Ruben Angala
In Africa, if not worldwide, it is common knowledge that sufficient and adequate natural resources management requires strategic approaches, with specific and defined objectives to achieve great standards. It is further a common belief that despite the benefits derived from biodiversity, nowadays’ threats towards species and ecosystems are caused by human mismanagement of biological resources, often stimulated by misguided economic policies and faulty institutions, besides climate change. Namibia may not be a typical example of a bearer of misguided economic policies. However, the aspect of faulty institutions is a demeanour and mien developing in the country. Our success story of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and stringent wildlife law enforcement policies demean the concept of “misguided economic policies’’, as a result of the significant and fundamental achievements thereof.
Important to note
It is crucial to be cognisant of the fact that, when shortcomings of whatever nature are identified, particularly misguided economic policies, restorative procedures have to be prioritised to re-envision effective management and ultimately good governance. To re-envision good conservation management, in practical terms, thinking minds have to be fitted in the structures of the systems responsible for on-the-ground natural resources management, to re-think effective strategic approaches. Thinking minds referred to are those individuals academically qualified and possessing appropriate characters and fitness to carry out the nature conservation work. In addition, an appropriate conservation staff member is that one who is able to communicate effectively through talks and presentations and is confident in leading walks, having organisational skills, and working with others.
Elucidation of faulty institutions
A significant number of academics and scholars locally and beyond the borders believe that institutional dysfunctionalities have become increasingly common in important social, political and economic settings. With regards to conservation structures, these dysfunctionalities bring about the dismal failure of the institution and its structures. Frankly, faulty conservation institutions are characterised by corruption and corrupt practices, nepotism [employing family members and friends] and the appointment of unqualified persons in critical positions, hiding behind clandestineness. It is agonising and pathetic to appoint an individual with an academic qualification in HIV/AIDS Management or Finance-related to deal with conservation matters and duties. It is inappropriate and characterises a faulty institution. As a result of a faulty conservation institution, re-invigorating conservation management remains in limbo and deferred. In view of the above, a sad reality is that young, qualified conservation professionals eager to re-invigorate conservation and changing the modalities of management remain roaming the streets of Windhoek City and other towns, hopeless and on the verge of losing a career path. Systems capture by certain individuals with self-driven agendas is blatant, and leads institutions to non-productivity and the failure that no ordinary citizen would want to see. It may seem to be a very simple issue, but will have adverse effects on conservation in the long run if not addressed with immediate effect.
Rejection of ‘misguided economic policies’
Natural Resources Management Policies established in Namibia emanate from the supreme body of governance, the progressive Namibian Constitution. The Constitution reflects that the protection, conservation and utilisation of biological processes and ecosystems should be in such a way that benefits are derived for both current and future generations. The CBNRM policy presents benefits of the people directly involved in such management, and over the years since its inception, it proved to be working, and only needs to be enhanced and re-modelled to advance benefits. The Human-Wildlife Conflict Policy is one that was not received well, particularly by affected farmers, and there has been critical consciousness debates surrounding the compensation concept. However, this policy on its own does not strengthen the point of misguided economic policies.
Conservation and ‘Ubuntu philosophy’
The philosophy of Ubuntu informs us of the universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. In African context, the philosophy encompasses values and practices that are viewed as making people authentic human beings. I refer to an individual scholar, Michael Onyebuchi Eze, who viewed the ideology of ‘Ubuntu’ as an affirmation of one’s humanity through recognition of an ‘’other’’ in his or her uniqueness and difference. In view of the aforementioned, it is imperative to note that a nature conservationist is who he or she is through the presence of various society classes, the general public, and other professionals. Ideas and the way of doing things in natural resources management are co-substantively bestowed upon other sectors. The aforementioned is one quality that sectors owe to each other. The excellence of a sector comes from conforming to or being part of the multi-sectoral society.
Way forward
Until we have behavioural change in the interest of good systems, processes and institutions, we may not any time soon see some re-invigoration. Giving responsibilities to lead conservation institutions and departments should be well-thought of, in a sense that the right minds and ability factors are entirely considered. Feed in young minds in the systems for effective work. We may be doing well, but we can do very well if the status quo is reviewed to suit the demands of the era we are currently living in. Lastly, the conservation of our natural world is a great moral issue, for it involves the patriotic duty of ensuring the safety and continuance of the nation. Therefore, the decisions we make with our natural resources and their management must be sustainable, and cleared of any mismanagement.