The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and Team Namibia in a smart partnership are facilitating the centenary anniversary of the Etosha National Park nationally and internationally. These celebrations start on 22 March 2007 and will run for one year. The focus of the MET is to improve existing infrastructure in preparation for the next 100 years. A grant of N$10, 5 million was received from the Game Products Trust Fund and is being used to upgrade infrastructure such as roads, firebreaks, fences, toilets, entrance gates, refuse sites and sewerage works. NWR will spend about N$60 million, allocated by Cabinet earlier this year, on refurbishing accommodation at the three camps in the park. – An Etosha Centenary Working Group, with representatives from partner institutions, meets regularly to plot the way ahead for the centenary celebrations. – Staff from all directorates of MET and NWR based in Etosha have identified their priorities for centenary celebrations and have formed a committee that will take on several local-level activities and collect information. – Two Etosha Centenary coordinators have been appointed to facilitate activities. Plans are underway to: – Open western Etosha for guided tours; – Trial walking trails and guided night drives; – Establish hides at three waterholes; – Build kiosks at various points within the park, at which visitors can leave their vehicles, use ablution facilities and purchase refreshments; – Establish themed information centres at each of the three rest camps (Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni); – Review the range of products sold in camp shops, with emphasis placed on local goods; – Explore the possibility of opening a gate at Narawandu on the northern boundary and at Oshivelo to the east; – Reduce the current speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h; – Repair infrastructure such as main roads, sewerage works; – Upgrade and replace sections of the boundary fence with neighbour involvement in fence maintenance; – Introduce the recycling of glass, paper and plastic at rest camps; – Renovate the Etosha Ecological Institute (EEI) at Okaukuejo; – Make research findings under the EEI more widely available, particularly to the public; – Develop and implement a new park-resident policy and guideline jointly by MET and NWR which defines who may reside in the park, and the applicable code of conduct; – Develop a conservancy for the Hai//om people; – Complete a management and development plan; – Introduce a new, improved park permit; and – Compile a series of 100 Milestones in the park’s history. The committees have also decided to: – Hold a small launch in Windhoek on Thursday, 22 March to commemorate the start of the celebrations; – Host a high-profile launch with invited dignitaries in the Park on 28 September 2007. This is to ensure there is enough accommodation available within the park and to afford the best game viewing opportunities for guests. An Etosha Centenary Logo is available for use for officially endorsed projects, products and activities linked to the Etosha Centenary celebrations. Meanwhile, a webpage is being set up to provide information on the celebrations and background on the Park. Amongst the planned activities are the issuing of a commemorative postage stamp series through NamPost, full moon walks on the pan, an Etosha research symposium and a film festival featuring some of the finest films made about Etosha. Several local artists have come forward with songs for the centenary. Etosha exhibits are currently on at the ITB in Berlin in March and are planned for the Indaba in South Africa in May, and locally at the Tourism Expo, Ongwediva Trade Fair and at the Windhoek Show. Minister of Environment and Tourism, Willem Konjore, has appealed to the public to link festivals, activities and products to the Etosha Centenary. The MET will act as a coordinator and add events to a national Etosha Centenary Celebrations Calendar. People are also encouraged to come forward with good ideas, historic pictures and artefacts of Etosha and suggest ways in which activities can be funded. The Government does not have sufficient funds to facilitate the celebrations as there are pressing developmental needs that require funding. The MET is therefore appealing to the private sector and those who benefit directly or indirectly from parks to contribute towards the funding of various activities. In this way, the nation will be able to link hands and ensure that we as a nation celebrate this remarkable event. The Etosha Centenary presents an opportunity to increase interest in the nation’s parks and attract even more visitors to Etosha and the other parks in the country. But current infrastructure and services are stretched as tourist numbers steadily increase. As Government needs additional funding for pressing developmental issues, the Etosha Centenary needs support from the public and the private sector to ensure its success. Investment in the park could restore Etosha as Namibia’s greatest and most famous cultural, scientific, biodiversity and economic asset worthy of national pride. Companies supporting the initiative will be given wide media coverage. For further information, write to centenary@span.com.na or contact Lazarus Nafidi on (061) 284 2556 or Linda Baker on (061) 284 2569. Alternatively, contact the Etosha Coordinators at (061) 253464 or e-mail them on etosha@events.com.na