12 May 2024

Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) has been advised to prepare for the implementation of the Community Based Natural Resource Management Bill.

The advice was given by acting Principal Natural Resource Officer from the CBNRM office, Mr Buzani Maika during the OKMCT annual general meeting recently. 

He urged members of the trust to focus on the future of their organisations instead of pointing fingers at each other.

He said once the CBNRM bill was implemented all community trusts would be de-registered and would have to re-apply for registration with the CBNRM coordinator.

He also said community trusts would have to meet set requirements, and advised to review their constitution and ensure it did not sideline some communities.

Trusts, he said, should also have clear strategic plans to implement development projects, adding that the bill would ensure that communities received a fair share from resources owned by trusts.

He noted that their report showed that they spent huge amounts of money on court cases.

Mr Maika said the new bill would give the CBNRM coordinator the power to register all trusts that met requirements. He noted that currently trusts were registered by the master of the high court under the Trust Property Control Act.

Some members wanted to know why the technical advisory committee was not invited to the AGM as it was the norm while some complained about workers exploitation at some safari camps which had partnered with their trust.

Ms Obonye Saokanga said employees in some safari companies were working long hours. She said chefs started work from 4:30am to 6:30pm daily but that their salaries were not reflective of the amount of work did. “Investors are making huge profits at the expense of workers and they should provide competitive salaries,” she said.

Mr Galebuse Sekoma also appealed to all companies operating in their concession area to implement transparent recruitment processes, adding that the agreed arrangement was that recruitment should be done in kgotlas of villages affiliated to the trust to ensure fairness and transparency. 

Meanwhile, the OKMCT has elected five new board members to replace three members whose membership was revoked and two who resigned earlier this year.

The chairperson’s report noted that the trust paid over P8 million in legal fees last year compared to over P600 000 in 2022. ENDs