27 Sep 2023

Community trusts have been urged to ensure that they benefited their communities.

The advice was given by Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (NCONGO) chairperson, Mr Gosalamang Xaa during a Mind Set Change campaign and road show themed: Conservation and environment.

He said a number of trusts had collapsed due to poor management and lack of accountability of funds and other assets. He said the mind-set change campaign was a wake-up call to community trusts to change the way they had been operating.

Community trusts, he said, should venture into tangible projects that could improve the livelihoods of communities. He said some trust board members abused their power by exploiting trust funds and resources for personal gain.

He noted that NCONGO was set up to coordinate efforts of non-governmental organisations and to assist in capacity building of member organisations through training on issues of governance and financial management.

Mr Xaa implored community trusts to review their joint venture partnerships, adding that they should negotiate in good faith on behalf of their shareholders. He said trusts had land while investors had funds, but that investors had been benefiting more and giving trusts less. He said community trusts should by now be operating campsites in the Okavango Delta. He advised them to embrace the mind set change concept and start big projects such as hotels and malls.

Mr Xaa also said trusts should voice their opinion both regionally and internationally on issues of conservation of natural resources.

Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust General Manager, Mr Seikaneng Moepedi, emphasised the need for communities to protect the environment as it was the source of life. He said their forefathers used the environment in a sustainable manner and that they should follow suit.

He expressed concern on the mushrooming of campsites, lodges and ploughing fields in the delta, saying some were constructed without following the right procedure. He advised community members to comply with all the regulations, acts and polices, adding that it was advisable to conduct an environmental impact assessment before any project could commence.

He said too many development projects in the delta had the potential to impact negatively on the environment and reduce the benefits of tourism.

North West District Council Chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng, said they were making efforts to promote cleanliness as well as instilling the spirit of conservation among communities and workplaces.

He said there was need to join hands and keep Maun clean and safe. 

The roadshow ended with a panel discussion with some youths sharing their views regarding conservation and how it could be transformed for a better environment. ENDS