WELCOME TO NAMIBIA

UNCLAS WINDHOEK 000105


Note - PII Data Removed


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: APER AMGT WA
SUBJECT: WELCOME TO NAMIBIA

REF: STATE 027767

INTRODUCTION
--------------


1. On behalf of all of us at the U.S. Mission in Namibia,
congratulations on your assignment to Windhoek! We look forward to
welcoming you to our community and to making your stay here as
productive and pleasant as possible. Namibia is a beautiful country
with its vast and varied landscapes full of life. Namibia offers a
bit of everything -- friendly people and fascinating cultures, the
famous Kalahari and Namib deserts, reserves and game lodges teaming
with wildlife, mountains, canyons, quaint coastal towns, rugged
coastlines, and the relatively lush regions in the northeast. The
capital city, Windhoek, combines modern infrastructure with
picturesque German-colonial architecture, and offers conveniences
comparable to those of a small U.S. city. Windhoek is also a short
flight away from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Botswana's
Okavango Delta, and other regional destinations.


2. You can find more information on Namibia in our Post Report or
from our comprehensive Intranet web site, available via the main
State Department Intranet site. We also recommend picking up a
guidebook or two on Namibia which can help fill in the blanks. There
are several available from widely sold travel publishers in volumes
that can include Zimbabwe and/or Botswana.



GETTING HERE
--------------


3. Flights to Namibia are available from Europe or South Africa.
Direct flights from Europe (Frankfurt, London, Dusseldorf (only
available from December until February each year) and Munich) into
Namibia are available on Air Namibia or the German charter LTU.
Currently there are code share flights from Atlanta, New York and
Washington, D.C. to Johannesburg on Delta/South African Airways and
United. Many more airlines serve South Africa, from which several
daily flights serve Windhoek through Johannesburg and Cape Town.

LOCAL EXPRESSIONS
--------------


4. One thing you may never get used to is local pronunciations and
new meanings for old words. A few examples: Windhoek is
"vind'-huuk," though you will also hear "vin'-tuuk." The coastal
town of Walvis Bay is "vahl'-fis," but that becomes "vahl'-fish" in
a heavy Afrikaans accent and "wall-fish" in the English corruption.
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba last name is "po-ha-m-ba." As
elsewhere in southern Africa, a "robot" is a traffic lights and
"baby marrow" is zucchini.

STAFFING
--------------


5. The Mission community currently has 29 direct-hire Americans
plus family members, approximately 6 contract and local-hire
American employees, and over 100 Peace Corps Volunteers. 107 Locally
Employed employees work for State, Defense Department, U.S. Agency
for International Development, Peace Corps, Centers for Disease
Control and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

WORK HOURS
--------------


6. Employees work 7:30 to 5:15 Monday through Thursday (one-hour
lunch),with a 15-minute flextime variation permitted either earlier
or later. On Friday, the hours are 7:30 to 12:30, again with
15-minute flextime variation permitted. The Mission does not operate
a snack bar, and most employees either bring their lunch or go home
for lunch. A local caterer also delivers lunches to the
Chancery with menus circulated each morning. Most stores are open
from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday, and from 8:30 am to
1:00 pm on Saturday. Many smaller stores and shops close between
1:00 pm and 2:00 pm for lunch. Grocery stores, however, have longer
hours and the "Portuguese shops" stay open until 10:00 pm much like
our convenience stores. Most businesses close for holidays, and some
close for extended periods during the festive season (from about
December 15 to January 15). Barbers and hair salons often require
appointments.

BUSINESS ATTIRE
--------------


7. Business dress is similar to the State Department in Washington.
Men wear dress shirts and ties throughout the day and keep a blazer
or suit coat handy. Women wear dresses or skirts/slacks and
blouses.

CLIMATE
--------------

8. From June to mid-September (winter here),nighttime temperatures
can - though seldom do - fall below freezing, but constantly sunny
skies mean afternoons reach 20 degrees Celsius (70 degrees
Fahrenheit). Houses can get chilly at night, though split-system
heating/cooling units are installed in most bedrooms. Be sure to
bring clothing similar to what you would need in the late fall in
Washington. From December to March (summer) daytime temperatures
approach 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees or more Fahrenheit),but
this is also the rainy season when the yellow and brown hills turn
shades of green, and storms bring a little relief from the heat. No
matter what the temperature, in such a high and unpolluted place
the
sun is always intense -- Namibia's rate of skin cancer is second
only to Australia's -- so skin-covering apparel, sunscreen,
sunglasses, and hats are all in order. However, nights cool off
rapidly and you will never see stars like one does in Namibia.

HOUSING
--------------

9. Mission personnel are assigned to government-owned or leased
houses in accordance with 15 FAM regulations. Most houses are sited
on steep hills in pleasant residential neighborhoods. Most yards are
not large and are landscaped for an arid climate (without lawns),
but many sport flowering trees and shrubs. Most houses feature a
small, fenced-in swimming pool in accordance with Department of
State regulations, (with cover),a braai (barbecue)
area, a patio partially covered by a sunshade or canopy, separate
staff quarters, and covered or garage parking. Some houses have
somewhat eccentric up-and-down floor plans typical of houses built
on hills. All residences are equipped with split-system
heating/cooling units in most rooms; some houses also have ceiling
fans and may have a fireplace located in the living room.
Furnishings are what you have come to expect around the world (plus
a computer desk) and include U.S.-sized appliances (e.g., stove,
refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, and
vacuum cleaner). There is a queen-sized bed in the master bedroom
and at least one twin bed in the other bedrooms. All houses are
equipped with at least three 220-to-110-volt transformers, one
telephone, and one humidifier. All residences are furnished with
drapes and curtains.

New arrivals also have the use of a large, commercial welcome kit
until your shipments arrive. If you are considering shipping
furniture to post, please bear in mind th!(3)s and/or roaches the Facilities Maintenance Manager can provide
assistance. All of the residences are equipped with smoke and carbon
monoxide detectors.

HOUSEHOLD HELP
--------------


10. The Mission will pay for your pool service for the first month
and gardening service for the first two months, but after that they
are your responsibility. Pool service is not expensive but many
people learn to take care of their own using locally available
chemicals and Mission-supplied pool tools. Gardeners -- usually an
untrained person who comes in to water, cut grass, rake leaves, and
do general upkeep using the Mission-supplied lawnmower - are
available privately or via gardening services. Housekeepers for
general cleaning and laundry are readily available, and many move
from one expat family to the next. Skilled nannies or cooks can be
found but not as easily as housekeepers. Most household staff do not
live in, though live-in staff can be found if desired. The CLO
keeps a register of people seeking employment as household staff and
can help match prospective employees to your needs.

ELECTRICITY
--------------


11. Namibia's 220-volt and 50-cycle (hertz) electricity is reliable
and outages are not common, in Windhoek at least. Plugs are the
same as those found in South Africa, similar to the mammoth British
variety except that they use three round posts rather than square
ones. Adapters are available -- European (2 or 3 post) to South
African -- but adapters that go from U.S. three prong plugs to South
African round are hard to find and somewhat expensive when available
(about $6). Electrical surge protectors are available here, and
shops also sell lightning arresters that serve somewhat the same
purpose. (Yes, we have thunderstorms in the rainy seasons that
occasionally leave power outages in their wake.) Uninterruptible
power supplies (UPS) are also available.

WATER
--------------


12. Namibians are proud that water from taps in Windhoek and most
of the country is safe to drink. Some personnel use filters to
eliminate tastes or odors, and in times of drought the water can get
murky. Bottled water is widely available. Drought is a constant
concern: During such times, the government imposes water-use limits
on residences. Indoor use of water is curtailed, outdoor watering is
severely restricted, and yards lose a significant number of plants.
In 1996, we converted most of our yards to rock gardens to eliminate
water-loving grass.

HEALTH
--------------


13. Health care here is comparable to that found in a mid-sized
U.S. city. Good basic care is available, though there is not much
depth in specialists. Medical evacuations, which are rare from
Windhoek, go to Pretoria, South Africa. Disease is not much of a
problem, although about 20 percent of the local adult population is
HIV positive. Namibia's unique dusts and pollens bring out
allergies or respiratory problems in many people. If you have
allergies and use a particular brand of medication, you should bring
it with you. The air in Namibia is very dry, with little or no
humidity away from the coast. If you experience dry sinuses, or
nosebleeds, saline nose spray or Vaseline may help to keep your
nasal membranes moistened. To avoid dehydration, remember to
increase your fluid intake. The malaria belt in the north and east
of the country covers some prime game-viewing areas, so anyone
headed north should take prophylaxis. Malaria prophylaxis is not
required in Windhoek.

SECURITY
--------------


14. Windhoek is rated critical for crime. The capital city has
nearly 300,000 people, but its prosperous westernized center belies
its poor outskirts. Urban centers throughout Namibia see a high rate
of theft, mostly of the pickpocket, snatch-and-run, shoplifting,
housebreaking, carjacking and "car breaking" variety. Some shops
find it necessary to lock their front gates and make customers ring
a doorbell to be buzzed in. Private security guards are everywhere.
Violent crime, however, is rare.


15. Because security is a concern, security guards are stationed at
each residence from 8:00 PM until 8:00 AM, seven days a week. All
houses are surrounded by walls or fences, often complemented with
razor wire and/or electric fencing. Each has a motorized vehicle
gate, lighting around the perimeter of the house, grille work over
doors and windows, and burglar alarms which, when triggered, send a
signal to the local guard company and result in a response by the
Mobile Patrol. Because neighbors often keep vicious watchdogs, it is
a good idea to use caution when walking or jogging in residential
areas. Some joggers carry pepper spray or some other non-lethal form
of protection to use on dogs.

EDUCATION
--------------


16. Three schools commonly used by Mission staff (one of which is
supported by the State Department's Office of Overseas Schools) are
located in Windhoek. Although accredited by the New England
Association of Schools and Colleges through grade 12, the Office of
Overseas Schools rates schooling in Windhoek adequate only through
grade 8. Some parents of children in upper grades send them out of
country using the away-from-post education allowance. The schools
are as follows:


A. Windhoek International School (WIS),established in 1991, is
located on the western edge of the city. This is the only school
sponsored and supported by the Department of State and it is where
most Mission children attend classes. It offers classes in grades
pre-K to 12 for an enrollment of 260. It has International
Baccalaureate programs for both lower and upper schools and is
accredited by both U.S. and European accrediting bodies. School
hours are from 7:20 am to 1:30 pm. The school year runs on an
American schedule, from mid-August to mid-June, but observes
Namibian rather than American holidays. Approximately 14 children
from the official American community go there. This is the only
school in the city that does not require uniforms.


B. St. George's Diocesan School (Anglican),established in 1919, is
in the eastern part of the city. It offers classes in grades pre-K
to 10 to about 597 students. School hours are from 7:15 am to 1:00
pm and the school year runs on a southern hemisphere schedule, from
January to December with Namibian holidays. Currently no children
from the Mission attend this school. While developing a program for
upper grades, St. George's historically fed into St. Paul's (see
below).


C. St. Paul's College (Catholic),established in 1962, is also on
the eastern edge of the city, where it offers classes in grades 1-12
to about 509 pupils. Students write the British IGCSE exams in grade
11, HIGCSE exams in grade 12. The school has an extensive program of
extracurricular activities. School hours are from 6:55 am to 1:20 pm
and the school year runs from January to December with
Namibian holidays.


17. Teenage children from the mission have also attended boarding
schools in the U.S. and abroad.


18. Admission to WIS for Mission children is not limited by
enrollment. Some grades at the other schools can fill up quickly, so
it is imperative to reserve a place as early as possible. Some
schools have entrance examinations.


19. The Windhoek International School has very modest staffing and
facilities for children with special educational needs. St. George's
and St. Paul's have no special education programs. Please contact
the Office of Overseas Schools and the CLO for more information.


20. A variety of pre-school options is available, including the
Windhoek International School ($3,350 per year),a Montessori school
(approximately $1,200 per year),and pre-school/day care facilities
run from private houses ($500 per year, but also available
short-term or for as little as one day per week). Pre-school hours
typically run from 7:30 to 1:00.


21. The Mission runs a school bus to the Windhoek International
School. The standardized regulations also provide for some
reimbursement of home-to-school transportation costs for families
who choose other schools.


22. Adult education: Inexpensive classes are available at the
University of Namibia, the College of the Arts (music, art, dance,
and acting classes),the Polytechnic of Namibia
(vocational/technical training),and the Franco-Namibian Cultural
Center (French language and art classes).

MONEY
--------------


23. The exchange rate for Namibian dollars is the same as the South
African Rand, currently at about N$10 to US$1. Inflation runs about
8 percent annually. The Rand is in free circulation in Namibia, but
Namibian dollars are not accepted in South Africa.

TAXES
--------------


24. Namibia implements a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on most items.
Although diplomatic employees are exempt from the tax, we pay it up
front and file for reimbursement on a monthly basis. It's very
important to save receipts showing your name and address, the date
of purchase, store name, VAT amount and VAT identification number
issued to each store.

CARS
--------------


25. According to Namibian regulations, employees are allowed to
import two cars and to sell these cars without penalty after two
years in country. As traffic moves on the left, cars with the
steering wheel on the right are standard. Currently, Namibian law
prohibits importation of left-hand drive vehicles.


26. Due to the long distances between towns and the sometimes-harsh
climate and road conditions, the most popular vehicles here are
4-wheel drive SUVs and pick-ups (called "bakkies"). However, major
roads are paved and you can easily get by with a minivan or sedan to
most places. Cars built to southern African specifications include
very heavy tires, higher and heavier suspension, dust filters,
standard transmissions, simplified options packages that are easier
to repair, and engines, which can handle the heavier motor oil.


27. Vehicle makes available locally include Jeep, Chrysler, Toyota,
Nissan, Audi, VW, BMW, Land Rover, Subaru, Hyundai, Daewoo, Volvo,
Opel, Isuzu, Suzuki, Ford, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Hummer and
Honda. New car prices vary by make and model, and can be quite
expensive. Shipping a car from the U.S. or another post, buying
reconditioned cars from companies in Japan, or purchasing used cars
from departing employees or local dealers are all popular options.
Used cars prices can be expensive as well. White is the predominant
color and useful for deflecting sunlight. Virtually every local car
is equipped with an anti-theft device, and some people at post also
have a bar- locking device for the steering wheel. Because Namibian
drivers do not like automatic transmissions, they are hard to find,
particularly in small cars and can be difficult to get serviced.


28. Auto parts can be expensive and sporadically available, so
consider bringing a supply of oil filters, air filters, belts, spark
plugs, fuses, and other automotive consumables with you. Tires in
most sizes are available but are fairly expensive. When venturing
into the more remote areas of Namibia, it is prudent to have at
least two spare tires on hand. Also make sure your tires are rated
for high temperature road operation.


29. Driving: For such a vast country, Namibia is served by a large
network of paved and well-graded gravel roads even in remote areas,
and driving remains the best way to see its striking scenery. A U.S.
driver's license is the only license you will need. Traffic is
light, but drivers tend to be on the aggressive side, especially
during the lunch hour (normally 1-2 pm) or after work (about 5 pm).
Also, be on the lookout for taxi drivers, who tend to drive slowly
looking for fares, and will stop to pick up riders with little or no
notice just about anywhere on the street. It is a 3.5-hour drive to
Swakopmund, the resort town on the coast, along a straight and
narrow asphalt road without shoulders where the speed limit is 75
mph. Driving to Etosha National Park can take 4 to 5 hours, and
driving to Cape Town ranges from 14 to 16 hours and an overnight
stop. Many cars zoom along at 85-90 mph plus, but you'll also
encounter cars moving at a snail's pace of 35-40 mph on the same
roads. Namibia's wide open spaces make it tempting to speed on
gravel roads as well, a behavior that causes numerous "roll overs"
and has brought many inexperienced drivers grief.


30. Gasoline: As of January 1, 2006, Namibia no longer imports
leaded gasoline; however, a lead replacement fuel is available.
Unleaded gasoline (95 octane) is available along all major roadways
in Namibia. Diesel is also widely available. Gasoline is not
tax-free, but includes a fee to cover medical costs associated with
vehicle accidents. This tax is not refundable.

PETS
--------------


31. If you are bringing a pet, contact GSO at least 10 weeks before
your pet's anticipated arrival. The GSO will complete the
application form, with your provided information, on your behalf and
send it to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Rural Development
at least six weeks before your arrival. The Ministry will return
the approved permit to the GSO office and it will be sent to you.
Your veterinarian will need to complete the rest of the permit in
full (please read the requirements very carefully). You will need to
inform GSO about your arrival date, time, and flight number about a
week in advance, and we will inform the airport customs officials
and health officials of the pet's arrival. Upon entry, you will be
required to present the permit and show your pet's International
Health Certificate indicating a valid rabies vaccination within the
last 6 months, but at least 30 days before arrival. The animal will
be released to you only if your permit does not indicate that the
pet requires quarantine. All pets are likely to be quarantined
unless they come directly from the U.S. or EU. Based on input from
you, GSO section will verify quarantine requirements prior to your
arrival. The standard quarantine period is 30-45 days; however, this
could vary depending on vaccination requirements. You will have to
take the documents to the State Veterinarian for final health
approval within about a week of the pet's arrival. If your pet does
have to go into quarantine for any reason, rest assured this
facility is very well run. Veterinarians in Namibia are excellent.


32. All pets transiting South Africa require a transit visa and
must have a tracking microchip in place prior to arrival; GSO will
contact the Embassy in Pretoria on your behalf to apply for the
permit at the same time we apply for the permit for Namibia. There
is no cost for the permit; however, you must apply for the transit
permit two months prior to travel. Please be aware that several
separate requirements exist for animals transiting Europe. Also,
see the Windhoek box in the Overseas Briefing Center for more
information.


ENTERTAINMENT
--------------


33. Namibian television broadcasts on the PAL-UK system (as opposed
to the NTSC standard in the U.S.),so bringing a multi-system
television and VCR is a good idea. The Namibian Broadcasting
Corporation (NBC) has one television station in Windhoek that
broadcasts some American series, movies, and 90 minutes of CNN world
news each day. Multi-Choice is the only "cable" company. To sign up,
you need a decoder and a television aerial (about US$250).
Prices run about US$50 a month for 5 channels which include M-Net, a
movie and series channel, and NBC. For US$600 for the dish, decoder,
and installation, plus US$40-$60 a month, you can be hooked up with
DSTV (digital satellite TV),which offers ESPN, MTV, CNN, BBC,
Hallmark, TNT, The Cartoon Network, The Discovery Channel, History
Channel, several movie channels, etc. If you want cable or satellite
TV service, make your interests known.
Personnel departing post may have a system they want to sell.


34. Video Rentals: There are a number of small video rental shops
renting DVDs and PAL system videos, including one almost directly
across the street from the Mission. Videos lag behind the U.S. by
six months, but stores stock most of the latest English-language
blockbusters. There are very few independent films or films with
subtitles. After 2-3 years, older videos make way for newer ones;
so don't look for classics either. Although the Mission does not run
an NTSC video club, the CLO does have a few older store-bought
videos and videos of taped TV programming that are available for
loan to Mission employees. Generally, other people at post are also
happy to share videos they own. DVD rentals in Namibia will not run
on most American-bought DVD players unless they are capable of
playing both region 1 (USA) and region 2 (Namibia) DVDs. Most DVD
players purchased in the United States play DVDs coded for Region 1.
If your DVD player is a multi-system and is programmed to play DVDs
coded for Region 2 you can rent DVDs here in Namibia.


35. Movies: Windhoek has a five-screen multiplex theater, showing
popular movies (mostly American) about one month after their U.S.
release dates. You can buy tickets and reserve seats in advance.
Tickets cost about US6 for adult and US3 for children under 12.


36. Radio: There are 12 FM radio stations: six private stations
(all stereo) and six run by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation
(one stereo),some broadcasting on more than one frequency. There is
one AM station, also NBC. Many of the NBC frequencies are community
stations; it broadcasts in 12 languages. Play lists include a
riotous mix of mostly Germanic-Euro pop, Christian, country western,
reggae, and rhythm and blues music. There is one
adult-contemporary station with a heavy American accent, including a
U.S. "Top 40 Countdown" show on weekends, but on other stations very
few programs are dedicated to just one type of music. You have to
look hard for jazz, and classical offerings.


37. CDs: Compact discs run slightly higher than U.S. prices.
Selection is limited but improving with the recent arrival of South
African chains into Windhoek. Many people here do much of their
shopping on the Internet.


38. Books and Magazines: Several bookstores offer a mix of English,
Afrikaans, and German titles. Popular fiction, picture books, and
guidebooks are reliably available. Selections of quality fiction
and children's books are spottier but improving. Prices are
generally higher than those in the U.S. A selection of guidebooks to
Namibia and neighboring countries is available. One South African
chain store has a large array of current magazines on virtually
every topic. Again, though, many people opt to use the Internet for
their book buying.

FOOD AND DRINK
--------------


39. Namibian beers, South African wines, the German breads, and the
yogurt here will be some of the best you've ever tasted. Southern
Africans are meat eaters with a capital "M" and meat and game are
widely available. Fish and other seafood (oysters, rock lobsters)
are too, fresh on the coast if often frozen elsewhere. There's
plenty of cheese and fresh whole and two-percent milk. Produce is
shipped in from South Africa and is good, though seasonal.

WHAT TO BRING
--------------


40. There is very little you cannot get on the local market. If you
have favorite food items, include them in your shipment. Other
things that are hard to find: High-altitude cookbook (Windhoek is a
"mile-high" city); real maple syrup, though local versions are
available; chocolate syrup (you may not like the kind they have
here); any toiletries and medicines (especially liquids) for which
no substitutes will do; mixes, frosting, flavor extracts ("essences"
without alcoholic content are available),Bisquick, and chocolate
chips; cosmetics if you're attached to particular brands. For
questions about locally available medical supplies, check with the
Health Unit.


41. Consumables: Employees in Windhoek do not receive a consumable
shipment. You can find nearly everything you need if you hunt around
a bit, albeit at higher prices than in the U.S. There are numerous
well-stocked supermarkets here, plus two mid-sized wholesale
warehouses. Several specialty shops also sell products imported from
Italy, Portugal, China, etc.


42. Televisions, computers and other large electronic components
are available here but at higher prices than in the U.S. Small
electrical appliances, cameras, binoculars, tools, and camping gear
are all available locally, though can be fairly expensive and
sometimes selection is limited. Consider bringing a portable
barbecue grill (the large built-in braais are often not efficient
for cooking for smaller numbers of people, and local "Weber" type
grills are expensive). A selection of clothing is available and not
expensive, though quality is not quite up to U.S. standards.


43. Do not bring paper school supplies; schools demand A-4 paper:
two-hole loose-leaf paper and book-bound 192-page notebooks with
cardboard covers. You may want to bring surge protectors for
computers. They are available at fairly reasonable prices, and the
items you bring may not work with the 220-volt, 50-cycle electricity
here. Reasonable selections of baby products (food, diapers) are
available, and a number of stores sell baby toys, equipment, and
furniture.


44. Photographs: Every application form seems to require small
passport-sized photographs, so hit the ground running by bringing
along at least 10 for each member of the family. Studios in Windhoek
can also supply ID photographs.

SPOUSAL EMPLOYMENT
--------------


45. A number of positions are generally available to spouses and
other authorized eligible family members (AEFM & EFMs) of personnel
assigned to Windhoek. Positions are full- and part-time and include:
Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program Coordinator, CLO Coordinator,
Newsletter Editor, RSO Administrative Assistant, Security Escort and
Consular Associate. Some positions may come open this summer; please
contact us if you have a specific interest.
Other agencies at post may also have suitable opportunities for
qualified EFMs.

MAIL/PHONE/INTERNET
--------------


46. Mail: The Mission community is served by pouch mail, which is
governed by 5 FAH 10 H-520 (general),H-530 (prohibited shipments)
and exhibit H-311 (weight and size limits). Letters require domestic
postage as though they originated from Washington, D.C. Windhoek
also participates in the homeward bound mail program. This will
allow you to send parcels to the U.S. via pouch. However, in
addition to ensuring that proper postage is on the parcel (as if
mailed from Dulles),you will have to pay a shipping fee to get the
parcel from Windhoek to Dulles - around US$3.50 per pound. The
Mission does not sell U.S. postage stamps, so bring an initial
supply of stamps and plan to re-order periodically. Mail from the
U.S. takes 3-4 weeks using the pouch. APO is not available in
Windhoek.


47. The Namibian post is also an option, but be aware that both
domestic and international mail sent by Namibian post is often
misrouted, seriously delayed, or pilfered, particularly during the
festive season. If sending mail to Namibia via international mail,
use the Mission's mailing address: Private Bag 12029, Ausspannplatz,
Windhoek. Mail is not delivered to houses in Namibia.


48. Telephones: Telephone service in Windhoek is generally
reliable, although problems with service and billing are not
infrequent. The telephone structure within Windhoek is in flux, with
new technology, such as fiber optic lines and Integrated Services
Digital Network (ISDN),existing with old copper wiring, which can
fail in the rainy season due to deteriorating insulation. There is a
substantial push to replace the aging lines with the newest
technology, which gives hope for more a more reliable
telecommunications infrastructure in the future. Embassy personnel
receive one phone line in their residence with one or two
instruments (depending on the layout of the house) provided.

Additional lines can be ordered through the local telephone company
(Telecom Namibia) at a cost of about US$40 per line, plus a monthly
charge per line of about US$15. The cost of telephone use varies
according to the duration and time of the call. Namibian phone
service is compatible with U.S.-based callback services, which can
substantially reduce the cost of calls to the U.S. or other
international locations. Typical callback rates are currently around
75 cents per minute. The resident is ultimately responsible for the
connection and disconnection of any additional lines or services.

The Chancery, Cultural Center, and USAID building have access to
International Voice Gateway (IVG) lines providing connectivity to
the Department and other Embassies in the IVG network. These lines
are also capable of accessing numbers in the 202, 301, 703, 800, and
888 area codes, and reasonable personal use of IVG lines is
permitted by post policy.


49. Cell phones: Cellular phones are provided to all direct hire
employees and are widely available in Namibia, with coverage in all
of the most important cities and tourist locations, although often
not on the roads or in the towns in between. Cellular phones are in
wide use and, in many instances serve as the primary means of
communication. Cellular service is reliable and is complete with
options for Callmail, International Roaming, Call Forwarding, Short
Message Service, Call Barring, Call Wait/Call Hold, FAXMail, and
Call Line Identity, just to name a few. The cost of cellular phone
instruments - chiefly Motorola, Nokia, and Siemens - ranges from
under US$100 to more than US$400 depending on features. Fees include
a one-time connection fee of about US$30 and monthly subscription
fees of US$15. Phones bought in the US must be at least tri-band and
be unlocked by the manufacturer. Many companies in the US sell these
type phones over the internet. A pay-as-you-go service option,
called Tango, does not require a connection fee or subscription
service. Cell to cell calling charges
are about 15 cents per minute, and there is no charge for receiving
calls. Local cellular service covers 52 countries in Africa, Europe,
the Middle East, and the U.S. The instruments themselves also work
in much of Europe, but require a separate service subscription.
Instruments purchased in the U.S. will generally not work in
Namibia.


50. Internet and computers: Windhoek has various Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) to choose from for residential access. Users can
dial into the ISPs using a standard analog modem with a maximum
speed of 56Kbps (average is around 36Kbps),via an ISDN Basic Rate
Access (BRA) line at 64Kbps or ADSL service. Cellular companies
provide the G3 service at a substantial cost. All ISPs provide
Internet access, as well as e-mail services. For analog ISP
service,
the monthly service charge is about US$14, and the cost of a local
call to the ISP is about two cents per minute. For basic ISDN
service, the monthly service charge from the ISP is about US$52, the
monthly charge from the phone company for the ISDN line is
approximately US$25, and the one-time installation fee is about
US$40. The ADSL service varies in price according to the download
capacity. The basic ADSL service costs approximately US$40 but is
capped at 1GB monthly download at 256Kbps. Wireless services are
offered by some of the local ISPs. Internet access is also available
in the Community Liaison Office for reasonable personal use by
employees and adult family members. Windhoek also has several
locations, including an Internet cafe, that offer Internet access
for a fee of about US$1.20 per hour. A limited selection of
computers, hardware and software is on sale in Windhoek at prices
equal to or higher than those in the U.S.

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
--------------


51. A number of countries currently maintain Embassies or High
Commissions in Windhoek. They include Algeria, Angola, Botswana,
Brazil, China, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Egypt, European Union,
France, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Iceland, India, Indonesia,
Italy, Kenya, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa,
Spain,Sweden, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The UN and several
NGOs also maintain a presence along with six honorary consulates.
There is an Association of Diplomatic Spouses and a less formal
International Women's Association.

CONTACT INFO/SPONSORS
--------------


52. As we get closer to your arrival time, we will assign you a
social sponsor. Until then, please feel free to contact Deputy Chief
of Mission Matt Harrington, Management Officer Gary Anderson, HR/FMO
Richard Atkinson or GSO Brian Buckingham, via e-mail, phone, or fax
with any questions you might have. The Mission's phone number is
(264 61) 295-8500 and the fax number is (264 61) 295-8603. We look
forward to your arrival.


53. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.

MATHIEU