05 Nov 2024

A new trust known as The Fauna Conservation Trust of Ngamiland has been formed to be the custodian of all tribal estate and assets.

The formation of the trust followed a decision taken by residents in 2021 in which they agreed to form an umbrella trust where Kgosi Tawana Moremi was elected as the principal trustee.

Apprising District Development Committee about the new trust recently, the interim founding board chairperson, Mr Tiego Mpho, said the trust was registered under the Property Control Act as they believed it was the right instrument to use.

The formation of the trust signalled rebirth of an old tribal institution, The Fauna Conservation Society of Ngamiland established in 1964 under the leadership of the late regent Queen mother, Kgosi Elizabeth Morem to  oversee Moremi Wildlife Reserve.

The beneficiaries of the trust,, he said would be all native communities of Ngamiland region which is made up of North West and Okavango districts.

Moreover, he said member affiliated Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Village Development Committees and all committees falling under their jurisdiction, social clubs and interested groups or community associations would also be beneficiaries of the trust as well. 

Outlining the objectives of the trust, he said it would build and advance social capital in North West and Okavango districts as well as within the Okavango River basin in general, promote and strengthen multi-culturalism, tribal unity and cohesion in Ngamiland.

The trust would also promote improved health and physical well-being of the people of Ngamiland, ensure energy, food security for all as well as promote development and implementation of Local Economic Development (LED) strategies in the region.

Mr Mpho said through the trust, they would accelerate transition of Maun from tourism transit port to tourism destination area and also promote meaningful economic inclusion and participation in the eco-tourism sector.

“We want to the best trust and protect the future of Batawana. We also want other community trusts to learn best practices from us,” he added, noting that they had adopted the best model to operate the trust.

He said they benchmarked from Bafokeng, South Africa and were impressed with the model they used as they had an investment component driving the investment activities.

The trust, he said, would seek out, forge partnerships and upscale best practice work of state and non-state implementing agencies already in the field. Furthermore, the trust, he said would not compete with other civil society organisations and affiliated CBOs operating in Ngamiland but instead work to foster accountability, effectiveness and transparency among its beneficiaries and organisational affiliates.

In response, some members of the DDC welcomed the formation of the trust saying it would achieve its mandate to protect the future of the Ngamiland community and pledged their support.

They also appreciated that the trust formation came at the right time of the implementation of mind-set change strategy citing that its model was driving sustainable developments.

Some members questioned the future plans for the trust considering the fact that there were some developments undertaken in the district and wanted to know how they could assist to incorporate the trust plans into future requirements.

“As the DDC, we are the custodian of all developments in the district and we are here to provide guidance hence it is critical to engage us more and we really appreciate your efforts which aligned with the mindset change agenda.

I call you to accord relevant departments a positive engagement,” said the council secretary, Mr Thatayotlhe Balapi. Ends