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A Suggested Blueprint for the Development of Maritime Archaeological Research in Namibia Bruno E.J.S
Journal of Namibian Studies, 2 (2007): 103–121 ISSN: 1863-5954 A suggested blueprint for the development of maritime archaeological research in Namibia Bruno E.J.S. Werz Abstract During the last few decades, maritime archaeology has developed into an internationally accepted field of specialisation within the discipline of archaeology. It has, however, only gained academic recognition in Southern Africa since the late 1980s, when a lecturing post for maritime archaeology was established at the University of Cape Town. This resulted in initial efforts being focused on South Africa. Now, however, the time has come to expand the development of maritime archaeology to neighbouring countries. Due to various positive factors – including the presence of an important research potential as well as growing interest and positive contributions by some organisations and private individuals – Namibia provides a fertile ground to extend the field of operations. This article first summarises the objectives and methodology of maritime archaeological research in general; then it offers suggestions as to how to establish this research specialisation in Namibia, bearing in mind local circumstances. What is Maritime Archaeology? Maritime archaeology developed by means of an evolutionary process from underwater salvage, treasure hunting, the collecting of antiquities and the kind of archaeological work that was done until the early twentieth century. During the 1960s, the field became an area of specialisation within the discipline of archaeology. This period saw a growing involvement of professional archaeologists, the rudimentary development of research designs, the improvement of diving equipment, and the application of techniques that facilitated work in an underwater environment. The initial emphasis, however, was on the latter.1 As a result, the field did not obtain widespread support from its terrestrial counterparts, where efforts were generally directed at solving specific research problems. -
National Parks of Namibia.Pdf
Namibia’s National Parks “Our national parks are one of Namibia’s most valuable assets. They are our national treasures and their tourism potential should be harnessed for the benefi t of all people.” His Excellency Hifi kepunye Pohamba Republic of Namibia President of the Republic of Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism Exploring Namibia’s natural treasures Sparsely populated and covering a vast area of 823 680 km2, roughly three times the size of the United King- dom, Namibia is unquestionably one of Africa’s premier nature tourism destinations. There is also no doubt that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism is custodian to some of the biggest, oldest and most spectacular parks on our planet. Despite being the most arid country in sub-Saharan Af- rica, the range of habitats is incredibly diverse. Visitors can expect to encounter coastal lagoons dense with flamingos, towering sand-dunes, and volcanic plains carpeted with spring flowers, thick forests teeming with seasonal elephant herds up to 1 000 strong and lush sub-tropical wetlands that are home to crocodile, hippopotami and buffalo. The national protected area network of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism covers 140 394 km2, 17 per cent of the country, and while the century-old Etosha National and Namib-Naukluft parks are deservedly re- garded as the flagships of Namibia’s conservation suc- cess, all the country’s protected areas have something unique to offer. The formidable Waterberg Plateau holds on its summit an ecological ‘lost world’ cut off by geology from its surrounding plains for millennia. The Fish River Canyon is Africa’s grandest, second in size only to the American Grand Canyon. -
PISC ES Env Ir Onmental Serv Ices (Pt Y) Lt D Namparks Coastal National Parks Development Programme – Cape Cross Desalination Plant
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR A CONTAINERISED DESALINATION PLANT AT THE CAPE CROSS RESERVE MARINE ECOLOGY SPECIALIST ASSESSMENT Prepared for SLR Environmental Consulting (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd On behalf of Lund Consulting Engineers Prepared by Andrea Pulfrich September 2020 PISC ES Env ir onmental Serv ices (Pt y) Lt d NamParks Coastal National Parks Development Programme – Cape Cross Desalination Plant OWNERSHIP OF REPORTS AND COPYRIGHTS © 2020 Pisces Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd. All Rights Reserved. This document is the property of the author. The information, ideas and structure are subject to the copyright laws or statutes of South Africa and may not be reproduced in part or in whole, or disclosed to a third party, without prior written permission of the author. Copyright in all documents, drawings and records, whether produced manually or electronically, that form part of this report shall vest in Pisces Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd. None of the documents, drawings or records may be used or applied in any manner, nor may they be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever for or to any other person, without the prior written consent of Pisces, except when they are reproduced for purposes of the report objectives as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken by SLR Environmental Consulting (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd. Andrea Pulfrich Pisces Environmental Services PO Box 302, McGregor 6708, South Africa, Tel: +27 21 782 9553 E-mail: [email protected] Website: -
A Reconstruction of the Cape (South African) Fur Seal Harvest 1653–1899 and a Comparison with the 20Th-Century Harvest
Research Articles South African Journal of Science 104, March/April 2008 107 A reconstruction of the Cape (South African) fur seal harvest 1653–1899 and a comparison with the 20th-century harvest Jeremy David and Lance van Sittert of the seals since the early days of exploitation. Seals preferentially colonize near-shore rocky islands, which are cooler than the The Cape fur seal was an abundant resource in southern Africa, mainland and are free from land predators, including man. It is when first discovered by itinerant sailing vessels in the late 16th therefore possible that in the pristine state, the seal population century. Seals were slaughtered indiscriminately by the sailors for was constrained by space limitation, as all the colonized islands skins, meat and oil for three centuries from around 1600 to 1899. were small in area, with the exception of Robben and Dassen Government controls over the sealing industry were first intro- islands in South Africa and Possession Island in Namibia, on all duced as late as 1893, by which time at least 23 seal colonies had of which seal breeding colonies are currently absent. become extinct and the seal population had been significantly Since the early time of exploitation, when all colonies were on reduced. This paper reconstructs the historical seal harvest from islands, seven mainland colonies have become established (six in the time of arrival of the first settlers in 1652 up to 1899. These data Namibia and one in South Africa), all of which are not space are then compared with modern harvest data from 1900 to 2000, limited and which have become home to around 75% of the illustrating the marked increase in the harvest from about 1950, and population.7 In addition, there are 18 island colonies, making a the concomitant recovery of the seal population to a level of around total of 25 breeding colonies in all (see Fig. -
Cape Cross Seal Reserve
Republic of Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism Cape Cross Seal Reserve A rich, rough history Visitors to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve are first hit by In 1893 Captain Becker of the German cruiser Falke found the intense heat of the desert and then, as they move Cão’s padrão, more than 400 years after it was erected. closer to the seals, the cold, off-shore winds. This is the Realising its historic value, Becker removed and shipped nature of Namibia’s coastline – wild and raw – much the it to Germany where the German Kaiser ordered a granite same today as it was in 1486 when the Portuguese ex- replica of the padrão. The replica was erected at Cape plorer, Diego Cão, planted a padrão, or stone cross, into Cross in 1895. the sand, establishing Portugal’s claim to the territory. In 1980 the National Monuments Council placed an- Two years into the voyage and after planting the padrão other replica of the cross on the exact spot on which at Cape Cross, the crew returned home, but without Cão. Cao’s original padrão stood. Recognising that history has He had disappeared and all documents relating to this several voices, it was decided that both crosses would expedition were lost in a fire. All that remained was a remain. stone cross and questions. Near the two crosses, is a ‘seal stone’ with an English Walking around Cape Cross today, there are glimpses into summary of the Latin and Portugese texts from the pa- the past that also raise questions, such as why are there drão; an engraving of a caravel and the coats of arms two crosses here? of the national monuments council; a long flat stone with German, Afrikaans and Portuguese inscriptions; and Did you know? Cão’s coat of arms engraved on an oval stone. -
Cape Cross Salt Mining
ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES ON EXCLUSIVE PROSPECTING LICENCE EPL4185 AT WLOTZKASBAKEN January 2013 Prepared by: Gecko Namibia (Pty) Ltd Gecko House 8 Sinclair Road Windhoek, Namibia Reviewed by: Nam Enviro Management and Training Services cc Mutjinde Katjiua SUMMARY Gecko Namibia (Pty) Ltd, in the name of its subsidiary Gecko Salt (Pty) Ltd holds EPL4185 which covers 75,335 hectares of coastal desert plains from north of Swakopmund to just south of the Henties Bay peri-urban area. Gecko intends to establish the “Vision Industrial Park” and harbour within the area. The development will require a large amount of fine and coarse aggregate material as well as armour stone for the construction of a breakwater facility. Besides the envisaged VIP development, Gecko is in the process of exploring a number of high-grade marble occurrences on this EPL. As part of the EPL4185 falls within the Dorob National Park, Gecko is submitting this EIA together with Environmental Questionnaires and other prescribed documentation in application for an Environmental Clearance Certificate under the Environmental Management Act of 2007. The company has drawn up an Environmental Management Plan for the prospecting operations and is currently in the process of implementing those measures. Management and exterior control on the adherence of the proposed mitigation actions are considered important tools in preventing negative environmental impacts from the operations. Activities during the exploration phase include sampling, testing and exploratory drilling. The activities are temporary and are conducted at a small scale than those at the drilling/development, production, and decommissioning/reclamation phases. -
Pyrenae 41-1 Pyrenae 04/06/10 10:33 Página 7
Pyrenae 41-1_Pyrenae 04/06/10 10:33 Página 7 PYRENAE, núm. 41, vol. 1 (2010) ISSN: 0079-8215 (p. 7-52) REVISTA DE PREHISTÒRIA I ANTIGUITAT DE LA MEDITERRÀNIA OCCIDENTAL JOURNAL OF WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN PREHISTORY AND ANTIQUITY Prehistoric Exploitation of Marine Resources in Southern Africa with Particular Reference to Shellfish Gathering: Opportunities and Continuities ANTONIETA JERARDINO Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)/UB-GEPEG Department of Prehistory, Ancient History and Archaeology Universitat de Barcelona C/ Montalegre, 6-8, E-08001 Barcelona [email protected] This paper discusses three case studies in which marine resources played an important role in human development in southern Africa over the last 164 ka: the ability of modern humans to exit successfully from Africa is seen partly as the result of a foraging expansion from rocky shores to sandy beaches; the location of an aggregation site close to the coast in the context of low human densities during post-glacial times allowed people to meet social needs and ensure population survival; and a heavy reliance on marine resources supported highest populations levels during the late Holocene. Broader and related issues are also discussed. KEYWORDS COASTAL ARCHAEOLOGY, OUT OF AFRICA, AGGREGATION SITE, PLEISTOCENE/ HOLOCENE TRAN- SITION, RESOURCE INTENSIFICATION, MEGAMIDDENS. Este artículo se centra en la discusión de tres casos de estudio en los cuales los recursos marinos desempeñaron un rol importante en el desarrollo humano del sur de África desde hace 164 ka. La capacidad de los humanos modernos de emigrar fuera de África se ve, en parte, como una expansión en la capacidad de forrajeo inicialmente expresada en el litoral rocoso para incluir más tarde las costas de playas de arena. -
Coastways Tours and URI Adventures Joint Forces Offering This Trip Into the Namib Desert Between Luderitz and Walvis
We are proud to offer a unique 4x4 adventure trip through the worlds oldest desert, being one of only 7 remote wilderness areas left on our planet. We travel through the Namib between Luderitz and Walvis Bay formerly known as “Diamond Area no 2”. Places visited on the way include Silvia Hill, Meob Bay, Conception Bay & Sandwich Bay. Desert wildlife, spectacular scenery, untouched beaches, abandoned mining settlements, miles of sand driving and shipwrecks are some of the attractions along the way. Background: The discovery of diamonds in 1908 around Kolmanskuppe resulted in an uncontrollable diamond rush forcing the Government to establish the “Sperrgebiet” between 26-degree (Gibraltar) and the southern border stretching 100-kilometer inland. Prospectors were forced to turn northwards beyond the Sperrgebiet. This resulted in the discovery of diamonds at Spencer Bay in December 1908 and between Meob and the Conception Bay area (Diamond area no 2). This resulted in a total of 5000 diamond claims being registered in 1909 and hopeful prospectors tried their luck at Saddle Hill and Spencer Bay and via Swakopmund and Sandwich Harbour southwards towards Meob Bay. However, the small yields of diamonds from these claims resulted in only a few prospectors in the long term being successful. Transporting of supplies and mine equipment was effected mainly from Swakopmund by ship and the cutter Viking via Sandwich Harbour, Conception Bay and Meob Bay. Various shipping casualties occurred, such as when the Eduard Bohlen intend to off-load mining equipment, was consequently lost at Conception Bay (1909). In the area between Conception Bay and Meob Bay the mining settlements of Holsatia, Charlottenfelder and Grillenberger was established and no form of engine-driven transport was available during the first 15 years. -
Partitioning of Nesting Space Among Seabirds of the Benguela Upwelling Region
PARTITIONING OF NESTING SPACE AMONG SEABIRDS OF THE BENGUELA UPWELLING REGION DAviD C. DuFFY & GRAEME D. LA CocK Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa, 7700. Received February /985 SUMMARY DuFFY, D. C. & LA CocK, G. D. 1985. Partitioning of nesting space among seabirds of the Benguela upwel ling region. Ostrich 56: 186-201. An examination of nesting habitats used by the four main species of seabirds nesting on southern African islands (Jackass Penguin Spheniscus demersus, Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis, Bank Cormorant P. neglectus and Cape Gannet Morus capensis) revealed relatively minor differences and extensive over laps between species, primarily in subcolony size, steepness of nesting substratum, and proximity to cliffs. A weak dominance hierarchy existed; gannets could displace penguins, and penguins could displace cor morants. This hierarchy appeared to have little effect on partitioning of nesting space. Species successfully defended occupied sites in most cases of interspecific conflict, suggesting that site tenure by one species could prevent nesting by another. The creation of additional nesting space on Namibian nesting platforms did not increase guano harvests, suggesting that nesting space had not previously limited the total nesting population of Cape Cormorants, the most abundant of the breeding species, in Namibia. While local shortages of nesting space may occur, populations of the four principal species of nesting seabirds in the Benguela upwelling region do not seem to have been limited by the availability of nesting space on islands. INTRODUCTION pean settlement, space for nesting was limited. Af ter settlement, human disturbance such as hunting The breeding seabirds of the Benguela upwel and guano extraction reduced nesting space, re ling region off Namibia and South Africa are be sulting in smaller populations of nesting seabirds. -
SOURCES and FURTHER READING CIIR, Mining: Mines and Independence, CIIR, 1983
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING CIIR, Mining: Mines and Independence, CIIR, 1983. Department of Information and Publicity, SWAPO of Namibia, To be Born a Nation: The Liberation Struggle for Namibia, Zed Press, 1981. Du Pisani, Andre, SWA/Namibia: The Politics of Continuity and Change, Jonathan Ball Publishers, 1986. Ellis, Justin, Education, Repression and Liberation: Namibia, CIIR and WUS (UK), 1984. Hughson, Heather, Survey of Nutritional Status and Related Factors in Selected Areas of Namibia, Oxfam, 1986. Katjavivi, Peter, A History of Resistance in Namibia, UNESCO, 1988. Katjinaigua, Moses, "Essential Reforms in Health Services", Internationales Afrikaforum 4,1986. Lobstein, Tim/NSC Health Collective (eds), Namibia: Reclaiming the People's Health, Action on Namibia Publications, 1984. Moorsom, Richard, Agriculture: Transforming a Wasted Land, CIIR, 1982. Namibia Now, Volume 2, Number 1, July 1987. Report of the Education Committee, TGNU, Recommendations for a National Education Policy: Objectives and Strategies, TGNU, 1985. Smith, Susanna, Namibia: A Violation of Trust, Oxfam, 1986. Totemeyer, Gerhard et al. (eds), Namibia in Perspective, CCN, 1987. United Nations Institute for Namibia, Constitutional Options for Namibia: A Historical Perspective, UNIN, 1979. United Nations Institute for Namibia, Toward a Language Policy for Namibia: English as the Official Language: Perspectives and Strategies, UNIN, 1981. United Nations Institute for Namibia, Education Policy for Independent Namibia: Some Fundamental Considerations, UNIN, 1984. World University Service, Namibia: Education in Conflict, WUS(UK), 1987. Additional information in this book has been obtained from articles and reports appearing in The Namibian and The Windhoek Advertisernewspapers during 1987-88. DATES AND EVENTS 1485 The Portuguese explorer Diago Cao erects a 1971 In an Advisory Opinion the International Court of stone cross at Cape Cross. -
Namibia Overview
Namibia overview: The Republic of Namibia is in the south-western part of Africa. It has a population of about 2.1 million inhabitants and is 824292 km² big. Parts of Namibia are notoriously dry and much of the country is made up of the Namib Desert and the Kalahari. Towards the north the country becomes greener with the Etosha Pan filling with water from northern rivers. This area is rich in diverse wildlife. The Skeleton Coast marks the area where the Namib meets the Atlantic Ocean and is littered with wrecks of ships that ran ashore in the treacherous waters, whalebone shelters used by the San and ghost towns that boomed during the early diamond days. The country is bordered by Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Orange River marks the southern border of Namibia to South Africa. The Kunene River and the Okavango River form partly the northern border with Angola. It is the first country in the world that has incorporated the protection of the environment into its constitution. Due to its harsh environment Namibia is sparsely populated with various groups. Its population is made up of San, Damaras, Ovambos, Namas, Hereros, Oorlams, Kavangos, East Caprivians, Rehoboth Basters, Kaokovelders, Tswanas and European settlers, mostly German. Listed are some of the attractions Namibia has to offer: Namib-Naukluft Park Etosha National Park Waterberg Plateau Park Epupa Falls Skeleton Coast Park Fish River Canyon Kolmanskop Brandberg Petrified Forest Rock engravings at Twyfelfontein Sossusvlei and Deadvlei Welwitschia Mirabilis Namib-Naukluft Park The vast Namib-Naukluft Park boasts sweeping desert and mountain landscapes, a diverse range of wildlife, and the surreal Sossusvlei, a scenic saltpan with towering red sand dunes and petrified acacia trees and is one of the world's largest nature and game reserves. -
Day Tours & Experiences NAMIBIA
Day Tours & Experiences NAMIBIA Our selection of day tours and experiences encompass a wide selection of full day and half day excursions from areas around Namibia. These excursions allow guests to fully customise their tour to suit their individual interests. We recognise our guests seek real experiences and a depth of understanding that expands their full appreciation of their chosen destination. HORSE RIDING SAFARIS The horse-back riding offered can be tailored to suit each guests’ riding ability. There are sunrise and sunset options, each of which lasts three to four hours. End the experience with refreshing drinks and delicious snacks. The horses range from gentle souls to more lively rides, once again dependant on each client’s level of experience. For the SOSSUSVLEI HOT AIR BALLOONING more adventurous of spirit, a night under the stars with softly As the sun’s first rays peek over scarlet sand dunes, the hot burring horses should be on everyone’s bucket list. air balloon drifts slowly upward, revealing the undulating landscapes of Sossusvlei. The adventure begins before sunrise when you are collected from your accommodation, and driven to the take-off area. Once the balloon is airborne you drift silently over the desert for about an hour, where the views of the Namib Desert are exceptional. SOSSUSVLEI SAND DUNE EXCURSIONS Enter the Namib-Naukluft Park at sunrise, while the temperature is mild and the dune contrasts are at their best. Travel in one of the all-terrain URI game viewer vehicles, custom-built in Namibia with your own specially-trained guide who will share all his knowledge of the area, animals and plant life.