When I was growing up there was Hoodia (!Khoba) growing all over the place, especially after the rains.

Nowadays, I see Hoodia plants only in photos and at people's houses.

Regardless of the propagated health benefits and medicinal use of this native plant, was it worth it to destroy its wild population to such an extent.

I would like to know who is benefiting from the marketing of Hoodia in Namibia.

Could Government, as the custodian of all of Namibia's natural resources, give account for what has happened to the freely growing Hoodia plants? My conclusion is that like diamonds, fish, and ostrich, outsiders have again colluded with greedy locals to steal another treasure from Namibia.

I've observed the sad reality of how the exploitation of local natural resources make very little positive difference on the livelihoods of local communities.

And I hope that it is maybe not too late to salvage the extinction of wild Hoodia in Namibia.

Communal Farmer, Via e-mail Note: Name and address provided - Ed

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