
How Namibia can make astronomy accessible
How Namibia can make its world-class dark skies accessible to children through education, drawing lessons from Latin America and Southeast Asia’s astronomy programmes.
On the edge of Windhoek, where the city gives way to open skies and rocky hills, a tiny pup named Yoda was learning how to survive. Just two weeks old, he and his three siblings arrived at SPCA Windhoek after losing their mother. They were small enough to fit in two hands. The shelter staff stepped in without hesitation, warming milk bottles through the night and watching over the fragile newcomers with quiet devotion.
As the weeks passed, Yoda grew stronger. His siblings left one by one, carried off to new homes and new lives. Yoda remained, small and watchful, with bright eyes that seemed to follow every movement at the shelter, as if waiting for his turn.
That moment came through an unlikely avenue: a runway. Chosen for a FlyNamibia photoshoot, Yoda spent a day at the airport, sniffing new scents, padding across unfamiliar floors and charming everyone he met. Among them was Mr Louw, an aircraft engineer, who could not forget the tiny pup. The memory lingered. Soon, he returned to the shelter, this time to meet Yoda again. A few tail wags and gentle nudges later, the decision was made. Adoption papers were signed, and Yoda left the shelter in the arms of his new owner, heading towards a home of his own.
Today, his world is filled with warmth, play and the comforting rhythm of daily life. He races through rooms, curls up without worry and greets each day with uncomplicated joy. In a city shaped by wide horizons and long journeys, Yoda’s story is a reminder that even the smallest pup can find exactly where he belongs.

How Namibia can make its world-class dark skies accessible to children through education, drawing lessons from Latin America and Southeast Asia’s astronomy programmes.

Discover NOMAD Community Arts Project in Swakopmund, where Karin Retief brings women together through free recycled-art workshops that build skills, connection and belonging.

In a world that demands more, discover how to protect your identity, reconnect with yourself and grow without losing who you truly are.

Namibia marks World Space Week 2026 with ESA astronaut Dr Matthias Maurer, spotlighting STEM education, satellite data and the country’s growing role in space science.