Page 10 - Gondwana Collection Namibia Value Creation Report 2021

ABOUT GONDWANA

2001 – Dr Sam Nujoma visits Gondwana
Our brand through the years In 1995, Lothar obtained an option to purchase the 12 The SSC’s extensive newspaper coverage piqued 2014 – 1975 Football reunion to
000-hectare farm and approached Manni for a partnership. the curiosity of Namibia’s founding president, celebrate diversity
Dr Sam Nujoma. He visited in 2001. He was so
Since the start, our brand They renovated the farmhouse as a five-room guest farm. As it impressed that he invited Manni to join the government In October 1975, two football teams played
lay in a small gorge, they called it the Cañon House. The Cañon
a historic match in Windhoek, ending in a
to establish a centre in the Zambezi Region. Manni was
has always focused on House, renamed the Canyon Outpost, no longer operates, but it honoured but politely declined. Canyon Lodge and Nature three-all draw. It was the first time during
remains in the hearts of the early Gondwana pioneers.
Apartheid that a white and a non-white
the future. Gondwana: A name with big ambitions Investments required his full attention. team competed, each consisting of top
amateur players. The team captains
Coined 150 years ago, the name ‘Gondwana’ refers to the vast 2003 – The publishing legacy begins shook hands, a conciliatory gesture.
land mass that existed 550 million years ago, incorporating South Being a historian and storyteller, Manni wanted to share Manni, then a 15-year-old sports
1995 – The early days America, Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Madagascar and India. Namibia’s stories. The first publication, Expelled from a Beloved enthusiast, attended.
In the early 90s, Mannfred ‘Manni’ During the early Jurassic Period, approximately 180 million years Country, published in 2003, is the story of the German settlers
Goldbeck left his long-time ago, it broke apart, eventually stabilising to form the configuration in southern Namibia between the Colonial War and World War I. In 2014, Gondwana invited 36 former
geography and history teacher of the southern hemisphere that we are familiar with today. Between 2011 and 2021, several other publications were published: players, trainers and officials for a
position. He started a tour When the Gondwana founders turned their dream into reunion. While some members have
operator called Top Travel reality, they searched for a name. Lothar passed on the ○ Gondwana History: Memorable Moments from Namibia’s Past passed away, many travelled from various
Namibia that provided tours to name ‘Gondwana’. He also passed on the Gondwana logo, an (Six editions between 2011 and 2015) parts of Namibia and South Africa. This
top Namibian destinations and ammonite (fossilised shell), symbolic of early life and the life ○ Wild Horses in the Namib Desert (2011) reunion reminded Namibians of the value
of diversity, how far we have come and the
Windhoek day tours. they wanted to bring back to the canyon. This logo included ○ David Levin of Twyfelfontein: The Unknown Story (2013) importance of making greater strides towards unity.
Manni noticed that Gondwana a representation of Africa, emblazoned with a diamond in the ○ Stamps and Stories: 50 Stories of Namibia’s Postage Stamps
Tours was advertising southern south-western corner to mark Namibia’s position. This was (Volume 1 in 2012 and volume 2 in 2013)
Namibian tours and contacted owner later replaced with a star and then a Namaqua daisy. It was ○ The People of Namibia’s Eastern Zambezi Region 2015 – Gondwana rebrand – staying relevant
Lothar Gessert. The two met, and Gondwana’s logo until the company rebranded in 2015. (2014)
Lothar introduced him to an Italian builder The name ‘Gondwana’ is apt for the Gondwana Collection as it ○ The First World War in Namibia (2014) Gondwana was launched with simple, self-made logos. In 2015, we hired Yellowwood, a South
from Cape Town, who owned the farm Augurabis bordering the brings people of all continents together. Its diverse employees African agency, to rebrand our logo and capture our brand essence. It was an easy task for the
Fish River Canyon, north of the main viewpoint. The farm was epitomise the spirit of the company and post-independence ○ Kopfsalat (2014) agency since Gondwana already lived its brand essence. With their assistance we developed
previously owned by the De Waal family, who grew oranges Namibia, where the human family is one. ○ Discover the Colourful World of Owambo an iconic brand – our expressive, open hand logo and our brand essence “Have a story to tell”.
and watermelons and farmed karakul. Farming was difficult, (2020) Read more on page 27. It conveys our wish that Gondwana guests return home with a story to share. Every lodge and
especially after a series of droughts and the collapse of the As early as 1996, Gondwana’s values were to: ‘Give back to ○ Namibia Nature Parks (2021) Read more business unit has its own identity, logo, and inspiring catchphrase. A golden design thread runs
karakul market. The new Italian owner liked Manni’s suggestion nature what belongs to nature.” The first mission statement was on page 70. through them, making them recognisable as part of the group.
of hikes along the Gaab River to the canyon. In 1993, the Fish about sustainability: ‘To provide socially and environmentally Storytelling is incorporated in our logo. The hand symbolises the handshake we greet our
Eagle Trail was born. conscious tourism at a profit in southern Namibia with the customers with, individuality (every hand has its own story), a helping hand, cohesion and warm-
emphasis on the eastern side of the Fish River Canyon. ‘
heartedness. The hand’s stones show Africa as part of the former supercontinent of Gondwana.
Self-sufficiency They also represent the various lodges and the different customers from across the world, with
Manni and Lothar wanted Canyon Lodge to be self-sufficient. It was also environmentally their common roots in the ancient continent of Gondwana.
friendly; most fresh produce came from South Africa and was transported over vast Here is the essence of our brand: Have a story to tell.
distances at a tremendous environmental cost. We are committed to
They established the Self-Sufficiency Centre (SSC) at the Swartkoppies farmstead, 6km quality, service excellence, and
away from the lodge. Undaunted by the desert heat, they bought pigs and geese to eat respect for our beloved Namibia’s natural
kitchen scraps, chickens for eggs and cows for milk. They began a butchery, buying beef and cultural heritage. We are a company with
and game from farmers and making sausages, spare ribs, pork roast and bacon. They a soul. The essence of our culture is intangible,
started a dairy and cheesery, making cheese and butter for the lodge. but it inspires and drives us every day:
The first SSC operated for ten years. As the company expanded, the SSC moved to the ○ To be a brand of unwavering integrity and passion
Kalahari Farmhouse in Stampriet, better positioned in eastern Namibia, to supply the ○ To have a lasting and positive impact on our planet
lodges countrywide. and the people whose lives we touch
○ To make our country, our team and all stakeholders proud
This is the Gondwana
feeling: Namibia with
heart and soul.

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