The Nyae Nyae Conservancy (NNC) and Community Forest recently held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September 2017.
The constituted meeting brought together representatives from every village in the area to get reports on activities and finances. As well as approve new workplans and budgets for the coming year and vote members into governance positions.
At this year’s meeting, 72 voting members of the community attended and democratically decided to use over N$3million in benefits to the community; including a cash benefit to each member, payments towards coffins in the event of a members death, contributions to local schools and the Traditional Authority. These funds will also support water infrastructure development and agricultural activities with equipment and seed.
Members also elected their governance representatives as required by their constitution, with the attendance and observation of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) to ensure that the meeting complied with MET requirements and the Nyae Nyae Conservancy constitution.
Nyae Nyae was the first gazetted conservancy and is the second largest in Namibia. It is also one of the highest earning conservancies in Namibia through its Trophy Hunting Concession. With this income it employs 25 local people in permanent positions from Rangers to Craft and Agricultural Officers. The conservancy also makes a significant contribution to the local Ju/’hoansi San community through direct benefits.
Xoan//’an /Ai/ae, the Nyae Nyae Conservancy Chairperson, said; “We have many challenges, but each year at our AGM we come together to decide how our activities and projects can benefit the community.”
Tsumkwe – October 11, 2017