News

One of the biggest global companies in the mining sector, Anglo American, celebrates its hundredth anniversary this month. Time to reflect on its founder, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, who started South Africa’s diamond dynasty. Anglo American’s wealth is inseparably intertwined with Namibia’s diamond sector and Anglo’s subsidiary, De Beers.

In some years thousands of armoured bush crickets are run over on Namibia’s arterial roads at the end of the rainy season, when winter is on its way. The spiky, almost black insects are about three centimetres long and occur only during the summer months. One of their defence mechanisms is to squirt their yellow blood. Many people find them disgusting. Colloquially this cricket is referred to as dickpens (Afrikaans for fat stomach).

You may have noticed signboards indicating the Tropic of Capricorn alongside the road south of Rehoboth and the Kuiseb Pass. Actually, in Namibia the Tropic of Capricorn cuts across the Erongo, Khomas and Omaheke regions! The signs have become more colourful over time as stickers are continually added by travellers who have stopped to acknowledge 23˚ south. But what is 23˚ south?

The new building of the Paukeni Kindergarten close to Hakusembe River Lodge was officially opened on 12 September 2017. Gondwana Collection necessitated the reconstruction of the building through the Hakusembe Community Development Fund. A jungle gym was also constructed for the kids inside the fenced school yard. 

Outjo is often referred to as the gateway to Etosha and it is customary to stop for a bite to eat en route to the national park. A favourite stop is The Farmhouse – for its delicious homemade cakes and pies, laid back atmosphere and outdoor courtyard.

Elemotho, the Namibian singer-songwriter, is a contemporary storyteller, weaving his global understanding into his lyrics, while keeping his heart firmly embedded in African soil. There’s a deep and earthy African element in Elemotho’s songs, stemming from his experiences growing up on a farm under the vast blue skies and in the endless landscapes of the Omaheke. His days were shaped by the stories his grandmother told around the fire, the song and dance of the Batswana, and the tunes from the radio.

Sophia Snyman has in past years unravelled the secrets of indigenous plants like Namibian myrrh, oil from fruit of marula and mopane trees, and Kalahari lemon seed oil. She used them to produce special body care products under the brand Desert Secrets Namibia. Her products are sought after locally, but also in South Africa and Europe.

So far, Helmut Kohl is the only German chancellor who has visited Namibia. He arrived for a working visit on 14 September 1995 and was greeted at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako Airport by President Hage Gottlieb Geingob who was the Prime Minister at that time. From the airport Kohl proceeded directly to the old State House, a building from the German colonial era, for a meeting with Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first president.

The “Namibian Desert Duo” will be the first Namibian team to participate in the legendary Perskindol Swiss Epic mountain bike event in Switzerland. Gaby Raith (34) and Stephan Harrison (45), together have over 40 years of cycling experience in southern Africa. This will be their first time participating in a European race.

Working in the tourism industry: What are the employment opportunities? What are the requirements? How can I apply? All these questions were answered by the Gondwana Collection personnel at the NMH #Festival and Career Expo at SKW in Windhoek, on 07-09 September 2017.