San conservancies plead for help
The two San conservancies in the country say they are still plagued by illegal land grabbing and settlements and pleaded for help from the minister.
STAFF REPORTER
The Nyae Nyae and N?a Jaqna conservancies have appealed to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta to visit them in order to address issues that threaten them.
The two conservancies, run by indigenous San communities, are among Namibia's largest communal conservancies.
A statement issued by the conservancies said Shifeta promised last year that he would not tolerate abuse of communities in conservancies by invaders who wanted to cheat them out of their land and scarce natural resources.
Both conservancies have been struggling for years to address illegal settlement and fencing (N?a Jaqna) and illegal grazing (Nyae Nyae).
“Despite court orders and the minister's words, the residents have been frustrated at the lack of progress, while those acting illegally have continued their illegal activities,” the statement read.
The conservancies urged Shifeta to exercise his authority to help expedite the legal process of stopping illegal activities.
“It is something the residents of the conservancies have been seeking for many years,” the statement said.
The problem with illegal settlement, fencing and grazing is that it threatens the long-term survival of the conservancies, the residents added.
“We are constantly seeing illegal activities taking place in the conservancies and the lack of action by the authorities is leading to more and more people flaunting the law and abusing our land and resource rights,” said Sarah Zungu, the chairperson of N?a Jaqna Conservancy and a senior !Kung traditional councillor.
According to the statement the conservancies depend upon sustainable use and management of natural resources, “while those acting illegally flaunt these rules, creating overgrazing and water shortages and stretching the precious resources beyond breaking point.”
Nyae Nyae Conservancy is also a community forest and N?a Jaqna is seeking community forest status.
This status means that these communities have rights over the grazing in the conservancies. But it has not had the hoped-for effect of getting additional support from the agriculture ministry in addressing illegal grazing.
“Everyone agrees on the importance of protecting our natural resources and giving the San people the chance and opportunity to thrive within their conservancies, so that they can feel part of and contribute to the Harambee Prosperity Plan and NTDP 5.
“However, if the laws of Namibia and High Court rulings are not enforced the challenges facing the residents of the conservancy and their surroundings become insurmountable,” the statement said.
The local Land Board, instructed by the High Court to ensure that 22 illegal settlers vacate conservancy land, has failed to provide a progress report to the N?a Jaqna Conservancy despite specific requests for information.
“We urge these matters to be given the priority they deserve,” the statement said.
Both conservancies hope that a visit by Shifeta would help garner support for their cause and give them the necessary clout they need to implement the court orders.
The Nyae Nyae and N?a Jaqna conservancies have appealed to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta to visit them in order to address issues that threaten them.
The two conservancies, run by indigenous San communities, are among Namibia's largest communal conservancies.
A statement issued by the conservancies said Shifeta promised last year that he would not tolerate abuse of communities in conservancies by invaders who wanted to cheat them out of their land and scarce natural resources.
Both conservancies have been struggling for years to address illegal settlement and fencing (N?a Jaqna) and illegal grazing (Nyae Nyae).
“Despite court orders and the minister's words, the residents have been frustrated at the lack of progress, while those acting illegally have continued their illegal activities,” the statement read.
The conservancies urged Shifeta to exercise his authority to help expedite the legal process of stopping illegal activities.
“It is something the residents of the conservancies have been seeking for many years,” the statement said.
The problem with illegal settlement, fencing and grazing is that it threatens the long-term survival of the conservancies, the residents added.
“We are constantly seeing illegal activities taking place in the conservancies and the lack of action by the authorities is leading to more and more people flaunting the law and abusing our land and resource rights,” said Sarah Zungu, the chairperson of N?a Jaqna Conservancy and a senior !Kung traditional councillor.
According to the statement the conservancies depend upon sustainable use and management of natural resources, “while those acting illegally flaunt these rules, creating overgrazing and water shortages and stretching the precious resources beyond breaking point.”
Nyae Nyae Conservancy is also a community forest and N?a Jaqna is seeking community forest status.
This status means that these communities have rights over the grazing in the conservancies. But it has not had the hoped-for effect of getting additional support from the agriculture ministry in addressing illegal grazing.
“Everyone agrees on the importance of protecting our natural resources and giving the San people the chance and opportunity to thrive within their conservancies, so that they can feel part of and contribute to the Harambee Prosperity Plan and NTDP 5.
“However, if the laws of Namibia and High Court rulings are not enforced the challenges facing the residents of the conservancy and their surroundings become insurmountable,” the statement said.
The local Land Board, instructed by the High Court to ensure that 22 illegal settlers vacate conservancy land, has failed to provide a progress report to the N?a Jaqna Conservancy despite specific requests for information.
“We urge these matters to be given the priority they deserve,” the statement said.
Both conservancies hope that a visit by Shifeta would help garner support for their cause and give them the necessary clout they need to implement the court orders.
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