28 Jul 2025

The Simon Phuthego Organisation (TSPO) has joined forces with private enterprise Bridge to Bridge to raise funds for the refurbishment of a house for Ms Nkoketsang Monnawatsheko, a victim of human-wildlife conflict.

Ms Monnawatsheko, along with her daughter Cecilia, was attacked by a crocodile in 2020 while harvesting water lilies in the Thamalakane River. 

The tragic encounter resulted in both losing their forearms, leaving them in need of support and rehabilitation.

TSPO Director Mr Simon Phuthego revealed in an interview that preparations were currently underway for the second edition of the KAZA – Coexistence Charity Bushwalk, scheduled for August 30. The proceeds from the event will be channelled into the refurbishment project, with part of the funds also designated to establish a tuckshop for Cecilia to support her four children.

He further stated that the partner company would assist in marketing the event, which adopts the theme: Putting the Human at the Centre of Human Wildlife Conflict; Promoting Human-Wildlife Adaptation and Coexistence.” 

In addition, Kgosi Tawana Moremi is expected to lead the walk as the chief walker, emphasising the event’s cultural significance and community involvement.

The walk, he said would start at the Old Matlapana Bridge to Boro and back adding that while they would be walking for charity, the emphasis of the event would also be on promoting harmonious coexistence between human and wildlife and at the same time putting people’s lives first.

“I am appealing to potential sponsors to support the initiative and the victims” he said.

The current house, he said was not in good condition and it makes their lives unbearable more so that the tenants were left with permanent disabilities to improve it.

Mr Phuthego is of the view that issues of human wildlife conflict have worsened poverty among some families noting that it seems the government is prioritising wildlife conservation over human lives.

He called on the government to balance conservation efforts with the needs and safety of the communities living in and adjacent to wildlife protected areas.

 Many people, he said sustained permanent injuries from encounters with wildlife while some lost lives and there was nothing done to uplift the livelihoods of those with injuries.

 He wished the government could come up with more interventions to assist the communities so that they also benefit from their natural resources.

 Meanwhile, the TSPO was launched in 2023 to mitigate human wildlife conflict and serve victims better in the local communities of the Southern African’s Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) region. ENDS