Act now for Tomorrow

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Schweiz
Volketswil
Act now for Tomorrow

The non-profit association has been in existence since 2024 and started its activities in 2016 as a private initiative.
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There are plans to convert it into a foundation at a later date (the Facebook name has therefore already been secured). "Act now for tomorrow" is not yet a foundation but a non profit association and we would like to set up a foundation as soon as possible. "Act now for tomorrow" is a private initiative by Stephan Stamm (born 1963, von Schleitheim, in Volketswil, Switzerland) that supports humanit

arian and nature-related projects. All donations forwarded to the association are used 100% goal-oriented in the projects.

«Act now for tomorrow» ist noch keine Stiftung, sondern ein gemeinnütziger Verein. Wir möchten so bald wie möglich eine Stiftung gründen. «Act now for tomorrow» ist heute eine private Initiative von Stephan Stamm (Jg 1963, von Schleitheim, in Volketswil, Schweiz) die humanitäre und naturbezogene Projekte unterstützt. Alle an den gemeinnützigen Verein weitergeleiteten Spenden werden zu 100% zielorientiert in den Projekten eingesetzt.

04/09/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆?

𝘽𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙧 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙝é𝙨

When people think of the Himba, they often picture women with shimmering red skin, elaborate hairstyles and traditional jewellery. Yet the Himba are far more than just a popular photographic subject. They are a people with a rich culture and an impressive understanding of life in one of Africa’s driest regions.

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

The Himba traditionally make their living from livestock farming. Cattle and goats are not only their livelihood but also an important part of their cultural identity. Over generations, they have learnt to make use of waterholes, grazing lands and weather signs to survive even under difficult conditions.
Their close connection to nature continues to shape their everyday lives to this day.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The well-known red Otjize paste, made from butterfat and ochre, is not only used for personal hygiene but is also an expression of beauty and cultural identity. Hairstyles and jewellery, too, tell stories about age, marital status and social role.

At the same time, the Himba do not live outside the modern world. Many families use mobile phones, children attend school, and communities are finding their own way between tradition and progress.

Anyone who really wants to get to know the Himba must therefore look beyond the familiar images – and will discover people who proudly preserve their culture whilst remaining open to the future.

𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁

Every Friday, I’ll be sharing my experiences and encounters in the Kunene region of Namibia with you. In the next post, we’ll get to know the Zemba – a little-known ethnic group from the Kunene region who form an important part of Namibia’s cultural diversity.

28/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗼?

𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮, 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚

Anyone travelling through the Kunene region will encounter them sooner or later: the Herero. With their rich cultural heritage, distinctive clothing and strong sense of community, they are among Namibia’s best-known ethnic groups.

Yet behind their colourful garments lies far more than just an impressive tradition. The history of the Herero is marked by genocide, resilience, solidarity and a remarkable pride in their own identity.

𝗔 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀

The Herero have lived in southern Africa for centuries and are closely linked to cattle farming. Cattle continue to play a central role in their culture to this day and are regarded not only as economic assets but also as symbols of prosperity, prestige and family bonds.

The Herero language, Otjiherero, is still spoken by many people and is an important part of their cultural identity. Knowledge is passed down from generation to generation through stories, songs and oral traditions.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝘆

The traditional dresses worn by many Herero women are particularly well known. These long, colourful dresses, with their distinctive headdresses, are far more than just clothing – they are an expression of culture, history and pride.

Despite modern influences, many Herero have preserved their traditions. Family cohesion, respect for elders and close ties to the community continue to play an important role in everyday life.
In a rapidly changing world, the Herero demonstrate how cultural heritage can be preserved without losing sight of the future.

𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁

Every Friday, I’ll be sharing my experiences and encounters in the Kunene region of Namibia with you. When people talk about the peoples of the Kunene region, the Himba are often the focus of attention. But who are the Himba really? In the next post, we’ll take a look beyond the familiar images and discover the fascinating culture of a people who are closely connected to nature and their traditions.

21/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗞𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲

𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨, 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨.

Many people travel to Kunene to see spectacular landscapes, learn about Himba culture or experience authentic Namibia. Yet they often take home far more than just fond memories and impressive photographs.

Kunene has a special ability to make people reflect. The vastness of the landscape, the simplicity of life and the close connection between people and nature often change one’s perspective on one’s own priorities.

𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆

Visitors often say that they were particularly struck by the warmth of the people. Despite the challenges of everyday life, many communities greet strangers with openness, hospitality and curiosity.

Volunteers who spend several weeks or months in the region often report a key realisation: happiness does not necessarily depend on material wealth. Community, solidarity and mutual support play a central role in Kunene and leave a lasting impression on many. The Kunene region and its people have also made a deep impression on the author of this series of articles, and he is now committed to working alongside the local population to improve their living conditions.

Some people come for just a few days – and still think back on those encounters years later.

𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

In a world often characterised by hustle and bustle, consumerism and constant change, Kunene feels like a world apart. Here, nature, the seasons and community set the rhythm of life.

Many travellers return with a new appreciation for things that are often taken for granted in everyday life: clean water, time with family, or the importance of genuine human relationships.

Perhaps this is why Kunene has such a lasting effect on people. Not because the region provides answers to all questions, but because it invites you to ask the right questions.

𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁

Every Friday, I’ll be sharing my experiences and encounters in the Kunene region of Namibia with you. Having explored the landscapes and unique features of the Kunene region, we now turn our attention to the people themselves. We begin with one of Namibia’s best-known ethnic groups.

In the next post, we’ll find out: Who are the Herero? A journey through history, tradition and cultural pride.

14/08/2026

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.

In the Kunene region, there are no four distinct seasons as there are in Europe. Here, life is governed by two decisive forces: rain and drought. Whether a season will be good or difficult often depends on just a few clouds on the horizon.

For the people of the region, the weather is far more than just a topic of conversation. It influences when animals are led to new grazing grounds, how much water is available, and whether families can look to the future with optimism.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲

After months of drought, the first rains often transform the landscape within a matter of days. Dry plains turn into green pastures, waterholes fill up, and the animals once again find plenty of food.

This time brings hope. Herds recover, plants grow and communities can breathe a sigh of relief. Every rainfall is seen as a gift from nature, for no one knows exactly when the next one will come.

Knowledge of weather signs and seasons has therefore been passed down through the generations and is one of the most important skills of the people of Kunene.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁

When the rain fails to come, difficult times begin. Waterholes dry up, pastureland becomes scarce, and both people and animals often have to travel long distances. Periods of drought have always been part of life in the region, but many people report that they are becoming more frequent and lasting longer.

Despite these challenges, the communities have learnt to cope with the vagaries of nature. Flexibility, experience and solidarity help them to weather even the most difficult years.

In Kunene, it is not the clock that sets the rhythm of life, but nature itself. Those who live here know that every season brings its own challenges – and its own opportunities.

𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁

Every Friday, I’ll be sharing my experiences and encounters in the Kunene region of Namibia with you. Kunene leaves a lasting impression on many visitors. But what makes this region so special that it captivates people from all over the world? In the next post, we’ll explore why Kunene changes people.

07/08/2026

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗲

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩.

In many parts of the world, all it takes is a turn of the tap for fresh water to flow. In the Kunene region, the reality is quite different. Here, water cannot be taken for granted – it is the most precious treasure of all.

Every drop counts. For in a landscape characterised by drought, heat and erratic rainfall, water often determines whether people, animals and entire communities can survive.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅𝗶𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲

For many families, the day begins with a trek to the nearest water source. Sometimes it is only a few minutes away, but often several kilometres. Water sources become scarce, particularly during periods of drought, and the search for sufficient water dominates daily life.

Water is also vital for the herds of the Himba and Herero. Cattle, goats and sheep are not just livestock, but the foundation of many families’ livelihoods. If a spring runs dry, people and animals often have to travel long distances to reach new water sources.

That is why every spring is protected, maintained and treated with great respect.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲

In Kunene, water means far more than simply quenching thirst. It represents health, food, prosperity and the future. Where there is water, animals can graze, families can live and communities can thrive.

At the same time, increasing aridity highlights just how fragile this balance is. Droughts are becoming more frequent, and rainfall more unpredictable. This makes sustainable solutions that secure long-term access to water all the more important.

In Kunene, water serves as a daily reminder of how closely life and nature are intertwined. Here, water is not simply a raw material – it is the foundation of all life.

𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁

Every Friday, I’ll be sharing my experiences and encounters in the Kunene region of Namibia with you. How do people live in a region where rain can determine whether they prosper or suffer hardship? In the next post, we’ll find out how the seasons dictate the rhythm of life in Kunene and why the people there have learnt to live with the vagaries of nature.

31/07/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗱𝘀

How people and animals have been travelling through the landscape for generations.

Anyone travelling through the Kaokoveld often searches in vain for roads, signposts or maps that mark every path. And yet invisible paths criss-cross the landscape – routes that have been used by people and livestock for generations.

For the Himba and Herero, mobility is an important part of life. Rain falls irregularly, waterholes dry up and grazing lands are constantly changing. To provide for their cattle, goats and sheep, families must remain flexible and adapt to the conditions of nature.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀

What appears to outsiders as an endless wilderness is, for the local people, a familiar network of waterholes, grazing lands and traditional paths. Knowledge of this landscape is passed down through the generations. Elders often know the landscape down to the smallest detail and know where to find water or fodder even in dry spells.

These paths connect not only places, but also families, communities and traditions.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

The nomads’ routes do not follow a fixed plan. They are determined by rain, drought and the needs of the animals. Sometimes families stay in one place for months; at other times, they move on as soon as resources become scarce.

This way of life demands adaptability, patience and a deep understanding of nature – qualities that continue to shape the lives of many people in the Kunene region to this day.

The nomads’ hidden paths therefore tell not only of movement, but also of a centuries-old connection between people, animals and the landscape.

𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁

Every Friday, I’ll be sharing my experiences and encounters in the Kunene region of Namibia with you. On their journeys, people often follow the region’s most precious commodity: water. In the next article, we’ll discover why water in Kunene is far more than just a resource and why it determines life, community and the future.

24/07/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗮𝗼𝗸𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗱 – 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜

Vast plains, dry riverbeds and rugged mountain landscapes – the Kaokoveld in north-western Namibia is one of Africa’s most unspoilt and sparsely populated regions (1 person per 2 square kilometres). Once you leave the last tarmac roads behind, you are immersed in a world where nature sets the pace and distances take on a whole new meaning.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Decades of isolation have helped to ensure that the cultures of the Himba, Herero and Zemba have remained alive to this day.

Traditional knowledge of livestock farming, water sources and life in an arid environment is passed down from generation to generation.
For many visitors, it is precisely this unspoilt authenticity that makes the Kaokoveld so special. Here, life still seems to be closely linked to the rhythms of nature.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Yet this remoteness also has its downsides. Schools, medical care and shopping facilities are often a long way away. Long journeys and difficult conditions are part of everyday life for many families.

This is precisely why people face the challenge of reconciling progress with tradition. New opportunities through education and infrastructure are important, whilst at the same time cultural values and ways of life must be preserved.

The Kaokoveld impressively demonstrates that isolation can be both a source of protection and a challenge. It has preserved unique cultures and continues to shape the lives of the people in this extraordinary region to this day.

𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁

Every Friday, I’ll be sharing my experiences and encounters in the Kunene region of Namibia with you. In the next part of our journey, we’ll follow the traditional routes of shepherds and nomads. How do people and livestock find their way through a landscape with hardly any roads? The answer lies in knowledge that has been passed down through the generations.

17/07/2026

𝗢𝗽𝘂𝘄𝗼 – 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁

Anyone travelling through the Kunene region is bound to come across Opuwo. The regional capital is the economic and cultural hub. Yet Opuwo is far more than just a stop-off point for travellers – it is a place where worlds that could hardly be more different come together.

On the streets, you’ll encounter traditional Himba women with intricately plaited hair and red otjize paste, as well as young people with smartphones, businesspeople and schoolchildren in uniform. It is precisely this diversity that makes Opuwo one of Namibia’s most fascinating places.

𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

In the Herero language, the name ‘Opuwo’ roughly means ‘end’ or ‘this far’. For a long time, the town marked the end of the paved roads and served as the gateway to the remote Kaokoveld.

Today, the Himba, Herero and other ethnic groups live and work here side by side. Traditional products are sold in the markets, whilst modern shops, banks and government offices can be found just a few steps away. This cultural diversity makes Opuwo a vibrant reflection of the entire Kunene region.

𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀

Hardly anywhere else in Namibia is social change as visible as it is here. Many families preserve their traditional ways of life, whilst modern technologies and new educational opportunities are making their way into the community.

Young people attend school, use social media and plan for their future, yet often remain closely connected to their families and cultural roots. For many, this means striking a balance between tradition and modernity on a daily basis.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲

For many people from the surrounding villages, Opuwo is a place of hope. Schools, healthcare, job opportunities and access to information connect the region’s remote communities with the rest of Namibia and the world. Anyone visiting Opuwo therefore experiences not just a town, but a place of transition between the past and the future.

𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸

In the next post, we’ll explore the Kaokoveld, one of Africa’s most unspoilt and least developed landscapes, characterised by vast expanses, wilderness and adventure.

10/07/2026

𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿

The Kunene region in north-western Namibia is a land of contrasts. On the one hand, the landscape is characterised by arid plains, rocky mountains and vast deserts; on the other, the Kunene River flows through the region as a lifeline. Between these extremes, the Herero, Himba and Zemba have lived for generations – communities that have adapted to the challenges of their environment.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲

Rain is rare and unpredictable in Kunene. Waterholes dry up, grazing lands change, and people must adapt flexibly to the conditions of nature. This life of uncertainty has been part of everyday existence for centuries.

What often appears barren and inhospitable to visitors is a familiar habitat for the inhabitants. Their knowledge of water sources, weather signs and the needs of their animals is passed down from generation to generation. Nature sets the rhythm, which the people respect and live by.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲

Whilst large parts of the region are characterised by drought, the Kunene River provides water, food and the means of livelihood. Plants grow along its banks, animals find habitats, and people are able to provide for their families and herds of livestock.

However, the river is far more than just a source of water. It symbolises hope, stability and the future. Particularly in times of increasing drought, it becomes clear just how valuable this lifeline is to the region.

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Life between the desert and the river has shaped the people of Kunene. Water is used wisely, community is highly valued, and nature is seen not as an adversary but as a partner.

This close connection to the environment remains the foundation of many traditions and ways of life to this day. It shows that strength often lies in adapting to circumstances rather than fighting against them.

𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸

In the next post, we visit Opuwo, the capital of the Kunene region. There, centuries-old traditions meet modern influences, showing how Namibia is changing without losing its roots.

03/07/2026

𝗞𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗲 – 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

When people think of Namibia, they usually think of Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park or Swakopmund. In the far north-west, however, lies a region that even many Namibia connoisseurs know only superficially: Kunene.

Here, the tarmac road often ends sooner than expected, and mobile phone reception becomes the exception rather than the rule. Nestled between rugged mountains, endless plains and dry riverbeds lies one of Africa’s most unspoilt and remote landscapes. You don’t simply visit Kunene – you experience it.

𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀

Covering over 115,000 square kilometres, Kunene is Namibia’s second-largest region. To the north, the Kunene River forms the border with Angola; to the west, the rugged Skeleton Coast meets the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Opuwo, the economic and cultural centre of the north-west.

The diversity of the landscape is particularly impressive. Within a matter of hours, rocky mountains, dry river valleys and mist-shrouded stretches of coastline give way to one another. The area, also known as the Kaokoveld or Kaokoland, is one of the most remote regions in southern Africa.

Anyone travelling through the Kaokoveld should be well prepared. Fuel, water and food for several days are essential. For 4x4 enthusiasts, the notorious Van Zyl’s Pass is considered the ultimate challenge, whilst many other routes are accessible even with less capable vehicles.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲

Unlike many regions of Namibia, Kunene is scarcely affected by agriculture, towns or major infrastructure. Water is scarce, distances are vast, and nature dictates the rhythm of life. Many rivers only carry water after rare rainfall. The Kunene River is the vital exception.

It is precisely this remoteness that has preserved a unique wildlife. Desert elephants roam through dry riverbeds, whilst rhinos and giraffes have adapted to the extreme conditions over the centuries.

𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸

Every Friday, I’ll share my experiences and encounters with you, including my work as the international director of the Himba Eco-Village aid project in the Kunene region of Namibia. In the next instalment, you’ll discover how the desert and the Kunene River form stark contrasts, and why people nevertheless do not live solely along the river.

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