Namibia - information for expat workers

Below are some interesting facts about Namibia and life in Namibia. We offer a full relocation support service for those expatriate workers that require settling in assistance as well as a work visa or permit.

Geography

The 34th largest country in the world Namibia is also the least densely populated country in the world with just 2.5 inhabitants per square kilometre.

South Africa borders Namibia to the South and South East and on the Eastern border to Botswana and Zimbabwe. The Northern neighbour is Angola and the South Atlantic Ocean on the west. The Caprivi Strip, a narrow extension of land in the extreme northeast, connects it to Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Capital

Located in central Namibia, Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia
Windhoek is the social, economic, and cultural centre of the country. With few exceptions every Namibian national enterprise, governmental body, educational and cultural institution is headquartered there.

Windhoek is the third-largest city in the world by area but has a population density of just 63 people per square kilometre.

Population

Just over 2.3 million people live in Nambia.

Language

There are over 30 listed languages in Namibia but English is the sole official language in the constitution.

Climate

A sun lovers paradise with over 300 days of sunshine per year. The rainy seasons fall in the summer months with a the larger rainy season from February to April and a smaller one from September to November. Temperatures can reach 35 degrees and average 30 degrees but winter nights can see it drop to just 1 degree.

Economy

With an estimated annual GDP per person of US$5,828 Namibia is classified as a middle income country but it also has extreme inequalities in income distribution.

The Namibian Government does pursue free-market economic principles in its attempts to both promote commercial development and create jobs for the disadvantaged Namibians. This is demonstrated by the Foreign Investment Act of 1990 with items such as:

guarantees against nationalisation
freedom to remit capital and profit
currency convertibility
a process for settling disputes equitably.

The Namibian economy is heavily dependent on earnings made from primary commodity exports in a few sectors such as minerals, diamonds, livestock, and fish.

Its economy is also intrinsically tied to that of its neighbour South Africa and the vast majority of its imports derive from there.

In terms of exports the extraction of minerals and processing thereof accounts for 25% of its revenue.

Forecasts from the Bank of Namibia expect the economy to grown by 4.7% in 2013 with the big unknown being the potential of oil discoveries. Explorers are hoping Namibian waters will prove to be as prolifically oil-bearing as those from offshore Brazil and significant exploration is taking place.

Money matters

Namibia’s currency is the dollar abbreviated as N$. Each dollar compromising of 100 cents. It is linked to the South African rand and can exchanged on a 1 to 1 basis.

Foreign currency may be exchanged at banks. The vast majority of shops, hotels and restaurants take credit cards but please note petrol stations require cash. Credit and debit cards can also be used to withdraw cash at bank ATMs.
South African rand can be freely used in Namibia.

Getting to Uganda

There are a nunber of airports in Namibia but only one international airport – Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) about 45 km from Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia.

Hosea Kutako handles over 800,000 passengers annually and approx 17 5oo aircraft movements. It boasts daily connections to Johannesburg, Cape Town and frequently to Luanda. The scheduled airlines calling at Hosea Kutako are Air Namibia, South African Airways, TAAG Angola Airlines, South African Express (Pty) Ltd and British Airways.

Getting around

Road – The easiest way to get around Namibia is by road. There is an excellent system of sealed roads running the length of the country. Some of the other roads are of a good gravel quality but others may need 4 wheel drive.

Rail travel is not popular mainly due to the very speed of it but it does connect most of the major towns.

Buses – there are 2 main bus companies that service Namibia as well as a number of private buses (that depart when full) and may be a test on how comfortable you wish to be during your journey.

Air – There are a number of local flights that service There are regular flights to Tsumeb, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Lüderitz, Swakopmund and Oshakati/Ondangwa.

Schooling

There are Montessori-style schools, Afrikaans schools, private schools, a German and an International school. There is also UNAM, the Namibian University.

For a full list if schools in Namibia see here.

Housing

Compared to European rents, housing here is good value for money. Most expats on long-term contracts live in 3/4 bedroom homes, most have a pool. The suburbs of Eros, Ludwigsdorf and Klein Windhoek are very nice places to live. Rents range from N$10000 – 20000 a month. If you are on a short-term contract, you can rent corporate serviced apartments for one month or six months at a time.

Extract from http://www.expatwomen.com/expat-women-city-experiences/expat-women-living-in-windhoek-namibia-jun12-09.php

Shopping

Windhoek generally has everything you could want but not necessarily much choice. There are several Woermann and Bock supermarkets, a large SPAR which sells lots of European-branded items and a large Pick & Pay. There is a large fruit and veg city.

There is not much choice when buying furniture and lot of people have things shipped up from SA. It is easy to have furniture and items made here though. There are some great carpenters and metal workers here. There are two large shopping malls that are home to Edgars and Woolworths (SA), @Home, Mr Price, Foschini, beauty salons etc.