Breaking the Silence on Conservancies and Tourism Versus Mining

As I write this, I find myself reflecting on the complexities of Namibia’s national identity and its future, a country that seems to grapple with systemic challenges despite its vast natural wealth and potential.

Since independence, Namibia has had a wealth of opportunities to thrive because of its abundant resources.

However, success stories are few and far between.

Few businesses have managed to succeed without government support or preferential treatment; even fewer have contributed meaningfully to the nation, fostering sustainable growth.

It’s difficult to understand why we still struggle to achieve broad-based success.

The reason seems to lie in systems set up by the government that tend to benefit individuals rather than communities.

These systems create a culture of short-term gain instead of generating long-term, sustainable growth.

Government tenders, mining claims, fishing quotas and recently even tourism concessions, often prioritise individual enrichment over the collective good.

In some cases, these systems are openly supported by politicians who disregard the long-term well-being of communities in favour of personal or political gain.

Recently, one politician even argued that two well-connected individuals’ mining ventures should take precedence over the rights and livelihoods of entire communities that depend on conservancy-driven tourism.

This model not only creates inequality but perpetuates historical injustices under the guise of progress.

This isn’t patriotism – it’s exploitation of Namibia’s most vulnerable.

SHARED SUCCESS

In contrast, a company I co-founded, Ultimate Safaris, tries to represent a different vision for Namibia’s economic and social development.
We are a Namibian brand, built from the ground up, focused on making a positive impact.

From modest beginnings, we have grown into a successful enterprise employing nearly 150 Namibians.

Many of these employees have risen from entry-level positions to take on significant responsibility.

We provide benefits and opportunities that far exceed the support offered by the government.

Our approach is not only about running a business, but about making a meaningful contribution to Namibia and its people.

Through our Conservation Travel Foundation, founded in 2006, we are dedicated to channelling at least 2.5% of our commercial revenue into community development and conservation.

This year alone, the foundation has invested almost N$8 million in conservation and rural development.

In 2022 we made the bold move of making long-serving staff members shareholders, reinforcing our commitment to shared success.

SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

Some of our operations are rooted in communal land, a choice that reflects our commitment to supporting communities.

These ventures, while not without challenges, have created significant financial and social benefits for conservancies we partner with.

Our collaborative work with conservancies like Huab, Doro !Nawas, Twyfelfontein Uibasen and Sorris Sorris has generated substantial cash flows, created jobs, and provided community development projects.

During the 25-year duration of our contracts with these conservancies, we project that more than N$300 million will be generated for these communities.

In 2024 alone, our operations in these areas paid over N$3 million to conservancies and N$7.5 million in salaries and subsistence for 40 staff members.

Additionally, we’ve contributed another N$7 million to the value chain that supports our operations.

Investments in these areas have totalled nearly N$70 million since 2020, and we were on track to build more infrastructure when we were forced to engage in litigation to protect these ventures from being compromised by mining interests.

The money we pay to conservancies is directly invested back into the community, funding initiatives such as pensions, orphan grants, funeral grants, solar power, water supplies, tertiary education support and livestock vaccinations.

This is not just theoretical; it is a documented, proven track record of positive results that goes beyond promises.

MINING AND DESTRUCTION

Despite these successes, mining activities pose a significant threat to these community-based operations.

Mining, especially in areas home to critically endangered species like the black rhino, is simply incompatible with conservation.

Our operations rely heavily on black rhinos, which are extremely sensitive to noise and human disturbance.

Mining, with its heavy machinery and blasting, forces rhinos to abandon their habitats, which in turn destroys the tourism models that depend on them.

This has already happened in the Huab Conservancy: Mining led to the collapse of tourism operations, loss of community income and the erosion of conservation efforts – all with no meaningful benefit for the local population.

In the Doros Joint Management Area, where we received international conservation recognition this year and one of our camps was named one of the best hotels in the world, we have raised millions in revenue for the community.

Our operations generate long-term contracts, generational employment and developmental support.

Yet, despite this success, mining interests threaten to undo all of this.

The environmental commissioner has repeatedly issued environmental clearance certificates for mining operations without properly assessing the environmental and social impact of these ventures.

The decision to allow mining to proceed without consideration of its effects on wildlife and tourism operations represents a gross oversight.

Lack of proper oversight and the influence of political patronage exacerbates the situation.
Some governors actively promote mining at community meetings, police officers turn a blind eye to environmental damage, and public officials seem to align with mining interests rather than the communities they are meant to serve.

SYSTEMIC FAILURES

Meanwhile, conservancies are left to shoulder the immense financial burden of litigation, which in this case has already exceeded N$2.5 million.

Mining proponents, ‘divide and conquer’, dividing communities, offering short-term incentives, and using political influence to advance their interests.

This only deepens divides within communities and makes it harder to achieve sustainable, inclusive growth.

The systemic failures at the heart of these conflicts cannot be ignored.

Political interference, disregard for conservation agreements, and a lack of accountability for the environmental and social impact of mining activities are undermining Namibia’s potential.

The rhetoric of development sounds hollow when it comes at the cost of long-term sustainability.

The black rhinos, the arid-adapted elephants of the Kunene and the communities who safeguard them deserve more than to be sidelined for short-term gain.

This isn’t just about the future of a few conservancies – it’s about the future of Namibia’s communal lands and the integrity of its environmental governance.

BALANCE AND BENEFITS

As Namibia contemplates high-risk ‘get rich quick’ schemes, we must consider whether we are abandoning sustainable, long-term investments in favour of ecologically damaging short-term profit.

The future of Namibia lies in balancing resource extraction with preserving its natural and cultural heritage, ensuring that the benefits of these resources are shared widely and sustainably.

We must ask ourselves whether we will continue to allow systems that perpetuate inequality and exploitation, or demand better governance and accountability for a truly inclusive and sustainable future.

It is time to break the silence, to challenge the systems that have led to the current situation, and to demand a new vision for Namibia – one that prioritises long-term sustainability, equity and respect for the environment.

• • Tristan Cowley is a passionate Namibian, conservationist and impact investment business owner, determined to ensure his actions have a lasting positive effect on Namibia and her people.