- Gondwana Desert Collection/ Media Release



		Media Releases 2006Media Release 01.08.06


		Press Release 01.08.06 To: all media For: immediate publication - 1 text, 3 photos, 1 logo - Text: 480 Words / 2,800 Characters

Fascinating Stop at Aus Info Centre
In which way are Hansheinrich von Wolf, legendary founder of Duwisib, Emil Kreplin, Mayor of Lüderitz, and air force lieutenant Fiedler connected to the Wild Horses of the Namib? The answer can now be gained at Aus Information Centre which opened its doors to the public just in time for the peak tourist season. Situated on the way into Aus, in south-western Namibia, the centre aims at introducing visitors and locals to the hamlet’s wealth of plants and animals, history and tales, in an entertaining way. At the same time it offers jobs and income to the community of Aus.

Aus Info Centre is situated on the way into the town.

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The first six of a total of 23 display boards were ready for installation by mid July. Words and pictures explain about the origins, life and future of the fascinating horses which can be watched 20 km further west, at Garub. Tour operator Cheetah Tours meets the bill for designing and printing the six display boards. The owner of the company, Helmut Schäfer, pledged his support as soon as he heard about the project for the community of Aus. Research and texts are paid by the Gondwana Desert Collection which runs four nature reserves in southern Namibia. Sponsors are still being sought for several display boards.

One of the rooms in the centre is dedicated to the unique plant and animal life of this area where three deserts overlap: the Nama Karoo, Dune Namib and Succulent Karoo - the most biodiverse desert on earth. Among other exciting topics at the centre are diamond and zinc mining;

Horse-lovers Helmut Schäfer, Sybille Redecker (both from Cheetah Tours) and Mannfred Goldbeck (Gondwana Desert Collection) with the display boards on the Wild Horses.

the First World War, called to mind by the remnants of a POW camp; as well as the history and everyday life of the people who live in Aus.

To help digest the wealth of information, the centre includes a cosy café & restaurant which serves coffee, snacks and light meals. The souvenir shop sells arts and crafts, postcards and books dealing with the area.

Speaker of Parliament, Theo-Ben Gurirab, at the Aus Information Centre.

Soon after the inauguration the centre welcomed a high-ranking visitor: Namibia's Speaker of Parliament, Theo-Ben Gurirab, and his entourage stopped over in Aus on a tour of the south. At the Information Centre he met with representatives of the community and declared himself highly impressed with the initiative. The purpose of his tour was to explain the functions of the bicameral parliament and to keep informed about everyday life in the south and the problems the people are dealing with.

The centre is run by 23-year-old Claudia Baisitse and her staff of three, all of them from Aus. The young businesswoman is leasing the premises from the 'Aus Community and Conservation Trust' (ACCT), which was established on the initiative of Klein-Aus Vista accommodation. The centre was built with EU funds. The ACCT is the owner of the building. The rental income will be used for the benefit of the community of Aus.

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Business hours are daily from 9h00 to 18h00;
contact: (063) 258151.


		Information: Gondwana Desert Collection Marketing Manager Miriam Spatz Tel +264 (0)61 230066 Fax +264 (0)61 251863 Email info@gondwana-desert-collection.com Web www.gondwana-desert-collection.com Media Contact: Bush Telegraph CC Editor Sven-Eric Kanzler Tel +264 (0)61 224822 Fax +264 (0)61 255148 Email kanzler@mweb.com.na Web www.bush-telegraph-namibia.com