KAZA Transfrontier Park talks get the nod

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Tuesday August 3, 2010 00:00

 

Mokaila's visit comes in the wake of the councillors' refusal to endorse the proposed treaty that was presented to them by the ministry officers recently. The treaty is to be signed by Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Addressing a full council meeting last week, Mokaila explained that the treaty is aimed at safeguarding the free movement of animals in the five countries.

He said the treaty would also see to the harmonisation of land use between the signatories and that will lead to easy monitoring of land use.

'At the moment, we cannot control what is happening in Namibia or any of our neighbouring countries. Their land use is different from ours. On the Botswana side, we have national parks, these being the Chobe and Moremi, while across the boarder it is communal land. If we harmonise land use, then we will be able to control how land is used,' he said.

Mokaila said the treaty is also aimed at allowing free movement of animals between the five countries, especially elephants that are over populated in Botswana, adding that there is nobody who can ignore the human-animal conflicts in the Ngamiland region due to the high numbers of jumbos. He reminded the councillors that the water in the Okavango Delta comes from Angola and the Angolans could one day decide to dam the river and that would be the end of the delta. He noted that it is only when Angola understands the importance of the delta to Botswana that such acts can be avoided.

Mokaila said if the five countries were a single entity, the number of tourists coming to the region would increase because they would be paying for only one uni-visa to travel to all the countries. He explained that tourists like travelling for many days and if the region has different travel requirements, that will shorten their days. He gave an example of European countries that use one visa to travel all over Europe. Mokaila said the recent FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa has marketed that country well and many tourists will be visiting it. He mentioned that this region must come up with strategies to attract them and the KAZA-Transfrointier Park is one of the strategies.

'Since the Kalahari Transfrontier Park was established between Botswana and South Africa, we have benefited a lot from it. Between 2005 and 2008, a revenue totalling R8.4 million was generated.

South Africa made R6 million and Botswana made only R2, 4 million but we shared the money equally because we agreed on an equal share.

South Africa made more money because it has set up good infrastructure but Botswana is still behind,' said Mokaila.He told the councillors that the five countries will keep on negotiating until they reach an understanding. He mentioned that the treaty does not mean that Botswana will be giving up her sovereignty but he has confidence going into the future. He said that he would not take the proposed treaty before the Cabinet if he is not confident about certain things he would like to see. Mokaila explained that he is still to hold consultation Kgotla meetings with the communities in the Ngamiland and Chobe regions, adding that the treaty is still far from being signed and sealed. The minister also explained that an office that has been opened in Kasane is for coordinating the project and it does not mean the treaty has been finalised.

Matlapaneng councillor, Tapoloso Mosika complained that countries that are part of the proposed treaty have killed all their animals and will take advantage of Botswana that has much wildlife. He mentioned that a country like Zimbabwe cannot be trusted because it recently arrested wildlife officers who were on duty.

He stated that the country knew the role of the officers but they were arrested and their vehicle, rifle and bullets seized. Mosika warned that Batswana must go with open minds when signing the treaty.

Chukumuchu/Guni councillor, Samson Mauano said that they were informed by ministry officers that the treaty had been signed and an office opened in Kasane. He explained that it came as a shocker to them when told because they could not be consulated after everything had been sealed.

Nominated councillor, Abel Molelo stated that Botswana cannot work with Zimbabwe because it cannot control its people who cost the Botswana government a fortune to deport them. 'I am suspicious of that country. If we sign the treaty with them, we will regret later,' he warned.

Olatotse Sarefo of Gudigwa/Vumbura said some countries can sign the treaty and allow animals to move freely in their country but at the end enclose them inside. He said a country can terminate the conditions of the treaty anytime it feels like. He stated that he is completely against the treaty because if animals are allowed to move freely, tourists will no longer visit Botswana. 'We have attractions that are better than theirs,' he said. Kitso Ngande of Makgobokgobo said it must be explained how the five countries will share the benefits of the treaty.

He mentioned that Botswana already has enemies in the region, citing the Sedudu Island conflict that was decided by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague. He also wondered how land use will be harmonised between the countries.

Nokaneng councillor, Lathang Molonda said Botswana depends on wildlife and diamonds. He stated that the country cannot allow wildlife to be taken away from it. He noted that if the wildlife goes away, Batswana will be left in the cold. Molonda mentioned that the free movement of animals will attract livestock diseases to Botswana. He said Namibia has cattle lung disease (CBPP) and Zimbabwe has foot and mouth (FMD). He also highlighted that some of these countries are not politically stable and might resort to war if things do not go their way. For his part, Allen Sokwe of Tsau said the proposed treaty should have been taken to the communities first before being presented to the councillors. He stated that it is an issue that affects them directly.

Sokwe warned that the free movement of animals will increase poaching in the region that is already a headache. He mentioned that he was concerned by the number of treaties being signed in the region.

Despite their different opinions, the councillors gave the minister the green-light to continue with the negotiations with other countries about the KAZA.