How different the weekend is to the working week I’ve had.

Yesterday, I went to the Craft Centre in Windhoek. It occupies an old brewery site and brings together dozens of traders who sell traditional crafts under the Fairtrade banner, so the original craft workers out around the country get a fair price for their products. All I bought yesterday was a sketch book, as I didn’t pack any art materials with me. However, I shall be going back there.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293821-d3336094-Reviews-Namibia_Craft_Centre-Windhoek_Khomas_Region.html

Today, I’ve awoken with a migraine. I had planned on driving around Windhoek to see a few sights, but I’ve resigned myself to staying put, relaxing and beating this headache before a supper appointment this evening.

Here is my relaxing spot:

My niece, Miss Thomas, has said that she’d like to share my blog with her pupils in year 6 at St. Anthony’s and using it as a geography project. Hello to all of Miss Thomas’ pupils 👋🏻, please let me know if there are any questions about Namibia you can’t find answers to and I will try to help.

Enda po nawa.

🇳🇦

…well, from being in the office point-of-view, anyway.

A really good, very hard working week with progress already made.

A special thank you to Nicola Pulman for being my chaperone, it helped me find my way around much quicker than had I been left to my own devices.

Also, congratulations to Dr Andrew from Cardiff Uni who successfully delivered a full week’s course to 40 delegates. I shall miss you both.

The photo today is from the office kitchen window and shows the weaver birds’ nests in the trees.

Although today was fraught with IT issues, still unresolved, my offline day was great.

Progress being made on the work package with a deadline of Monday.

I was invited along to the residence of Her Excellency the British High Commissioner, Kate Airy OBE. She is the lady wearing the green dress in the front of the picture.

What a lovely lady, with an interest in everyone, and a particular soft spot for Wales. Her hospitality was generous.

This afternoon was taken up with the Vice Chancellor discussing resource planning. It’s such a privilege to have an input into all of this.

A new Phoenix assignee arrived last night, Fadhila, who is the President of Cardiff University’s Students Union. She is here to set up a partnership with UNAM’s SU. Why do I mention this? Because the SU are gathering for a braai this evening and have invited us older members of Phoenix along.

It’s difficult being away from my beloved wife on St Valentine’s Day, but I started the day reading a lovely card and message.

Another very productive day today.

I spent a couple of hours in a meeting where I could see that perceptions on either side of the table were causing barriers to true understanding and progress.

After a little questioning, both direct and challenging, as well as some empathetic coaching, I managed to draw both sides closer together.

Wearing another person’s shoes might seem a strange concept, but boy!, if you really step into them it’s amazing how quickly you see that listening instead of

shouting is actually to your own benefit.

The day began with a guest for breakfast, see photo.

Back into UNAM for day 2, met more new people, finally got access to the university’s IT system and fired off various requests, which has resulted in numerous reports and statistics coming back to me, and more meetings set up for the week, including a very important one with the National Council for Higher Education, tomorrow.

I have been assigned my own PA. Whilst embarrassed at the luxury initially, I have really taken to him and he’s so eager to sort things for me.

Only 32°C today. I’m surprised at how well I’m coping with the heat, all but my feet.

First day of my assignment. I met many, many people today, all of whom have been super-welcoming.

Windhoek’s UNAM main campus is a beautiful place, as you can see from today’s picture, which is a view from my office for the next 8 weeks. Yes, they have provided me with an office, and a car. I really am blown away by everyone’s hospitality.

So, I’m in listening mode for the first 4 days and then on Friday I need to present proposals for my focus on where I can help. So far there are so many ‘priorities’ with everyone asking for help. My main challenge this week is to try to shape a programme of training and coaching that meets as many people’s needs as possible whilst I’m over here.

Well, I’m really, truly finally here in Windhoek, Namibia. I arrived safe and sound, didn’t miss any connections with trains, Uber or planes, though it was quite tight at the London end.

Having set off from Home at 11.15 on Saturday morning, I got the key to my lodgings for the next 8 weeks at 13.30 local time, so 24hrs and 15 minutes later. I’ve had an hour of sleep, mostly my own fault through excitement.

South African Airways, I can recommend them. It was an Airbus 330 from Blighty to Johannesburg, my first experience. Very nice, even in an economy class seat, although business class does look worth upgrading.

I was picked up from the airport by a pre-arranged driver, Peterson, who was exactly the kind of person you want in that situation; calm, sensible driver, happy to answer any questions and point out some places on the way. He was so focused on his responsibility to me as a safe driver that it was only me who saw the baboon sitting on the side of the road in the middle.of nowhere!

Out for supper tonight and some pointers for my weeks ahead. I already know what I’m having: a local game steak with chips and vegetables. I’ll let you know what the game steak was from tomorrow.

50 hours and counting.

Schedule for my journey to Namibia:

Saturday 9th

12.02 train from Bangor

18.05 flight from Heathrow

Sunday 10th

11.45 flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek

I’m praying for no delays, particularly trains in the UK.

Well, that’s the last piece of the jigsaw, piece if paper in place. Just ensuring I’ve thought of everything I need and it’s packed. 4 days to go.

Just some of the things I have learned/been taught in the past few weeks.

Gained independence in 1990.

Main languages: English, Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo and Nama.

Economy made up of mining (25%), tourism (15% GDP), agriculture (5%) but 50% of the population are subsistence farmers., manufacturing (13%).

20% of people live on less than $2 a day.

Religion: 85% Christian, 15% traditional with a tiny minority of Islamists.

Population: 2.6m (34% under 15 years old), 52% live in rural areas, 3.4 births per woman, HIV rate of 14%.

Namibia is home to the world’s largest population of free roaming cheetahs, 2,500+

The country gets its name from the Namib Desert, one of the world’s oldest deserts.

Namibia is the second least densely populated country in the world, behind Mongolia.

The Skeleton Coast is so named in the past for all of the whale and seal skeletons lining the coast. Over 1,000 ships have been wrecked here and is called The Land God Made in Anger by The bushmen and the Gates of Hell by the Potuguese.

Despite its low population, Namibia is still home to 13 different ethnic groups.

It is the first country in the world to incorporate environmental protection into its constitution.

Namibia is only one of two countries in the world that has desert elephants.

Sossusvlei Sand Dunes are some of the highest in the world, some measuring 325m high.

Namibia is home to the world’s largest population of free roaming black rhinos.