Namibia - vast landscapes, the gem of Africa.

We just returned from afrokulcha travel's tour to Namibia. We travelled through Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

Much has been written about the contrast phenomenon of Namibia but nothing prepares you for the moment it hits you right in the face. You stand in the middle of the desert and look into the horizon where the desert ends and the ocean begins and it is awe-inspiring. The never-ending rugged hills of Windhoek that slowly turn into the majestic sand dunes of Swakopmund will leave you in wonder of Mother Nature. Besides being a freak of nature, Namibia is a hub of adventure and may as well be dubbed Southern Africa’s very own playground.

Windhoek: Independence Memorial Museum

When you land in Windhoek before you take advantage of the vast activities the country has to offer, make sure to pay your respects at the Independence Memorial Museum. It is only fitting to learn about the country and journey travelled by Namibians. The Independence museum will paint a picture of Namibia’s colonial history and the liberation struggle that led to independence. It’s here that you will learn about Sam Nujoma, the first president of democratic Namibia. The museum is also home to his statue. As you approach the museum you are greeted by the bronze statue of Sam Nujoma facing Windhoek holding up the Constituency Book which is the constitution of Namibia. South of that statue you will find a different statue; the genocide statue. It’s also a bronze statue of a man and woman in an embrace, with broken chains on their wrists. This genocide statue portrays the suffering faced by native Namibians in the hands of German troops during the 1904 Herero and Nama genocide.

Katutura

While you’re still in Windhoek, visit Katutura. Katutura is a township in the Khomas region in Windhoek. Like many townships in South Africa, Katutura is home to black Namibians who were forcefully removed from Old Location in the 1950s. Aptly named by the people, the Herero word Katutura means “the place where people do not want to live”. The people were not happy about being uprooted from Old Location where they had owned their plots while in Katutura they had to rent from the municipality. Katutura was also far from the city while in Old Location they had been able to walk to the city. In defiance, the people resisted this move and protests took place in 1959. The police subsequently opened fire on the protesters and killed 11 and wounded 44. When you visit Katutura today, you find vibrant people living out their stories. Katutura has numerous spots that will give you the township experience. Visit the Single Quarters meat market to sample some amazing braai meat and the best vetkoek you will ever taste. The great thing about this market is that they let you taste the meat before you can commit to buying a serving and all customers are happy.

Swakopmund & Walvis Bay

In true contrast fashion of Namibia, Swakopmund is about 350km from Windhoek but may as well be in Europe. While Windhoek is hot and dry, Swakopmund has a bit more moisture, thanks to the cold Benguela current that brings fog to the town. Besides the climate, in Windhoek, there is a sense that one is in Africa, but the German Architecture in Swakopmund will immediately transport you to Europe.

Quad biking in the Namib Desert is the ultimate adventure experience. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or not, the moment you start that quad bike you’re lost in the adventure of it all. An experienced guide leads you into the Namib where the massive golden dunes beckon you deeper into the desert.

Nothing compares to the freedom you will feel as you spiral from dune to dune until all you can see is the desert and the big blue African sky. An hour later, you take a break to drink some water and take it all in. This is a good time to pull out your camera and take some unforgettable photos before you go back to home base. The same desert that gives you the thrill of quad biking will be the same desert that gives you the serene camel rides and the best sunset you will ever see. The Namib Desert is incredibly vast. No matter how much you read about it, nothing beats being there and taking in every moment.  For true thrill seekers, there is tandem sky diving, camel rides, eco tours and skeleton coast tours.

Walvis Bay is a beautiful coastal town 20 km south of Swakopmund that offers a wonderful range of water activities such as dolphin cruises and kayaking.  You can also see the beautiful flamboyance of flamingos on the Walvis Bay Lagoon. After all the adventurous activities, this is the perfect place to wind down and take it easy. Spend some time on the waterfront and buy some souvenirs or sit down at the famous The Raft restaurant to enjoy a hearty meal while you enjoy the peaceful Walvis Bay Lagoon.

Senegal nekhna! Senegal is good

Senegal is a colourful and vibrant country found in West Africa. It is surrounded by Senegal is Mauritania, Mali , Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. This peaceful country surrounds Gambia. From the listed countries, you will be aware that you will be in a peaceful part of Africa.

Straight flight from South Africa on SAA lands you in the newly constructed Blaise Diagne international airport. The airport is located around 50km from the capital city called Dakar. South Africans do not require a visa to visit Senegal. The visa is issued to visitors on arrival at the airport. Be prepared, the official language is French.

Walking out of the airport you get exposed to the hot & humid temperature of the country. You start thinking if you had packed light clothes. The hotel shuttle picks you up serenading with their popular international Senegalese musicians; the likes of Youssou N'Dour, Ismael Lô, and Baaba Maal. “Let the spring break begin!”

As we approach Dakar, its capital city; the roads choke ablock with traffic, decorated public transport, colourful fabrics, busy markets, lot of people going up and down the dusty streets, horse-drawn carts, open stoves selling street food. The first three days we stay at a hotel that is located within close proximity of the Dakar Grand Mosque, the African Renaissance Statue and where we could enjoy easy access to all 
that the lively city had to offer.

This beautiful city has some of the landmarks that are a must-see. One will not miss the African Renaissance Monument. Despite its controversies, it is the tallest and biggest statue in Africa, with a heart-warming history behind it. You get to climb 198 steps to reach the statue. It is said that during it unveiling, President Wade of Senegal said "It brings to life our common destiny. Africa has arrived in the 21st century standing tall and more ready than ever to take its destiny into its hands"; while the Malawian President Bingu said "This monument does not belong to Senegal. It belongs to the African people wherever we are". We end the city tour, with a drink and sundowners at the Radisson blu hotel, where the sunset is a sight-for-sore eyes.

The next two days are followed by a visit to Goree Island and the Pink Lake. In Goree Island, we learn about the slave trade. We listen to the stories, we learn about the sand art (ancient art) & we met the artisans. We also support the resilient local women who are selling at the market. This is a beautiful island with a sad history. Pink lake on the other side, is a natural lake, God-given salt. Any person can mine salt for business. It is a natural occurring phenomenon. You can only say wow! We took a boat in the pink lake and bought some salts for bathing, cooking etc.

The next three days we drive to the coast to Saly Portudal. Being on the beach side in this hot weather is a breath of fresh air. This small town has its own vibe, it is calming and relaxing. Unlike the big city there is less traffic and less hooting. We relax by the beach for two days while we eat and drink as much as we can, we take long slow walks into town enjoying local bar and pubs. 

Senegal is a pleasure! Whats not to love.

Afrokulcha launches Afrokulcha Travel

The wait is over...
Afrokulcha Travel has been launched. We are here to change the face of Africa to the world. Book your next african travel experience with us, we specialise in SADC, East & West Africa. We offer group tours and tailor made tours. More on www.afrokulchatravel.co.za

Why Travel With Us

1. Smaller travel groups
2. Flexible Touring
3. Discount for repeat travelers
4. Meet new influential people & make connections

Afrokulcha Travel is for:

• The traveler who is ready to embrace Africa
• The incurable wanderer who seeks to see the hidden gems of Africa
• The world traveler who believes in the potential of the African continent
• The lost citizen who wants to find their routes back to motherland

Contact us on info@afrokulchatravel.co.za

xoxo

A celebration of African Literacy by Afrokulcha

If you like books and love african books, this is a place for you. Afrokulcha has hosted a number of events this year dubbed "A celebration of African Literacy" in the city of Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. These have feathered different african authors such as Zukiswa Wanner, Ekow Duker, Malebo Sephodi, Dudu Busani-Dube, Mbali Gcabashe, to name a few.

Catch our last event of the year on Friday 27th October, featuring the amazing authors such as  Angela Makholwa of 30th Candle, Black Widow Society and Red Ink, who will be soon launching her new book "The blessed girl"

Follow Afrokulcha on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more details.

xoxo

Book Recommendations: African Books

The Afrokulcha team has put together a list of african books to read:

We love this book! African-born poet Lola Shoneyin makes her fiction debut with The Secret Lives of Babi Segi’s Wives, a perceptive, entertaining, and eye-opening novel of polygamy in modern-day Nigeria. If you have read Sue Nyathi’s The Polygamist then you will find this book equally entertaining. 

African fiction at its best!! We learn so much about history when we read books. This compelling African story touches the mind, heart & soul. So many aha moments  , tears in the eyes & heartbreak  Well, The chances of you not sleeping until you finish reading this book, will not be a regret.

When women write, great thoughts & words give you life. Upon encountering Historian, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s quote “Well behaved women seldom make history” – Malebo knew that she was tired of everyone else but herself having a say on who and what she should be. Appropriating this quote, Malebo boldly renounces societal expectations placed on her as a Black woman and shares her journey towards misbehaviour. 

Currently one of the best selling books in South Africa. A memorior of a daughter of a struggle hero Chris Hani. Many years after his death, this story needed to be heard. You will not be disappointed.

Ben Okri, a beautiful African writer. Dangerous love is a book needing to be read. Follow it by reading his 3 book sequel: The Famished Road, Songs of Enchantment & Infinite Riches, you will love his use of words and his story telling.

These books are available online at www.afrokulcha.com

Happy Reading

xoxo

A book review - London Cape Town Joburg by Zukiswa Wanner

Excellent read, it was impossible to put the book down...The book starts with the Germaine and Martin’s marriage in crisis after their teenage son, Zuko kills himself in their Johannesburg home. Zuko’s suicide drives a wedge between Martin and Germaine and one wonders if their marriage will survive. As you continue reading the story travels back in time to London in the summer of 1994 when Martin and Germaine first met. Martin is still nursing a break-up from a girlfriend he believed was the love of his life, when Germaine walks up to him in a bar and delivers a cheesy pick up line of all time: “What’s a guy like you doing in a place like this?”

They bump into each other again a couple of nights later, coincidentally, and their relationship takes off from there. They are opposites, Germaine is a headstrong feminist who is not afraid to say what’s on her mind while Martin is more laidback. Nevertheless they get along and they move in together, get married and have a child.

London – Cape Town – Joburg is also the story of a country, South Africa, undergoing change following the 1st democratic elections. When Germaine and Martin decide to move to Cape Town so that their son can be closer to his grandmother and his uncle, Liam, the story of the new democratic SA unravels and we experience the changes through their eyes — the ongoing racism, and the xenophobic violence.

Wanner has a very witty sense of writing and her characters are fun to explore, each one brings a different but much needed characteristic. The ending is almost unforeseeable, and takes you back to the beginning of the book. The book left me feeling that there has got to be more and wondering if Martin and Germaine ever managed to find their way back to each other. Their love story and life story is so inspiring

Zukiswa Wanner has done it again: London – Cape Town – Joburg is a cracking read...

Reviewed by Mpumi Sithole (a client & friend of Afrokulcha) 

xoxo 

A book review - The Polygamist by Sue Nyathi

Mpumi Sithole's review

Aug 05, 2016

it was amazing

Read from August 03 to 05, 2016

I had an absolute blast reading this book...I experienced all sorts of emotions, excited and happy for Joyce and Jonasi right at the time when their lives were going so well. Other emotions of shock, sadness, utter disgust. Sue Nyathi takes you in a gripping journey that takes you through the mind of a woman in love, a woman in love with a powerful man, a man who lives a polygamous lifestyle with an unsuspecting wife, who only later realises her marriage has been a sham all along. The story is relatable and candid. You will struggle to divide your attention to other things going on around, it grips you wholeheartedly.

The Polygamist is a story of four women whose lives are connected because of their love for one man, Jonasi Gomora. The story is told through the narration of the four women.

Joyce met Jonasi while waiting for her chauffer back home while they were both still at school. She later got married to Jonasi and is the legitimate first wife. She has four children by Jonasi, lives a luxurious life of driving expensive cars and a wardrobe full of expensive labels. She believes she has the best life and is happily married until Matapa makes an entrance into her life and turns her life upside down. Matapa is younger, ambitious, & smart and goes for what she wants. She wants to climb the corporate ladder working at J&J, Jonasi’s company, but end up climbing over Jonasi and eventually get her big break as an Assistant Director. Jonasi is intrigued by Matapa’s intelligence and of-course sexual prowess. Matapa rocks Joyce’s world to the point of no return, Jonasi even asked for a divorce in order to marry Matapa.

After Joyce and Jonasi’s 17th wedding anniversary party, Jonasi take Joyce on a cruise and rekindles his love for his wife and Matapa goes to China to refocus. Returning back she’s determined to get what she wants from Jonasi – a marriage which Jonasi succumbs to in order to win Matapa back.
Essie is introduced in the story after Matapa’s China expedition but she’s been there all along. She is Jonasi’s first love I believe, but strayed and fell pregnant with someone else’s child. She further has two children with Jonasi and is the one person that Jonasi does not have to pretend when he is with. She is the girl-next-door, ghetto fabulous and grew up with Jonasi and has known him before he was the man he became. Jonasi always goes back to Essie for sadza and to listen to his stories, she knows for sure he always comes back to her and Jonasi has not neglected her financially until he could not manage to.

Lindani is a beautiful young girl whose greatest assets are her body and beauty. She is lonely, sleeps with any available man and is hoping Farai marries her for security reasons. After countless abortions she decides she is done with abortions and will keep the baby she is carrying and rekindles her activities with Jonasi who sets her up in Matapa’s old house believing he is the father of the unborn child. She lives a luxurious life but one that soon comes to an end as she has to care for a sick and dying Jonasi until she cannot handle it any longer. Joyce once again comes through for the father of her children, and Jonasi dies in her arms.

After reading this book you cannot help but ask the question about the legitimacy of the polygamous marriages practice especially in times where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is so widespread; where men have insatiable appetite for multiple women and not to mention the "Blesser" culture. 

A review by Mpumi Sithole (a client and a friend of Afrokulcha)

xoxo 

 ∙ flag