Namibia thanks Lewis Hamilton for his visit

Already a few days ago, a first photo caused a stir on social media. It showed Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton at the Hosea Kutako International Airport near Windhoek. From behind, hardly recognisable.

Shortly afterwards, the confirmation. From the racing driver himself. On Instagram, Hamilton posted five photos of his stay in Namibia. He was searching for his roots in Africa, he wrote. "My first stop was Namibia, one of the most breathtaking places I have ever seen with my own eyes."

Hamilton took a short trip to the Namib Desert. The photos show him on a balloon ride over the Namib, during a quad bike ride and on the dune sands at Sossusvlei. His conclusion: "I feel truly re-centred".

Before Hamilton came Mourinho

The Namibian government expressed its gratitude for the visit in a press release from the Ministry of Tourism. To him and to Portuguese football manager and former player José Mourinho. Mourinho had toured the land of endless horizons a few weeks earlier. "With these visits, they have brought Namibia closer to the millions of people who follow them."

Not only to the people, but also to the media that follow them. Yesterday morning, the online edition of the German Bild newspaper carried "stark holiday photos of Formula One star Hamilton". Posts and media coverage with an audience of millions are of course welcome publicity for Namibia.

Sven-Eric Stender