The beauty of it all

A well-known tree near Omihana village in Erongo where livestock are auctioned has taken on new meaning for people of the area.

In future the tree will also symbolise the beginning of a new era: the Otjimboyo conservancy was officially launched under it last week Friday. It was a momentous day for the more than 200 registered members who have worked hard since 1999 to establish their conservancy in order to improve their livelihood.The festive scene under the tree, almost 40 km north of Uis, could have served as inspiration for a surreal painter – the Brandberg looming on the distant horizon as a phantom-like backdrop and Herero women in their traditional dresses providing splashes of bright colour in the semi-desert landscape, tinted a faded green after some good showers earlier in the season.The women prepared a feast from six slaughtered springbok, while the headman and other elders, dressed for the occasion in hats and suits, sat with kieries in hand in the shade of the auction tree waiting for the guest speaker, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism to arrive.Springbok are the most abundant animals in this wildlife-rich conservancy.Other animals being monitored by four community game guards appointed by the conservancy committee include kudu, oryx, ostrich, Damara dik-dik, as well as desert elephant.The Ugab river, well-known for its population of desert elephants, runs through the 47 200 ha conservancy.REAPING BENEFITSWhile the more than 400 residents from 10 villages in the conservancy area have lived with wildlife all their lives, they have not been able to benefit directly from it.It was only with the implementation of the Nature Conservation Amendment Act 5 in 1996, when provision was made for the formation of communal area conservancies, that rural communities started gaining from natural resources.The main aim of the programme is to enable conservancy members to manage and utilise natural resources to improve their livelihoods.The abundance of wildlife in the conservancy is not only a potential source of income, but is highly regarded by members.”Animals are the decoration of the environment.They are beautiful,” says Angelika Muheua, who has lived in the area since she was born 66 years ago.”The idea of a conservancy is very good.I can already see more animals coming back, because we are conserving them.It is important so the next generation can see the animals in their natural environment.”In his speech Deputy Minister Peter Iilonga said the Act and associated policies were passed to channel benefits directly to communities living with wildlife.”This gives them direct incentives for conservation, and has improved the status of wildlife dramatically.”TAPPING INTO TOURISMA lesson learned by many of the already 30 communal conservancies registered with Government is that wildlife attracts tourists.One young member of the Otjimboyo conservancy, Benestus Tjivinde is the driving force behind developing this conservancy’s tourism potential.He is well aware that Otjimboyo lies on one of the main tourism routes in the country and that they only need to tap into it.His eyes sparkle as he talks about the skeleton of a craft market already erected next to the main road that runs between Swakopmund, Brandberg and Twyfelfontein; the Red Rocks Mountain Camp overlooking the Ugab river that is near to completion and a lodge that is in the pipeline.Merely talking about these developments is not enough for Tjivinde.He plays guide as he shows off what has been done so far.He is full of surprises and unveils precious “gems” around every corner.On the way to the campsite two women from the small village at Eitavere proudly present the work they are already making for the craft market.One item depicting two elephants immediately catches the eye with its beautifully and painfully neat execution.”We can’t wait for the craft market to open.I need some extra income to keep my two sons at school in Windhoek,” says Margaret Uaseuapuani as she takes Herero dolls from a shelf to pose for a photograph.After admiring the view from the campsite, Tjivende points the bakkie in the direction of some granite koppies where he reveals the other surprise of the day – rock paintings that deserve a place in the Louvre art museum in Paris, not only because they are so well preserved, but also for their art.CONSERVATION THE KEYThe Deputy Minister encouraged conservancy members to continue to conserve what they have.For community game guard Obed Tjangura protecting the wildlife is very important for the future.”That is why I wanted to do this job: to ensure that all the animals are not killed.”He hopes that rhino and zebra will return to the area one day.A young resident of Omihana, Chico Karutjaiva (21), says he would like to become a member of the conservancy as he likes the concept.”The animals attract tourists, while we can also benefit from trophy hunting and related activities.”It appears that there is a lot of support for the conservancy.Tjivende confirms this saying the community has been very helpful.Whether it is because the majority of the conservancy committee consist of women, or whether it is the peace and harmony that have prevailed within the community for years, but Deputy Minister Iilonga expressed hope that “the unity would remain”.He praised the committee for their accountability and team work.”You are a role model for other conservancies.It is very important to involve women to make the conservancy a reality,” he said.Headman Frans Tjiveze pleaded with his community to take the opportunity with both hands and to work very hard.He cautioned that the road would not be without bumps and struggles, but said if other conservancies could become self-sufficient, Otjimboyo could do the same.In the shade of the auction tree a traditional custom called Ombimbi, a celebration of a successful hunt and the braveness of the hunters, is performed.Looking at the community as they enjoy the performance, it becomes clear that it also symbolises the victory of establishing the conservancy and the braveness of the community in taking charge of their future.It was a momentous day for the more than 200 registered members who have worked hard since 1999 to establish their conservancy in order to improve their livelihood.The festive scene under the tree, almost 40 km north of Uis, could have served as inspiration for a surreal painter – the Brandberg looming on the distant horizon as a phantom-like backdrop and Herero women in their traditional dresses providing splashes of bright colour in the semi-desert landscape, tinted a faded green after some good showers earlier in the season.The women prepared a feast from six slaughtered springbok, while the headman and other elders, dressed for the occasion in hats and suits, sat with kieries in hand in the shade of the auction tree waiting for the guest speaker, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism to arrive.Springbok are the most abundant animals in this wildlife-rich conservancy.Other animals being monitored by four community game guards appointed by the conservancy committee include kudu, oryx, ostrich, Damara dik-dik, as well as desert elephant.The Ugab river, well-known for its population of desert elephants, runs through the 47 200 ha conservancy.REAPING BENEFITSWhile the more than 400 residents from 10 villages in the conservancy area have lived with wildlife all their lives, they have not been able to benefit directly from it.It was only with the implementation of the Nature Conservation Amendment Act 5 in 1996, when provision was made for the formation of communal area conservancies, that rural communities started gaining from natural resources.The main aim of the programme is to enable conservancy members to manage and utilise natural resources to improve their livelihoods.The abundance of wildlife in the conservancy is not only a potential source of income, but is highly regarded by members.”Animals are the decoration of the environment.They are beautiful,” says Angelika Muheua, who has lived in the area since she was born 66 years ago.”The idea of a conservancy is very good.I can already see more animals coming back, because we are conserving them.It is important so the next generation can see the animals in their natural environment.”In his speech Deputy Minister Peter Iilonga said the Act and associated policies were passed to channel benefits directly to communities living with wildlife.”This gives them direct incentives for conservation, and has improved the status of wildlife dramatically.”TAPPING INTO TOURISMA lesson learned by many of the already 30 communal conservancies registered with Government is that wildlife attracts tourists.One young member of the Otjimboyo conservancy, Benestus Tjivinde is the driving force behind developing this conservancy’s tourism potential.He is well aware that Otjimboyo lies on one of the main tourism routes in the country and that they only need to tap into it.His eyes sparkle as he talks about the skeleton of a craft market already erected next to the main road that runs between Swakopmund, Brandberg and Twyfelfontein; the Red Rocks Mountain Camp overlooking the Ugab river that is near to completion and a lodge that is in the pipeline.Merely talking about these developments is not enough for Tjivinde.He plays guide as he shows off what has been done so far.He is full of surprises and unveils precious “gems” around every corner.On the way to the campsite two women from the small village at Eitavere proudly present the work they are already making for the craft market.One item depicting two elephants immediately catches the eye with its beautifully and painfully neat execution.”We can’t wait for the craft market to open.I need some extra income to keep my two sons at school in Windhoek,” says Margaret Uaseuapuani as she takes Herero dolls from a shelf to pose for a photograph.After admiring the view from the campsite, Tjivende points the bakkie in the direction of some granite koppies where he reveals the other surprise of the day – rock paintings that deserve a place in the Louvre art museum in Paris, not only because they are so well preserved, but also for their art.CONSERVATION THE KEYThe Deputy Minister encouraged conservancy members to continue to conserve what they have.For community game guard Obed Tjangura protecting the wildlife is very important for the future.”That is why I wanted to do this job: to ensure that all the animals are not killed.”He hopes that rhino and zebra will return to the area one day.A young resident of Omihana, Chico Karutjaiva (21), says he would like to become a member of the conservancy as he likes the concept.”The animals attract tourists, while we can also benefit from trophy hunting and related activities.”It appears that there is a lot of support for the conservancy.Tjivende confirms this saying the community has been very helpful.Whether it is because the majority of the conservancy committee consist of women, or whether it is the peace and harmony that have prevailed within the community for years, but Deputy Minister Iilonga expressed hope that “the unity would remain”.He praised the committee for their accountability and team work.”You are a role model for other conservancies.It is very important to involve women to make the conservancy a reality,” he said.Headman Frans Tjiveze pleaded with his community to take the opportunity with both hands and to work very hard.He cautioned that the road would not be without bumps and struggles, but said if other conservancies could become self-sufficient, Otjimboyo could do the same.In the shade of the auction tree a traditional custom called Ombimbi, a celebration of a successful hunt and the braveness of the hunters, is performed.Looking at the community as they enjoy the performance, it becomes clear that it also symbolises the victory of establishing the conservancy and the braveness of the community in taking charge of their future.