Lyrical, fluid abstraction. Curvilinear lines fall into spirals of perfect geometry. Shadows gather and leap, surfaces glimmer. Light bounces off the contoured stone, creating the illusion of movement and malleability. As the sculpture turns – some have been fixed on turntables and are gently spun by hand – a new interpretation is revealed. The sculpture itself seems to be nearly weightless, taking flight.
We arrived to the sight of a landscape transformed – lush, green bush thick with life, puddles still shimmering on the tracks, and trees heavy with the gift of recent rain. Though the earth was damp and the sky still heavy, the heat clung to the air. At the lodge, Anderssons at Ongava, ice-cold towels were handed to us along with a glass of homemade lemonade – a crisp, refreshing welcome against the warm weight of the day. Bags disappeared into capable hands while the landscape stretched out before us, antelopes grazing unfazed in the distance.
Just off the main road in the charming town of Omaruru lies a hidden treasure: Kharugu’s small-scale miners’ shop. A place where authenticity meets craftsmanship, this sparkling gem of a store invites visitors to step into a world of unique gemstones, rare minerals and handcrafted jewellery – all sourced from Namibia’s licensed small-scale miners. It is an experience that is as much about supporting local artisans as it is about taking home a genuine piece of Namibian history.
