🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Sossusvlei shuttle ban raises monopoly concerns among Namibian tour operators
via The Namibian6 min read
Namibian tour operators are expressing concerns that a government plan to restrict driving access at Sossusvlei, a prominent tourist destination, could lead to a monopoly and negatively impact the tourism sector. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced that, effective May 1, driving between the Sossusvlei 2x4 parking area and the 4x4 parking area Deadvlei will be limited to a few operators. This decision has sparked criticism, with operators like Wild Wind Safaris' senior travel consultant, Lelani Smaruj, stating it feels like a "slap in the face" and will particularly affect small, locally established businesses. Former finance minister Calle Schlettwein labeled the move as "robbing Namibians." The ministry maintains the change will generate state revenue and protect the environment by reducing driving, aligning with an existing contract with About Africa Co. However, industry players, including Paul Brinkmann, managing director of Sense of Africa, question the necessity of an exclusive concession, arguing it benefits one operator and could increase prices for tourists. Gondwana Collection, which withdrew from a nearby concession tender, also raised concerns about the tender awarded to About Africa, citing issues with concession clarity and fair competition. The ministry spokesperson, Vilho Hangula, confirmed that while tour operators can still take clients to Deadvlei through an operator, there is no regulation of shuttle charges in the contract. This follows a pr
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Musese Green Scheme in Namibia's Kavango West region harvested approximately 4,800 tonnes of maize this season, a figure affected by excessive rainfall early in the production cycle. Winni Metzger, the scheme's private operator, noted that heavy rains at the start of the season damaged young maize plants and led to increased weed growth, which competed with the crops for nutrients. Six hundred hectares were planted with maize last October, with harvesting commencing last month. The Musese Green Scheme, established in 1977, is one of Namibia's oldest irrigation projects. In addition to maize, Metzger has diversified into animal feed and cooking oil production. The scheme includes 15 maize fields managed by the private operator and 10 plots allocated to small-scale farmers. Metzger advocates for private management as the most effective model for green schemes, believing it fosters a greater sense of ownership and commitment compared to government-employed managers.
Must ReadNamibia and Germany are working to build a future relationship based on mutual interest and respect, despite a brutal colonial past. Germany's rule in Namibia from 1884 to 1915 involved dispossession, violence, and the 1904–1908 war against the Herero and Nama peoples, which resulted in mass killings and forced confinement. In 2021, Germany formally recognized these killings as genocide and committed 1.1 billion euros over 30 years for reconstruction and development projects in affected communities. However, this agreement has faced criticism within Namibia, particularly from Herero and Nama traditional leaders who were not direct signatories and argue that funding should directly benefit the affected communities rather than being channeled through the central government. They contend that restorative justice must be visible at the household and community level, addressing specific harms like land access and agricultural support. Germany maintains that these funds are not legal reparations but a gesture of responsibility. Beyond this historical context, German colonialism also left infrastructure and administrative systems that independent Namibia inherited. Today, Germany is Namibia's largest European trading partner and a significant source of development aid. Namibia, with its abundant solar and wind resources, is valuable to Germany's renewable energy goals, while its mineral deposits are critical for Germany's industrial policy. Both nations are democracies that value mu
Must ReadYango Group has announced the launch of Yango Tech in Africa, extending its presence in the region with a portfolio of artificial intelligence AI and digital infrastructure solutions for businesses, city authorities, and public-sector organizations. This expansion signifies Yango Group's shift beyond consumer-facing services in Africa to focus on B2B technology and AI implementations. Yango Tech aims to assist organizations in automating operations, modernizing infrastructure, and adopting AI tools across various sectors, including mobility, healthcare, financial services, and retail. McKinsey consulting suggests that generative AI could generate between $61 billion and $103 billion in annual economic value across Africa, with over 40% of organizations on the continent already exploring or implementing AI solutions. The GSMA estimates that the mobile sector contributed $220 billion to Africa's economy in 2024 and could reach $270 billion by 2030. Yango Tech's African portfolio includes generative AI adoption programs, smart city technologies, healthcare digitalization solutions, and platforms for financial services and electronic commerce. The company helps enterprises and public-sector organizations identify where AI can deliver measurable business value, develop implementation roadmaps, assess return on investment, and integrate AI tools into daily operations. The offering also includes deployment support, AI governance frameworks, and training programs for executives and o
The Namibia Development Foundation Namdef Trust will host a two-day national conversation on responsible gambling in Windhoek from June 8 to 9. The event aims to address growing concerns over gambling addiction and its social impact in Namibia, particularly among young people facing unemployment. The discussions will bring together regulators, operators, psychologists, researchers, civil society, and affected communities to develop solution-oriented dialogues. Key objectives include initiating inclusive dialogue, strengthening prevention and early intervention, addressing workplace productivity risks, and improving access to counselling and rehabilitation services. Namdef hopes the discussions will generate policy recommendations for future planning and social protection strategies. The foundation has highlighted the prevalence of gambling in informal settings with limited consumer protection. This initiative follows public appeals from individuals like Jason Kauhondamwa, who sought stronger intervention measures and publicly requested to be banned from gambling premises due to his addiction. The Namibia Gaming and Entertainment Control Board acknowledged delays in processing self-exclusion requests, attributing them to the slow development of an interactive register for licensed establishments. Namdef's safe gambling programme will operate as an independent non-profit social safeguard, supporting responsible gambling obligations without assuming a regulatory or enforcement r