31 May 2024

The Kavango -Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) common vision to conserve biodiversity and promote integrated transboundary management is seriously threatened.

This was highlighted by Vice President  Slumber Tsogwane when delivering a reciprocal statement during a State Banquet hosted Thursday evening in honour of the KAZA Heads of State in Livingstone-Zambia.

The occasion took place  on the sidelines of the KAZA Heads of State Summit,  the first since the KAZA TFCA Treaty was signed.

Mr Tsogwane urged KAZA member states to maintain and manage the scarce shared natural resources which may face depletion if misused.

"We need to meet and ensure we protect nature and the livelihoods of those living in this region, we need to establish that relationship that speaks to the lives of our people, let's fight and protect the resources that God put in our hands," he said.

He said KAZA had converged because they shared a common interest, conservation, that had to be protect in all forms.

Welcoming guests, Zambia President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema said he was pleased to receive African brothers and sisters who were continuing a journey of not only protecting nature but the source of life, water.

"We have to conserve our forests, grasses and other natural endowments where life comes from. We've experienced the worst drought in years which has done a lot of damage, limited waters for human consumption and industry use resulting in energy insecurity in the whole region, " he said.

He commended efforts made  in converging to discuss top-tier transfrontier conservation, providing leaders with  essential insghts to make informed decisions for the benefit of their communities.

" Let us grow, exploit and harness the endowments and pass them to generations after us, we must all endevour to do so," he added.

Mr Hichilema said the summit presented KAZA leaders with an opportunity to celebrate the richness of the diversity of cultures in the region.

He said a prosperous African continent that was firmly anchored on high principles and values around conservation and the environment must be yearned.

Namibia President Mr Nangolo Mbumba said the KAZA was a heritage for humankind.

He acknowledged the significance of the visionary leaders who initiated  and highlighted the current leaders responsibility to safegurd  the envirinment for future generations.  

"We give praise to past leaders who prepared us to fight for the independence of our countries, traditional leaders in some of these wonderful places we celebrate today," added Mr Mbumba.T

 Ends