Tsumeb, Namibia

If you stay in Tsumeb or even pass through on your way to the Etosha National Park, you would probably not realise that this town contains a huge lead-producing mine. In addition, the richly concentrated body of ore has yielded 184 different minerals, including some exquisite crystals and gemstones. The ground is also perfectly suited to agriculture and large quantities of fruit and vegetables are grown.

This fecundity is also seen along the streets which are lined with colourful jacaranda and bougainvillaea. On the outskirts of town is a typical open-air street market with stalls selling wonderful wooden crafts that abound in Namibia.

Just north west of Tsumeb are two peculiarly deep and dark ‘bottomless’ lakes. They were formed when the roofs of vast underground taverns collapsed into an upside-down mushroom shape. Otjikoto Lake is about 55m deep and it was out of this that German cannons and armaments were recovered. They had been dumped here by retreating forces before signing a peace treaty in 1915. Five years later, the League of Nations declared ‘South West Africa’ a mandate territory to be administered by South Africa.

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