A personal experience of Namibia in the year that it gained Independence.

...VIPs slowly start arriving. Colonel Gadaffi arrives late as he has insisted on having his camels flown in to provide him with fresh camel milk every day. Sam Nujoma, the New President draws up in a car surrounded by high security and wailing sirens.

The ceremony begins at five minutes to midday, just under half an hour late. De Klerk says his bit and then Sam is sworn in. A runner comes into the stadium carrying a flaming torch and lights the torch of freedom.

This is history, both personal and national. Julia Steven's diary of her stay in Namibia the year it gained independence from South Africa is pure poetry. The country comes alive in vivid colour and symphonic sound. It's funny, insightful, and heart-stopping. There is the account of the venture into Angola with a fake passport while the war was still on and there was the definite possibility of stepping on a land mine. There is the Independence Day celebrations and encounters with VIPs. There are stories of travels to Zimbabwe, a night-time encounter with a Tarantula, Windhoek Symphony Orchestra adventure, a near-death experience and much more...