Simply the best:Angelina, Brad

HOLLYWOOD glamour couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt will be eternally grateful to Namibia – the birthplace of their daughter Shiloh Nouvel.

“Ange couldn’t have picked a better place to have our child,” Brad said yesterday, emphasising that it was important that the outside world should understand that they had received excellent medical care. They will return frequently to Namibia as well as the birthplaces of their other two children Maddox (Cambodia) and Zahara (Ethiopia) so that they can “feel what it is like to be part of other places”, said Angelina.Added Brad: “Shiloh will be receiving a Namibian passport soon.We are very grateful for that and we are sure she’ll appreciate it as she grows older.”For the first time since their arrival in Namibia more than two months ago, the couple yesterday spoke exclusively and candidly to Namibian media about their long holiday, their experiences and the birth of their baby nearly two weeks ago.”Because of your graciousness we’ve had a special and peaceful time in your beautiful country and the healthy delivery of our daughter.We are eternally grateful,” said Brad in an opening statement on behalf of the couple.They looked relaxed as they entered the room at a Swakopmund hotel – only a 15-minute drive from their holiday home at Langstrand – shortly after 14h00 local time.Angelina looked no different to countless photographs of her playing on beaches around the world with her children.Dressed in a black three-quarter-length dress and beach thongs, hair loosely tied away from her face and with only light make-up, she looked the glowing new mom.WHY NAMIBIA?Her time in Namibia had been special not only for her but the children, Angelina said.”I’ve been to Namibia before.We have both travelled in Africa and I love Namibia.We wanted privacy and peace.I also wanted Brad to come to Namibia.It’s been a wonderful place to be with our kids,” said Angelina of her choice to give birth here.”We were afforded a peace here we couldn’t have had at home,” said Brad.The couple rubbished a report by a columnist in the US that they had put the life of their newborn at risk by giving birth here.”We had amazing health care,” said Brad dressed in a khaki suit and grey T-shirt.”They are absolutely wrong,” interjected Angelina.”It’s important for communities to know that.”Shiloh was born in the Cottage Private Hospital at Swakopmund in the early hours of Sunday, May 28.Mother and daughter stayed there for a few days before returning to the Burning Shore Lodge – their home base in Namibia since their arrival in early April.”We did our homework.We were concerned about the safety of our child and Ange.We had absolutely top-notch medical assistance from the operating crew to the nurses.We couldn’t have received anything better in the States,” said Brad.”It’s strange to bring a child into the world knowing there is a bounty on her head by the entertainment industry.We were afforded a lifestyle here we couldn’t have had anywhere else.”The couple chose not to expose their children to any further media attention, but assured the Namibian media that their baby and their other two children were happy and well.SECOND-TO-NONEFirst Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, Environment and Tourism Minister Leon Jooste, Gender Equality and Child Welfare Minister Marlene Mungunda and Erongo Governor Samuel Nuuyoma were all present at the press briefing.But Namibia has been more to the couple than the ideal birthplace for their first child together – their adopted children Maddox and Zahara have had a holiday second-to-none.Maddox made friends with San children at Harnas Farm, a (private) sanctuary for wild animals near Gobabis, and even though they couldn’t communicate, they had an “extraordinary time”, said Brad.Angelina is the patron of the farm and has spent a lot of time there, apparently without Namibia and the world knowing that she was here.But while Angelina has had more experience getting to know the country, it was a first for Brad.The actor was amazed by the sheer diversity of Namibia.The family has visited Soussusvlei, eastern Namibia, the Skeleton Coast and the coastal towns where they were spotted occasionally by the local residents during their stay.Brad enjoyed having the dunes in his “backyard” to spend hours playing around.”Namibia has a topography very few places can boast.Namibia is one of the world’s best kept secrets … until we got here of course,” joked Brad.They repeatedly said they would return to Namibia.”We are sorry for any chaos we brought.But we are very grateful.We’ve made many friends.We’ve enjoyed the country and we will be back,” said Angelina.Added Brad: “We’re very proud our daughter was born here and we have a hunger to return.”NAMIBIAN CONNECTIONSEarlier in the day, First Lady Pohamba and Minister Mungunda met with Maddox and Zahara, and Angelina thanked them for giving Brad some “burping” tips, although Brad quipped that he “had skills”.Angelina said she understood that as public people they could expect attention, but felt it was only fair that her home and family life were respected when they were in those confines.She thought many celebrities would consider coming to Namibia purely to enjoy some privacy from the relentless media spotlight.The couple would not say exactly when they were leaving Namibia, but Angelina said they would only be staying a “few more days before returning to the United States”.”My mother’s dying to see the baby.She’ll kill me if I don’t take her to see her soon,” said Angelina.Angelina’s mother, who lives in France, is said to be in ill health.They have not yet chosen godparents for their newborn.Besides their financial commitment to hospitals at the coast, the pair has decided to contribute to a project of the First Lady focusing on widows and orphans.They have been in talks with many people to discuss building clinics and schools for the San.”It’s a pleasure for both of us,” commented Angelina of the commitments made to help vulnerable communities in Namibia.”We want to pay back to the area,” added Brad.THE FUTUREBrad will start working again towards the end of August.He joked that Jooste would star as the bad guy in his new movie, ‘Oceans 13’.Bringing up their children would enjoy priority and with there now being three of them, it would take some juggling to devote quality time to their family and their careers, said Angelina.It is the couple’s intention that the family stay together even when one of them is working on a film.The couple will take turns working.And the big question on everybody’s lips, whether wedding bells are on the horizon: “There has not been a need (to get married).We are extremely committed to our children and parents together.To have a ceremony on top of that is not necessary,” said Angelina.They will return frequently to Namibia as well as the birthplaces of their other two children Maddox (Cambodia) and Zahara (Ethiopia) so that they can “feel what it is like to be part of other places”, said Angelina.Added Brad: “Shiloh will be receiving a Namibian passport soon.We are very grateful for that and we are sure she’ll appreciate it as she grows older.”For the first time since their arrival in Namibia more than two months ago, the couple yesterday spoke exclusively and candidly to Namibian media about their long holiday, their experiences and the birth of their baby nearly two weeks ago.”Because of your graciousness we’ve had a special and peaceful time in your beautiful country and the healthy delivery of our daughter.We are eternally grateful,” said Brad in an opening statement on behalf of the couple.They looked relaxed as they entered the room at a Swakopmund hotel – only a 15-minute drive from their holiday home at Langstrand – shortly after 14h00 local time.Angelina looked no different to countless photographs of her playing on beaches around the world with her children.Dressed in a black three-quarter-length dress and beach thongs, hair loosely tied away from her face and with only light make-up, she looked the glowing new mom.WHY NAMIBIA? Her time in Namibia had been special not only for her but the children, Angelina said.”I’ve been to Namibia before.We have both travelled in Africa and I love Namibia.We wanted privacy and peace.I also wanted Brad to come to Namibia.It’s been a wonderful place to be with our kids,” said Angelina of her choice to give birth here. “We were afforded a peace here we couldn’t have had at home,” said Brad.The couple rubbished a report by a columnist in the US that they had put the life of their newborn at risk by giving birth here.”We had amazing health care,” said Brad dressed in a khaki suit and grey T-shirt.”They are absolutely wrong,” interjected Angelina.”It’s important for communities to know that.”Shiloh was born in the Cottage Private Hospital at Swakopmund in the early hours of Sunday, May 28.Mother and daughter stayed there for a few days before returning to the Burning Shore Lodge – their home base in Namibia since their arrival in early April.”We did our homework.We were concerned about the safety of our child and Ange.We had absolutely top-notch medical assistance from the operating crew to the nurses.We couldn’t have received anything better in the States,” said Brad.”It’s strange to bring a child into the world knowing there is a bounty on her head by the entertainment industry.We were afforded a lifestyle here we couldn’t have had anywhere else.”The couple chose not to expose their children to any further media attention, but assured the Namibian media that their baby and their other two children were happy and well.SECOND-TO-NONE First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, Environment and Tourism Minister Leon Jooste, Gender Equality and Child Welfare Minister Marlene Mungunda and Erongo Governor Samuel Nuuyoma were all present at the press briefing.But Namibia has been more to the couple than the ideal birthplace for their first child together – their adopted children Maddox and Zahara have had a holiday second-to-none.Maddox made friends with San children at Harnas Farm, a (private) sanctuary for wild animals near Gobabis, and even though they couldn’t communicate, they had an “extraordinary time”, said Brad.Angelina is the patron of the farm and has spent a lot of time there, apparently without Namibia and the world knowing that she was here.But while Angelina has had more experience getting to know the country, it was a first for Brad.The actor was amazed by the sheer diversity of Namibia.The family has visited Soussusvlei, eastern Namibia, the Skeleton Coast and the coastal towns where they were spotted occasionally by the local residents during their stay.Brad enjoyed having the dunes in his “backyard” to spend hours playing around.”Namibia has a topography very few places can boast.Namibia is one of the world’s best kept secrets … until we got here of course,” joked Brad.They repeatedly said they would return to Namibia.”We are sorry for any chaos we brought.But we are very grateful.We’ve made many friends.We’ve enjoyed the country and we will be back,” said Angelina.Added Brad: “We’re very proud our daughter was born here and we have a hunger to return.” NAMIBIAN CONNECTIONS Earlier in the day, First Lady Pohamba and Minister Mungunda met with Maddox and Zahara, and Angelina thanked them for giving Brad some “burping” tips, although Brad quipped that he “had skills”.Angelina said she understood that as public people they could expect attention, but felt it was only fair that her home and family life were respected when they were in those confines.She thought many celebrities would consider coming to Namibia purely to enjoy some privacy from the relentless media spotlight.The couple would not say exactly when they were leaving Namibia, but Angelina said they would only be staying a “few more days before returning to the United States”.”My mother’s dying to see the baby.She’ll kill me if I don’t take her to see her soon,” said Angelina.Angelina’s mother, who lives in France, is said to be in ill health.They have not yet chosen godparents for their newborn.Besides their financial commitment to hospitals at the coast, the pair has decided to contribute to a project of the First Lady focusing on widows and orphans.They have been in talks with many people to discuss building clinics and schools for the San.”It’s a pleasure for both of us,” commented Angelina of the commitments made to help vulnerable communities in Namibia.”We want to pay back to the area,” added Brad.THE FUTURE Brad will start working again towards the end of August.He joked that Jooste would star as the bad guy in his new movie, ‘Oceans 13’.Bringing up their children would enjoy priority and with there now being three of them, it would take some juggling to devote quality time to their family and their careers, said Angelina.It is the couple’s intention that the family stay together even when one of them is working on a film.The couple will take turns working.And the big question on everybody’s lips, whether wedding bells are on the horizon: “There has not been a need (to get married).We are extremely committed to our children and parents together.To have a ceremony on top of that is not necessary,” said Angelina.