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Embassy grant rebuilds NaDEET centre

Dr Romeo Bertolini and NaDEET director, Viktoria Keding (centre front) with learners from the  Danie Joubert Primary School in Mariental enjoying the comfort of the new bungalows at the NaDEET Centre in the Namib Rand Nature Reserve.

Dr Romeo Bertolini and NaDEET director, Viktoria Keding (centre front) with learners from the Danie Joubert Primary School in Mariental enjoying the comfort of the new bungalows at the NaDEET Centre in the Namib Rand Nature Reserve.

Namib Rand is icy cold in winter but blisteringly hot in summer. This famous 120,000 ha private nature reserve bordering the Namib Naukluft National Park, is the setting where the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust’s (NaDEET) conduct their environmental programmes for learners. But the trust’s base camp was in need of repairs and the German Embassy decided to help.
Last week, Dr. Romeo Bertolini, Counsellor for Development Co-operation at the German Embassy  inaugurated the upgraded and improved camping bungalows at the NaDEET Centre. The embassy sponsored the renovation project with N$250,000.
Dr Bertolini said “It’s been a very interesting visit: I’m very impressed by NaDEET’s educational activities and I am sure that the improved facilities will contribute to make the stay at NaDEET Centre even more enjoyable.”
The new bungalows reflect the style of the main building and follow the building codes of the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. The structure is set on a wooden platform with the bottom half of the walls of wood and the upper half of shade netting to retain the outdoor feeling. Unlike the original design, the new houses are now covered by a corrugated zink roof.
Six bungalows have been replaced and two additional houses for teachers, bus drivers, staff and other visitors with an additional bathroom and field toilet were built.
In the past few years more and more groups have been requesting to come to NaDEET Centre which is fully booked for the second consecutive year. NaDEET’S programmes now start in February and continue until the end of November, covering all the seasons.

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