National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende recently emphasized that Namibia should not be forced to choose between development and conservation. Speaking at the African Green Industries Summit in Swakopmund, Mbuende highlighted the need for responsible development, taking into account environmental and social assessments to determine where development should proceed or be avoided. His remarks have sparked debate, with some media reports linking them to ongoing conflicts in the Kunene region between mining interests and ecotourism conservancies.
Mbuende's comments have been drawn into the renewed debate over phosphate mining, following the controversial environmental clearance certificate awarded to Knowledge Katti's Namibia Marine Phosphate (NMP) in August. The certificate has raised concerns about the potential impact of large-scale industrial development on the environment and local communities. Katti's business dealings have been surrounded by controversy, and his NMP project has put the question of mining versus other established economic interests on the national agenda.
The Kunene region, where Namibia has become a global beacon for the recovery of black rhino populations and the survival of desert-adapted lions and elephants, is a sensitive wildlife area that requires caution when it comes to industrial activities. Conservation is at the heart of sustainable development, which most countries have committed to promoting. The region has seen conflicts between mining licence magnates and ecotourism conservancies, with concerns about displacing well-established ecotourism in conservancy areas.
In October 2022, allegations of a "N$50 million lithium mining heist" involving Chinese-owned Xinfeng Investments were reported, with several individuals implicated, including Timoteus Mashuna. The allegations were reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and are still being investigated. Xinfeng has subsequently faced government action over alleged illegal mining. Mashuna also holds mining claims at the centre of a court fight over black rhino habitat south-west of Khorixas.
The debate about conservation versus development in Namibia deserves closer scrutiny, with questions about who is pushing for what, who stands to benefit, and who carries the cost. Conservancy tourism has funded education, drilled boreholes, paid for housing, toilets, and electricity in rural areas, providing ongoing benefits to communities that are comparable in significance to social grants. Namibia's communal conservancies support roughly 240,000 people in rural areas and have become a model of community-based natural resource management.
The government's development ambition is to ensure responsible development, with environmental and social assessments guiding industrial activities. However, concerns about displacing well-established ecotourism in conservancy areas should not simply be dismissed as "stifling development". The impact of large-scale industrial development on local communities and the environment must be carefully considered. The country's development path must balance the needs of different stakeholders, including local communities, conservationists, and investors.
As Namibia moves forward with its development ambitions, it is essential to prioritize transparency and accountability in decision-making processes. The government must ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account, and that the costs and benefits of development are equitably distributed. Ultimately, the country's development path will depend on finding a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social justice.
Key points
- Conservation is at the heart of sustainable development in Namibia.
- The country's communal conservancies support roughly 240,000 people in rural areas.
- The debate about conservation versus development in Namibia requires closer scrutiny.
