BREAKING THE SILENCE on Conservancy Conservation and Tourism VS Mining (Part 1 of 4)

Tristan Cowley writes:As I sit to pen these thoughts, I reflect on the complexities of our national identity and the looming national elections, 34 years after Namibia gained independence. Born into a family that supported the liberation struggle, my patriotism and commitment to Namibia’s future run deep. But today, I question whether these values are misplaced? What future does Namibia hold for my children, fourth-generation Namibians, in a country fraught with systemic challenges?Since independence, Namibia has boasted immense natural wealth and opportunities. Yet, it remains difficult to identify post-independence business success stories that contribute meaningfully to the nation. Enterprises thriving without preferential treatment or government-backed initiatives are few and far between, especially those that have contributed meaningfully to communities and fostered sustainable growth. Why, in a resource-rich nation, do we struggle to foster broad-based success?The answer seems rooted in systems designed by our government to benefit individuals rather than communities and the wider society, creating a culture of short-term enrichment over sustainable growth.The process surrounding government tenders, mining claims, fishing quotas, and recently even tourism concessions, often prioritize personal gain over collective benefit. Worse still, this trend is sometimes openly supported by politicians, who disregard the long-term welfare of communities for short-term personal or political gains. Recently, one politician suggested that two well-connected individuals’ mining ventures outweighed the rights and livelihoods of entire communities dependent on conservancy-driven tourism – a model that benefits thousands while preserving Namibia’s environmental heritage.This systemic bias not only deepens inequality but also perpetuates historical injustices under the guise of progress. This is not patriotism – it’s profiteering at the expense of Namibia’s most vulnerable.A Case for Conservation and Sustainable TourismUltimate Safaris, a company I co-founded, represents an alternative vision for Namibia’s economic and social development. We are a Namibian brand dedicated to creating a positive impact. From humble beginnings, we have grown into a business employing nearly 150 Namibians, many of whom have risen from entry-level roles to positions of significant responsibility. We provide private medical aid, pension schemes, and opportunities for growth that far exceed the support provided by government structures in over three decades.There is a global movement that encourages companies to give back 1% of their revenue, and I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find a single company in Namibia that achieves that.Beyond our business operations, we have operated alongside the Conservation Travel Foundation, a non-profit we began in 2006, channeling the equivalent of at least 2.5% of our revenue annually into community development and conservation. This support, amounting to millions annually, directly impacts landscapes across Namibia, even in areas without commercial tourism.This year alone the Foundation has invested almost N$ 8 million into conservation and rural development across Namibia. In 2022, we took a bold step by making long-serving staff shareholders, reinforcing our commitment to shared success.Several of our investments are rooted in communal land by choice, operating in partnership with conservancies that benefit entire communities. These ventures are not without challenges, unlike ventures on private land, that don’t have a broad-based benefit. Communal land development carries inherent risks: lack of title deeds, reliance on evolving conservancy committees, and the need to secure community trust.Despite these hurdles, our operations have generated substantial financial and social benefits for the regions we work in – far exceeding the meager promises of low value mining interests.[PUT THIS IN ITALICS]* Tristan Cowley founded Tou Safaris in 2003, specializing in naturalist guided safaris to Namibia. In 2008 it merged with a like-minded safari company, which is how the tour- and lodge-operating enterprise “Ultimate Safaris” was born. It's now one of Namibia’s most renowned naturalist and specialist guiding safari companies and has been very active in the northwest of Namibia, aiming to join the local population and find solutions that benefit conservancies’ human- as well as wildlife population. After the recent awarding of mining rights in an established tourism destination, he decided to share his thoughts. The open letter was written before the elections and on account of its relevance, NMH brings it to you in four parts.

BREAKING THE SILENCE on Conservancy Conservation and Tourism VS Mining (Part 1 of 4)

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BREAKING THE SILENCE on Conservancy Conservation and Tourism VS Mining (Part 1 of 4)

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