The carcass of an endangered blue whale, the world’s largest animal, washed up on a Namibian beach in April this year with lesions suggesting it collided with a ship.
A whale-watcher first spotted the mammal “floating upside down” off Namibia’s port town of Walvis Bay.
The body drifted to shore, revealing a broken pectoral fin.
The balance of evidence at the moment strongly suggests it was struck by a ship very close to the bay, the freshness of the animal’s skin suggested the incident took place near to land.
Samples would soon provide more insight into the cause of death.
Blue whales have been slowly repopulating southern Africa’s oceans after being almost wiped out by decades of whaling.
Sightings remain rare, however, as numbers are still low and they do not usually venture near the coastline.
situated in the tranquil valley, under the Klein Drakenstein mountains, Paarl, South Africa.
Brookdale Manor House is positioned as a world-class, Paarl winelands retreat and is suitable for families, small groups or individual travellers.
It can accommodate 12 adults (and two children under the age of 12 sharing with parents), in five en-suite bedrooms in the Manor House, and a sixth en-suite bedroom in the adjacent building.
Built-in a modern Cape Dutch style, Brookdale Manor House is elegantly furnished, featuring ample living spaces that include a lavish living room and sunny breakfast area. The outside terraces showcase panoramic views of the dramatic mountains and Paarl wine valley. The gardens and pool house are set around a magnificent lap pool and create beautiful spaces for guests to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Rates start from R 4 900 per room.
A true Cinderella story, Brookdale Estate was once overgrown and underused. The Rudd family, originally from the United Kingdom recognised the potential of the property and acquired the 67-hectare estate in 2015. In line with their vision to create a world-class country estate, today Brookdale offers exceptional hospitality and produces fine wines under the stewardship of talented young winemaker, Kiara Scott.
The managing couple, Yvonne Coetzee (General Manager), and Gary Coetzee (Executive Chef), were appointed in November.
They come with extensive hospitality experience gained in nearly ten years in management positions at Singita in the Sabi Sand, followed by a decade overseeing the Kerzner family estate in Hout Bay.
Brookdale Estate is ideally located within easy reach of Cape Town International Airport, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
Launch offers include a South African resident's special, with a choice of either self-catering or fully inclusive options.
Tikoloshe is located in Omaruru town in the heart of Namibia.
Tikoloshe Afrika specialises in a great variety of different wood carvings and offers a wide range of African Artifacts.
HISTORY OF TIKOLOSHE
Video of Tikoloshe store:
In the 1980-ies, on a farm in north-central Namibia, Paul Goldbach met Paulo Cashinga, a skilled woodcarver from the Kavango region. Paul first encountered root carving in South America, but when he witnessed Cashinga carving a traditional Springbok out of a tree trunk, he was so impressed that he decided to try out a business idea with him. In his spare time Paul managed the startup, while Paulo Cashinga carved an amazing and fascinating variety of Namibian fauna mainly from the roots of Mustard tree, Tamboti and Ironwood. Unfortunately, Paulo Cashinga passed away in 2012, but his characteristic root carved sculptures continue to decorate house and homes, nationally and abroad. The original team of eight carvers changed in recent years and now consists of five woodworkers, named Johannes Lirunga, Lino Kativa, Lipenda Kambinda, Ndingi Ndumba and Nanda David. These talented craftsmen share the late Paulo Cashingas skill, vision, and ability to carve from gnarled, curved roots and are since the early years the core of Tikoloshe, fascinating the visitors again and again with matchless, almost animated Namibian animal sculptures. Additional three saleswomen and two people in the administration, complete the team.
PAUL GOLDBACH
Paul was born in Hessen, Germany in 1947. As a young man, he was trained as a Furrier at his father's business in Hann. Muenden. In 1970 he emigrated to South West Africa (now Namibia), but returned to Germany two years later to obtain the master degree at the Frankfurt Meister Schule. Yet after experiencing the Dark Continent, Paul already was infected by the Africa Virus, and he quickly came back to Namibia in 1975. This time driving across Africa with three friends in two old German Army DKW-Jeeps. After settling in Namibia, Paul subsequently grew tired of his trade, which was nailing him down in Windhoek. So he started a job as a construction fitter.
During the following years of 1976 – 1981, Paul embarked on many different journeys through Africa, North America and South America. While in South America, Paul was greatly inspired by the work of Augustin Rivas, a famous artist. One of his large exponates (Jesus at the cross) belongs to the collection of the Vatican in Rome. Today he is a well-known Shaman from Iquitos, in the Amazon region of Peru. Paul purchased over twenty big sculptures of Rivas? renowned root wood carvings and had them shipped to Germany (where the last ones are still offered for sale). Due to a recession in Namibia, Paul eventually ran out of work as a fitter. Therefore he decided to try and work as a farm manager. While running the farm he met Paulo Cashinga, the foreman and a skilled Kavango wood carver. With Rivas? works from the Amazon still on his mind, Paul and Paulo began working together to develop the traditional Kavango carving into their own unique Namibian root carving style. In 1995, after several years as a farm manager and following the successful arrival of Namibian independence, Paul Goldbach officially opened his own wood carving business and later on a curio shop in Omaruru. Although he never intended to become an entrepreneur, after more than twenty years of running his enterprise Tikoloshe Afrika, Paul finally found his peace of mind in the heart of Namibia.
ROOT CARVINGS
The Kavango people live in the north of Namibia and are traditionally attached to the skill of woodcarving. They usually start carving during childhood already. In our case the carvings are created by four naturally talented Kavango woodcarvers. These rather unique and indigenous artworks have received recognition and won awards at various Namibian National Art Competitions. Our artwork ranges from fine art to abstract sculptures which reflect the African spirit, and is enjoyed and appreciated by collectors and individuals throughout the world.
ARTISTIC ROOT CARVINGS
The wood carvers of Tikoloshe Afrika do not hesitate to work the hardest wood there is. Therefore they rely on the best tools made of first grade steel and professional quality appliances imported from overseas. Knives are used for fine carving by hand. But most tasks are done by specific carving tools like gouches and rubber hammers. By far the most popular tool is the straight-forward grinding machine. A variety of different grinding heads can be applied to suit the job. Square grinders and drilling machines can be put to good use, too. Finally the carvers work with chainsaws of varying sizes.
PROVIDED BY NATURE
Tikoloshe Afrika produces artistic wood sculptures – from ten centimeters to ten meters in size, carved from weathered, dry roots and tree trunks, some of which are thousands of years old. The wood is mostly collected in the semi-desert and northern areas of Namibia. On the following pages we would like to introduce you to a selection of the types of wood we use.
MOPANE
(Colophospermum mopane)/ Omusati
Most of our carvings are made of this wood, very heavy, dark red-brown wood with a yellowish ring on the outside. Weathered, fine outer root structure. The collected root, with its own form, is exported worldwide. It is excellent for flower arrangements and especially as decoration. Because the wood does not get rotten and release any color into the water due to its hardness, it is particularly suitable as ornamental aquarium wood. The water remains crystal clear and the root sinks to the ground due to its weight.
LEADWOOD
(Combretum imberbe) Omumborombonga
Hereros and Ovambos see the tree as the source of life from which the first humans, cattle, sheep and wild animals originated.
Weight: Exceptionally heavy wood; sinks in water. When you hit a big piece with a hammer, it sounds like metal: Ironwood.
Color: dark brown, outside yellowish-beige.
Growth: Looks dead in dry areas during the winter months, but sprouts again in the rainy season and gets small green leaves.
TAMBOTIE
(Spirostachys africana) / Orupapa
Up to eight meters high, straight growing tree. Tambuti is preferred for fence posts. The wood has a strong, unmistakable smell. Freshly cut, a poisonous, milky juice escapes. The eyes of the carver also begin to water when working on the dry root. Because of the poisonous vapors it is not suitable as barbeque firewood. Tambuti is a heavy, firm wood of medium brown color with a smoky, grey-black grain.
CAMEL THORN
(Acacia erioloba) / Omumbonde
Typical Namibian tree (German South West Song). Excellent for smoking and grilling (Braaivleis). Very heavy, brittle wood. Mainly suitable for large and compact carvings. Color: dark red core, light yellow outside, nearly the same like Mopane. All of the wood has an ivory grain.
MUSTARD TREE
(Salvadora persica) / Kangongo
Also known as curry bush, because the small, slightly orange seeds smell like it and are edible. Color: Red-grey to pink wood with a grey weathered, rough exterior structure. Partially wart-like. Lion bush is a rather soft, light wood, which can also beworked well with a knife.
WORM-CURE ALBIZIA
(Albizia anthelmintica) / Aru
The finely grated bark is used to treat stomach worms in humans and animals. It is a light yellow wood with a mostly small red core and various red inclusions. Because it is a very soft wood, it’s easy to work with the knife.
ROSE GUM
Eukaliptus
Introduced from Australia for the production of straight, fast-growing wood. Used as support wood in the mine shafts of Tsumeb. Needs a lot of water and is therefore nowadays partly deforested again. Rarely in Australia nowadays, asitis preferably used in furniture processing. Red wood with star-shaped cracks from the centre. Large logs are excellent for groups of chairs, tables and tabletops.
PROSOPIS TREE
Prosopis (Prosopis chilensis)
Introduced by Mexico because of its nutritious, sweet pods for use mainly as animal feed, especially in dry seasons. The wood is very resistant and an excellent shade. Unfortunately, it displaces the native vegetation. The middle brown core has a strong yellow border. It is a very tough wood and is therefore preferred in America for rifle stocks. Prosopis chilensis was brought from South America to South West Africa in 1912 by the German government botanist Kurt Dinter. It is fought today as well as eucalyptus because of its enormous water consumption.
Resorts, Hotels, Casinos and Restaurants to reopen. Sun International welcomes the announcement by the President to reopen its Resorts, Hotels, Casinos and Restaurants. Anthony Leeming, Sun International CEO said, “Once government has announced the dates we will stagger the reopening of our properties across the country. Our leisure attractions, golf courses and swimming pools will also reopen subject to necessary regulatory guidance. “We have put in place world class health and safety protocols which are considerably beyond what is required. Our properties will observe strict head counts and social distancing rules. “Prior to the lockdown, we had introduced social distancing queue management, while every alternative seat at our casino slot machines and tables was removed to create space between customers. Our restaurant layouts were also reconfigured to increase space between tables and meet head count limits. We had also introduced stringent and comprehensive cleaning, sanitising and front and back-of-house food handling and housekeeping procedures. These measures have now been further amplified across all areas of our properties countrywide. “Once we reopen, we will conduct temperature tests for all customers at our hospitality, leisure and gaming operations, and all guests will need to complete a medical screening questionnaire on arrival at hotels, and in advance for casino visitors. For the foreseeable future, only members of our loyalty programme - our Most Valued Guests (MVGs) - will be allowed access onto the casino floor. It will be mandatory for all visitors to wear cloth masks at all times. “After an extended lockdown, we have put every measure in place to welcome our first guests back to our properties, and we will do everything required and more to keep them safe while they enjoy themselves.”
Solitaire Guest Farm is located in Solitaire, Namibia, between
wide open plains of the Namib Desert and rugged granite mountains where you will
find a little oasis with friendly Namibian hospitality. It is the perfect
place to relax for a few days or stop over en-route to Sossusvlei, Sesriem
Canyon, the Namib-Naukluft Park or coastal towns of Walvis Bay and
Swakopmund.
Relax in our swimming pool
with stunning views over the desert, admire the nature on a walk or sunset
drive and enjoy real farm cuisine.
Experience Africa's wilderness and game on a
"Night Drive" and visit the miraculous mountain that looks like a human
skull. You also can do day trips to the Sesriem Canyon/Sossusvlei, the
Naukluft Mountains and
the three passes, Spreetshoogte, Remhoogte and
Gamsberg.
