Ngoma hosts Boundless Southern Africa celebrations

THE usually sleepy settlement of Ngoma – 60 kilometres outside the Caprivi regional capital of Katima Mulilo – came to life on Friday morning with impressive traditional dances of learners and adults groups.

‘Mazho, Mazho,’ shouted the Master of Ceremonies as he electrified a group of learners from Mafwila Senior Secondary School, who were the main performers at the event, before another group of women in white dresses took over the stage.Mazho, Mazho is a Silozi word for calling on someone to clap hands. The event was to unleash information about Boundless Southern Africa, an expedition brand promoting Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) of nine SADC countries: Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland.The countries are united through their passion for nature, culture and community and this initiative offers tourists much more in terms of experiencing wildlife, the scenic beauty in pristine destinations and to engage directly with local communities.The expedition leader, South African legendary adventurer Kingsley Holgate, told the gathering that the expedition ran through the nine countries for three months from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, raising awareness of the link between nature, communities and culture.’At the end of the expedition, a book will be written and a documentary will also be produced,’ he said, before noting that during the expedition, they had to go through a number of difficulties, driving long distances through forests and tough roads, in addition to camping in the bush.In each involved country, an art competition for learners on culture, nature and community was also held and in Namibia learners who took part were drawn from the Caprivi Region. Judging took place on Friday and three winners were announced by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Lempy Lucas. ‘There is a Masai proverb, which says ‘a man without culture is like a zebra without stripes’,’ said Holgate. The main speaker at the event, Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said Boundless Southern Africa is a crucial regional effort to promote seven TFCAs, which is geared towards the 2010 World Cup and beyond.Namibia is involved in two of the seven TFCAs and these are the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KaZa) and the /Ai-Ais Ritchterveld Transfrontier Park.She said TFCAs do not only promote tourism, but they also foster the sustainable use of natural resources, promotion of culture and in so doing, ensure that local communities are empowered and benefit from the resources they are conserving – now and in future generations.KaZa is the largest TFCA in Africa and it is between five SADC countries, including Namibia. It is endowed with diverse natural and cultural resources that straddle the boundaries of the five countries such as fertile soil, abundant water, variety of plants and animal species and rich wetland ecosystems with high biodiversity. ‘These are the resources that will be jointly managed by Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe for the collective benefit of their citizens,’ said Nandi-Ndaitwah. She said the Memorandum of Understanding that prepares the ground for the Multilateral Treaty that will formally establish the KaZa-TFCA, has been signed by the five countries, adding that, it was their wish that the treaty will be finalised by April next year and have it signed by Heads of States of member countries by June 2010.’Once the treaty is in place, a framework will be established for the harmonisation of policies to allow the joint management of KaZa’s natural and cultural resources,’ she said. The Friday event was the first of several events that will take place in Namibia under the flagship of Boundless Southern Africa. Another community event took place at Sangwali on Saturday while another one is planned for Warmbad on 8 August. The expedition will be concluded in Namibia at the southern diamond-rich town of Oranjemund on 19 August and will also be attended by Head of States of the nine countries. Nandi-Ndaitwah applauded Holgate and his team, saying that they are an inspiring team of nature lovers and experts.’Your legacy is worth emulating. The project you have embarked upon is definitely not for the faint-hearted and indeed not everyone will survive three months on the road with tight schedules to adhere to,’ he said.