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Daniel Helkenn's avatar

Great finish after Part 1. I had wondered about how the country itself could maintain the fruits of its mineral wealth and you addressed that in this part. I had thought restrictions on exports might be an option and you addressed that well. Thanks. I’m gaining knowledge.

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Pedro Leon de la Barra's avatar

I really appreciated learning how to correctly pronounce Windhoek.

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Mike Hampton's avatar

Great article, as always.

As small anecdote, Andrew Young, the civil rights leader, was in Swakopmund, Namibia when I was. Although I had cheap accommodation a couple of km down the coast, I used to sometimes walk to the Strand Hotel for exercise and internet. Its expensive restaurant, out of season, offered great specials weekdays, pasta for as little as $4. The staff and hotel manager were terrific, and they had an enormous bar overlooking the sea. I only got to say hi in passing a few times to Young, and shake his hand once, but a highlight was having two lunch conversations with his super smart and attractive assistant - https://www.agoda.com/strand-hotel-swakopmund/hotel/swakopmund-na.html?ds=ys%2FYO5%2Ft%2FCM26bTD

Terrific that you're offering subscribers a podcast version. I was doing it but got lazy, dismayed at how few people used it, left it for half a year, and then noticed this week that I'd had 1400 listens. Keep it up!

Reparations haven't been paid yet - https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/12/23/how-to-pay-for-genocide-the-cost-of-germanys-colonial-crimes-in-namibia

PS: "vint-hook"

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Mike Hampton's avatar

PS: Did you check out the corruption investigation by Al Jazeera? It's terrific!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FJ1TB0nwHs

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Yaw's avatar

I need to check this out! thanks Mike!

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Mike Hampton's avatar

Swakpopmund is 35km from Walvis Bay, a holiday town, so quiet out of season. Since you've gotten my memory juices going, I checked out how much it would cost to stay. Monthly AirBnB rates up 50% since I was there 4 years ago. So something happening. Unfortunately, that will also mean price increases for locals.

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