18 Jan 2023

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved a budget of P26 million for implementation of community projects in the Kgalagadi and Ghanzi Drylands Ecosystem Project (KGDEP).

Speaking in an interview today, Kgalagadi and Ghanzi Drylands Ecosystem Project manager, Mr Mbiganyi Dipotso said the project which was funded by Global Environmental Facility sought to improve management of human–wildlife interface in the Kgalagadi and Ghanzi drylands targeted at sustaining flow of agro-ecosystem services and prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking.

The disbursement of P26 million this financial year is a continuation to the five-year project which started in 2018 with a total budget of approximately P753.9 million (USD 5.9 million) supporting several key projects spanning across villages in the two districts.

The UNDP, KGDEP project manager said the projects were facilitated by government adding that so far the tendering process had been completed for projects  at Kacgae, Bere, Ngwatle, Khawa, Bokspits, Zutshwa and Struizendam expected to be completed by July 2023. “Construction will start this year, tenders are up and running. By July we expect that all projects will be up and running,” he said.

Delivering the P26 million budget break down, Department of Environmental Affairs Kgalagadi district coordinator, Ms Bonang Timile said after embarking on thorough consultations with members of the communities high impact projects were selected.

She noted that the funds were for established community projects run by community trusts where P1 560 000 shall be utilized for construction of a craft center at Kacgae which will benefit villages of Kacgae, West Hanahai and East Hanahai tand create employment opportunities for the people in the catchment areas.

A veld products processing center for Kgalagadi and Ghanzi would be constructed at Bere worth P2 million where for example, products such as sengaparile (Devil’s Claw), would be processed and sold at a central point saying buyers would get the products from one area rather than travel to different villages to buy from harvesters.

She stated that a tourism campsite at Ngwatle would be developed to the tune of P1 586 000 where a water reticulation system shall be installed, construction of ablution blocks as well as general face lifting of the campsite to attract tourists. Still on tourism, she highlighted that Khawa KD15 campsite would get a facelift by constructing a perimeter fence , and a bush kitchen developed targeted at serving tourists especially during Khawa Dune challenge and Cultural Festival. The project budget stands at P1 716 000.

Moreover, she said, P1 900 000 shall be expended on developing the Zutshwa Salt Mine Project at KD2 , which would have two new boreholes and existing ones will be pump tested. Ms Timile added that a front loader equipment shall be procured to assist with carrying heaps of bags of salt.

The BORAVAST Community Trust at Bokspits shall be supported with P806 000 to construct a prosopis (sexanana) charcoal storage facility as well as develop air drying facility for fodder production as well as offer continued support of the ongoing charcoal project.

Meanwhile, Ms Timile stated that P2 535 000 would be expended on implementation of a human wildlife conflict strategy, engagement of non-governmental organisations as well as tackle integrated land use components to ensure long term sustainability.

The UNDP will capacitate Department of Wildlife and National Parks with equipment as well as training, community project development, range management, and combating bushfires.  ENDS