Clear blue skies stretch for miles. The rich red soil, a mixture of sand and loam, covers almost every inch of the ground. Extensive savannah grasslands and mountainous terrains are home to some of the most exotic animals, such as springbok, wildebeest, rhinoceros and more. An arid country surrounded by deserts and sand dunes, Namibia is a country highly dependent on agriculture.

I am constantly awestruck while exploring this beautiful country. Every day is an adventure in itself. From exploring each different city to capturing photos of native animals, Namibia has proven herself to be a country filled with promise and prosperity.

There are an estimated 4,000 commercial farms in Namibia. Almost half of the 2.3 million inhabitants depend on agriculture as their source of revenue. The Namibian economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, as it directly impacts 70% of the population. Farmers in the southwest desert country face a number of obstacles, such as governmental regulations and insufficient amounts of rainfall.

Namibia’s agriculture is separated into two types: subsistence and privatized farming. Subsistence farming, also referred to as communal farming, entails farmers producing only enough crops and raising only enough livestock to sustain his or her family. An estimated 60% of all lands in the northern regions of Namibia are communal farm lands and are located in the populous north, where cattle roam freely and crops consist of corn, millet and sorghum.

On these communal lands, the regulation of resources, such as water and hay for cattle, is rationed by the Namibian government weekly. Amongst the tribes in Namibia, communal farm and ranch land ownership is supported to this day. Issues that may arise when practicing communal farming and ranching include the appearance of predators. Cheetahs and leopards are commonly seen by farmers and can either seriously injure or kill cattle, goats or sheep. The loss of these market animals results in less food provided for his or her family.

Privately-owned and operated farms are confronted with their own set of troubles. Jimmy O’Kennedy, a commercial farmer, currently runs his family farm, Patria Boerdeafry. Born in Mariental and raised in Stampriet, O’Kennedy earned his high school diploma and continued his education in South Africa, earning a degree in business. After the passing of his father, the 4^th generation farmer returned to Namibia to take over the family business.

O’Kennedy currently faces several obstacles maintaining his farm’s efficiency while practicing farming traditions that have occurred on the 25,000 acres for four decades. I had the opportunity to meet with the farmer on a tour of his family farm. This past year was quite difficult, as the Stampriet local suffered losses due to government influence on regulations concerning the usage of certain fertilizer and pesticide products on crops. The Namibian government recently passed a law banning some organic products into Namibia, as they must adhere to the European Union standards. This, in turn, places pressure on the farmers to produce new products combatable with the soil, containing insufficient amounts of potassium and phosphate.

The Stampriet farmer receives no government funding, such as subsidies or tax breaks, on any of his crop losses. Losses farmers experience include a certain crop flooding the market, pesticide issues and droughts. These directly affects employees and production of the next harvest.

O’Kennedy practices precision farming, in which he strategically plants specific crops in season to save money. This methodical thinking is based on the demand of the economic market. The Stampriet farmer mentioned other farmers in his area will often flood the market with a crop, ruining the chance for profit to be made. O’Kennedy must constantly observe the demands of the market in order to continue generating profit.

Water is an issue all farmers must face. Approximately 2% of Namibia receives enough rain to yield crops. Irrigation is possible but only for farms located along the valleys of the Oranie, Okavango and Kuene rivers.

Namibia is currently undergoing a recession, thus making the agricultural market undependable. There is a balance in practicing farming techniques while maintaining self-sufficiency all Namibian farmers must acknowledge in order to be fruitful.

It is encouraged for farmers to be informed and involved. The Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry controls regulation that affects farmers’ lives daily. Farmer’s associations allow for like-minded individuals to voice their concerns and take action.

Namibia has not always been the friendly, welcoming country that it is today. In fact, the late 1950s tell a time where injustice, apartheid, and rampant racial discrimination were widespread across the country. The political party that spread the apartheid idealism was responsible for the dislocation of thousands of black Namibians.

The township of Katutura was created as a haven for the black community when the apartheid regime took power and forcefully kicked them out of their houses. The restrictions imposed on the new residents of Katutura saw much resistance and opposition. They were forced to rent poorly made aluminum shacks, yet could never fully own them, and the distance from the Windhoek city center was also greatly increased.

It was by this effort that a vicious cycle of poverty and despair would grip an ethnic community. For almost 50% of the original population of Windhoek, they would never escape. Although apartheid ended, we still see the repercussions of these events to this day. Currently, 750,000+ citizens of Namibia are reliant on government food assistance. Without government help, these people would starve.

Over the years, the size of Katutura has increased proportionately; currently more than 50% of Windhoek’s population lives there. It appears a never-ending struggle for inhabitants in this crudely constructed, filthy, and unsafe area because of current unemployment rates over 30%. To put the vast size of this town into perspective, it is roughly the size of Bryan/College Station, with everyone in Katutura living below the poverty line.

A drive through Katutura will bring you face-to-face with the harsh realities of extreme poverty caused by unemployment and an apparent addiction to alcohol. Streets are lined with endless bars that serve residents’ desires to escape their sorrows. On the other hand, bars appear to be a main factor restricting them from leaving this way of life. The harsh pattern of alcohol and drug abuse, and poverty can be seen in the tired and worn faces of those roaming the streets.

Because of the Land Reform Act of 2002, new residents are required to register and pay for a small parcel of land in which they may construct a meager living area. The government regularly flies overhead, snapping aerial photographs of Katutura. New structures erected without proper paperwork are promptly torn down, leaving people with nothing once again. More often than not, these newest residents moved into Katutura from a more rural region.

Despite harsh realities, the government has made improvements in Katutura over the years. New security cameras were installed along the lamp posts, water dispensing areas have been implemented, and routine trash services were added. The water dispensing stations greatly improved the quality of life because residents no longer needed to walk long distances for water. Trash services help reduce the spread of infection and diseases, even though they are not quite enough to support the large population. By midweek, trash bins can be seen overflowing with refuse, and beer bottles, which ironically are sourced from the local brewery.

With a name like Katutura, which roughly translates to “The place where people do not want to live,” this shanty town definitely lives up to its name. It will continue to take the dedicated efforts of Namibian government officials and relief organizations to figure out what must be done to make conditions more bearable for those who live here. For the current residents, it may seem like they are destined to remain in this impoverished slum for the rest of their lives.

Namibia’s economy is one of the issues for many of the nation’s problems. It is at the center of focused efforts by the government and citizens alike to strengthen and grow the ecomony. There is a light, however faint, at the end of the tunnel.

As I watch the colorful sunsets and stare into the evening sky at the twinkling stars, my heart stops. I always assumed I could see every star in the sky from my backyard in Texas. Little did I know that halfway across the world, there was a completely new perspective. This is Namibia: a rich land full of descendants of the original people who have cherished their natural resources for centuries.

Unlike the United States, Namibia utilizes a community-based management approach to allow communities to protect their natural resources. Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) is the combined use and management of natural resources by a group of people in a local community. Two of the most valued natural resources in Namibia include land and wildlife. These commodities are important to everyone, and therefore everyone seems to value and treat them with respect.

The land itself is a resource that Namibians must harness to grow limited crops that endure drought. Namibia is vast, spanning more than 318,000 square miles. When I finally had the opportunity to see this landscape, I was reminded of my travels to Eagle Pass, Texas. There, the land is dry and seemingly endless. Here in Namibia, the land sprawls out until it reaches the mountains that stretch to the sky. As I drank in the beauty of the land, my eyes were shocked when they landed on a palm tree covered in cactus-like thorns, rather than the standard smooth bark of the palms in Texas. I’m certainly going to keep my distance from this plant, unless I’m desperately running from a cape buffalo. Besides land that must be preserved, wildlife is another resource that must be protected through CBNRM. In 1996, the Nature Conservation Act was passed to give control of wildlife to local communities to enhance their economic opportunities through tourism.

Namibia is home to the world’s largest free roaming animals. Animals such as the cheetah, black rhino, and elephant are prized possessions to hunters, and are therefore vital to the community. Legal hunting and photo safaris bring economic opportunities to local communities; however, poaching is detrimental and strips people of their ability to utilize this vital natural resource. More than 160 rhinos have been slaughtered countrywide since 2015, with most incidences occurring in the Etosha National Park.

Namibians nurture their land and coexist harmoniously with wildlife; these actions stem from appreciation for the natural resources, due to CBNRM. This positive approach empowers people to protect their lands. I have a new appreciation of a distinctly different culture, yet recognize that we are more similar than appears on the surface. Now, when I stargaze back in Texas, my heart will no longer stop; instead, it will dream of the galaxy of constellations a world away in Namibia.

Throughout our time in Namibia, my fellow classmates and I have seen and learned a lot about this great country. We’ve experienced sand dunes in the desert, mountain ranges outside of Windhoek, and the coastal beaches in Swakopmund.

With a desolate landscape, private land owners in Namibia can be limited in retaining revenue from their lands. The country has 33% of its land devoted to communal lands with the remainder being private land and national parks. There are 17 million hectares (42.5 million acres) of private land, which is predominately owned by European-descended Namibians. Land owners have multiple options of what to do with their land. We were able to catch a glimpse of these land owner livelihoods during our visit at Patria Farms.

Patria Farms is located a few hours southeast of Windhoek in Stampriet. Jimmy O’Kennedy owns and manages Patria Farms, a family-run vegetable and fruit farm. Patria Farms encompasses 10,000ha (25,000 acres) and has been in the family for four generations. They grow a variety of crops that we would see in the United States. Carrots, lettuce, varieties of squash, and oranges can be seen throughout the farm, as well as cattle and sheep.

Jimmy took over the family farm when his father passed away. Because of the Agricultural Land Reform Act, Jimmy and his family could either keep the farm or try to sell it. The act, passed in 1995, states that if a private land owner wishes to sell their land, they must first offer it to the state. If the state does not wish to buy the land, then it can be sold to an individual who has the right to buy land in Namibia. Selling the land was not a plan for Jimmy, so he left his job in Windhoek and moved back to the farm.

The farming practices at Patria Farms were similar to what we would see in the United States, especially in Arizona. Drip irrigation is used to water the crops. After they are harvested, Jimmy removes the irrigation systems and plows the fields. He leaves some of the stalks and other parts of the crops in the ground and turns them back into the field, which helps put nutrients back into the soil.

Utilizing his degree in agricultural economics and understanding of market prices, Jimmy has been able to identify the quantity of crops that he should plant each year. He knows what his consumers want and will plant the right amount so that there isn’t excess.

Even though Patria Farms is privately owned, the farm has a sense of community. Jimmy employs a multitude of families and supplies produce to the surrounding communities.

When thinking about my future career, I can definitely look back on this experience. I saw how Jimmy used leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills to run his farm, and take those lessons into the coming years. I now feel comfortable to look at any situation, whether or not it is agriculturally-related, and be able to adapt to the environment around me to prosper.

Different cultures worldwide can share many common traits including religion, language, beliefs, etc. The enjoyment of beer is without a doubt a common trait among many cultures. Beer is far more than just a drink. Beer can shape a country’s economy and industry by providing jobs and other opportunities. Namibia Breweries Limited in Windhoek is an establishment that aims to provide quality beer and business practices that will maintain good local community relations, and keep consumers wanting more.

Namibia Breweries Limited, also known as NBL, is the leading brewery in Southern Africa. It has a network of partners including Heineken. Water is the largest component of beer and is essential to the process. However, countries such as Namibia have many issues when it comes to natural resources. Namibia is regularly afflicted by droughts, which is why the urban areas like Windhoek rely on dams to provide a majority of their water.

Water restrictions in Windhoek are causing some businesses to downsize operations and others to relocate. Water intensive manufacturers are complying with the restrictions through efficient methods of conservation. In 2015, NLB reduced their water use by 2 percent on average of each unit of final product. NLB accomplished this feat by implementing a water reclamation project at their package plant. Overall, the project saved approximately 11,000 cubic meters of water proving to be a success after only being implemented in February of that same year.

There are several parts of the water reclamation process. Rinse water is reclaimed for use in other washing processes. Caustic soda lye used in cleaning-in-place systems is reused until it has lost its potency. When potency is lost, the lye is sent to a sedimentation tank where it will separate from the dirty sediments. The remaining liquid is then refreshed with new lye to the correct cleaning concentration and reused.

NBL receives its water from the Von Bach Dam. This dam along with Swakoppoort and Omatako provide water to the city of Windhoek. Cities such as Windhoek rely heavily on these resources. These sources have been sufficient in recent history, but they are still closely regulated to ensure reserves do not fall within emergency water supply levels.

Many rural areas in Namibia are still left without stable water sources, making it difficult for communities to survive. NBL has taken many strides to preserve the natural water resources of the local community in Windhoek. They have proven to be an important contributor to Namibia’s growing economy. Initiatives such as the water reclamation project ensure NBL maintains a vital role in the country of Namibia.

Namibia is not a very populated country; however, to my surprise, I’ve discovered there is much diversity within it. Because there is so much diversity within Namibia, a variety of cultures have lasted through the ages. Within the city of Swakopmund, I’ve observed a German influence in their architecture from when Namibia was a colony of Germany. However, besides a German influence, I’ve noticed that those living in cities like Swakopmund and Windhoek have been very kind and friendly, showing their family-like culture and making us feel welcome.

Each of the tribes in Namibia have their own distinct culture, belief, and ethnicity. There are eleven distinct ethnicities in this country. A few examples include the Nama, San, Damara, Ovambo, and the Herero. From my research of these cultures, it was interesting to learn the Herero are culturally the most recognizable. Herero have adapted some European influence into their clothes. The women dress in traditional garb consisting of bright colorful ankle-length dresses, high necklines, long puffed sleeves, and a headdress with two points to symbolize cow horns. Herero women still dress like this today, as it is a cultural tradition of their people.

I was surprised by the modern architecture and German influence throughout Namibia. Namibia had been a colony of Germany from 1884 until 1991. Because of this, there has been a heavy German influence through architecture and language throughout the country, most prominently in Swakopmund. However, in Windhoek is the Katatura, which means, “The Place Nobody Wants To Live.”

In Katatura, the architecture was different, showing an entirely different culture to Namibia. Katatura is a very poor part of Namibia where the poverty level is extremely high and the people live in harsh conditions compared to other parts of Windhoek. After visiting Katatura, I saw people living in very small homes made of metal, void of electricity or bathroom, and the locations where people held jobs were made of the same material as their homes.

On July 12, 2017, my classmates and I visited The Namibian Newspaper headquarters. I asked the HR representative of The Namibian to describe the culture of Namibia. She said the closest thing to it would be family. From looking around and seeing the people of Windhoek, I agree there is a family-like culture among these friendly people. On multiple occasions, people would strike a pose when I lifted my camera, allowing me to capture great photos of them. In the end, from touring around The Namibian and seeing the different tribes and cities of Namibia, it became clear, the cultural heritages of Namibia are greatly diverse and have successfully sustained themselves for several generations.

Pluralism is the coexistence of several cultural groups within a society, but they keep their cultural heritage. A prime example of this in the United States is the small sub-communities of China town, and little Italy in New York. These communities preserve their culture so well that it is like stepping into small slice of their country. Similarly, Namibians have groups like China town that preserve the rich history of their culture.

In the United States these smaller community groups are usually clustered together because they have a similar dialect, understanding of their own culture, and pride from where they were born. Most of the Namibians I spoke to knew their tribe and regions of the country for their family origins. Namibians did not shy away from being asked about their heritage, but instead they embraced it and told me everything they could possibly know about their culture. This shows a magnificent pride, which can also be seen in the small communities in the United States. An example of this is when we stayed in the small town of Solitaire, and watched a group of young adults play football. When investigating, I found out that many of the soccer players were from the Owambo tribe.

Another example is the Christuskirche or the Christ Church is in the heart of the national capital of Namibia, Windhoek. The church was built in 1907 mainly catering to the Namibians of Lutheran religion. The church was known as the Church of Peace since it had been constructed after a war between Germany and Khoikhoi, Herero, and Owambo.

A few of the tribes of Namibia include the following: Damara, Herero, Himba, Kavango, Nama, Topnaars, Owambo, Rehoboth basters, San, Tswana, and many more. They are very diverse even though they roughly come from the same country. For Example, the Owambo is a tribe living in the northern part of Namibia. The Damara have mainly been clustered together with in the urban centers because of on lasting battles with the Herero tribe. On the other hand, the Herero mainly live along eastern Namibia in the Gobabis district and other specialized reserves.

A prime example of a culture coexisting within society is seen in the national newspaper of Namibia. The Namibian has a section that is written in the Owambo’s dialect. The implication is that a large number of Owambo read the national newspaper.

Namibian’s cultural pride is what is so similar to the smaller groups in the Unites States. Our China towns and little Italy communities is equivalent to Namibian communities that are culturally divided. I am not saying that the tribes do not intermingle and live outside of their own, but they know what it means to be a part of a tribe. Some people must move to survive, but they still have a home base in their hearts.

 

Although Namibia is a country enriched with natural resources, the access people have to them is scarce. Some of Namibia’s biggest natural resources are diamonds, copper, and gold. Water is a resource that is very hard to come by in this country. The Namibian economy heavily relies on mining. Mining consists of 11.5% of GDP, but provides for more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Although Namibia is rich in mining, they are severely lacking in water.

After a few days being of immersed into the Namibian culture, I have become very aware of a natural resource, water. After only staying at one lodge, I experienced how limited their water sources are. I experienced a freezing cold shower because the electricity dwindled and caused a decrease in the amount of hot water. I was originally not sure what the problem was, but after talking with a lodge employee, he informed me they use solar power to heat the water, not a water heater. I looked into why Namibia needs to use solar power and it turns out they are trying to preserve their fossil fuels.

Since Namibia has minimal water and lots of sun, a process called “solar desalination” is the best option. It is a technique to desalinate water using solar energy. This process involves taking saltwater or any water unfit for human consumption and turning it into fresh drinkable water. This process does not use fossil fuels and doesn’t produce CO₂ emissions; it relies on heat or sunshine to raise the water temperature enough for evaporation to begin. This natural process and collection of water provides Namibia with up to 4,000 liters of drinking water per day. Since Namibia consists of mainly desert, its plants and animals have adapted to limited water supplies. However, water is still needed for tourists, locals, and agriculture. Namibia has developed water conservation laws and rules to help households and lodges maintain water supplies.

Some of Namibia’s water laws include the Water Act No.54 of 1965, Water Resources Management Act 2004, and Water Resources Management Bill. The basis of the Water Act of 1965 was to control use and conservation of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. The Water Resources Management act classified water resources as natural assets and provided a modern legal framework for management of water resources, and is based on principals of integrated water resource management. The Water Resources Management Bill recognized the technicalities of implementing the Water Recourses Management Act. This new bill acknowledged the fact that water is scarce and is unevenly distributed. It stated water must be equally distributed between people and environment.

Overall, although Namibia is struggling to preserve their water, they have been a great example for other countries facing water shortage issues. By implanting these laws, Namibia has shown the world they are dedicated to their country; they are a great example for natural resource preservation worldwide.

Our first week in Namibia was spent at the Heja Game Lodge, only a handful of kilometers outside of Windhoek and nestled securely below the Bismarck Mountain range in the scrubby plains. We can see wildebeest, ostrich, and other exotic wildlife from the back patio. Right outside the camp gate is the promise of seeing kudu, springbok and more. Many of us have been stepping out of our comfort zones and eating game for our meals. This is an experience unique to Africa, and has not become so easily attainable without struggle. Namibia is a country full of beautiful fauna, but it has not always been this way.

Before Namibia gained its independence in 1990, most wildlife populations vary widely year to year, with no real “owner” to manage or prioritize them. However, since then the Namibian government, and surrounding countries, have made a push toward privately-owned commercial wildlife ranches. Before, there was no real benefit for ranchers to manage wildlife because they had no way to profit from these animals. Now that they have an incentive to take care of them, some ranches have seen much success in the rehabilitation of endangered species, while increasing populations of other animals. This act of private conservation has boosted the wildlife tourism industry, to the point that 20% of all private ranches have a managed wildlife aspect. Also, this movement has boosted wildlife numbers by 80% on private lands in Namibia. Managing wildlife has other benefits for the environment, such as reducing soil erosion, chemicals used for feed products, and allowing feed resources to be allocated elsewhere. Game animals are usually native, so they thrive much better than beef cattle in arid climates with sparse vegetation.

A study on the benefits of wildlife-based ranching found there is a positive correlation between employment and income from ecotourism, primarily driven by the wildlife. Photographers like ourselves come worldwide to see these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat, not behind bars at the zoo. Also, this study found that while most beef is exported, greater than 95% of the deer and antelope meat harvested in Namibia is retained within the country. To Namibians, this means much more food security, especially since game animals thrive here. Another finding was that compared to wildlife reserves such as Etosha, 22-31 times more wildlife live within private ranches.

The Heja Lodge is a private ranch that thrives on tourists’ income and photography lovers who come to see their animals. They provide game drives, horse rides through the ranch, and you can even get married in a beautiful chapel in the middle of Namibian wildlife. Heja Lodge has been an amazing example of the success that private wildlife ranching can bring, and I am so glad I experienced it first-hand.

Namibia is home to eleven individual principle cultural groups, which all fall into one of three categories: Blacks, Coloureds, and Whites. What makes Namibia a pluralistic society, rather than a melting pot, is the fact that these groups exist within society as a whole, while maintaining a great deal of their own unique cultural heritages.

In a melting pot society, immigrants and minority groups are expected to assimilate into mainstream culture, leaving their own cultures to adopt the culture of the majority group. They must give up almost everything they once were to become something else entirely. The advantage to pluralism is in the sharing of art, history, music, food, education, and other aspects of life.

After Namibia gained its independence in 1990, equality among races and cultural groups was instituted. Legal pluralism was built into the Namibian constitution and is actually practiced today. Before Namibia gained its independence, racial segregation was a legal practice under South African apartheid, which was extended to Namibia after the National Party came to power in 1948. Blacks, who make up 86.5% of the population, live and work alongside whites and coloureds. There are many blacks who hold high-paying jobs or run their own businesses.

Of course, the population is very stratified to this day. The effects of apartheid are still being felt. The neighborhood of Katutura is made up of black Namibians, most of whom migrated to Windhoek from the north of the country in search of jobs. These neighborhoods were originally set up during the apartheid era as white Namibians moved the black community into slums consisting of pieced-together tin shacks and many, many shebeens, which are the neighborhood bars. Widespread alcoholism contributes to poverty in a neighborhood whose name means “The Place No One Wants to Stay.”

The positive side of cultural pluralism is that it promotes tolerance, understanding, and collaboration within a community. People become accustomed to interacting with members of very different cultural groups and are able to see each other as equal parts of a whole. Additionally, because individual groups have shared interests, they can more effectively petition politicians to address issues that concern their group.

However, pluralism can also work against a community. A “nation of nations” can be created where each group first identifies with their own culture, then as a citizen of the country as a whole. According to a representative from the CDC, one of the difficulties they face in disseminating information, testing for diseases, and administering vaccines, is the language barrier between cultures.

Namibia is currently in a recession and unemployment is at about 50%, but the nation is developing and growing. The government and private sector are working to improve living conditions.