Namibian rejoice in birth of Shiloh Nouvel

THE NAMIBIAN’S office at Swakopmund has been flooded with phone calls from Namibians across the country who want to know how they can deliver gifts to the Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt family following the birth of Shiloh Nouvel.

It was reported yesterday that Hollywood actress and her newborn daughter were happy and healthy – “doing fine” – but still in hospital. Angelina and Shiloh Nouvel are expected to be discharged shortly.E-mails have also started coming in from Namibians abroad – from as far afield as Australia – wishing “congratulations and all the love to Angelina, Brad, Maddox, Zahara & Shiloh”, as one e-mail put it.In a passing encounter in a Windhoek book store yesterday, security guard Ronnie Geingob told a Namibian staffer: “This is one of the best things to happen for us.”Beaming with pride, he felt the Jolie-Pitts were generating positive headlines and a positive image of Namibia.E-mailing from London, a Namibian wrote: “Namibia’s name is just about everywhere on the papers here in London! How are things back home?” Apart from being thrilled about news of the birth of Shiloh Nouvel, he felt the publicity generated by the Jolie-Pitt family’s highly publicised stay in Namibia would have a positive impact on the country’s tourist industry.”Just like Angelina, this precious Namibian-born baby will be our ambassador,” said Samuel Nuuyoma, the Governor of the Erongo Region, who issued a statement wishing the famous couple good luck and health.Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Environment Leon Jooste said in a press release yesterday that Pitt and Jolie had donated U$300 000 (about N$1,9 million) for supplies to improve the maternity wards at the State hospitals at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.The DRC Project School and Community Centre at Swakopmund is to receive U$15 000 (about N$950 000).Jolie visited the centre a few weeks ago.”We want to contribute to Namibia and the people who have been so gracious to us at this time,” the couple were quoted as saying.CBS reported yesterday that Pitt was at Jolie’s side during the birth.”People did confirm, although the couple is not officially releasing a lot of information, that Brad Pitt was at her side,” People magazine Editor at Large Jess Cagle told CBS co-anchor Rene Syler.In the US, Pitt’s family issued a statement expressing excitement for Pitt and Jolie.* See also report on page 6Angelina and Shiloh Nouvel are expected to be discharged shortly. E-mails have also started coming in from Namibians abroad – from as far afield as Australia – wishing “congratulations and all the love to Angelina, Brad, Maddox, Zahara & Shiloh”, as one e-mail put it.In a passing encounter in a Windhoek book store yesterday, security guard Ronnie Geingob told a Namibian staffer: “This is one of the best things to happen for us.”Beaming with pride, he felt the Jolie-Pitts were generating positive headlines and a positive image of Namibia.E-mailing from London, a Namibian wrote: “Namibia’s name is just about everywhere on the papers here in London! How are things back home?” Apart from being thrilled about news of the birth of Shiloh Nouvel, he felt the publicity generated by the Jolie-Pitt family’s highly publicised stay in Namibia would have a positive impact on the country’s tourist industry.”Just like Angelina, this precious Namibian-born baby will be our ambassador,” said Samuel Nuuyoma, the Governor of the Erongo Region, who issued a statement wishing the famous couple good luck and health.Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Environment Leon Jooste said in a press release yesterday that Pitt and Jolie had donated U$300 000 (about N$1,9 million) for supplies to improve the maternity wards at the State hospitals at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.The DRC Project School and Community Centre at Swakopmund is to receive U$15 000 (about N$950 000).Jolie visited the centre a few weeks ago.”We want to contribute to Namibia and the people who have been so gracious to us at this time,” the couple were quoted as saying.CBS reported yesterday that Pitt was at Jolie’s side during the birth.”People did confirm, although the couple is not officially releasing a lot of information, that Brad Pitt was at her side,” People magazine Editor at Large Jess Cagle told CBS co-anchor Rene Syler.In the US, Pitt’s family issued a statement expressing excitement for Pitt and Jolie.* See also report on page 6