#4: [16-Dec-20]

#3: [25-Jul-09]

08-Apr-2004 -- Brian Roberts, wife Renate, son Eamon, accompanied by Benestus Tjivinde who was from the nearby village of Omihana visited this Confluence on April 8, 2004. It was the beginning of the Easter long-weekend and we were on our way to the Etosha game park in northern Namibia. We travelled by Land Rover from Walvis Bay northwards and past the small village of Uis.

To the west we could see the Brandberg, the highest mountain group in Namibia (2579 m). This area in the central western highlands of Namibia is known as Damaraland and is situated in the Erongo region. A very beautiful, semi-arid grassland area with small hills, rocky outcrops and scattered small trees. Sparsely populated with small rural settlements consisting of small dwellings built of homemade bricks and corrugated iron, and enclosures for cattle and goats. As we approached the area it was mid-afternoon and dark rain clouds were visible to the North. We approached from the Northeast in order to reach the small Omihana village. There we stopped to make contact with the landowner in order to obtain permission to visit the Confluence. A young woman directed us to a building were we met Benestus. We explained the purpose of our visit to him and he offered to accompany us.

On the way we met the landowner Matheus Kuvare, who is a well-known and respected traditional healer. Benestus requested his permission for us to proceed and from there we drove a few kilometres to the West where we reached 21 degrees south. We then advanced on foot in a northerly direction. As we approached the Confluence, it began to rain.

We reached 21S 15E at 16h38 on April 8, 2004. There was a large bull grazing nearby but fortunately he proved to be harmless. We took the necessary photographs and then sprinted back to our vehicle as it began to rain more heavily.

Back at the settlement we were taken to the humble dwelling of the traditional healer Matheus. By now it was raining heavily. The interior was pitch dark and smoke-filled. There was a small fire burning inside near the door with several children huddled around it. Benestus acted as interpreter. It was strange to hold a conversation with someone I could not see. I thanked him for allowing us to access his land. He told me that many people came to him for assistance from all over Namibia. It also came out that the community needed a building to be used as a clinic. I suggested that he write me a letter outlining his needs and that I would pass it on to donor organizations.

When we left, it was getting dark and still raining. The nearest place to overnight was the small village of Uis about 40 km away where we camped (and celebrated!) in pouring rain.