Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in the North West District have generated over P20 million from hunting fees, camping, concession fees and land rental fees during the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
The district has 11 registered CBOs out of which only eight are operating. These are Khwai Development Trust (KDT), Mababe Zokotsama Community Development Trust (MZCDT), Sankuyo Tshwaragano Management Trust (STMT), Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT), Xhauxhwatubi Development Trust (XDT), TSM Management Trust, Shorobe Community Trust (SCT) and Matlapana Community Trust.
According to the NW District Development Report (DDC), a cumulative figure of 586 community members is employed with the CBO having employed 200 while the Joint Venture Partnership (JVP) hired 386 locals.
STMT is among the Trusts which had the highest revenue having generated BWP11 868 431.60, XDT (BWP5 658 827.41), KDT (BWP1 758 111.80) and BWP 922 999.79. On the other side, TSM Management Trust, Lake Ngami Conservation Trust, Chanoga Development Trust, Nxaraga Development Trust and MZCDT did not generate any revenue this quarter.
Meanwhile, hunting quota for the 2025 hunting season was released in December 2024 and four community Trusts being Mababe Zokotsama Community Development Trust, TSM Management Trust, Xhauxhwatubi Development Trust and Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust have been allocated hunting quotas for their specific areas.
Despite the high revenues generated and the potential to empower livelihood at a community level by the CBOs, they are however increasingly buckling under the weight of internal conflicts, financial mismanagement, and poor governance and accountability.
Across the Ngamiland region, several trusts have become hotbeds of controversy—bleeding millions in legal costs and dragging beneficiaries into cycles of underdevelopment. This struggle for control often leads to divisions and disputes, undermining the very purpose of the trusts and stalling community development.
To highlight, a series of court cases emanating from internal disputes at OKMCT has affected productivity and progress leading to the decline in deriving benefits that communities used to enjoy resulting in February and March with no benefits recorded.
MZCDT’s Board of Trustees has been accused of spending much on travelling expenses (over expenditure).
XDT is also said to have spent lots of funds in a cultural festival event but encountered a loss as it made very low return. The reported dispute between the Trust’s manager and the Board also affects its operations.
The DDC report has further revealed that Shorobe Community Trust ‘s board of trustees lack good governance skills as they have never been trained on that field.
Among other general irregularities these Trust are embroiled in includes, signing of agreements without involvement of TAC, communities not taking full responsibility of their Trusts, community leaders’ involvement in running of the Trusts (while they should only play the role of advisers), delays in the implementation of funded projects as well as outdated constitutions of trustees.
That as it may, the proposed Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) Bill aims to promote transparency, improve financial management among Community based Organisations and also ensures that communities manage and benefit from natural resources.
The proposed legislation which aims to improve transparency, community participation, and the sustainable use of resources shall be tabled at the 13th Winter sitting of Parliament in July 2025.
