Lize-Mari Ras
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From the Horse’s Mouth – Namibia

Namibia, a country in southwest Africa, is distinguished by the Namib desert along the Atlantic Ocean coast. The country is home to diverse wildlife, including a significant cheetah population. The capital city of Namibia is Windhoek.

How are birthdays celebrated?

Birthdays are celebrated well. People bake or buy cake, soft drinks and beer and prepare food and celebrate with family and friends.

When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?

We greet people with a smile and then a handshake, or with a handshake and a kiss on both cheeks.

What languages are spoken in your country?

People in Namibia speak many languages including Afrikaans, English, Herero, Oshiwambo, Nama/Damara, Rukwangali, Tswana, German, Khoe Khoe Gowab.

What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in Namibia?

In Namibia we drive on the left-hand side of the road. The speed limit in town is 60km/ph and on the highway it is 120km/ph.

How important is punctuality?

Extremely important!

That probably comes from the German influence…

What types of music are popular? Who are some of your most popular musicians?

Local and International genres that are popular are Hip Hop, R & B, Soul, Afro-pop, House and Kwaito.

Some popular local musicians:

  • Gazza – watch and listen here.
  • The Dogg – watch and listen here.
  • Lady May – watch and listen here.
  • EES – watch and listen here.

 

Are there any traditional dances?

There are so many! Have a look at the videos below to learn more about them.

  • Oshiwambo – watch and listen here.
  • Tswana – watch and listen here.
  • San – watch and listen here.

 

What traditional festivals are celebrated in your community?

Only a few of Namibia’s cultural events are open to outsiders. These include Independence Day on the 21 March, which is probably the most important day on most Namibian calendars. Independence festivities occur in every village, town and city and will often include singing and dancing as well as the obligatory speeches by members of parliament.

Maherero Day occurs in Okahandja on the weekend closest to the 26th of August. Thousands of Herero people gather in traditional dress for a memorial service to their chiefs, this is a spectacular and fun occasion. If you are going to be in Namibia around this time it is worth visiting this festival, tours are often arranged from Windhoek.

Namibia also has several German style beer festivals the two most notable being Oktoberfest which takes place in Windhoek during late October and WIKA (Windhoek carnival) which happens in April.

What are your seasons like?

With 300 days of sunshine on average per year, Namibia is truly a sunny place. Summer is from October to April and temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius (104º Fahernheit), which fall at night to cool levels. Average monthly temperatures range from 20 º C to 34º C in summer. Average minimum winter temperatures range between 6°C and 10°C and average winter day temperatures between 18°C and 22°C. The rainy season lasts from October till April.

What are Namibia’s major industries?

The largest industries in Nambia that contributes towards its economy is fishing, mining, manufacturing and agriculture. Namibia is rich in natural resources such as uranium, zinc, copper, lead, gold, silver, tin, marble and granite. The mining industry brings in half of the country’s foreign earnings.

How do people spend their free time?

People spend their free time drinking, interacting, and bonding at social gatherings.

What do people drink?

Namibians drink traditional beer, wine, homemade ginger beer, whiskey, and brandy.

What is a popular local dish?

Oshiwambo Chicken, Mahangu porridge and dried spinach are a favourite throughout the country.

The staple food of the north-central regions is mahangu (a kind of pearl millet that is cultivated in the northern regions). The grain is pounded in mortars with long wooden pestles and cooked into a stiff porridge, oshimbombo, to be eaten with a variety of accompaniments – from chicken, ondjuhwa; wild spinach, ekaka; and bean sauce, oshigali, to mopane worms, omagungu, when available.

What do you pay for?

  • (USD1.00 = approx. N18, 70)
  • A cup of coffee will cost approximately 32 N$
  • A can of Coca Cola will cost approximately 15 N$
  • A 2-Course meal for 2 people at a midrange restaurant will cost approximately 630 N$
  • A loaf of bread will cost approximately 13 N$
  • 1 litre of milk will cost approximately 21 N$

 

Security – in general?

Namibia is a very peaceful nation. People have freedom of speech and movement. Good security and infrastructure are in place, but do exercise caution at all times like in any other country.

 

To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:

Blog

Written by Eloise Williams

Edited by Saudika Hendricks

Contributions by Mirinda Subes

Lize-Mari Ras
,

From the Horse’s Mouth – Zambia

The Republic of Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It shares its borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the North-East, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west. The capital city of Zambia is Lusaka.

How are birthdays celebrated in Zambia?

Zambians love partying with friends at home, and some people will go to a nice restaurant to celebrate.

When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?

We shake hands and we say ‘’Bwanji,’’ which means ‘’hello/How are you.’’

What languages are spoken in your country?

The official language of Zambia is English. It is used to conduct official business and is the medium of instruction in schools. The main local language, especially in Lusaka, is Nyanja, followed by Bemba, Lozi, Kaonde, Tonga, Lunda and Luvale.

What side of the road do people drive on? What might we need to know about driving in Zambia?

Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road in Zambia. Foreigners wanting to drive in Zambia need to be in possession of an international driving permit. The only foreign driver’s licenses that are recognised in Zambia are those from other SADC countries.

How important is punctuality?

I personally consider punctuality to be extremely important because it shows discipline. However, time is sometimes a vague concept in Zambia, and Zambians often have a very relaxed attitude towards punctuality. Meetings and social functions often start late.

What types of music are popular? Who are some of your most popular musicians?

Kalindula is a kind of bass guitar which gives its name to a style of popular music in southern-central Africa. It has its origins in the late 20th century and is very popular in Zambia. It is also quite common in Malawi and Zimbabwe.

You can watch an example of this African genre of music local to Zambia by clicking on this link:

 

Some popular musicians in Zambia include:

 

Are there any traditional dances?

Some examples of our many traditional dances:

 

What traditional festivals are celebrated in your community?

The Nchwala Ceremony is held to celebrate the glorious deeds of the Ngoni tribe. The ceremony starts with the tasting of the first fruit of the year by the chief of the Ngoni tribe. This is followed by lots of singing and dancing. Speeches are given by the members of the community and a grand feast is laid out for the entire community.

Kuomboka – The name of this festival actually means “to get out of the water onto dry ground”. Each year towards the last part of the rainy season as the flood plain of the upper Zambezi valley increases, the Lozi people celebrate a traditional move to higher ground. When the Chief decides that it is time to leave, the signal of drums is given to all the people. They bundle their things into canoes and the entire ethnic group leaves all together. The chief leaves on his flatboat with his family and a crowd of conventionally dressed paddlers. The journey takes around six hours.

What are your seasons like?

There are two main seasons in Zambia. The rainy season lasts from November to April and occurs during summer. While the dry season lasts from May to November and occurs during winter. The country enjoys pleasant subtropical weather for most of the year.

What are Zambia’s major industries?

Mining. Zambia’s economy has grown annually by over 6% in the last few years. This sustained period of growth is due to the mining sector and the demand for copper, which is fueled by the electronics industry. Other minerals are also found in the country, including cobalt, gold, silver and iron ore.

How do people spend their free time?

Some locals enjoy partying while others may choose to busy themselves in church, or church-related activities.

What do people drink?

Mosi, Zambia’s best-known locally brewed beer and Coke products as they are accessible and cheap.

There is also a traditional local drink worth trying called Maheu. It is somewhat gritty and vaguely yoghurt-like but refreshing beverage made from maize meal.

What is a popular local dish?

Nshima is basically a type of thick maize porridge, rolled into balls with your right hand and dipped into a variety of stews known as relishes (ndiwo, umunani). Those who can afford them eat relishes of beef, chicken or fish, but the many who can’t make do with beans, tiny dried fish (kapenta), peanuts, pumpkin leaves (chibwabwa) and other vegetables such as okra (ndelele), cabbage and rape.

Ifisashi is usually a vegetarian greens and peanuts dish and is traditionally served with Nshima.

What do you pay for?

  • $1 (USD – Dollar) = Kw 20.25 (ZMW – Kwacha)
  • A cup of coffee in a restaurant will cost around Kw30.00. – Kw40.00.
  • A can of Coca Cola will cost around Kw12.00.
  • A 2-Course meal for 2 people at a midrange restaurant will cost around Kw500.00.
  • A loaf of bread (500g) will cost around Kw20.00.
  • A litre of milk will cost around Kw24.00.

 

What is the general security like in Zambia? Is it a safe country?

Zambia is definitely one of the safer countries in Africa. Most of the crimes that occur in Zambia are petty crimes such as bag snatching, scams, and theft. Zambia is also relatively safe for women, however, it is a conservative country so be advised to dress modestly.

 

To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:

Blog

Written by Eloise Williams

Edited by Saudika Hendricks

Contributions by Paul Masuwa

Sisipho Ntsabo
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Third Wave of COVID-19 infections hit Africa

In Africa, there is an alarming third wave as the vaccine rollout is hampered. In recent light of the vaccine rollout in all parts of the world, third world countries vaccine rollout seems to be stagnant, experts fearing that it may take decades to vaccinate their respective countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) regional office has reported that the third wave of Covid-19 cases is spreading faster in Africa. On Thursday, 17 June 2021, WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti warned, “With a rapid increase in the number of cases and increasing reports of severe disease, the latest wave threatens to be the worst to date in Africa,”

According to the regional office, for five consecutive weeks, Africa has seen an increase in Covid-19 cases, signaling the beginning of the third wave in Africa. “As of 20 June—day 48 into the new wave—Africa had recorded around 474 000 new cases—a 21% increase compared with the first 48 days of the second wave.” As reported by WHO, the pandemic is resurging in 12 African countries and at the current rate of infections, the ongoing surge is set to surpass the previous one by early July.

18 African countries have already used over 80% of their COVAX vaccine supplies, 29 have administered over 50% of their suppliers, and eight have exhausted their vaccine supply. It is important to be aware that just over 1% of Africa’s population has been fully vaccinated. Globally, 2.7 billion doses have been administered, with just under 1.5% having been administered in Africa.

Dr Moeti is urging the international community to help Africa deal with the Covid-19 vaccine supply as the surge threatens to impair not only Africa’s economy but society.

 

 

Andrew Stegmann
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Zambia Travel and Flight Restrictions

Lynn Mackenzie, J.D., LLM
Courtesy of Marian Chembeya

As per the updated travel advisory, Zambia has currently undertaken measures related to aviation travel. Here are the main points.

(a) All scheduled and non-scheduled international flights to all Airports are open.

(b) The following procedures at LUN and NLA airports will apply:

All passengers coming from international flights terminating at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA )  are encouraged/  recommended  to present a certificate, of having tested  negative  from COVID-19  dated less than four (04 days,  from the date of the test ) from the designated laboratories authorized by Health Authority of the countries. This is enforcement since 0000 hrs. of 20 July, 2020 and is a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside.

Transit persons on board except crew shall not be permitted to disembark without authorization; crewmembers may disembark but shall undergo strict mandatory quarantine under the supervision of the health authorities during their rotation/rest periods.

Non-essential travel is not encouraged, as visas will not be issued upon arrival at FLKK (Kenneth Kaunda International Airport) for tourist and visitors. Lusaka office needs to be requested for Ok to Board clearance for any travelers appealing that they will get visa upon arrival.

Alien residents / Incoming passengers ( Non-Zambian ) will not be allowed to arrive in Zambia planning to cross borders via surface transport  to the neighboring countries like  Malawi , Congo, Botswana, Angola  and South Africa  without a written clearance from the Zambian Department of immigration and Ministry of Health  and a certificate, of having tested  negative  from COVID-19  dated less than four (04 days,  from the date of the test )

All persons holding Tourist visas will not be allowed entry in Zambia until further notice without a written clearance from the Department of immigration and a certificate, of having tested negative from COVID-19 dated less than four (04 days, from the date of the test)

All persons holding Business visas must have written clearance from the Zambian Department of immigration and Ministry of Health stating the importance of their business in Zambia before they arrive.

Spouses/children or any other relatives of permit/residence card holders but not included in the residence cards/permits are not allowed entry in Zambia unless with special clearance in writing from the Zambian Department of immigration.

All tourist and business visas, which were approved before 25 MAR, 20 are revoked and remain null and void.

Effective Date: The measures described herein are effective from 20th July 2020, until the revocation of this AIC, subject to a risk assessment and review.”

The content of this article is provided for general information purposes. The provision of this article does not constitute legal advice or opinion of any kind; no advisory or fiduciary relationship is created between Relocation Africa and any other person accessing or using this article . Relocation Africa will not be liable for any damages or loss arising from using any part of this article .

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].