The Windhoek Connection - 2 March 2023

GET BIRDING IN 2023!

It’s widely accepted these days that one pathway to better physical and mental wellbeing involves getting out from behind the PC or TV and taking some exercise out in nature, preferably in the company of like-minded and stimulating people.

We are very fortunate in Namibia in having a wide range of stunning and unspoilt, unpolluted environments right on our doorstep, many of which are free to access and which can be enjoyed on foot, in safety. Our beautiful weather means that our landscapes can be a source of wonder at pretty much any time of the year, too. While a ramble of a few hours will certainly reset a tired brain, stretch a few under-utilised muscles, and offer many opportunities to admire the plants and animals seen along the way, there’s a certain additional benefit to be gained from learning new information from people who have spent many years familiarising themselves with various aspects of Namibian nature – be they professionals or simply knowledgeable amateurs.

“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion”

~ Paulo Coelho

The country is officially home to almost 700 species of birds, a number of which occur nowhere else on Earth. While you may have a fairly accurate idea about the identities of the twenty-odd types that occur each day in your garden, there are likely to be at least three times as many that can be found within a few kilometres of your home, depending on the habitat and the time of year.

Furthermore, learning a new skill –such as finding out how to identify different types of birds – is a wellrecognised way of keeping the mind keen and active; embracing new challenges develops a crucial sense

of satisfaction and accomplishment in people of all ages.

The Namibia Bird Club was formed in 1962 and actively promotes a range of activities open to anyone – including children accompanied by a responsible adult – who wants to get outdoors and learn more about our birdlife. Twice-monthly Sunday morning walks to count species take place in and around Windhoek

WANDA Fundraiser

throughout the year (including halfday trips to private farms) and there are several weekend getaways organised further afield for members, too. An important activity supported by Club members is a wetland census, which takes place at twice a year and aims to record and monitor the populations of waterbirds found at each chosen location over time.

A regular online journal called Lanioturdus is produced and occasional talks are also organised; these aim to be of interest not just to the scientifically minded but to anyone who wishes to discover

WANDA, a young mother from Namibia, fights a

In 2019 Wanda w ma a rare type of bone cancer, loc n treatment at the West Germa y, to keep her eyesight Her m ally cover the estimated cost o r own

25% of all proceeds earned during February, March and April 2023 to the WANDA CS FUNDRAISER.

The

W e a r e a g r o u p y W a n d a h e l p i n g w i t h t h e f u n d r a i s i n g i n i t i a t i v e - W A N D A F U N D R A I S E R t o r a i s e f u n d s t o c o v e r h e r m e d i c a l e x p e n s e s o f E U R 7 0 0 0 0 . W i t h w o r l d w i d e s u p p o r t , w e h a v e b e e n a b l e t o a l m o s t r e a c h t h i s g o a l w i t h i n t h e f i r s t w e e k . H o w e v e r , w h a t i s n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e E U R 7 0 0 0 0 i s a n a d d i t i o n a l E U R 7 0 0 0 w h i c h i s r e q u i r e d t o c o v e r t h e f l i g h t a n d a c c o m m o d a t i o n f o r t h e 8 w e e k s w h i l e i n E s s e n W e h a v e g r a t e f u l l y r e c e i v e d a f e w c o m m i t m e n t s f r o m c o m p a n i e s a n d i n d i v i d u a l s f o r v o u c h e r s o r g o o d s d o n a t e d t o w a r d s t h e f u n d r a i s i n g i n i t i a t i v e h e n c e w e h a v e d e c i d e d t h a t w e w o u l d l i k e t o c t i o n t o r a i s e t h e a d d i t i o n a l E U R 7 0 0 0 T h e e l a u n c h e d o n t h e 1 3 t h o f F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 3 I f a r e w i l l i n g t o c o n t r i b u t e s o m e t h i n g t o w a r d s t u s k n o w b y t h e 1 0 t h o f F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 3 e r a i s e d t h a n r e q u i r e d t h e d i f f e r e n c e s h a l l b e O k a n t i F o u n d a t i o n w h i c h s u p p o r t s N a m i b i a n c a l l y i l l c h i l d

ore information, please contact:

0 | Monique : +264 81 250 1506 | Elke: +264 81 6686569 |

more about local, regional and international species, including threats to their populations and habitats and projects to protect them for future generations to enjoy.

If you are not sure if you wish to join the Club yet, you are most welcome to get in touch (contact details below), come along on one or two of the outings, and find out if the

experience is one you would want to repeat by becoming a paid-up member. Regular participants are encouraged to offer lifts to events and are always willing to share their expertise with beginners, including giving advice on how to use various apps for identifying and recording the species seen.

Many members started out knowing next to nothing about Namibian birds and so it’s important to mention that this is NOT just a group for people with a great deal of ornithological know-how. After all, everyone has to begin somewhere! The Club events are a rewarding opportunity to meet overseas visitors as well as locals who might not otherwise cross our paths and diversifying the membership base and getting younger generations involved are goals that the Club is very keen to promote.

And lastly, but very importantly, the regular ‘bird walks’ are a great deal of fun! To find out more, including membership fees, visit: https:// www.namibiabirdclub.org/Home.html

Please do contact the Chair, Gudrun Middendorff, if you would like to know more and perhaps wish to attend an event as a guest: birding@namibiabirdclub.org or +264 81 240 3635 Contributed by Marisa Kelly

Discover new birds - and new people! - on a Namibia Bird Club outing in 2023

Namibia Bird Club members regularly visit farms and other environments of interest on the half-day Sunday outings

We are excited to - following the formal approval of the Namibia Competition Commission - announce the merger of Catamaran Charters with Laramon Tours with effect 1st March 2023.

All operations will resort under Catamaran Charters and Sandwich Harbour 4x4.

Expect superior quality delivery on our daily marine dolphin cruises, availability per departure increases to 190 pax with 7 sailing and motorised catamarans.

All desert excursions will be conducted by Sandwich Harbour 4x4.

Our booking details remain the same:

+264 81 129 5393 +264 81 128 0635

www.namibiancharters.com

dolphin@namibiancharters.com

seawolf@namibiancharters.com

Usually, we get to sleep a little longer and reset on Saturday. While for others, it’s a day to catch up with the kids and friends, do a few chores, restock the house, and get ready for a braai.

Saturday, 11 February 2023, had a different feeling as NMC, PSEMAS, and Bankmed Namibia members gathered at Virgin Active Kleine Kuppe for an open day and exciting news.

Virgin Active and the Administrator, Methealth, announced their partnership where the members (principal members, spouses, and adult dependents) of the three Funds get a 10% discount if they sign up for a 1-year public membership plan at the health club.

Additional perks include a 30-day training programme with free Physical Training, PT, consultation, and session to assist members in committing to their exercise journey and creating healthy habits.

Membership rates are subject to the selected facility, and Virgin Active will send quotations to members on request. Members must present their membership card upon signing up. Once a principal member resigns from the Fund, standard membership rates will apply.

Virgin Active has two facilities in the country: Kleine Kuppe and Maerua Mall. If you live outside Windhoek/prefer to keep active from the comfort of your home or while travelling, you can join Virgin Active online to get full access to 400+ workouts from top instructors worldwide.

For more information, contact Virgin Active at 061 251 640 (Kleine Kuppe) or 061 234 399 (Maerua Mall).

Source: NMC - the scoop

Upcoming Events

Join us 2nd of March for our second show of the year, where we dive into things that make us go WTF?!

Expect the unexpected. Prepare for the unpreparable. These queens are ready with a few tricks up their tucks and by the end of the night you'll think to yourself, WTF?!

� 2 March

� @mynt_nightclub_windhoek

� Booth bookings (including tickets) & Pre-Sale tickets available via MYNT’s @paytoday

� General Seating Tickets available at the door N$100 pp

� Dress Smart Casual

� Happy Hour from 19:00 - 20:00

� Show runs 20:00 - 21:30

� Party till midnight!

� Use code TTS30 for 30% off your @lefanamibia when coming to the show. �

Drumming Circle, Thursday, 2 Mar · 6 – 7 PM

A weekly public drumming circle. This is a participatory event: We bring the drums, you bring the vibe. We use African djembe drums and dun-duns. Anyone can join, no experience needed. Kids are more than welcome. Free of charge, donations are appreciated. We suggest N$ 50 for adults, N$ 20 for kids.

Night Vision at The Handlebar, Friday, 3 Mar · 7 – 11 PM

As Night Fades and Echo Vision and The Handlebar have come together to start the year in a head banging style.

Date: 3 March 2023; Venue: The Handlebar; Time: 19:00; Cost: N$50.00; Cash bar.

Green Market, Saturday, 4 Mar · 7:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Saturday is MARKET DAY in Klein Windhoek on the venue around the Stephanus Church in Dr Kenneth David Kaunda Street - the open air GREEN MARKET open from 7:30 am to 12:15 pm. You find freshest produce from Namibia, Farm Goodies & Preserves | Healthy and Organic certified products & natural cosmetics.

Magic Words!, Saturday, 4 Mar · 6 – 11 PM

Magic Words! �

The live show is coming to Namibia!

A mentalist, a storyteller and a shapeshifter create magic moments live on stage: floating tables, the reading of minds, the magic of time, objects from thin air. Magic from Germany meets the Namibian flair and creates new ways to look at Namibia, Germany and the rest of the world.

4 March | Droombos | N$ 750 and includes welcoming drink and three course meal.

Book your ticket on Webtickets!

Village Sunday Market, Sunday, 5 Mar · 9 AM – 3 PM

The Village Sunday Market is a place for high quality local vendors and craftsmen to sell their products and produce to the public. All goods available are proudly local and of only the finest quality. The market was started by Alain Seha with his company Urban Eden during times of the coronavirus as an opportunity for struggling local artisans to find a market for their products and since then the market has begun taking a life of its own.

Takes place every Sunday at The Village Garden from 9 am to 3 pm.

Chicken Vegetable Soup

Chicken Vegetable Soup is a healthy and hearty soup - the perfect weeknight meal on a cold winter day or for anyone fighting off a cold or flu. Filled with chicken, green beans, mushrooms, and carrots.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon oil, or butter

• 3 carrots, diced (can be replaced with Butternut)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 4 button mushrooms, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 200g green beans, ends trimmed, halved

• 2 tubs of Ina Paarman’s Chicken Stock Potdissolved in 1 Liter of water.

• I whole chicken, shredded

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Add onions to pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables begin to lightly brown and onions begin to turn translucent.

2. Add whole chicken to stockpot and leave to brown for about 10min, turning regularly. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Add 1 liter of water with 2 tubs of Ina Paarman’s Chicken Stock Pot to Chicken and cover. Leave to boil for 20 min.

4. Remove Chicken from Stockpot to debone.

5. Add mushrooms and garlic, stirring to incorporate. Cook for 1 minute.

6. Add green beans. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until green beans are tender.

7. Add chicken to pot, stirring to combine. Remove from heat and serve.

NOTES

• Cooked rotisserie chicken can be substituted with cooked cubed chicken, or canned chicken instead.

• Fresh or frozen green beans can be used for this recipe. If using frozen green beans, add an additional minute to your cooking time.

• I didn’t have carrots, so I replaced them with some Butternut - worked perfectly!

Source: www.thetoastykitchen.com

Fairy Tales

Find and circle all of the fairy tales that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell a secret message.

Send your results to us by email to hello@windhoekconnection.com.na and stand a chance to win N$200!

Aladdin

Beanstalk

Bears

Beast

Beauty

Big Bad Wolf

Chicken Little

Cinderella Elves

Emperor

Fairy Godmother

Frog Prince

Genie

Giant

Golden Goose

Goldilocks

Grandmother

Gretel

Hansel

Hunter

Jack

King Midas

Lamp

Little Mermaid

Little Red Riding

Hood

Mirror

Pea

Pinocchio

Princess Rapunzel

Rumpelstiltskin

Seven Dwarfs

Shoemaker

Sinbad

Snow Queen

Snow White

Stepmother

Stepsisters

Swan

Three Little Pigs

Thumbelina

Ugly Duckling

Undine Wishes

Source: www.puzzles.ca

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While care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this publication is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Neither the contributors and / or editors and / or employees accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.