Kamanjab farmers demand action on elephant conflict

Farmers in parts of Kamanjab say human-wildlife conflict is threatening livelihoods, infrastructure and safety despite years of government programmes to reduce it.

The concerns come amid renewed attention on elephant incidents in Kunene after two men were injured near Khorixas when their vehicle struck an elephant.

During engagements, farmers described growing frustration over elephant damage to infrastructure, financial losses and what they say is insufficient intervention despite existing policies.

“We were promised solutions and protection, but people are still struggling,” commercial farmer Danie Robbertse told Namibian Sun.

“We should not have to kill elephants because they endanger our livestock and farming operations. We do not want to poach them, but communities are under pressure,” he said.

Robbertse claimed the financial burden associated with repairing damage caused by elephants has become increasingly difficult to sustain.

He said he spends more than N$2 million annually repairing damaged infrastructure.

“If this situation is not addressed, in the next five years Kamanjab farmers will be long gone. That would be a huge loss to local communities employed on farms and would also affect tourism and the broader Kamanjab economy,” he said.

Little help available

Farmers in the area say the issue raises broader questions about whether Namibia’s human-wildlife conflict policies translate into meaningful protection for affected communities.

Some residents also pointed to policy commitments made over the years under successive environment ministry leadership, arguing that implementation on the ground has fallen short.

A government policy document acknowledges that growing wildlife populations and expanding wildlife ranges have increased conflict between communities and wildlife.

“It will not be possible to eradicate all conflict, but that conflict has to be managed in the most effective and efficient ways possible,” the policy states.

Another farmer, Morne du Plessis, said that while Namibia’s conservation gains are internationally recognised, rural communities carry the burden of that success.

“The government responds strongly when it comes to rhino-related incidents, but when elephants threaten farms and infrastructure, communities often feel left on their own,” he alleged.

Active responses

Environment ministry spokesperson Vilo Hangula said the ministry continues to implement mitigation measures across conflict hotspot areas.

These include predator-proof kraals, floodlights, elephant-proof enclosures, water infrastructure, wildlife monitoring and fencing.

Hangula said implementation remains affected by what he described as “intervening variables”, but maintained that progress is being made.

Under the human-wildlife conflict management policy, payments for crop damage have increased from N$1 000 per hectare to N$2 000 per hectare, while 0.25 hectares now receives N$500 in compensation.

The ministry is also developing a national behavioural change campaign aimed at improving understanding of wildlife behaviour and promoting peaceful coexistence.