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Lady Juana Maria Smith loved and was loved wherever she went. Those who met her on her adventuresome path of life at the side of her beloved husband were enchanted. In South Africa her memory even lives on in the name of a fruit: the cantaloupe or rock melon is called spanspek in South Africa. 

Although the first good rains occurred in the central and northern parts of Namibia in the last few weeks, the only rivers that have been flowing were in the northwest of Namibia. No inflow has been reported into the major dams in the central part of the country. The water in the three dams, which supply drinking water for Windhoek and the surrounding area, is currently nearly 50 percent of the full capacity. Windhoek´s residents are supposed to save at least 5% of their normal consumption.

Elephant expert Tommy Hall is currently sharing his vast experience with guides at our Namushasha River Lodge. In the morning he shares his theoretical knowledge with the attendees and in the afternoon practical training takes place in the Bwabwata National Park. 

Usually every little drop of rain is welcome in Namibia. But rain can have negative effects on Namibia’s charcoal production and on the end use level. During the past three years large volumes of charcoal were produced here. The reason was the prolonged drought which thankfully came to an end with the rainy season in early 2017. 

It is the year 1907. Settler families in German South West Africa live on remote farms and in small villages far apart from one another. Serious illness becomes life-threatening in many cases because medical assistance often comes too late. Many expectant mothers find themselves in the same predicament. Childbed fever is rife and infant mortality is high. It was against this background that a maternity home was established in Windhoek, the Elisabeth House.

Foot patrols are scouring the dry bush of Etosha National Park day after day. The patrols are looking for poachers. Rhinos, though threatened with extinction, are the main target of poachers who operate in the world-famous park. Now the members of the patrols have a place right there in the bush where they can rest for a few days, take a shower and replenish their provisions. 

Pillars of smoke rise from the bush, but the farmer remains surprisingly calm. Namibia’s farmers used to react with immediate alarm when they detected a whiff of smoke somewhere on their land. These days the almost sole cause of smoke is charcoal production. Strict regulations are in place to prevent grass fires, which can also be devastating for neighbouring farmers. Charcoal production is still a rather young industry in Namibia, but it is already internationally recognised and also well regulated and organised. 

Take a few strips of high quality raw meat, coat it with vinegar, salt, coriander, black pepper and sugar and hang it in an airy dry space protected from flies. About two weeks later your biltong is ready. The mouths of most Namibians and South Africans water at the mere thought of well-seasoned dried meat. It’s hardly surprising that Windhoek’s annual Biltong Festival held in July attracts thousands of visitors each year.