Windhoek
The Nyae Nyae Conservancy held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week, where annual reports of the conservancy and finances are taken and budgets for the following year agreed upon.
Representatives from every village in the conservancy came together to take stock of what had been achieved and what still needs the attention of the conservancy management and the organisations assisting it. The AGM was also the perfect opportunity for Nyae Nyae Conservancy to receive and distribute to each of the 37 villages new solar-powered Lifeline radios that drastically improve communication in the remotest areas.
The large, sturdy solar radios are designed and purpose-built for group listening, so work perfectly in the 37 villages around the conservancy, where distance and lack of transport limits communication. Without access to electricity, the solar-powered radios will still function well in the villages.
Another feature of the radios is the USB port, which allows the villagers to charge their phones. This will help with general communication, as well as improving the reporting of illegal grazing and fencing in the area.
The conservancy uses the radios to share information on conservation agriculture, to improve food security and climate change resilience, to provide information about fire management, as well as general conservancy information and notifications of meetings.
Sharing information and improving communication is vital for any remote community and their development. The European Union, that funded the radios through their EU Climate Change Adaption Grant, is providing support in building the capacity of local San communities to diversify livelihoods and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Lara Diez of The Nyae Nyae Development Foundation Namibia, that is leading the EU Climate Change Adaptation project, said: “The community is very happy with the radios, especially as there is a local NBC radio station, Ka Radio, broadcasting in their local language. It really is a step forward in ensuring that ‘no one feels left out’, as envisaged in the Harambee Prosperity Plan.”