THE cream-colored Land-Rover was laden with supplies, spares, and Bible literature. It was heading north from Windhoek, capital of South-West Africa (Namibia). The time? May of 1981. As they drove through the flat, dry countryside, the four passengers had time to meditate on the exciting trip ahead.

The driver, Chris du Plessis, and his partner were Jehovah’s Witnesses and regular pioneers, that is, full-time preachers of the Kingdom message. They had just spent several enjoyable weeks in Katatura, the large black township near Windhoek. Both of them had found it exhilarating to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom from house to house among the black people with their friendly attitude and good response to the message.

The two young men had been asked to provide transportation for circuit overseer Schalk Coetzee and his wife to isolated groups of Witnesses up north, where some roads are impassable by ordinary vehicles. With the Land-Rover they could camp anywhere​—the Coetzees sleeping “downstairs” in the vehicle and the two young men “upstairs” in a tent on the roof!

After driving some 370 kilometersa the party reached the “death triangle”​—so called because many people have lost their lives there because of intense guerrilla activity by raiders from Angola. Farther north they saw several wrecked cars but had no trouble.

Their first visit was at Ondangwa, a military post not far from Angola. Special pioneers were caring for the small congregation there. Christo Els and his wife Elizabeth had learned the local language, Ndonga​—a real challenge. But the people listened well and had deep respect for the Bible. Sometimes Christo had to take over plowing with donkeys or his wife had to hoe the field so that householders could be free to listen to the Kingdom message!

Since the area was a war zone, travelers on gravel roads ran the risk of land mines. So Christo and Elizabeth often drove on sandy bush roads, and people they met were very surprised that they carried no weapons.

It was a real joy for them to visit the Ovahimba people living primitive lives in a remote area. These people were dressed in skins, their bodies smeared with ocher. The pioneers used a publication they had helped to translate. What a thrill to see these people show appreciation for the Kingdom message!

A one-day assembly was held during the week’s visit of Brother Coetzee and his party. Since the area was sparsely populated, the attendance was small. But all in this remote outpost were thrilled with the program and fine association.

The Caprivi Strip

After a brief stop at Rundu to obtain permits, the party entered the Caprivi Strip. As the map shows, this is a narrow corridor of territory stretching from northeastern Namibia deep into the heart of southern Africa. It is 480 kilometers long and 80 kilometers wide at its widest point and shares borders with Angola, Zambia, and Botswana. Although it is also a militarily controlled area, it is more peaceful than the territory to the west.

The population of the Caprivi is about 40,000, consisting mostly of blacks, although Bushmen often roam into the western section. Many inhabitants speak English and can read and write. As the party drove east, they often stopped to speak to people, and they also enjoyed the scenery​—trees and wildlife, including elephants and antelope. Upon approaching Katima Mulilo, the only “town,” the groups of neat thatched huts became more frequent. The pioneers were so fascinated by the place that when Schalk Coetzee asked if they would be willing to serve in this remote location, they gladly accepted the privilege.

After a brief stay in Katima Mulilo, the quartet was off again to visit the isolated group at Kasane in northern Botswana. They traveled through the Chobe Game Reserve, at times alongside large buffalo and elephant herds. When they camped at night, they heard lions roaring nearby.

At Kasane, with local pioneers interpreting, they preached from hut to hut, African style. The approach is slow and dignified. The visitor stands outside the hut and calls out to attract attention. Someone responds and invites him to enter and be seated. Usually the whole family is summoned to listen. Then follows a lengthy exchange of greetings and inquiries about health and origin. Only then does the Witness begin discussing a Bible topic.

The local Witnesses were very happy and grateful that the party had come so far to visit them. Meetings had to be held in a mud hut. So Schalk Coetzee encouraged them to build their own Kingdom Hall.

Returning to Katima Mulilo, the travelers all enjoyed a week’s visit with the local Witnesses. At night they camped near the Zambezi River and appreciated the silence, broken only by the throb of distant drums​—the “heartbeat” of Africa. They found the local group zealous but needing much direction on how to conduct meetings, how to witness from hut to hut, how properly to legalize marriages, and so forth.

The visitors really enjoyed the preaching work! Said one: “When the people learned that we had Bible books in Silozi, their language, they nearly overwhelmed us, requesting not only books but also someone to teach them. It was unbelievable!”

Reluctantly the party left their new friends in Katima Mulilo and began the return trip. They spent a week with the local congregation at Rundu in northern Namibia. Most of the brothers there were refugees from Angola who spoke Portuguese. Another language problem! After a trip of about 4,000 kilometers, they reached Windhoek, tired but happy and very grateful to Jehovah for the many privileges they had enjoyed.

[Maps/​Picture on page 21]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

NAMIBIA

ANGOLA

OVAMBOLAND

Ondangwa

Rundu

Tsumeb

Otavi

Grootfontein

The “death triangle”

Windhoek

CAPRIVI STRIP

Zambezi River

Katima Mulilo

Kasane

BOTSWANA

ATLANTIC OCEAN

[Picture on page 23]

Camping by the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo. Schalk Coetzee making out his weekly report as circuit overseer. Notice the “upstairs” accommodations of the Land-Rover

[Picture on page 24]

Kingdom preaching in Kasane, northern Botswana