Staff Reporter
DRY riverbeds that for years have not held a drop of water in the far Northwest to the deep South are now a spectacle of Namibia that will pull Namibians with an irresistible force toward the desert landscape.
The national pilgrimage will from this weekend turn little stopovers like Solitaire, Outjo, Kamanjab, Sesriem, Khorixas, Uis, Bullspoort, Nauchas and the lodges of the Namib desert into mini towns as Namibians follow the waters as they did for generations when the rain falls in the mountains of the central and southern plateau and run desert ways.
Northwards towards Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Outjo, Kamanjab and Oshivelo the Omajova harvesters will wave the mysterious Omajova – the legendary mushroom (fungus) of the anthills – as irresistible delicacy to travellers passing by the Omatako’s that are the permanent beacon to the North.
The artists and handicraft workers of Omaruru will spring to life and the farmstalls and vendors at service stations will show off their wares, because with the rain comes Namibian travelling.
The Gamsberg Passes will be challenged by the brave to witness the silver streams of water lining from Otjivasandu and the Dolomite area, and the spectacular falls from the rock faces of the Khomas Hochland. To the deeper South where water from the mountains cuts its course through the notorious thirst land. The roaring waters tame the myths of thirst that gave birth to the fearsome Skeleton Coast where the skeletons of men and animals prove its deadly hostility.
Alwyn van Zijl, with the help of various contributors of social media platforms, gives Namibians a glimpse into the corners of the country that Namibians would not have been aware of was it not for the rapid advancement in communication technology.
It is expected that the next three days and the next two months will be extremely wet. Travellers should remain extremely careful as flash floods can happen at any time, coming down from the deep gorges in the foreboding wilderness – the mountains of Namibia with its steep cliff faces and ruggedness that the casual observer will admire but the brave will respect.
Travellers are requested to mail their videos and pictures of rain celebrations to editor@tgh.na or via WhatsApp on +264 81 122 5064
