18 Apr 2022

Chobe Land Board has found it proper to discuss the new concession lease template and sub-lease with the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) prior to signing in order for them to understand their implications.

Speaking at stakeholder consultative meeting on recently, Chobe Land Board chairperson, Mr Johane Chenjekwa said the documents were legally binding on both parties hence the need to fully understand them.

”We don’t want to find ourselves in a situation whereby we give you leases to sign whereas you do not understand what is expected of you,” he said.

Mr Chenjekwa noted that trusts were expected to sign the lease agreement in order to formalise their operations, further explaining that the leases among other things, commit trusts to do tangible developmental projects for their communities.

He pointed out that such projects should be added to district development plans for proper monitoring.

Mr Chenjekwa said the lease sought to protect both the trusts’ and communities’s interests.
He said despite the existing human-wildlife conflict in Chobe, there was need to conserve natural resources for future generations.

Further, Mr Chenjekwa said even though  the tourism sector was the hardest hit  COVID-19 pandemic, trusts through the hunting quota bring initiatives that would create employment for people who lost jobs.

Virtually addressing the stakeholders, the director of Lands, Mr Odirile Mabaila said trusts that have existing leases agreements would be expected to sign only replacement lease with land boards while those with expired lease would sign head lease. Mr Mabaila said through the lease the trusts would enter into agreements with land boards relating to property for purposes of exploitation of renewable natural resources.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Gwara Mwezi of Kazungula applauded the introduction of the new lease, adding that they would help expose any corrupt practices by the trusts boards and also simplify processes of dealing with investors.

Kgosi Rebecca Banika of Pandamatenga appreciated the new lease especially on the part that advocated for the contribution by trusts towards the village development plans.

Old Kazungula/Lesoma Councillor, Mr Castor Mpebe urged the Technical Advisory Team (TAC) and other stakeholders to guard against trusts making and spending funds without the communities benefiting. He said trusts should use their largest share of proceeds in developing communities instead of spending more in their hotel accommodation expenses.

Proceeds from the hunting quota, he said should be availed to supplement the district budget.

Chobe District Commissioner, Ms Sekgabo Makgosa said since  CBNRM was piloted in Chobe, the district should be a leading example.

She revealed that after the suspension of the election of board members due to COVID-19, government had given a green light those boards that their terms had expired to conduct elections.

Chobe council chairperson, Mr Amos Mabuku appreciated the decision by government to transfer back the management of tribal land in tourism areas from Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism to land boards.

He urged trusts to play a role in empowering communities by augmenting the government’s compensation of destruction by wildlife.

Mr Mabuku encouraged the Pandamatenga, Lesoma, Kazungula trust to emulate Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust by giving each village a share of proceeds for development projects. Mr Mabuku reminded board of trustees not to operate as employees but as volunteers because failure to do so would divert them from their mandate.

He thanked the Chobe Land Board for always consulting stakeholders before implementing any vital changes.

Earlier, the land board secretary, Mr Kealeboga Kemoreile said the objective of the meeting was to discuss the new concession lease templates with trusts prior to signing.

He said while opportunity was availed for discussion of the templates, nothing was going to be changed as the minister had already approved and signed them. ENDS