Shipwreck gets spot in National Geographic The shipwreck that was discovered in Namdeb’s Mining Area 1 near Oranjemund in early 2008, earned itself a place in the October 2009 edition of National Geographic magazine. Proclaimed as one of the most important international discoveries on the African continent, the ship is believed to be the oldest, and richest, wreck ever found on the coast of sub-Saharan Africa. It has now been concluded that the wreck is that of the Bom Jesus, part of a fleet of trading ships that left Lisbon in March 1533. The archaeological dig, that was concluded at the site in October 2008, brought up thousands of Portuguese and Spanish gold and silver coins, hundreds of kilograms of ivory, tin, copper and some personal items. www.namdeb.com
New tour and shuttle service Oryx Safaris and Shuttle Services is the latest product by a new player in the tourism sector, Norman Victor. Oryx Safaris provides tours in Namibia, ranging from 5-day, 7-day or 15-day trips to the northern or southern parts of the country. A typical 15-day trip includes visits to places such as the Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Etosha, Kavango, Caprivi and Windhoek. Tour prices include lodge accommodation, with breakfast and snacks on the road. Lunch and dinner are at the client’s own expense. The shuttle service provides transfers to and from the airport, as well as to lodges within a 50-kilometre radius of Windhoek.
www.oryxsafarisandshuttleservices.com
Visit Swaziland campaign Timed for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be held in South Africa, Swaziland is preparing for an influx of tourists. With its main target on visitors from the SADC region, Swaziland’s Minister of Environment and Tourism, Macford Sibandze, recently paid a visit to Namibia. He praised Namibia for its cleanliness and neat environment and aims to encourage Swazis to learn from our example. Swaziland is one of the smallest countries in Southern Africa, with a size of 17 364 square kilometres and a population of 1.2 million. The government of Swaziland has launched the ‘Visit Swaziland’ campaign, with the main focus on cultural activities and products.
Nam governance scores high Namibia has been ranked among the three best-governed countries in Southern Africa. Both the 2009 Index of African Governance and the 2009 Ibrahim Index of African Governance have afforded Namibia a high position. The Index of African Governance, released by Harvard University, scored Namibia as the second-best-governed country in the region, just after Botswana. The Ibrahim Index ranked Namibia third in Southern Africa. The Harvard Index rates governance according to the following five key issues: safety and security, rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity and human development.
Arandis Mining Museum The first phase of the Arandis Mining Museum is currently underway. The museum project, a first for Namibia, will portray the history and impact of mining in the region and will cost an estimated N$31 million. The first phase of the mine includes the identification of the site and the positioning of old gargantuan mining equipment in front of the proposed museum site. The Arandis Mining Museum will consist of an information shop and restaurant, and an auditorium and assimilation area where visitors can experience some of the mining activities. The site for the new museum, which is a first for Namibia, will be in front of the T-junction linking the town and Rio Tinto’s Rössing Uranium Mine.
Ju/’Hoansi celebrates five years The Living Culture Foundation Namibia (LCFN) Ju/’Hoansi Museum project celebrated its fifth year of existence in 2009. Since its establishment, the annual number of visitors has grown steadily, with 3 500 guests visiting the facility in 2009. The museum, which acts as a way to preserve the dwindling San culture and traditions, has improved the quality of life in Grashoek and brought a regular income to a region that did not receive noteworthy revenues in previous years. The LCFN organised an anniversary celebration in December, with 20 of the Ju/’Hoansi travelling through Namibia to visit different projects, including the Damara and Mafwe Museums. Visits to new LCFN projects such as the Kavango, Khwe-San, Himba and Owambo museums and national tourist destinations, were also on the itinerary. The trip was documented by a German film team.
www.lcfn.info
NNF Green Documentary A new documentary re--leased in November and produced by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), focuses on the issues and solutions related to deforestation in Namibia. Being an arid country with sparse vegetation, and a large part of the population dependent on woodlands for their livelihoods, Namibia is especially vulnerable to deforestation. The film attempts to showcase the benefits of forests and woodlands, the threats and challenges we could face through deforestation, and possible solutions. Made by Green Awareness Africa (GAWA), InteractDRAFTFCB and Take Note, the film was funded by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation through the National Forest Programme Facility.
www.nnf.org.na
Wildlife worth N$10.5 billion A scientific survey has revealed Namibian wildlife to be worth an estimated N$10.5 billion. According to the environmental economist at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Olimpio Nhuleipo, the Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting (IEEA) system of the UN was used to calculate these figures, which date back to 2004. The importance of investing in wildlife and related tourism activities, and commercialising game meat to increase the economic contribution of the sector, has been highlighted. The significant increase in the use of wildlife in comparison to livestock farming might mean that the contribution of wildlife activities will increase three-fold within the next 30 years.
www.met.gov.na
Res Des new offices A reservations and marketing office for accommodation establishments in Namibia, Reservation Destination, has opened an office in Keetmanshoop and is happy to announce that Zenobia Kusch is back on board.
Products that have joined the Res Des team in the past two years are Ohange Namibia Lodge, Kunene River Lodge, Kashana Namibia, Cornerstone Guesthouse, Sandfields Guest-house, Etusis Lodge, Desert Car Hire, Terra Rouge and Goibib Mountain Lodge. Other clients in the Res Des portfolio are: Hakusembe River Lodge, Ndhovu Safari Lodge, Huab Lodge, The Stiltz, Etango Ranch Guestfarm, Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch and Be Local. www.resdes.com.na
