Six Great Things

Windhoek, like most places, can be a veritable pain in the you know what.

Good service can feel mythical.

Internet speeds can be a crying shame.

Mediocrity and a lack of creativity can have events by the throat, but every now and then Windhoek truly shines.

It shows up and shows out and reminds us of the city’s potential, its forward motion and artistry.

As life returns to a level of normal and I emerge somewhat from my pandemic cocoon, here are six great things I ‘m appreciating at the moment.

Lefa – Namibia’s take on Uber is truly my best friend. Transporting me from shows to galleries, events and more safely, on time and with the simplest request on their app, Lefa is a ride-hailing service and Namibian company to be proud of.

These guys are doing the Lord’s work when it comes to curbing drinking and driving.

And as a woman who often works at night, having the friendly Lefa drivers show up and then wait for me to safely enter my home just melts away the stress of going about my business.

Drag Night – If you haven ‘t been to Drag Night, you ‘re missing out on the must-attend event of the month.

A celebration of drag artistry and LGBTQI+ people, Drag Night is a safe space for the featured artists and their audience to dress to theme, lip sync for their lives and build inclusive community.

As each month has a different aesthetic, it’s a show you ‘ll want to attend again and again, as the queens serve everything from cabaret to neon eighties realness. Definitely a highlight of Windhoek’s social calendar, Drag Night is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month at Café Prestige.

Half-price Tuesdays – As movie theatres close all over the globe, it’s a wonder and a privilege that Ster-Kinekor at Grove and Maerua malls is still going strong. Bringing us some of the best international cinema every day of the week, Ster-Kinekor is keeping Windhoek’s movie-going culture alive, and is doing so for half price every Tuesday.

Though we ‘ve all become one with our beds as Netflix becomes lord and master, nothing beats watching a film on the big screen. Take a friend – on a day other than Tuesday it may even feel like a private screening – and get old school with it.

Indolicious – After years spent introducing Indonesian cuisine to Windhoek’s market scene, Indolicious finally has a store at Maerua Mall. The latest addition to the city’s fast-growing selection of destination eats, Indolicious offers a local taste of Indonesian street food for those keen to travel by tongue.

My perfect lunch order is three chicken satays and two risoles. Add a packet of prawn crackers and you ‘ll come in at a cool hundred. Enjoy.

The Village – When it comes to the ever-evolving The Village on Liliencron Street, the keywords are art, eats and aesthetics. Having recently added StArt Art Gallery and the trendy The Village Garden to its mix of a sunny courtyard, neat pond and quaint opera house, The Village is a one-stop shop for art appreciation, delicious food at Leo’s Garden Restaurant, as well as a co-working space.

Beyond the courtyard there is your fancy of feasts. Sushi at The Kapital, pizza at Goodfellas, petiscos at Isabel’s Table, and fine dining at Francesco’s. A hip hub towards the city centre, The Village has your pick of vibes and victuals.

Vinyls Music Café – Every city needs a strange and striving arts café and, in Windhoek, Vinyls is just the thing. Absolutely drenched in aesthetic nostalgia and the records that give the spot its name, Vinyls is your yellow, book-filled home away from home, with a regular roster of arts events.

Join them for karaoke, quiz nights, live music and performance poetry as they unearth Windhoek’s creative new school, or simply enjoy the showmanship of their signature cocktails. Tea lovers may also find them a treat as they boast a selection of pinotage rooibos, green caipirinha and chocolate chai.

An utterly non-exhaustive list of things I ‘m happy exist, I encourage you to try these on for size as our little city continues to grow, connect and come into its own.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com

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