konkozies does glass markers, serviette holders, herb plant markers and also does custom orders on request!

Email : konkokzies@gmail.com Contact number: +264 81 633 6881 @konkokzies

COPPER & COAL DISTILLERY Copper & Coal was founded in Namibia’s port city of Walvis Bay in 2017. This craft distillery produces premium spirits in small batches, one batch at a time, with a passion for quality and integrity. The finest choice ingredients are turned into exquisite spirits. Every step of the process, from fermenting to bottling by hand, takes place at the distillery in Walvis Bay. The result is a proudly Namibian product.

The Desolate range of gins was launched in March 2018. The Classic 7 conquered the hearts of Namibians and visitors alike, and other spirits followed soon after.

The small team takes the meaning of ‘handcrafted’ to a new level.

Everything is done by hand, under the watchful eye of distiller and owner Andries van Schalkwyk.

Forsaken is a range of infusion boxes that come with a loyalty card and membership in the Copper Craft Club which supports local businesses, including other liquor craft products in Namibia.

Members receive a box every second month that contains Copper & Coal Distillery products as well as other locally crafted products.

Copper & Coal are the producers of the very first Namibian vodka, Arid Vodka.

The distillery has disclosed that several new additions are in the pipeline for the Arid and the Forsaken ranges. And there are plans for a whole new range too!

Email: info@copperandcoaldistillerynamibia.com Website: www.distillerynamibia.com @distillerynamibia

Are you a Nam or SA-based small business lifestyle brand?

List your label with us for only N$750 per month. fly@venture.com.na

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Wonderveld Apothecary

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O

Local Craft

rganic. Natural. Buzz words when it comes to the foods we consume and doing so in a ‘healthy’ manner. Marcii Magson realised that those words are important when it comes to not only what we put in our bodies, but what we put on our skin too - behold, Apothecary.

Apothecary is a locally made and loved skincare product line, driven to be simple, natural and ethical.

Where did your passion for creating start and how did it translate into the production of Apothecary?

I grew up on a farm in the Karoo, 10 km outside the tiny town of Montagu, with bees, tadpoles and anthills as ‘friends’. We played in mud, in the field and made flower crowns with fynbos.

My grandmother roasted her own coffee, made butter, soap and ointments with beeswax and lard using lemon verbena, buchu and other fynbos from the mountains. These smells, aromas and flavours, methods and ways influenced and inspired my creativity and are the foundation of all creative endeavors I embark on. I like to work with raw materials, use my hands, and feel as if I am part of the process.

Wonderveld was born in the dread of a December in Windhoek.

I used to make pesto for friends and exhibition openings and people started telling me to make and sell it. Then I started looking for organic greens to make pesto (one of the things I love the most in the world) and was surprised with the incredible organic suppliers we had around. So, I jumped in and made a range of pestos. In the winter I switched to Chimichurri and salsa verde. The base for these is parsley, which is available all year, whereas basil goes black in the winter and is not so frequently available. I also added tomato pesto as I get the most amazing sundried tomatoes from Montagu. This I make all the time and I currently have a fridge fully stocked. The others are seasonal and I make them when I can get good organic fresh produce.

Apothecary started later. In 2020 during lockdown. I have always made my own lotions, face oils and concoctions, but as I was finally pregnant with our first little miracle at the age of 43 I really started looking at what I put in my body and also on my skin. I have always been inspired by Mother Nature, but once you pay very close attention and study some of the wonders of botany and the powers locked within these raw organisms you realise the magic. This is the driving force behind Apothecary. Infusing my own oils. Sourcing and drying local herbs and botanicals. Making powder from dried beetroot to use as a lip and cheek colour. Once you start experimenting, the options and wonders are endless.

While my little girl was growing in my belly, I became incredibly aware that it makes sense that the way we care for our body, with simple nourishing whole foods, is exactly the way we should care for our skin. Once she was born I wanted to take care of her skin, her cute chubby cheeks and her rolls. There was only one way I wanted to do that: naturally, healthy and lovingly.

After a lot of reading, testing and experimenting with DIY recipes and then doing several courses on formulating using only botanical ingredients, Wonderveld Apothecary was born. The desire of living a more conscious and authentic life has led to a very fulfilling journey of developing products and a brand that encompasses the values of permanency, quality, wholesomeness and love. An overall sense of feeling wonderful because of the basic choices I have made. Simple, Natural and Ethical.

Who is your target market for Apothecary, and how do you get connected to them?

People who are daring enough to go 100% natural. I also believe in unconventional beauty, having freckles myself. I often use unconventional beauty for my advertising. People with freckles, wrinkles, tattoos. Real people we associate with and not photoshopped icons. People who live close to nature and who believe in the power of raw botanicals and essential oils.

I have an online store and a very interactive and busy Instagram (@wonderveld). I also love to do giveaways! But most of my customers are word of mouth as the product really speaks for itself. It really is amazing once you take the leap and go all natural. The mass market makes you believe that you need a routine with hundreds of little bottles pumped with synthetic chemicals, fragrances and parabens. I did my diploma in Natural Skincare in June last year and for the first week we were tasked to wash our faces with honey, tone it with green tea or apple cider vinegar and moisturise it with olive oil or raw coconut oil. That was how simple it was and the results were incredible.

Wonderveld Apothecary seems to me to be the perfect synergy of so much that we are told to strive toward: healthy and natural ingredients used in products that are produced locally and ethically with the initiative to reuse packaging materials and reduce the use of plastic. Everything I want to support and be a part of, and I confess, I was convinced that I need every facial product under the sun, in my cabinet and on my skin, without seeing the results I paid for. Wonderveld Apothecary, I am coming for you!

Find Wonderveld Apothecary via Marcii’s online store: www.wonderveld.store or visit her showroom (by appointment only) where you can test products.

Wonderveld Apothecary is also available at Eat@ Nelson Mandela Avenue and on the Namibian Farmers Online platform at namfarmersonline.com. Contact Marcii directly via email at marciigoose@icloud.com or Whatsapp at 081 403 6682 Ena Visagie & Marcii Magson

Promocode: FlyWestair

At checkout enter FlyWestair and automatically receive 20% off purchases. Only for the month of June.

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22

Beverly Kaposiao talks

building Namibian fashion through training

W

hen it comes to seasoned Namibian fashion designers, Beverly Kaposiao is one who has earned her stripes through her dedicated work in the clothing manufacturing sector.

After catching the fashion bug as a child, Beverly’s passion for clothes followed her right into her teenage years. Today she runs Charity Fashions, a fashion brand specializing in garment and textile manufacturing. Beverly is a big advocate for training and development in the clothing sector and trains young designers and clothing manufacturers. By equipping them with the necessary skills she empowers them to flourish in their careers.

She talked to me about her journey to becoming a professional fashion designer with accomplishments ranging from a third runner-up position at the 2003 JCC awards as well as the 2019 GOWA Outstanding Woman in Africa award which she received in Ghana.

When and why did you choose fashion as a career?

Back in high school. I think it was around grade 9 or 10 when I started recycling jeans into fashionable skirts for myself and friends. My passion for the trade grew and I decided to pursue it after high school.

You train and mentor young people in the clothing sector, what do you focus on?

I focus mostly on productivity which means input needs to equal output. So, basically, what you put in is exactly what you get out, and if you put in a little more you will most definitely get out a little extra, too.

How do you envision the Namibian garment manufacturing sector to look like in a few years from now?

It is still at its infant stage now and will continue to remain there unless we accelerate skills development as well as close the gap between institutions and industries in garment manufacturing.

Not enough has been done to encourage and inspire young people.

Who were your first fashion influences?

I would say the owner of Green Sleeves Vintage Clothing in Stellenboch introduced me to vintage clothing. My creativity has always centred around retro clothing and recycling unusual fabric.

What is the favourite part of your work?

Research. It answers all the important questions – the why, how and when. So for me the history of fashion was and is always enjoyable.

Not enough has been done to encourage and inspire young people. At vocational education level it is rather considered as a second choice if a learner did not obtain enough points to go to university.

This mindset must change! Vocational graduates are the very people who have the highest potential to become entrepreneurs as they have the ability to manufacture a physical and tangible product, a product that is visible, marketable and saleable. In this order it can create employment, and also generate an income for the individual and in return sustain the economy.

What about your career, where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

I have done 15 years and have another 15 years to go!

I will complete my Masters in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation with the WITS Business School. I wish to then advocate vocational education and training which I believe is the only way forward to build and grow the manufacturing sectors.

Rukee Kaakunga is a Windhoek-based Concept Engineer, PR Consultant, and fashion writer. Contact her via email: rukeekaakunga@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @rukeeveni.

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World Desertification and

O

Drought Day

n 17 June Desertification and Drought Day is observed internationally.

Desertification and drought is a global issue that affects all regions and requires joint action by the international community to address the degradation of soil, especially in Africa.

This year’s theme is: Restoration. Land. Recovery. It focuses on the rehabilitation of degraded land back to healthy land.

The aim is to create awareness of the benefits that restoration of degraded land brings which includes economic resilience, employment creation, raising of incomes and increases in food security. Importantly it helps biodiversity to recover.

Restoring soil to a healthy condition leads to the trapping of the atmospheric carbon that causes global warming and thereby slowing climate change.

An increasing global population that drives an ever-growing demand for food, housing, raw materials, highways and other infrastructure has had an immense impact on the earth.

Almost three-quarters of the world’s surface has been altered by human activity while 23% of land globally is no longer productive, showing the importance of conserving what remains. It is also crucial that we fix damaged ecosystems. By doing so it will be possible to mitigate the effects of climate change and strengthen natural defences against extreme weather events such as wildfires, droughts, floods and sand and dust storms. By restoring natural landscapes it is also possible to mitigate human-wildlife conflict by increasing the size of the land on which animals can look for food that in turn keeps them further away from settlements.

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the prevention and reversing of the loss of productive land and natural ecosystems is extremely urgent and could be key for the quick recovery from COVID-19 and for ensuring the long-term survival of humans.

“Land restoration can contribute greatly to post-COVID economic recovery. Investing in land restoration creates

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jobs and generates economic benefits, and could provide livelihoods at a time when hundreds of millions of jobs are being lost,” says Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary.

In Namibia with its two deserts, we need to be particularly adamant about the conservation of natural landscapes.

Restoration of degraded land caused by overgrazing and other poor farming methods should become a priority in the face of a world climate that is rapidly changing. We are at the forefront of the battle against desertification. The recent seven-year drought was a good warning of a possible future where drought cycles might become longer and good rain years less.

The current rate of loss of productive land will cause a steady increase in unemployment and a downturn in the economy.

Where land restoration and smart investments in sustainable practices can lead to more employment and economic benefits in the long term.

This is especially important in Namibia where foreign companies sell job creation and wealth through activities such as logging operations in the Zambezi Region and drilling for oil in the Kavango Region that will only cause even worse poverty, unemployment as well as the destruction of the natural environment in the long run. These companies sell the creation of a couple of hundred jobs and brag about the value of the natural riches only to leave behind the loss of countless livelihoods through the destruction of natural land and resources.

Desertification and Drought Day aims to create public awareness and to remind people that reversing land degradation is achievable through strong community involvement and cooperation. This is an issue that affects us all. The time to act is now.

To find out more about desertification and how to combat it visit: www.unccd.int

Dreams take flight FlyWestair takes a group of children from SPES Charity in Windhoek on their very first flight.

O

n 28 April 2021, six learners and a teacher from a SPES charity pre-school in Okuryangava took the first flight of their lives – with FlyWestair. It was a truly unforgettable experience for all.

From the moment we stepped into the airport that morning before 7:00, we were greeted with smiles. As soon as we walked through the metal detectors we could see planes taking off and landing. Excited gasps were heard from the learners.

While the friendly staff escorted us to the airplane, one of the boys, Johnny*, whispered, “Teacher, I never knew airplanes were so big.”

Once on the plane, with everybody buckled in, a little fear kicked in, but with a quick explanation from the flight attendant, especially for the kids, about what would happen, all nerves were settled.

As the plane started “driving” (taxying), the learners and the teacher pressed their faces against the window. “We’re going faster and faster, Teacher”, Sera* yelled. The other passengers had a quick giggle.

As take-off started, the sounds of delight were unmistakable: “We’re flying, we’re flying!” Once in the air, the helpful flight attendant handed each learner a special meal, a toy and a colouring book.

Landing in Ondangwa, the learners and teacher couldn’t believe the whole trip took less than two hours. A trip which for them would usually take a whole day.

Later, back in Windhoek, the learners received another gift, and they were given a special tour through some of the hangars to learn about the different types of airplanes. There were airplanes in every colour we could think of, and everyone got to pick a favourite plane.

After this very exciting day, Samuel* declared, “Today was like all my birthdays being celebrated at the same time.”

This experience has changed the learners’ lives. (* the learner’s names were changed for safety reasons)

Learn more about SPES at www.spescharity.com Eloise Klynsmith, SPES

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ECONOMIES ARE RUTHLESS… but also forgiving

A

fter gaining independence in 1990 the Namibian economy enjoyed a honeymoon phase spanning 25 years. During this period, annual GDP growth was mostly positive, with only one out of the twentyfive years experiencing negative growth.

Although Namibians were prospering, we were living in the moment without planning for future sustainable growth. Much like J. Paul Getty’s description of The Roaring Twenties, “the period of that great American prosperity which was built on shaky foundations.”

Today, a prosperous Namibian economy is but a distant memory, faded by stagnation, depression and, to make matters worse, a pandemic. The goal of this story is not to dishearten. Far from it. The goal is to address where we went wrong, as well as what needs to be done to revive this nation.

A prosperous economy requires informed policy decisions to accommodate growth. Simply injecting money is not enough. An example of this issue is the Namibian education system, which has the largest budget allocation of all sectoral expenditure yet lacks progress. Poor policies might not be evident immediately. However, over time the cracks

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begin to form, bringing us to the present day, scratching our heads and asking where we went wrong.

Namibia’s economic model has been rather simple to date – exploit natural resources, while adding limited value. The lack of industrialisation has limited the country’s capacity to create sustainable jobs. Between 2016 and 2019, the Namibian economy slumped roughly 0.5% annually. This was mainly driven by contractions in the mining and construction sectors, as well as weak growth in neighbouring countries, which adversely impacted demand for Namibian goods and services. There are a multitude of underlying factors that have culminated into the present state of the economy, but in the interest of simplification we will focus on two broad factors: human capital and the overall business climate.

Firstly, although progress has been made in the Namibian education system, educational outcomes are still dismal. The current average duration of schooling is a shocking 7 years out of the potential 12 years. This poor education system has failed the many young adults of today who are either structurally unemployed, as their skills are incompatible with the formal sector, or they find employment in the informal sector, which pays lower wages relative to the formal sector.

Economic Pulse

Source: Namibia Statistics Agency, IJG

To make matters worse, the informal sector, which is characterised by low labour productivity, makes up about 41% of Namibia’s employment. Meanwhile, the formal sector employs about 42.3% of Namibian workers. The low mobility of labour suggests informal workers struggle to enter the formal sector. Had these workers possessed the necessary skills, they could find more productive jobs, and create jobs necessitating higher skill levels, driving a higher rate of GDP growth. Additionally, the longer the workforce is either unemployed or dissatisfied with their jobs, their motivation wanes. This results in unemployed people giving up on their job search, currently employed workers becoming less productive due to a lack of job satisfaction, and overall innovation, which is crucial for economic progress, begins to dwindle. Improving the education system will be a long and painful process before the country begins to reap the benefits. It must be done, however, to upskill the population in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Secondly, there is a lack of competition, which is of great concern for Namibia’s private sector development.

According to the World Bank, the market structure is highly monopolistic, whereby several big players dominate and use their position to restrict market entry by new competitors. Furthermore, a large government sector, and its presence in the private sector space through state-owned enterprises and parastatals, increases market inefficiencies and crowds out the private sector.

According to the Global Competitiveness Report, Namibia ranks 100th out of 140 countries. These barriers to entry demotivate foreign investment into the country, as well as internal development, as locals struggle to start a business.

According to the World Bank Doing Business Index, Namibia ranks 165th out of 190 countries for starting a business. This is due to highly inefficient regulators that hinder progress

for no valid reason. It takes, on average, an eye-watering 66 days to register a company in Namibia. For a profitable multi-national, this process might not mean much, but for a local start-up with miniscule profit margins, this cumbersome process can be the difference between bankruptcy and prosperity. The good news is: several of these issues can and should be remedied in the shortterm. Overall, an improved business climate will create a more attractive environment for foreign investment, in addition to supporting local start-ups, which will result in a sustainable and fruitful business environment.

The good news is: economies are fair. Just as an economy ruthlessly punishes poor policies, it also rewards sound decisions. Of course, some policies, such as improvements in the education system, will likely take years to yield positive results, while others, such as addressing the country’s sluggish regulatory system, will have far more rapid results. The bottom line is that these decisions must be made with urgency for the overall recovery of the Namibian economy.

Josh Singer Mansfeld Josh Singer Mansfeld is a trainee research analyst at IJG Securities, 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

NETWORK

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It’s about watching Table Mountain emerge from the clouds.

If you’re craving the delights of South Africa’s most beautiful city, FlyWestair will get you there.

CAPE TOWN WDH >> CPT >> WDH SCHEDULE: Depart 08:30 - Arrive 10:20; Depart 12:30 - Arrive 14:20 DAYS OF OPERATION: Mondays, Fridays Covid Testing Centre at Westair Office

It’s about time.

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AOC: NCAA/010/2013

+264 83 937 8247 www.flywestair.com

F

Sight, Smell, Sound, Taste, and Touch

or the past year and half it has been hard to write about anything other than the pandemic.

“In these unprecedented times…”, “…the global lockdown…”, “…due to the COVID-19 pandemic…”. I have used various mutations of these sentences in feature articles as openers; they have been integrated into columns as conclusions; and they have weaselled their way into last-minute cancellation messages for engagements I did not want to attend. Their continuous use has felt like a creative loop, a hamster wheel of cliché clauses with no end in sight. Or, rather, there was an end, but it was far, far away. Remember when we thought the world would be back to normal by May, July, and then September last year? Ha! The joke was always on us. While writing about lockdown, curfews, curtailed movement, coughing, and being cooped up I hoped for better days, or, at least, for different ones.

In the past year I have abused some of my senses and neglected others. I have watched as many series and films as I can stomach. I have finished four or five Playstation games.

I have never finished any game in my life. (Who would have thunk it? Games have end credits too.) But watch things I did.

What I have not done, though, is look around in the curious and artistic way needed to write or take photographs with meaning or gravitas. It is, after all, hard to be open-minded when the world is closing up and shuttering itself away. My morning and evening views have been limited to the squares of my study window. I have been seeing, but I cannot say I have been looking, not in any way that has allowed me to create or imagine new and interesting landscapes.

Taste, meh. I am a decent cook. But if there is one thing lockdown exposed about me, it is that my recipes quickly become repetitive. I gravitate towards convenience, not cuisine. Sure, maybe I should have used the time to explore other recipes. But, really, I was not motivated enough. It was not as though I was hosting dinner parties. Family gatherings needed to have carefully monitored attendances. So taste was also stunted: no cafés or restaurants. It has been the same old, same old.

I cannot recall what I have used my sense of smell for. It did not disappear when I tested positive for COVID-19, thank goodness. Oh, I know - the rains. Windhoek was so pleasant before and after it rained. The freshness of the air is something my nose remembers.

I have abused my ears with head and earphones over the past year. Music, podcasts, audiobooks — all of them have been played at high volume during lockdown. No concerts or

clubs, no festivals or parties, no interesting aural landscapes from my daily life. For the most part, the white noise from my fan and the slow traffic in my street have been the most prevalent ambient sounds. The ocean roaring? That came through the BBC documentaries I was watching. The wind gliding over the Namib? That was a curated ambient sound.

With little else to see, taste, and smell, and with so few places to go, I leaned heavily into anything aural.

But the sense that has suffered the most is touch. I have not shaken a single person’s hand in a year. I hug my parents or friends only in the most unavoidable of circumstances.

Everyone else has been literally kept at arm’s length. Before entering a shop I scan the aisles to see if they are crowded.

There has been no accidental grazing of elbows in about a year. The press of life that forms the foundation of my community has shrunk. I could not frequent my regular haunts without putting my health at risk. The only plus side of social distancing is that no one has stood uncomfortably close to me in a queue, breathing down my neck. For once I have found the right excuse to tell someone, “Buddy, you’re way too close—please practice social distancing.”

It is a strange thing to miss: touch. One never thinks about how much of human life is dependent on basic encounters and physical contact. It has not felt the same to bump elbows in greeting or to conclude a business deal.

When I finally received my first vaccination jab it was the first time in a long time that someone I did not personally know had been in such close proximity. The nurse, a kindly woman, explained the possible effects of the first dose and outlined the continuing need to wear a mask, sanitise my hands, and uphold my social distancing practices. But, hopefully, she said, “When enough people are vaccinated, we can return to regular life.”

To seeing and looking, to hearing and listening, and to feeling and being touched.

It might still be a-ways off, but it is a possibility.

And what a possibility it is.

Rémy is a Rwandan-born Namibian writer and photographer.

He is the founder, chairperson, and artministrator of Doek, an independent arts organisation in Namibia supporting the literary arts. He is also the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Doek! Literary Magazine, Namibia’s first and only literary magazine. His debut novel “The Eternal Audience Of One” is forthcoming from Scout Press (S&S).

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ROYAL HUSTLERS Mauriza Fredericks on the pursuit of success against all odds

E

ven though hers was a life that many wouldn’t imagine turning into a success, Mauriza Fredericks allowed nothing to limit her vision for the future.

This Khomasdal bred Communications Professional has been ambitious and resourceful since she was a teen - taking it upon herself to change her life for the better. Going against the advice of her parents, Mauriza enrolled herself at Windhoek High School (formerly a white-only school), shortly after the Independence of Namibia in 1990, in an effort to get a better education.

Given her background, her parents could not afford the new school fees, “Their only concern was, ‘how are we going to sustain those fees, we don’t have the money?,” recalls Mauriza. But instead of letting this deter her, Mauriza resolved to pay the fees herself. She worked odd jobs over weekends and public holidays at a local grocery store and stationery shop respectively, raising funds for her education. “The survival spirit in me took over and I could not go against myself to accept things as they were”.

Life was not easy during those years. Mauriza faced the troubles of many underprivileged youngsters growing up in the less affluent neighbourhoods of pre-independence Namibia. “It was a struggling time for me, but by God’s grace, I went upstream against the odds,” says Mauriza about her determined efforts to change the narrative she was born into.

After completing high school, things started to change when she began to work as a freelance radio presenter at Kanaal 7 while studying to become a primary school teacher. She had always been very passionate about the media and her time as a teacher was short-lived, however.

With the early influences of the likes of broadcasting veteran Robin Tyson, Mauriza dreamt of one day becoming a newscaster herself. She would dress up in front of her mother’s dressing table to mimic newscasters, pretending to be a famous news host. This dream eventually came true when she left her teaching job to pursue her broadcasting dream full time.

She worked several media jobs which included News reading at One Africa TV and Kosmos radio station while studying journalism and communications studies in her free time.

Like many media practitioners, she eventually transitioned into the world of Corporate Communications. Some of her PR and Communication jobs included positions at the Bank of Namibia and Pupkewitz Holdings, respectively.

Just as she was determined to change her life by going to a better high school in her teens, Mauriza has remained consistent in her pursuit of education and selfdevelopment. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Communications Technology from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) as well as postgraduate qualifications from NUST and from Wits University. Courageous, motivated and deeply grounded, Mauriza has a growth mindset that has brought her out of her darkest moments.

A cancer survivor of nine years, she has taken the illness and other challenges along her journey as opportunities to live a more fulfilled life. On what keeps her inspired to live a positive life, she says: “What keeps me inspired is having the attitude of assessing what I’m currently facing and what are the choices I’ve made that brought me here.

I call it pressing my reset button.” That means that no matter what she faces in life, she reminds herself that she can always try again if she fails, that she can change directions at any moment and that she can essentially press the reset button whenever necessary.

As for working at Old Mutual Namibia, Mauriza appreciates the fact that she is able to be her authentic self in the multinational organisation. “What helps me at Old Mutual is the fact that on a bi-weekly basis we engage with each other across borders, be it for Communication, Corporate Social Responsibility or Stakeholder Management. We learn from each other and build campaigns together and that for me is forever intellectually stimulating.”

Mauriza hopes that young people learn to tap into their individuality, that they rise up to take Namibia to the next level. To the young girl who is struggling to find her way out of a bad spot, she has this advice: “At one point you need to take that internal scan to ask what you can do to get you to the next level.”

Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99FM every Monday to Friday from 07h35, with Namibian Royal Hustlers featured on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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15 min sweat set with Ena

I want to be Michelle when I grow up...

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e already know exercise benefits so many areas of our lives: physically, mentally, heart health, confidence etc., and yet actually doing the exercise is something that so many of us just haven’t got to yet. I get it, some of us need a certain type of incentive to get going… So if all the benefits mentioned don’t get you pumped, how about those Michelle Obama arms!?

The former US first lady’s arms have been the topic of so many articles, and I understand why! Michelle is such a powerhouse of a woman, and I find it commendable that it shows in her work, relationship and physical health.

Training at home or on the move can be a challenge, but there is no reason we should allow our travel-plans or lack of training equipment to keep us from reaping all the benefits we can receive if we just start exercising - we want Michelle-Obama arms, people! So if that means getting up a little earlier to make time for exercise in a hotel room, or prioritising it at home, you can do it. As Mrs Obama says, “If you are committed to doing what it takes, anything is possible.”

Full-Body Sweat Session All you need is: • 15 minutes • Water Plank with shoulder touches

Each exercise = 30 seconds Rest = 1 minute after the 8th exercise Complete the circuit 3 times (and if you have time, challenge yourself for a 4th round) 1.

Superman Lifts

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Jump Rope (mimic the movement if you do not have a rope – it works the same!)

Arm Circles Forward Arm Circles Backward Plank with shoulder touches Superman Lifts Jumping Jacks Tricep Dips Flappy Bird

Quick and easy, no equipment needed, but you should definitely be feeling a burn! You can do this workout every second day, or add one circuit as an end-burner to your upper body session.

Shoot me a DM and let me know how it goes @fervent_wellness Tricep Dips

3 ways to intensify workouts structured like this one: •

Instead of just doing the circuit 3 times, do it 4 times

•

Increase the time for each exercise. For example, instead of 30 seconds, do 40/45 + seconds of each exercise

•

Do it at the end of another training session, which should have spiked your heart rate already.

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Ena holds a BComm degree in Marketing and Business Management, but because of her passion for fitness, she also studied to become a qualified Personal Trainer, working with individuals via online training and coaching.

You can find her on the socials at @fervent_wellness & @enavisagie_8.

2021

Tour 1:

23 - 27 June

Tour 2:

28 June - 2 July

Join this life-changing four-day mountain-biking safari in Namibia's enigmatic Damaraland.

Cost: N$ 18 000 pp sharing (excl VAT) Four night stay at a luxury Wilderness Safaris lodge.

All inclusive.

Contact elzanne@venture.com.na to book or visit www.venture.com.na for more info.

Perfectly situated in the heart of Windhoek lies The Sky Cafe at Eros Airport. It’s the ultimate grab and go coffee shop accessible for all transiting domestic passengers.

Sky Cafe is made up of a multi talented team who also provide VIP inflight catering, catering for business meetings and events to hosting product launches and year end functions in the Sky Lounge.

Pop in. Say hi. Enjoy the warm smiles, delicious coffee and yummy snacks.

0811241575/0812914362 annagret@theskylounge.net jamie@thesklounge.net

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THE TRIBE

The Tribe Exclusive featuring Marv Town

T

he way that he lights up a stage with his electric performances, it was no surprise that Marv Town won the 2021 Ma/Gaisa Star Search competition.

No stranger to the music scene before winning the popular music contest, Marv Town is well known for his behind-thescenes work with many Namibian artists.

He recently stepped into The Tribe Exclusive​ to introduce his proudly Namibian sound, and gave us a flashback into his colourful musical history.

Tell us about your music history, how did you fall in love with music?

I always loved music. I’ve been a performer all my life, through theatre and stand-up comedy. I’ve been managing dancers and also worked with many artists and always thought of how I could do things differently. I’ve always put myself in the shoes of other artists so this time around, when this opportunity came, I thought and I decided to show everybody what I’ve always had in mind.

Why is the Ma/Gaisa Star Search Competition such a good platform?

Sometimes people want to do music but they lack resources or motivation. The competition creates a platform for these musicians to showcase what they can do.

I always loved music.

I’ve been a performer all my life, through theatre and stand-up comedy.

How did you officially start your music journey?

Music was always my back-up plan. I’ve always been writing music and helping artists behind-the scenes.

I also made a couple of songs but mostly only when things weren’t working out. So I expressed myself in my music. When I heard about the Ma/Gaisa Star Search competition, I was contemplating whether I should take part or not and a friend of mine motivated me to enter.

Where can we see your videos?

Follow the Welwitschia Music Production page on Facebook and on Youtube, subscribe and check us out. I’ll also be putting things onto my Marv Town Instagram page.

What happens after the competition, what can we expect from Marv?

This is something that I’m taking very seriously. I’ve done a lot of things but this, this is exciting so you can expect a lot more from me.

Watch The Tribe on One Africa TV (GOtv 90, DStv 284, DStv Now) every Friday at 18h30 with repeat shows on Saturdays at 17h30, and Mondays at 21h00.

Alternatively, listen to The Tribe on 99FM every Friday at 19h00, and follow The Tribe on Instagram @thetribenamibia and on Facebook @TheTribeNamibia.

Proudly Sponsored by

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Paul van Schalkwyk

This is Namibia

Discovering the

Kavango & Zambezi 37

The lure of the area is its wild and untamed quality, which gives visitors a peek into authentic African lifestyles. Perennial rivers and expansive floodplains, lush subtropical vegetation, an abundance of game and birds, and scattered settlements provide a complete change of scenery from the rest of the Namibian landscape. The 575-kilometre tarred Trans-Caprivi Highway provides easy access to the region.

THE KAVANGO EAST AND KAVANGO WEST REGIONS The Okavango River and its broad floodplains make the Kavango East and Kavango West regions considerably greener than the rest of Namibia. The river forms a natural boundary between Namibia and Angola for more than 400 km and is the lifeline for the Kavango people, who make a living from fishing, tending cattle and cultivating sorghum, millet and maize.

THE ZAMBEZI REGION Formerly referred to as the Caprivi, the Zambezi Region is a fertile wilderness of riverine forests, flood plains, swamps and open woodland created by a complex network of rivers and relatively high summer rainfall. For freshwater angling enthusiasts, canoeists and white-river rafters, Zambezi offers much excitement and challenge.

Well over 400 of Namibia’s bird species occur in this part of the country, and the region is steadily gaining a reputation as a retreat for bird-watchers, nature lovers and specialist travellers. It is also of growing interest to scientists studying the wetlands system and its flora and fauna.

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Zambezi, once known as Itenga, was ruled by the Lozi kings until it became part of the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, today’s Botswana. In 1890, at the Berlin Conference, Germany acquired the territory, named it after the Chancellor, Count Georg Leo von Caprivi, and added it to German South West Africa. The capital of Caprivi was Schuckmannsburg (renamed Luhonono in 2013) until 1935, when it was moved to Katima Mulilo, a name that means ‘put out the fire’. Katima Mulilo has since become a busy tourist centre and gateway to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Travelling from Katima Mulilo on the B8, you cross into Botswana at the Ngoma border post. The road then traverses Chobe National Park to Kasane, the springboard to Impalila Island where Namibia borders on Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The link to these attractions is the 575-kilometre long Trans-Caprivi Highway, a wide tarred road that has replaced the dusty gravel tracks of the past. The route runs through a region of which one third is a floodplain, and where the population is small and the human impact limited.

Providing access to three state- protected game reserves, it lies in the geographic heart of the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area.

This is Namibia

PARKS OF THE NORTHEAST

These national parks are well-worth a visit on your journey through north-eastern Namibia. They play host to an abundance of wildlife and beautiful natural scenery: MANGETTI NATIONAL PARK: Situated some 100 km southwest of Rundu in the Kavango Region, the park extends over some 420 km2 and is managed jointly by the Ukwangali Traditional Authority and the MEFT. Animals seen there include eland, blue wildebeest, African wild dog, leopard and hyaena.

KHAUDUM NATIONAL PARK: a densely wooded wilderness reserve that borders Botswana in the east and can be explored only in 4x4 vehicles. It is the only conservation area in Namibia where the northern Kalahari sandveld biome is protected.

The wilderness harbours several big game species and a multitude of birds. Large animals found throughout the park are elephant and giraffe, while predators are lion, leopard, spotted hyaena, and sidestriped and black-backed jackal.

MUDUMU NATIONAL PARK: Centred on the Mudumu Mulapo fossil river course, this vast 1 010 km2 expanse of dense savannah and mopane woodlands bordered in the west by the Kwando River, was proclaimed a national park in 1990. The mopane woodlands are at the core of Mudumu, the combination of forest and water sustaining a wealth of wildlife.

BWABWATA NATIONAL PARK: In 2007 the former Caprivi Game Park, proclaimed in 1968, was incorporated into the 6 100 km2 Bwabwata National Park, including the Kwando or Golden Triangle, and the Buffalo and Mahango (the former Mahango Game Park) core areas. This heralded a new generation of parks in terms of an integrated approach towards park management. Bwabwata was designed not only to protect the environment, but also to accommodate the people living in the park.

NKASA RUPARA NATIONAL PARK: The 320 km2 Nkasa Rupara National Park, proclaimed in 1990, has the distinction of being Namibia’s largest wetland area with conservation status. The park is characterised by a complex network of channels, reed beds, oxbow lakes and islands, with the focal point on Nkasa and Lupala, two large elevated areas that punctuate the floodplains.

Find more Namibian travel inspiration at www.thisisnamibia.com Follow @thisis_namibia on Facebook and Instagram for extraordinary Namibia travel stories.

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Lifestyle Guide

Slaying the safari game with What to wear

W

ondering what to wear for an upcoming safari? We’ve collected the best outfit inspiration for you — these looks are very well-suited to your travels!

Dressing for safari is actually a lot like dressing for work, just trade in your heels for some hiking boots and throw on a safari chic hat and you’re ready to roll. Seriously, the easiest recipe for a safari outfit, is a pair of khaki pants and a button down shirt. Just like your classic corporate job uniform, except make it fashion (meets Steve Irwin) with a little bit of leopard . So here’s ZINA’S favourite outfits we found for the ultimate safari chic!

Poetry, HatEmthunzini Hats

Poetry Linen Dress, Belt- Bovine And Thread, HandbagMyeisha Namibia, HatCotton On

Poetry Jumper

Collective Boutique

Collective Boutique

Top-Poetry, Pants, Cotton On, HatCrystal Birch

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Here are 3 great reasons to visit Namibia in a pandemic!

#1 It’s home to some of Africa’s most breathtaking landscape and wildlife.

From Sossusvlei, to Etosha, to the Caprivi Strip. Namibia offers space, silence, and the opportunity to truly disconnect: it is the world’s second-least densely populated country. There aren’t many places left in an overpopulated world where you can immerse yourself as thoroughly in remote wilderness as Namibia.

#2

The perfect place to be part of nature, but still feel safe.

Game Lodges, Nature Reserves, 4x4 Routes & Bush Camps, Namibia has it all.

#3 It’s the ideal family holiday & self-drive destination.

Namibia is the perfect travel destination for families, due to many experiences and outdoor activities available. Also, the best thing about a self-drive vacation is that it gives you complete control over your daily activities, without being interrupted by other people and crowds. You can take as long as you need to get from point A to point B. Namibia, is a quiet country of that provides all of the above and more with limited crowds. That alone should be enough to entice travellers to embark to Namibia.

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Cinnamon Buns

omnoms

Lifestyle with Zina

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup almond milk 1 packet yeast in milk 1 egg yolk 1 full egg 3 cups flour 2 tbsp brown sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla essence or paste 1 dash nutmeg 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tbsp dark brown sugar 1/4 cup soft butter 1 tsp cinnamon extract 2 tsp cinnamon powder

HERE IS THE METHOD: * First let’s make the dough. Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over low heat until it reaches about 37-40 C’. Remove from the heat and sprinkle in the yeast. Set aside until foamy, for about 5 minutes.

Whisk in the melted butter, egg and vanilla essence. * Whisk in the flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg in the bowl of a stand mixer. Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast /egg mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook until the dough becomes thick and slightly sticky. Knead on medium speed until the dough gathers around the hook, this takes about 5-7 minutes. Add up to 2 more tablespoons flour if necessary or the dough is too sticky. * Remove the dough and shape into a ball. Butter the mixer bowl and return the dough to the bowl to rise.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour minutes. For best results place the dough into direct sunlight. * While the dough is rising combine brown sugar, dark brown sugar, butter, cinnamon extract and cinnamon powder in a small bowl and stir together until you have a smooth paste. * Once your dough is ready role it out into a big square about 1cm thick. Spread the cinnamon paste across the dough evenly. * Cut the dough into long strip and role it up into a cinnamon swirl. Then place into a buttered baking tin or pie tin and let it proof rise for another 30 min in a warm environment covered with plastic wrap to keep the moisture in. * Meanwhile preheat the oven to 190 degrees C on fan. * Bake the buns until golden brown, about 35 minutes.

Cool in the pan 15 minutes. Then sprinkle with more cinnamon, and maple syrup and enjoy your stick gooey cinnamon buns while warm and fragrant.

zina_namibia | www.prostudio.cc/zina

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Photography Feature

Life Through Emidio’s Lens

E

midio Kasper has always loved all types of art, whether it’s music, acting, painting or photography and videography. Initially not owning a camera, he used his phone’s to capture the world around him. His love for photography was evident in his images and when his friends and family saw this they encouraged him to become a photographer.

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Photography Feature

At first Emidio thought it was a wild idea and he did not know where to start. But eventually he took the plunge and bought a camera in 2018. He has not looked back since.

His biggest passion is portrait and automotive photography but he also enjoys documentary and landscape work. “Basically, I try to capture the human element in my photos,” he says.

Follow him on Instagram at @artbyemidio.

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art-ist

Saima is the star of Bank Windhoek Triennial

Photography: Martha Mukaiwa

Saima Iita - Heart Sense

Anastacia Karenga

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Ina-Maria Shikongo - George Floyd

Ismael Shivute - 3000 Divided by 24

Ismael Shivute - The Eternity of Childhood

T

Kapena Joe - Weary Girl

he Bank Windhoek Triennial is perhaps Namibia’s most prestigious contemporary visual art event. Artists exceed expectations.

Judges angle their heads, squinting in deep contemplation and when all is hung, said and done, the Triennial’s winners are fêted for a full three years because that’s how long it is until the next one.

A highly anticipated collaboration between the National Art Gallery of Namibia and Bank Windhoek, the Triennial’s opening and awards ceremony was held at the national gallery on 22 April. The event provides a cross-section of the quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary Namibian art.

Currently in its fifth iteration, the Bank Windhoek Triennial was scheduled to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and now makes its return bigger and better.

Under the neat leadership of the national gallery’s acting chief curator Desiree Nanuses, over 700 submissions were distilled into an extensive, multi-gallery exhibition the heart of which is the winners’ exhibition in the main hall.

There, Saimi Iita’s winning piece ‘Women Feelings in the 20th century’ stands tall as an ode to the might and resilience of women. Crafted from fire burned metal, engine oil and chains, Iita’s sculpture depicts a woman breaking free from bondage and is symbolic of the African woman’s seemingly innate ability to survive and even thrive despite hardship, violence and oppression.

A powerful pinnacle elevated at the centre of the winners’ gallery, ‘Women Feelings in the 20th Century’ won the overall prize as well as the 3-D prize amid a strong submission year that honours artists Peter Mwahalukange and Cathy McRoberts with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“For me, winning this award is a special gift in my life. It’s my

Saima Iita

first time winning the first prize and 3-D prize also,” says the Triennial’s star who also entered in 2017.

“The 2017 one made me work hard so I can reach the position where I want to be because, for me, even if I’m working as an artist, I’m not working to win awards. I’m working to give some perspective, message and things that other people have never seen before so people can realise that art is something also beneficial to human life,” he says.

“I’m pushing forward as a permanent, full-time artist and I’m pushing forward to be seen in the world. This is a signal to me that I’m in the world of art now and I’ll be there forever.”

Motivated and victorious, Iita stands next to category winners Ismael Shivute (2-D), Anastacia Karenga (Contemporary Customary Art), Ina-Maria Shikongo (Textile Art), Gideon Megameno Kashile (New Media) and Kapena Joe (Newcomer Award).

A multifarious artistic exploration celebrating a distinctly Namibian development of techniques ranging from embroidery to installation, the exhibition touches on themes of womanhood, corruption, politics, social ills, conservation, culture, Covid-19, history, humanity and the state of the Namibian nation.

For those eager to take the temperature of contemporary Namibian art, the 2021 Bank Windhoek Triennial is not to be missed. It runs until 3 July.

Martha Mukaiwa is a columnist and writer based in Windhoek, Namibia, in between short, spirited sojourns around the world.

Her narrative nonfiction, personal essays, travel writing and short stories have appeared in Travel Africa, Quartz, Fields & Stations, Holiday, The Africa Report, Truthdig, Matador Network, Africa is a Country, The Mail & Guardian, The Namibian & The Kalahari Review. Martha is an honorary writing fellow at the University of Iowa. Read more at marthamukaiwa.com.

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Friends will be friends

T

even in the midst of a pandemic

he COVID-19 pandemic has left a trail of economic devastation and rising poverty levels throughout Africa. Industries linked to international tourism have been hit hardest, as international travel was the first casualty in the war against the virus, and will be the last industry to revive. In these desperate times, many are left financially stranded as each business sheds employees and cuts costs. After all, it’s nothing personal – it’s just business.

For Karin le Roux, founding Director of the Omba Arts Trust, nothing could be further from the truth. Her three decades of dedication to helping rural Namibian women is extremely personal. As a social enterprise, Omba Arts is indeed a business that markets Namibian handmade products to local and international markets, but its heart beats for the women behind the art.

Since Namibian independence in 1990, long before Omba Arts took its current form, Karin followed her passion for empowering women to the very ends of her vast country. As an art teacher who understands the design potential of local handicraft skills and cultures, she is uniquely qualified to provide a link between women with minimal or no formal education and the international traveller with an eye for high-quality, authentic crafts.

Karin’s expertise is matched by a special concern for the marginalised San people, whose ancient traditional way of life has been overrun by modern day agriculture and commercial interests.

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In 2019, the Finnish Embassy to Namibia honoured Karin with the Hän Award, alongside only one other African. This award acknowledges efforts to promote equality and inclusivity, especially among marginalised communities, around the world. While receiving such an award was a great honour for Karin, Omba Arts now faces perhaps its greatest ever challenge since inception – COVID-19.

A staggering 90% of Omba’s income was wiped out when international tourism shut down in early 2020. Without a market, Omba Arts could no longer afford to buy crafts from the 400 artisans around the country, who in turn support about 2,000 family members.

As Namibia locked down even domestic travel, “Omba Arts Trust went into hibernation,” Karin recalls, “But as the weeks turned to months, we realised we had to do something — to save Omba, support our artisans, and keep the supply chains going.” The pandemic has not hit the sparsely populated rural areas that Omba works with directly, but its economic consequences have been severe.

As one of the San artisans exclaims, “I don’t even know the name of that disease that everyone is talking about that has turned our lives upside down!”

After devoting so much of her life to women across the country, Karin could not simply give up and walk away. These artisans were not just suppliers, they are Omba’s friends with whom they have built mutual trust and relationships over many years. She knew that without the income from Omba they would be left with nothing. These artisans have become

Photography: Omba Arts Trust

fruitful “trees” in communities that are marked by desperate poverty and all its attendant social problems. As one of the San artisans, Mara Britz declares: “Omba is the water that nourishes us so that our roots can grow, we can bear fruit and bring food (for our families).” Without this life-giving water, these women and their communities will have little hope of escaping the poverty trap.

Soon after the lockdown conditions eased, the Omba team headed off into the Kalahari in Namibia’s Omaheke region to see how their artisans were faring and to bring them muchneeded food parcels. Despite the market crashing, Omba put in an order for some crafts made from ostrich eggshells to provide the women with some financial relief. They also distributed and installed “tippy taps” (foot-activated hand washing units), donated by Namibia Chamber of Environment, in these remote villages to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The artisans in Omaheke are just one of several groups around Namibia that rely on Omba, however, and Karin is acutely aware that much more support is needed for a longer period of time to see them through this crisis. Given their well-established relationships and deep understanding of these remote rural communities, Omba is perfectly positioned to provide help in ways that truly meet the challenges these women face. But without a sustainable income through sales to tourists, Omba cannot do this alone.

the Trust has relied almost entirely on sales to tourists visiting Namibia, but it is likely to take years before tourist numbers reach pre-COVID levels again. Until then, they need to take their 100% Namibian merchandise online and adapt their product ranges for the export market.

Products made from eggshell beads make lovely jewellery,“ Karin observes, “but we will need to move towards selling larger items for home décor as this is where international experts tell us the market is growing due to people spending so much time in their homes.”

Doing this will require substantial investment into new online advertising channels, maintaining their new website [link] and, crucially, providing training to the artisans to move from producing jewellery to products more suited to the home interiors market. Omba is thus looking for longer-term support from partners that share their passion for sustainable development and women empowerment.

Omba is the water that nourishes us so that our roots can grow, we can bear fruit and bring food (to our families).

If you are in a position to help these artisans and their communities weather the COVID-19 storm, please donate here.

If you can help Omba Arts Trust with longterm support to ensure that this pandemic isn’t the end of the line for this unique Namibian enterprise, contact Karin le Roux on karin.leroux@omba.org.na Karin le Roux and Gail C. Thomson

In a bid to create awareness and raise funds for the artisans, the Omba team produced a short film with generous assistance from filmmaker Andy Botelle, who offered to waive his professional fees if Omba could not raise sufficient funding to cover this cost. This touching film captures the unscripted, exuberant joy and gratitude for the help Omba has provided, both before and during the pandemic.

While this fund-raising drive is specifically to help the artisans survive in the short-term, the long-term future of Omba itself also requires urgent attention. Up to this point,

For more conservation stories, scan the QR code to visit the Conservation Namibia website:

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Gains for Generations with Biochar

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GIVING FARMERS OPTIONS IN IMPROVING SOIL QUALITY Are there other practices besides rainfall or irrigation and fertiliser, that a farmer may need to have, to ensure bountiful harvests? According to a young Namibian, Sakeus Kafula, his product is not only manufactured using biomass from encroacher species, but also holds the answer to healthy ecosystems and gains for generations.

Sakeus grew up watching common agricultural practices in northern Namibia and the resulting signs of degradation to the land. “I grew up in a communal area, and it was the trend for us to plough every year, but we were destroying the soil over time. I remember when I was a child, seeing the eagles that would come feast on the earthworms in the soil.

That time the soil was living, it was alive. Today if you plough, there are no birds anymore, it’s a sign that the soil health has declined. The soil is not alive anymore.”

Soil is living and dynamic, and although slowly, a changing environment. When it is diseased, it is degraded and therefore limited in its ability to sustain plant and animal productivity and diversity, as well as human health and habitation.

USING SCIENCE TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURE Microbial fungus, which is comprised of a multitude of species that grow in a mesh like structure deep into the soil, provide a ladder for the plant’s roots to reach nutrients.

These two form a mutually beneficial relationship, with the plant providing carbohydrates that feed the microbial fungus and the fungus growing deeper into the earth offering the plant more opportunities for securing nutrients and water. Adding microbial fungus to biochar is what gives you microbial biochar.

Namibian charcoal industry, biochar is made using parts of encroacher species seen as ‘waste’ in charcoal production.

These smaller pieces of the encroacher species biomass are then used to create the biochar.

The biochar then has microbial fungi added to it. “The fungi we use is the type that works with plants. We mix this in with the soil, and the soil becomes more productive” says Sakeus, who together with Joel Kafula, started Prime Biochar which is producing microbial biochar in Namibia.

The benefits of biochar are not only available to crop farmers, as Sakeus explains that it can also be safely added to livestock licks and feeds, and in doing this animals are more easily able to utilise and digest poor quality feed.

Additionally, the adding of microbes to an animal’s diet reduces their methane production with an added benefit for the environment.

“People see yields going down or longer dry spells, and they think this is just the norm, but this is where biochar comes into play. It can help your crop survive these dry spells.” While it might be expensive initially to apply biochar to your soil, as Sakeus explains, “you apply it once and it can last in the soil for thousands of years.”

THE PASSION THAT DRIVES THIS BUSINESS Prime Biochar, still a relatively young business, has already won first place in the Namibia Biomass Industry Group Encroacher Bush Business Plan Competition. “We have been engaging with farmers to create awareness about biochar, and are busy setting up local research trials, but it has been hard and research costs money” notes Sakeus.

“If you look at how a plant feeds, most plants will draw their moisture and nutrients, from a depth of 40 centimetres. If you apply biochar to the soil, the roots of plants do not need to grow further than this depth to find water and nutrients, and they can use their energy to produce greater yields” says Sakeus.

Despite the challenges, Sakeus remains passionately steadfast to his goal. “If soil becomes unhealthy, life leaves, and we need to bring that life back. I saw from a young age how our practices were degrading the environment, and I knew this was what I needed to do to be in a space that can help rectify some of these things.”

Often soils in Namibia have poor cohesion and structure, coupled with low water retention and organic matter levels.

When you add grazing animals and extensive ploughing practices, the result is overgrazing and in some cases the onset of desertification. A situation that can only be reversed with effective land management practices. Fertiliser prices have also seen price increases of late, and if fertiliser leeches below a crops root zone, which is often the case with poor soil conditions, the money spent is of no value.

Biochar is new in Namibia. It is being practiced in organic agriculture and by several farmers in central Namibia. The product has immense potential to contribute to climate change adaptation. The Namibia Charcoal Association (NCA) and Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) are championing research activities as well as training and capacity building for production and application in various parts of the country. A newly released brochure titled “Biochar from Namibia Encroacher Bush” provides practical guidelines for producers. It is available on the Debushing Advisory Service website.

A SOLUTION TO POOR TOPSOIL HEALTH A solution to poor topsoil health found in Namibia, is the addition of biochar to the soil. Biochar is created using encroacher species of bush biomass. Complimenting the

Kirsty Watermeyer

53

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June has three birthstones – alexandrite, moonstone, and pearl.

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

MEDIUM

EASY

3 5 1 2 9 8 7 6 4

2 6 9 4 7 3 1 5 8

9 2 8 3 1 6 5 4 7

1 3 4 5 2 7 6 8 9

6 7 5 8 4 9 2 3 1

1

2

4 8 7 6 5 1 3 9 2

6 1

World Ocean Day

7 1 6 9 3 4 8 2 5

1 5 6 3 8 7 1 9 6 9

2 9 3 7 9 3 5 7

1

8 June

8 9 2 1 6 5 4 7 3

1 6

4

World Environment Day 2021

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3

8

5 June

MEDIUM

3 9 4 1 8 5 6 7 9 8 4 7 3 5 6 2 5 4 9 4 8 3 1 5 6 5 4 3 5 4 9

June 28, 1919

CELEBRATE!

June has both the longest and the shortest days of the year, depending on where you’re standing! If you live in the northern hemisphere, then June 21st is the longest day of the year. If you live in the southern hemisphere, then the 21st is the shortest day of the year.

8

The United Nations Charter was signed in San Francisco by 50 nations. The Charter was ratified on October 24, 1945.

The signing of the Treaty of Versailles formally ended World War I.

FUN FACTS ABOUT JUNE:

EASY

June 26, 1945

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DID YOU KNOW?

June 14, 1951 Univac 1, the world’s first commercial electronic computer was unveiled in Philadelphia. It was installed at the Census Bureau and utilized a magnetic tape unit as a buffer memory.

3 9 2 5 8 1 4 6 7

D-Day, the largest amphibious landing in history, began in the early-morning hours as Allied forces landed in Normandy on the northern coast of France. Operation Overlord took months of planning and involved 1,527,000 soldiers in 47 Allied divisions along with 4,400 ships and landing craft, and 11,000 aircraft.

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The Duke of Windsor married Wallis Warfield Simpson in Monts, France. As King Edward VIII, he had abdicated the British throne in December of 1936 amid tremendous controversy to marry Simpson, an American who had been divorced.

The first sustained flight occurred as a hot-air balloon was launched at Annonay, France, by brothers Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier.

Their 33-foot-diameter globe aerostatique ascended about 6,000 feet. In September, they repeated the experiment for King Louis XVI, using a sheep, rooster and duck as the balloon’s passengers.

June 6, 1944

Valentina Tereshkova, 26, became the first woman in space as her Soviet spacecraft, Vostok 6, took off from the Tyuratam launch site. She manually controlled the spacecraft completing 48 orbits in 71 hours before landing safely.

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June 3, 1937

June 5, 1783

June 16, 1963

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Marilyn Monroe (19261962) was born in Los Angeles (as Norma Jean Mortensen)

The British signed a 99-year lease for Hong Kong, located on the southeastern coast of China. Hong Kong, consisting of an area measuring 400 square miles, was administered as a British Crown Colony until July 1, 1997, when its sovereignty reverted to the People’s Republic of China.

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June 1

Robert F. Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded while leaving the Hotel Ambassador in Los Angeles. The shooting occurred after a celebration of Kennedy’s victory in the California presidential primary.

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Sally Jan Priesand was ordained a rabbi thus becoming the first woman rabbi in the U.S.

June 9, 1898

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June 3, 1972

June 5, 1968

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This month in history:

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Love Namibia

ROADSIDE SMILES | Elizabeth smiles in her beautiful bright orange dress as her two daughters walk back toward their craft stand. Locals in the Erongo and Kunene Regions set up these stands near their homesteads and sell various arts and handcrafted items to passing tourists. The casual roadside shops have been quiet over the last year and many have closed, but some are still operational. If there’s no-one there, do the neighbourly thing and leave the money in the usually allocated jar or under a rock on the counter.

Elzanne McCulloch

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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

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