Gobabeb sets sights on broader horizons

THE Gobabeb Training and Research Centre (GTRC) in the Namib-Naukluft Park plans to build on its successes of the last year and expand its multitude of programmes this year, which sees it celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Dr Malan Lindeque, Chairperson of the Gobabeb Board and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), reported that Gobabeb, a Namibian institution of international repute, had a record-breaking year in 2003. Lindeque said a truly significant feat was the publication of 76 research papers by scientists at the centre last year.”This is no mean feat and represents an increase of 10 per cent in research,” he said.A total of 84 scientists and 41 teams worked at the centre during the course of the year.A significant increase of 69 per cent was recorded with 54 training courses and workshops offered at Gobabeb.This represents 1 850 people visiting the centre, including many young and future professional Namibians as well as students from elsewhere in the world.”Gobabeb has a long history and cannot be ignored any longer.It has become a leading centre that can have a significant impact on environmental issues both in Namibia and the rest of SADC,” said Lindeque.Chief Seth Kooitjie, leader of the Topnaar community who are neighbours of Gobabeb, told the gathering that his community was very proud of the centre’s achievements.”It makes them happy to be able to see and touch the truth of development in their own area.My community have been able to expand their view because of the centre, especially those who have been involved in projects”.The Chief urged the Gobabeb Board to ensure that the centre remained open to all Namibians”.We do not want to see the centre become a white elephant as has happened with so many other buildings in the country, because their usefulness was never planned,” he said.The GTRC signed a joint venture agreement with MET and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) in 1998.Lindeque said in the six years since the joint venture, the relationship between the three parties had matured well.In terms of the agreement, the DRFN was mandated to undertake and strengthen research and training at Gobabeb.Research activities range from helping rural people to monitor the condition of farming areas, investigating ways people use indigenous fruit trees in north-central Namibia to developing a model of how water is used with basin stakeholders in the ephemeral Kuiseb River – from the Khomas Hochland all the way to Walvis Bay.The results of research are used to enhance understanding of arid environments and to promote the sustainable development of the country.Lindeque said a truly significant feat was the publication of 76 research papers by scientists at the centre last year.”This is no mean feat and represents an increase of 10 per cent in research,” he said. A total of 84 scientists and 41 teams worked at the centre during the course of the year. A significant increase of 69 per cent was recorded with 54 training courses and workshops offered at Gobabeb. This represents 1 850 people visiting the centre, including many young and future professional Namibians as well as students from elsewhere in the world. “Gobabeb has a long history and cannot be ignored any longer. It has become a leading centre that can have a significant impact on environmental issues both in Namibia and the rest of SADC,” said Lindeque. Chief Seth Kooitjie, leader of the Topnaar community who are neighbours of Gobabeb, told the gathering that his community was very proud of the centre’s achievements. “It makes them happy to be able to see and touch the truth of development in their own area. My community have been able to expand their view because of the centre, especially those who have been involved in projects”. The Chief urged the Gobabeb Board to ensure that the centre remained open to all Namibians”.We do not want to see the centre become a white elephant as has happened with so many other buildings in the country, because their usefulness was never planned,” he said. The GTRC signed a joint venture agreement with MET and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) in 1998. Lindeque said in the six years since the joint venture, the relationship between the three parties had matured well. In terms of the agreement, the DRFN was mandated to undertake and strengthen research and training at Gobabeb. Research activities range from helping rural people to monitor the condition of farming areas, investigating ways people use indigenous fruit trees in north-central Namibia to developing a model of how water is used with basin stakeholders in the ephemeral Kuiseb River – from the Khomas Hochland all the way to Walvis Bay. The results of research are used to enhance understanding of arid environments and to promote the sustainable development of the country.