13 Apr 2021

Xaxaba community is hopeful that their efforts to form an independent trust will bear fruits, after years of struggle.

Xaxaba is a remote settlement located right in the heart of the Okavango Delta, overlooking the famous Chief’s Island, with plenty of activities to enjoy by the adventurous. 

The community had long sought help by engaging various government stakeholders to help them form a trust to fully benefit from the abundant natural resources in the area.

Currently the community is incorporated under the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT), which operates in the six villages of Boro, Xharaxao, Xuoxao, Daunara, Xaxaba and Ditshiping.

In an interview with BOPA recently, Xaxaba Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Mr Lekopanye Mokobela said  they were hopeful that their request to have an independent trust would finally succeed, following a positive response from the minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism.

Mr Mokobela explained that the response followed their September 2019 letter, requesting for audience on the transfer of lease rights for NG 27B to the Xaxaba community to operate and manage for their benefit.

He said in response, the minister acknowledged and stated that they would assess the request further and explore opportunities that could encourage citizen participation in the tourism sector.

He said the response gave them hope that their request would be successful as the minister also noted that their inclusion in the OKMCT managing NG32 was meant to be temporary, as the concession was far from Xaxaba, making it difficult for the community to participate in the tourism value chain activities in and around the concession.

Although, Mr Mokobela said the response stated that their request spanned two administrative zones, with different operators and independent lease, and that there was an ongoing case where operators were querying the outcome of the tender for management and operation of NG 27B Zone 2. 

He said the response further indicated the government’s interest in finding a solution to the long standing matter. 

He said following the response, they were asked to submit the trust constitution and management plan and were informed that the regional wildlife coordinator would help to facilitate the formation of the trust, revealing however that they experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Giving background of the matter, he said the issue dated back to 1995, as the community was not happy because the system did not benefit them directly.

Mr Mokobela noted that the community was struggling to make ends meet despite having rich natural resources, hence they requested the rights of the concessions in their area to be returned to them upon end of lease agreements with operators.

Their request, he said bore no fruits as some leases expired and the tenants continued to operate. “We as the community were totally against the allocation of the sites to companies in NG 27B because we want to own and manage them,” he added.

Through the trust, he said they intend to improve the livelihoods of the community by creating employment opportunities, assist the elderly by providing proper shelter and taking care of their welfare.

The area councillor, Mr Luke Motlaleselelo said Xaxaba residents were hopeful that one day they would have an independent trust and benefit from their natural resources.

He concurred that the minister’s response was promising, as it acknowledged the grievances of the community and showed interest in finding a lasting solution.

Mr Motlaleselelo said Xaxaba was sandwiched by five camp sites, but residents were not benefiting from them except one, Belmond Safari Company, which he said supported them.

The company is reported to have provided the community with potable water by bowsing from its camp site, as well as boat transportation to cross the river to Maun to access services and carry out domestic errands. 

OKMCT manager, Seikaneng Moepedi said Xaxaba deserved to have its own trust because it was far from services. 

He said the trust supported that the community be allocated NG 27B. Ends