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Flying hair, sweaty bodies, screaming guitars, thundering drums, fans wearing black shirts playing imaginary guitar solos, gothic looking girls, leather clad guys, smoke billowing from the stage and happy faces all around. This is not the scene of a rock show in Europe or America, but the eye of the storm of the annual Windhoek Metal Fest, the only international heavy metal festival hosted in Namibia (or Africa for that matter, with the notable exception of South Africa). “Although people wouldn’t associate a country with Namibia with metal music, there has always been a small but vibrant scene here. It is definitely gaining traction and it’s adding a very unique flavour to the cultural spectrum in this country”, says Sven Heussen, guitarist of the Windhoek-based band subMission. “Hosting the Metal Fest is a great honour for us and we’re definitely providing something that goes way beyond the standard run-ofthe-mill entertainment options in Namibia.” On the 27 th of June the third rendition of the Fest will take place at the Blitzkrieg Bar in Windhoek with a diverse line-up of local and regional bands eager to rock the socks off Namibian music fans. The fact that subMission has reached an international audience by means of savvy internet promotion and overseas interest in their latest releases has culminated recently in a fullpage profile of the band in Germany’s Metal Hammer magazine, one of Europe’s biggest selling music publications. “This has real- Namibia 09/KAL/029 ly put our band and the local metal scene on the map. Fans and bands from all corners of the World are getting in touch and have taken an interest”, says Willie Grobler, the front man of the group. “The next step for us now is to secure a distribution deal for our next recording, which should be out in August, latest.” Another important milestone will be the performance of the band at the Metal 4 Africa festival in Stellenbosch, South Africa on August 1. “Although metal is normally associated with Western culture, it is primarily a musical style for individualistic people who appreciate the art of musicianship and lyrical content that challenges the norm. In this respect white and black metal heads have a lot in common and this commonness is celebrated together at the shows.” According to the band one very important factor for musicians and fans alike, is the fact that metal music is 100% organic. As opposed to other genres no playbacks or electronic “ghost musicians” are utilized giving metal shows an authentic energetic and high-energy vibe that is very unique. The musicians playing in subMission have along history of involvement in the local and regional rock scene and played in pre- Namibia is unique among nations, and Kalahari Sands among hotels. To celebrate our pride, we’re offering Namibians a whopping 70% discount on luxurious accommodation! Plus, this includes our world-renowned Dunes breakfast buffet! * For more information, please contact Reservations at 061 280 0000 * Terms & conditions apply. Subject to availability. vious bands such as Arcana XXII (Namibia) and Mjollnir (South Africa). It is their absolute devotion to this style of music that has seen them through despite minimal support from radio, for example. “Local radio is still playing it safe and they’re absolutely underestimating the interest in metal, especially amongst the kids. As long as we play live and keep it interesting there will be a very nice niche market for us. The print-media helps a lot and we’ve had no problems getting corporate sponsorships for events like the Metal Fest. Also, the internet has leveled the playing field, everyone who’s interested can have access to our music”, says Stefan Steyn, also guitar player in subMission. subMission is by no means the only metal band active in Namibia at this point in time. Others include the party metallers Delusions of Grandeur, as well as the more extreme sounding acts Fading Reign and Fallen Nemesis. These bands all have their own individual style and add to the vibrancy of this unique scene on the southern tip of Africa. You can find out more about subMission and Namibian metal at: www.submission-band. com or http://www.myspace.com/submissionnamibia or visit the submissionaries group on facebook. n Lothar & Klaus Roerkohl Postfach 525 Windhoek, Tel/Fax: 061-223500, Cell: 081-2616731 or 081-2684240, E-mail: roerkohl@lycos.com, Internet: roerkohl.com Maxwell St, Hyper City, Shop 25 Tel: 061-272871 • Fax: 061-243110 Email: dorganix@iway.na Willkommen im Außerhalb von Windhoek an der Straße zum Flughafen Das 100 Jahre alte Haus, original erhalten, in einem Weinberg gelegen, bietet 7 gemütliche, komfortable „en suite“ Gästezimmer. Liebevoll ausgestattet mit handgearbeiteten Möbeln und luxuriösen extra langen Betten, verfügen diese über Stil und Komfort, ebenso die angrenzenden, rahmenlos verglasten Bäder. Ihr freundlicher Briefmarken- und Münzhändler im Herzen Windhoeks, in der Post Street Mall, nahe des Glockenturms. Nur 2 km außerhalb von Windhoek erleben Sie hier sternenklare Nächte, hören Sie die Stimmen der Natur. Genießen Sie Ihr Frühstück auf unserem Aussichtsdeck mit Blick auf die umliegenden Berge. Gönnen Sie sich einen Sundowner oder ganz romantisch ein Glas Wein in unserer „Honest Bar“ im original erhaltenen Weinkeller. • Wir sind auch spezialisiert auf Konferenzen und Hochzeiten • Zur Verfügung stehen außerdem: Mini Bar • TV • Wäscheservice • Kaffee • Barbecue • internet • Tresor • sicheres Parken Ihre Gastgeber: Colin und Noelene Bassingthwaighte Tel. (061) 224 144, Fax. (061) 233 337 • Cell. 081 124 3620 or 081 273 9363 E-mail: info@vineyardcountrystay.com • www.vineyardcountrystay.com
Avis Dam: A sanctuary for animals, an oasis for city dwellers By Marc Springer When it comes to recreational areas, residents of Windhoek are not exactly spoilt for choice. Strictly speaking the only open space available, where inhabitants of the capital city can spend some leisure time in the outdoors is Avis Dam located on the outskirts of town in close proximity to the residential area of Avis. Completed by the former SWA Administration for the Windhoek municipality in 1933 the dam is nestled at the foothills of the Eros and Auas mountains, surrounded by gently sloping ridges and serves as a sanctuary for a variety of birds and mammals. The artificial lake not only attracts animals but is also the primary location for people looking for some relaxation in the open air and a place to go jogging, canoeing, fishing, cycling, bird watching, horse riding or walking the dog. Situated a mere five minute drive from the city centre in the direction of the international airport, the parking area next to the sluices of the dam is a testament to its popularity, being packed with cars over weekends and after office hours. The same applies to the second access point further South in the flood plain area close to the railway bridge which is a familiar beacon to regular visitors. The wetlands area around the dam is under the curatorship of the non-profit organization Friends of Avis (FoA), which is a subgroup of the umbrella body Greenspace, an organisation striving for the protection of open spaces and unproclaimed areas in urban areas. In keeping with its mission of establishing and maintaining greenbelts in Windhoek, Greenspace signed a 30 year lease agreement with the municipality in April 2000. In terms of this Avis Dam is a popular recreational area frequented mostly by people walking their dogs. 7 June 2009 agreement Greenspace assumed custody over the area based on a management plan detailing how it should be preserved in its natural state. Under these provisions no litter may be dumped or permanent structure erected at the site and vehicles are restricted to the parking terrain. Under the auspices of the FoA awareness campaigns relating to conservation of natural habitats were launched and fishing regulations drawn up. In addition the parking ground was upgraded and a security company appointed to ensure the safety of visitors. Security guards are on duty each day of the week at the parking site as well as several designated points along the main walking routes leading around the dam. They are in radio contact with each other and can involve ProForce or the City Police in case of emergency. Since these measures are rather costly the organisation introduced an entrance fee of five Dollars per vehicle. Member of Greenspace who are charged 500 Dollars for their affiliation to the organisation are exempted from this payment. The establishment of FoA in 1994 was prompted partly as a public response to concerns about possible building developments in the area as well as illegal wood cutting and poaching. While Greenspace is not opposed in principal to any commercial utilization of the land around Avis Dam, it is worried that any urbanization may lessen, damage or even destroy the unspoilt nature and aesthetic appeal of the locality or restrict public access to the site. The growing appeal of the dam is partly owed to the good rainfalls in the capital city ensuring that the artificial storage lake was filled above 60 percent of its capacity the last several years. Following an extended period where the dam was virtually empty, this has drawn over 180 bird species back to the area, among them Flamingos, African Fish Eagles, Great White Pelicans, Black Cormorants as well as a variety of Ducks and Geese. Furthermore the plentiful rain of the last few seasons has brought fish back to the dam, which in turn supports a variety of birds and draws the occasional angler to the water. The Avis Dam is not just a heaven for wildlife and an oasis for residents of Namibia’s capital city. It is above all the illustration of a symbiotic relationship between humans and there surrounding environment and as such an example of conservation in urban areas. n Additional Information: Greenspace: Tel: +264 61 - 225568 , Fax: +264 61 – 225678 Friends of Avis Dam: http://www.avisdam.org/index.html Dusk over the Avis Dam with the old pump station on the left. A panoramic view over the artificial lake with the dam wall on the right and the Auas Mountains in the background. • Photos: Marc Springer
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