BaTawana Paramount Chief, Tawana Moremi has pleaded with companies that deals with conservation to add more input in assisting to mitigate the prevalent human-wildlife conflict in the Ngamiland region.
Speaking at the annual “KAZA Co-existence Charity Bushwalk,” held in Maun over the weekend, Moremi who was the chief walker said it is unfortunate that when conservation strategies were made also on generating revenue through tourism, the issue of human-wildlife conflict was overlooked. He lamented that there were also no alleviating mechanisms to assist victims who compete with wildlife for the same natural resources.
Moremi therefore said it would be proper if companies doing tourism related businesses in the region could assist organisations such as The Simmon Phuthego Organization to fight human-wildlife conflict which impoverishes victims.
There has always been a concern that though these companies generate millions from tourism, they are doing little both financially and physically to support the fight against human-wildlife conflict.
The second edition of walk was held at Matlapana under the theme, “Putting the Human at the centre of Human-Wildlife Conflict; Promoting Human-Wildlife Adaptation and co-existence.”
After successfully hosting the walk, the organization has now shifted focus to fulfill its promise of refurbishing the existing house of one of the family victims of human-wildlife conflict and make it more habitable and disability friendly.
Through the walk, the organisation aims to raise funds and help the victims of human-wildlife conflict and their families, and has already selected the above-mentioned family being a mother and her daughter.
The duo lost their arm and forearm respectively in a near fatal crocodile attack while harvesting water lily tubers (tswii) in the Thamalakane river on the 28 November 2020.
Gathering tswii was their main means of livelihood, and now with no predictable source of income, the family currently struggles to adapt to life and mostly depend on alms and dole for survival, hence the organisation stepped in to assist them.
In an interview, Simmon Phutego-founder of the organisation revealed that due to financial constraints they were not able to finish and hand-over the project well in time after the walk as they had planned.
However, he indicated that they have already secured some materials for the project which entails installation of a washing machine, addition of a shower to make things easier for the victims to care for their personal hygiene.
The plan according to him, is to hand over the project which also include the extension of the living room, addition of a kitchen, bathroom and laundry room in the next three weeks’ time. Further, the organisation will also refurbish and stock up the duo’s tuckshop to enable them to sustain themselves.
Though they continue to receive pledges, Phuthego has however pleaded for continued assistance through funds or donations in-kind to make sure that the project is completed on time.
Meanwhile, the organiser said the walk generally did not attract so many people due to various challenges but appreciated those who came assuring that the third edition set for next year will be much bigger and better. He sought for assistance from companies in conservation to assist in promoting human-wildlife co-existence in the region.
Phuthego appreciated Lecha and Associates, Fauna Conservation Trust of Ngamiland, SKL Group of Camps, Bridge2Bridge, Maun Education Park, Emergency Assist 911 and Chobe Holdings Limited for making the event possible.
