On a Monday afternoon in Windhoek’s central enterprise district (CBD), the hustle is considerably hampered by the chilly.

Winter has arrived early and the white rhino that has just lately taken up residence on Independence Avenue glistens as if common from ice.

Though it’s a novel notion, sculptor Alfeus Mvula trails a hand alongside the large public artwork piece and says it’s made out of the best white marble.

The rhino joins quite a few new sights and scenes within the central enterprise district, together with Karel Swanepoel’s vivid, heroic and offbeat murals which nearly catch one’s eye when attempting to {photograph} the newly opened Hilton Garden Inn close to an alley on the bustling road. Down the best way from the glowing new lodge, Chow Now, a model new providing from Taste, beckons because the wind bends the vegetation that fringe the Freedom Plaza courtyard.

Back on Independence Avenue, Mvula’s white rhino attracts curiosity and a snapshot or two. Originally sculpted in 2017 and acquainted, maybe, from its former perch on the College of the Arts on Fidel Castro Street, the rhino’s function, as said on a plaque by sponsors Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) in partnership with Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) and Mvula, is to help rhino conservation.

The rhino is on the market and proceeds from its buy will go to the artist, in addition to to the event of a NAPHA conservation faculty.

“I created this sculpture to raise awareness of white rhino poaching in Namibia,” says Mvula. “The issue is the illegal hunting of the white rhino for its horn. It happens a lot, especially in the north. In fact, everywhere. Wherever there is rhino, they’re always in danger.”

Local authorities just lately reported that 28 black and white rhinos had been poached in Namibia because the starting of this 12 months – 19 of them in Etosha National Park.

“Public art is important because having an image, a sculpture in a public space like this, can educate everybody,” says Mvula. “This is a main street where there are many people and everybody can hear the message: Please protect our rhino.”

From essential dialog about conservation on Independence Avenue to entrepreneurial growth at Freedom Plaza, Chow Now by Taste companion and enterprise developer Thando Mdevulana introduces the house. Chow Now is Taste’s third location after their flagship restaurant in Eros and their eatery at Hosea Kutako International Airport.

“The idea for Chow Now is mostly grab-and-go,” says Mdevulana of the minimalist but vibrant new bistro which opened final month. “The type of people who work around here don’t have a lot of time but we want to give our clients a convenient food experience focused on fresh produce.”

If you’ve skilled the extra upscale Taste in Eros, Chow Now affords the identical high quality and full-bodied flavour, however for the hardworking residents of the central enterprise district.

Succulent beef stirfry, hen Caesar salad and scrumptious wings, in addition to a collection of truffles, muffins and breakfast fare, are all recent, packed and able to go and may be loved in a soothing and aesthetic house adorned with lush fake greenery, neon lighting, bamboo mild shades, tables elevated with freshly minimize flowers and boasting massive glass home windows and loads of pure mild.

“Everyone is welcome,” says Mdevulana, even supposing Chow Now is located on the bottom flooring of the Nedbank head workplace constructing.

“Our menus are tailored for everyone from the high-end CEO to the guy who sweeps the street. If you look at our menus, we provide the same quality as one would get at Taste. You could experience the best burger and get it for N$80 here instead of getting it for N$200 at the restaurant. The flavours are the same.”

If you’ve been craving a style of Taste, Chow Now has you lined within the CBD and is open from 07h30 to 17h00 from Monday to Friday.

Last however not least for this ‘what’s new’ version and now open on Reverend Michael Scott Street, is the Hilton Garden Inn. Located only a stone’s throw from Windhoek’s first Hilton, this plush new lodge is a boon to the bleisure (enterprise and leisure) traveller.

Walking in off the road, you’ll step right into a well-appointed and practical foyer, grab-and-go café and The Pekuta Grill & Bar. The latter delivers your fancy of kapana, pork ribs, Thai curry and extra to a collection of lime cubicles providing a stunning view of the sundown by means of the restaurant’s massive glass home windows.

For your digital nomad, freelancer and gig financial system varieties, the foyer’s wealth of aesthetic solo seating and plug factors are inviting, as are the lodge’s neat bar and lounge.

If you’re staying over or require assembly or convention rooms, the lodge’s clear pool, on-site laundry and health centre are notable facilities alongside 66 sq. metres of versatile assembly house and amenities.

“We are thrilled to open Hilton Garden Inn Windhoek – marking the brand’s debut in Namibia,” says the lodge’s normal supervisor, Amos Mworia, in an official assertion. “We look forward to providing reliable and friendly hospitality to domestic and international travellers looking for an upscale yet affordable stay in Namibia.”

Each endeavoring so as to add extra tradition and color to town many people name house, that’s what’s new within the CBD.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com