The Namibia Wildlife Resorts and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta are currently engaged in negotiations to try and find a solution to his disputed decision to grant 20-year exclusive rights to a hospitality company to build and operate a passenger train to Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

NWR dragged the minister to court after Shifeta on 19 March 2020 granted concession rights to Sky Eye Tour and Hospitality to operate a tethered helium balloon, as well as to construct and operate a motorised transport system in a form of a train in Sossusvlei.

The motorised transport system will cover approximately four kilometres, starting where the tarred road ends. 

This section of the road to the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei area is only reachable by 4x4 vehicles.

This part of the road will be closed off to all vehicles, and tourists will be transported exclusively by train.

NWR wants Shifeta’s decision reviewed and set aside.  NWR claims that not only were they not consulted, but the passenger train will also affect their main revenue generation source.  The company has been operating a shuttle service on that road since April 2010 and has made more than N$60 million in revenue to date, it claims. 

According to NWR, because of its untouched beauty and desolated nature, Sossusvlei is a prime tourist destination. 

However, all that is in danger if a passenger train railway is constructed. 

This might decrease the number of tourists who want to experience natural beauty.  Yesterday, the parties requested the court for a postponement, as they are trying to resolve the matter amongst themselves.

Windhoek High Court Judge Herman Oosthuizen postponed the matter to 12 December to allow the parties to reach a settlement.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, Sky Eye Tour and Hospitality has since written to the ministry, informing them of their plans not to continue with the disputed project due to financial reasons.

- mamakali@nepc.com.na