It appears that the long-standing rivalry between Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) and Honey Guide Adven¬ture Trust (HGAT) over NG32 con¬ces¬sion is far from being over as the former has dismissed the latter’s proposal to share the luc¬rat¬ive tourism area in attempt to end the conflict.
Representing Ditshiping residents, HGAT is entangled in a bitter row with OKMCT over control of NG32, a prime tour¬ism zone they were relocated to from their ances¬tral home of Moremi Game Reserve (NG28).
The dispute followed after the residents were granted permission by the courts to breakaway from OKMCT which they previously formed part of along with other five villages of Boro, Daunara, Xaxaba, Xuoxao and Xharaxao.
However, the separation never settled well as the two Trusts still fight over the use of the concession with HGAT claiming they are its rightful beneficiaries. This as OKMCT is still reportedly operating campsites within NG32 despite its villages being located outside the concession.
As a proposal to end the conflict, HGAT suggested that since the concession is already divided into zones and A and B, they should remain with NG32B where their vil¬lage is loc¬ated and let NG32A be given to OKMCT.
The proposal was shared by HGAT Deputy Sec¬ret¬ary, Meshack Boikaego during a recent press briefing in Maun.
Boikaego believes that this can put an end to the long-standing conflict between the two Trusts and allow for them to progressively serve their villages. Further, he suggested that OKMCT could also add to its operations, NG27B which he said is also lucrative.
Reached for comment, OKMCT general manager, Seikaneng Moepedi however dismissed the proposal denying any knowledge of the NG32 concession being divided into A and B. “Which area is NG32B because us we only know NG32? There is no such thing as NG32A and NG32B,” Moepedi responded in brief interview.
But pundits suggest that OKMCT is refusing the proposal on the basis that Ditshiping sits in an area that has lucrative natural resources as compared to the other areas. “All the activities that earn OKMCT money are done within NG32B,” another HGAT member claimed during the press conference.
Boikaego indicated that though their efforts to engage with OKMCT on the matter have failed they have however shared their proposal with Tawana Land Board and the Ministry of Land and Agriculture. The trust has also reportedly sought an audi¬ence with Pres¬id¬ent Duma Boko to help resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, HGAT Deputy Sec¬ret¬ary has reaffirmed that their breakaway from OKMCT still stands denying reports that the village has resolved to return to the trust. He has since pleaded for government’ support in ensuring that Ditshiping thrives independently.
