REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA OFFICE OF THE JUDICIARY WELCOME TO NAMIBIA INTERNATIONAL VISITORS INFORMATION GUIDE
REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA OFFICE OF THE JUDICIARY The Vision To be a world class leader in judicial excellence The Mission "To uphold the Constitution and to promote the rule of law through administering justice in a fair, timely, accountable and accessible manner The Core Values Justice for all Unyielding independence Service orientated Timeliness Integrity Competence Excellence
1. FACTS ABOUT NAMIBIA The Republic of Namibia is a country in Southern Africa. The Atlantic Ocean forms the western and the Kalahari desert part of the eastern boundaries of Namibia. In the south the Orange River and in the north the Kunene River are the natural borders to neighboring countries. Namibia shares borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. With an area of approximately 824.000 square km, in context, Namibia is more than tripple the size of Great Britain. The north-to-south length of the country is 1500 km, while the east-to-west width is around 600 kilometers in the south and 1100 kilometers in the north. The dry lands of Namibia have been inhabited since early times by Bushmen, Damara, and Namaqua, and since about the 14th century AD by immigrating Bantu who came with the Bantu expansion. It became a German Imperial protectorate in 1884 and remained a German colony until the end of World War I. In 1920, the League of Nations mandated the country to South Africa, which imposed its laws and from 1948, its apartheid policy. In 1966, uprisings and demands by African leaders led the United Nations to assume direct responsibility over the territory. It recognized the South West Africa People s Organization (SWAPO) as the official representative of the Namibian people in 1973. Namibia, however, remained under South African administration during this time. Following internal violence, South Africa installed an interim administration in Namibia in 1985. Finally, on March 21, 1990, Namibia gained independence from South Africa following the Namibian War of Independence. Namibia is a member state of the United Nations (UN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the Commonwealth of Nations. Namibia has a population of 2.1 million people and a stable multi-party parliamentary democracy. Agriculture, cattle farming, tourism and the mining industry, including mining for gems, diamonds, uranium, gold, silver, and base metals form the backbone of Namibia's economy. It is the second least densely populated country in the world, after Mongolia. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/namibia http://www.namibia-travel.net/namibia/geography.htm
Although Swakopmund is considered a holiday coastal town, the weather is often unpredictable and one needs to expect very misty, very cold and wet temperatures". Warm clothing is strongly advisable i.e. jerseys, sweaters and jackets, of course ensure to bring along beach shorts and sandals, just in case Mostly high plateau (altitude of Windhoek is 1650m); Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east. Ethnic Groups 86% Black, 6.6% White, 7.4% Mixed. About 50% of the black population belongs to the Ovambo and 9% to the Kavango groups. Other ethnic groups include Herero with approx. 7%, the Damara 7 %, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San or Khoikhoi 3%, Baster 2% and Tswana 0.5%. English (official), Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, Nama Christianity Coastal Climate Country Terrain Ethnic Groups Major Languages Major Religions City and Economy Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. Windhoek is the social, economic, and cultural centre of the country.
Currency The Namibian currency is called Namibian Dollar (NAD). It is tied to the South African Rand. You can pay with South African Rands in all of Namibia. Please note that you, however, are not able to pay with Namibian Dollars in South Africa. Exchange Rates DESCRIPTION CODE BANK SELLING RATE Euro EUR 16.243825 Pound Sterling GBP 18.388147 US Dollar USD 13.736850 Rates of the day https://www.fnbnamibia.com.na/rates/forex/forexrates.html
2. MEDICAL AND ACCIDENT INSURANCES Visitors are advised and or required to obtain travel insurance from their respective country of residence. Travel insurance can be purchased as an additional to flight tickets. Please contact your travel agent and health care provider before travelling to Namibia. 3. VACCINATIONS For health tips and vaccinations please visit the website of www.safetravel.ch. No vaccinations are required for Namibia. Nevertheless, it is recommended to have the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Polio, Tetanus. 4. ESSENTIAL ITEMS YOU MAY WANT TO CARRY WITH YOU. Laptop, USB stick, overhead slides etc General travel documentation/preparation Valid passport according to regulations (valid at least until six months after assignment) Airplane tickets and travel information Payment means (maestro card, credit card, USD or EURO to change into Namibian Dollars in Windhoek) Vaccination book Clothes etc according to season and leisure plans in Namibia Personal medicines Warm clothing and shoes for winter/cooler months (May - October) Appropriate equipment for excursions activities (hiking shoes, sport shoes, backpack, etc.) Travel guide Camera, binoculars
5. UPON ARRIVAL Personnel from the VIP Protocol and Office of the Judiciary staff will be deployed at the airport to guide you through the immigration process. The personnel will further assist with luggage retrieval from the baggage carousel. It is strongly advised that you confirm your arrival details with the Office of the Judiciary before departing your respective home country to avoid any delays upon your arrival at the Walvis Bay International Airport. Unless already communicated, all delegates will be provided with details of their booked accommodation upon arrival. Delegates will be hosted at the following establishments: Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre - www.swakopmundhotel.com Seaside Hotel and Spa - Skype Name: seaside.hotel.and.spa Zum Kaiser - www.hotelzumkaiser.com All conference delegates are solely responsible for accommodation ( if not sponsored) and additional personal costs for example but not limited to the following: Telephone Room Service Laundry Bar Beverages 6. YOUR ACCOMMODATION
7. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Mobile/Cell Phone: It is advised that you verify with your respective service provider for usage of your mobile phone in Namibia. For ease of convenience, the Office of the Judiciary will ensure that a local service provider is available at the conference venue to assist all visiting delegates with cellular mobile access. Money: The South African Rand is permitted as a legal currency in Namibia at the exchange rate of 1:1, thus no need to exchange. Please note that the US Dollar is not a legal tender in Namibia, thus it is advised that all visiting delegates exchange currencies into Namibia Dollars or South African Rands. Banks: In Swakopmund the branches are open between 7.30h/8.00h and 13.00h and 14.00h-15.30h. Some are open from 8.00h-13.00 on Saturdays. 8. SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT Opening Hours Shops Depending on the size and location of shops they are open anything from 6 hours to 24 hours a day. The so-called "Portuguese Stores" are generally open longer hours. The malls are also open on Sundays, as well as the larger supermarkets. These are open daily from at least 8h00-19h00. Shops/ Malls are generally open Monday to Friday from 9h00 until 18h00 and Saturday from 9h00-17h00. Please note that no alcohol may be bought on weekends after 13h00 from Saturday till Monday 08h00 am Shopping Malls: PlatzAmMeer Shopping Mall: C/O Tsavorite & Albatros Street Vineta North - +264 812960239 Open until 19h00 Super Spar Swakopmund Shopping Mall: Mandume ya Ndemufayo Avenue +264 64-415400 Open until 20h00 Woerman & Brock Swakopmund Shoping Mall: Tobias Hainyeko Street +264 814784733 Open until 18h00
9. RESTAURANTS Tug Restaurant - The Wreck Restaurant Village Cafe The Raft www.the-tug.com www.the-wreck.com www.villagecafenamibia.com www.theraftrestaurant.com/restaurant-swakopmund.html 10. USEFUL TIPS Voltage: 220 volts, very stable. Adapters are available at local super markets and support staff of the Judiciary would be able to assist.
10. IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION Ms Taimi Itembu Mrs. Yvette Husselmann Mrs. Selma Mwaetako PA to Permanent Secretary Chief Public Relations Public Relations Officer Landline Landline Landline: +264 61 435 3405 +264 61 435 3411 +264 61 4353470 Mobile Mobile Mobile +264 85 631 6334 +264 81 127 4440 +264 81 145 5850 Email: pa.ps@jud.gov.na Email: cpro@jud.gov.na Email: pro@jud.gov.na Transport Coordinators Mr. Oscar Kanovengi + 264 81 764 2393 Mrs. Ndapandula Nghaamwa +264 81 449 0651 Emergency Medical Contacts Police +264 64 41 5000 (24hrs) Traffic +264 64 41 5060 Ambulance +264 64 410 6000 Emed 24 +264 61 41 1600 Cottage Medi-Clinic Hospital Phone number :+264 64 412 200