Protecting our coast – your voice matters

FOR the next two weeks, people in the Erongo and the Kunene regions will be able to make an input in the formulation of a policy on the conservation and management of Namibia’s coast.

In consultation with representatives of Nacoma (the Namibia Coast Conservation and Management project), communities will have an opportunity to share their views, concerns and objectives on the current and future use of the coastal areas and resources. Public participation is crucial, since it is the people’s needs and aspirations that would form the basis for the Namibian Coastal White Paper – a government document stipulating the future policy and management of the coast – says the co-ordinator of Nacoma, Timo Mufeti.”The coast from the Kunene to the Orange River is rich in biodiversity, and has many special areas worth protecting since they are tourist attractions and have other economic benefits.These areas are however threatened by human activities and therefore their protection calls for wise conservation,” Mufeti said.This is why Nacoma was established: to help Government and citizens to conserve, sustainably use and manage the coastal biodiversity.The first series of consultative meetings will be held for the people of Erongo.The first two meetings will be held at Swakopmund today – at the Tamariskia Town Hall at 14h00, and then at the Meduletu Hall at 18h00.Tomorrow, a meeting will be held at the Walvis Bay Community Hall.People at Arandis and Henties Bay can attend meetings on Friday at the Arandis Town Hall at 09h00, and the Henties Bay Community Hall at 17h00.The Topnaars along the Kuiseb River and Rooibank can attend a meeting on Saturday at the traditional authority’s office.No time has been confirmed for this meeting.The people of the Kunene Region will also be able to attend meetings from November 25 to 29.These meetings will be held at Terrace Bay, Opuwo, Sesfontein, Orupembe, Purros and Torra Bay.The times and venues for these meetings, as well as the dates for meetings to be held in the Hardap and Karas regions, will be announced in due course.Public participation is crucial, since it is the people’s needs and aspirations that would form the basis for the Namibian Coastal White Paper – a government document stipulating the future policy and management of the coast – says the co-ordinator of Nacoma, Timo Mufeti.”The coast from the Kunene to the Orange River is rich in biodiversity, and has many special areas worth protecting since they are tourist attractions and have other economic benefits.These areas are however threatened by human activities and therefore their protection calls for wise conservation,” Mufeti said.This is why Nacoma was established: to help Government and citizens to conserve, sustainably use and manage the coastal biodiversity.The first series of consultative meetings will be held for the people of Erongo.The first two meetings will be held at Swakopmund today – at the Tamariskia Town Hall at 14h00, and then at the Meduletu Hall at 18h00.Tomorrow, a meeting will be held at the Walvis Bay Community Hall.People at Arandis and Henties Bay can attend meetings on Friday at the Arandis Town Hall at 09h00, and the Henties Bay Community Hall at 17h00.The Topnaars along the Kuiseb River and Rooibank can attend a meeting on Saturday at the traditional authority’s office.No time has been confirmed for this meeting.The people of the Kunene Region will also be able to attend meetings from November 25 to 29.These meetings will be held at Terrace Bay, Opuwo, Sesfontein, Orupembe, Purros and Torra Bay.The times and venues for these meetings, as well as the dates for meetings to be held in the Hardap and Karas regions, will be announced in due course.