Traditional and community leaders are distressed over a desert concession awarded to a private company in the Namib-Naukluft area.
The Witbooi Traditional Authority and community leaders from Maltahöhe have lodged a legal complaint on the matter.
Minister of environment, forestry and tourism Pohamba Shifeta awarded About Africa.Co, trading as About Adelt Sossusvlei Management, a concession for the farm Arbeit campsite.
In a letter addressed to executive director of environment, forestry and tourism Teofilus Nghitila dated 20 November, the community says it was not consulted on the move.
The letter was drafted by Corinna van Wyk from the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) on behalf of the community.
“It is our clients’ instructions that this decision was made without adequate consultation or involvement from their community, which raises serious questions about the transparency and compliance of this process with established legal and procedural norms,” the letter reads.
Van Wyk says the decision undermines the community leaders’ traditional governance structures and disregards their right to engage in and benefit from local resources.
“Our clients seek clarification on the criteria and rationale employed in the selection of the concessionaire.
The absence of community consultations promotes a lack of transparency and can lead to mistrust between communities and government.
“The awarded concession may have implications for environmental and biodiversity sustainability in the region.
We urge the ministry to consider the sustainable practices advocated by the communities in any future dealings regarding this site,” the letter says.
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says the ministry has referred the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for advice. “We do not have much to say,” he says.
About Adelt Sossusvlei Management is set to gain a minimum of around N$250 million in 25 years to serve as a guide for travellers in the Sossusvlei area.
The concession will also give the company the right to operate a campsite, conduct guided hiking trails and develop and operate a kiosk in the area.
Earlier this year, The Namibian reported that the state-owned Namibia Wildlife Resorts will lose N$175 million as a result of Shifeta’s decision to award a private company a 25-year contract to transport tourists into the Namib Desert.
The concession is located in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is earmarked to benefit the Karkhoen and Maltahöhe communities in the Hardap region.
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