Namibians have their own language when it comes to their dry rivers. When one of them brings water, they don’t say «The river is flowing». «They say the river is running flows». And yesterday, April 1, 2025 (no April Fool’s joke!), it happened again.

Social media reported that the Swakop was 30 kilometers, then 20, then 10, and finally just before Swakopmund. It takes a lot for the river to make its way to the sea. And finally, a meter-high sand dune has to be pushed through. This only happens when the water volume and pressure are large enough to wash the sand into the sea.

Last night, it happened. And today we went to see what the river mouth looked like. We weren’t the only ones there: school classes, old people, young people, families with babies—everyone wanted to see the Swakop river flow into the sea. (Swakopmund residents say it only does this every ten years; but it’s only been three years since the last one!)

Admittedly, it’s not pleasant to see the brown sludge flowing into the sea, which turns brown far and wide. But in a few days, the sand will have subsided, and the Atlantic will be restored to its former glory. And the Swakop River has brought water into the valley, for which both people and animals are grateful!

PS: If you want to know more about the Swakop River, read here.