Spitzkoppe lodge ‘will benefit locals’

A JOINT venture agreement has been signed between the ≠Gaingu conservancy and an investor who wants to build a lodge at Spitzkoppe.

The conservancy will earn about N$10 million over the first 10 years of the lodge’s operations.
The agreement was signed by the investor, Melt Hugo, and conservancy Chairperson Ryan Gariseb and endorsed by Chief Immanuel ≠Nu-Axa /Gâseb at Spitzkoppe village.
Mark Holker of the Namibian Association of Community Support Organisations (Nacso), who facilitated negotiations between Hugo and the conservancy, said the agreement provides for the lodge to pay a certain percentage of its profits to the conservancy.
The lodge, which will consist of a central reception and restaurant area and 12 bungalows, is to be built to the north of the spectacular 1 728-metre-high Gross Spitzkoppe Mountain and is expected to open for business at the end of next year.
Over N$15 million is to be invested in the lodge and infrastructure such as access roads and water supply.
Training will be provided to 15 local people employed at the lodge and additional jobs will be available during the construction phase.
Project manager and architect Ronnie Barnard said they have taken exceptional care to design a lodge that will have minimal impact on the local area, both visually and environmentally.
According to Namibia’s Conservancy Report for 2007, joint ventures between lodges and communal conservancies are the highest contributor to conservancy coffers.
Last year, this source generated N$14 million for conservancies, representing 52 per cent of their revenue.