14 Mar 2019

Department of Environmental Affairs in Maun through the National Environmental Fund (NEF) has managed to secure over P5m from the UNDP - Small Grants Programme (SGP) for development programmes in Ngamiland District.

The programme will strengthen the involvement of local communities in the conservation and management of the Okavango Delta World Heritage site while providing opportunities for communities to derive benefits from the site. 

Delivering a speech during a full council meeting recently, the chairperson North West District Council, Mr Duncan Enga noted that the programme has already funded four projects in Ngamiland being construction of 25 pit-latrines in the communities of Sepopa, Thamacha, Mowana and Kajaja at the tune of P404 835, development of a trust in Habu and Sexaxa at P2.5m and P300 000 respectively.

The SGP also assisted in the development of target list of alien invasive plant species in Chobe and Ngamiland districts to the tune of P 206 870.

Still on the district partnership programme, Mr Enga revealed that in an effort to improve food security in Ngamiland, the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security in collaboration with OKACOM, have identified 20 demonstration farmers.

The demonstration farmers will be engaged in high earning quality horticultural products in order to access other niche markets in the retail sector.

To help facilitate the process, he said a horticulture specialist had been recruited to mentor the farmers at their respective farms on a daily basis. In addition, he pointed out that it was expected that upon acquiring the knowledge, the farmers would pass it on to the rest of the farming community in the district.

Mr Enga observed that the success of the initiative would go a long way in diversifying the economy of the district by ensuring that the business people continue to take part in the value chain of the tourism sector.

He also appreciated the good partnership between the district and UNDP through Sustainable Land Management, which is coming to an end this year.

The five-year partnership started in 2014 and through it, the district managed to carry out three pilot projects at Hainaveld range management, bush encroachment in Lake Ngami and land management for Tsodilo Enclave area.

He further said the partnership was a huge success as the district managed to hold big events such as Lake Ngami Classic and Fish Festival and Tsodilo Hills Heritage Bush Walk Challenge last year.

The events, he said promoted cultural heritage sites and at the same time generate revenue for the local communities.

On other issues, the house was informed that in an effort to transform the economy to be more resource based as envisaged by the National Vision 2036, the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development had repackaged Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to be more relevant and aligned to the current market needs.

The change would also ensure that the graduates would be active participants in the economy.

The chairperson also announced that Maun Technical College and two brigades in Gumare and Shakawe had introduced new exciting programmes such as leather craft, music, jewellery manufacturing, solar energy, borehole mechanics, hair dressing and beauty therapy, recycling, culinary arts, among others.

The chairperson said the new developments would immensely contribute towards pursuing economic diversification, promoting private sector development, physical infrastructure network and indeed the development of human capital in the district. 

In addition, he said the changes also saw an increase in enrolment in the institutions as Maun Technical College increased its enrolment from 244 to 1 388, Ngethu Brigade in Gumare from 80 to 120 while Shakawe Brigade enrolment increased from 53 to 180. ENDS