Wildlife-based land reform programme fails to start

Herald Reporter
October 4, 2010

The wildlife-based land reform programme, which Government introduced in 2000 for areas with limited agricultural potential, has failed to take off.

Director general of National Parks and Wildlife Management, Mr Vitalis Chadenga, last Friday said this was because the implementation of the policy has been slow and unco-ordinated.

Parks is tasked with the implementation of the policy in seven conservancies around the country to bring indigenous people into the wildlife sector.

"The main problem has been that of resistance from established white players who questioned the legitimacy of the policy and also refused to partner with new players under indigenisation options," he said.

The policy provides for the establishment of partnerships among established farmers or communities or new players.

"The other problem is that of people who illegally set themselves in conservancies, making it difficult not only to regularise reform but also posing a danger to wildlife production," he said.

He added that there had been lack of co-ordination with the Lands and Resettlement ministry and themselves as those with offer letters for cropping ended up settling in conservancies.

On the other hand, Mr Chadenga said the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management had been awarding 25-year leases.

The criteria called for demonstrable interest and experience in wildlife conservation, capacity for business development and management and the ability to contribute to the asset base.

However, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Florence Nhekairo pointed out that this had been necessitated by the failure to identify indigenous players. The 30 leases that have been issued so far were to black entrepreneurs who have expressed willingness to invest in the sector.

It is not all gloomy though, as Mr Chadenga envisions success as more ways to ensure buying into the programme continue.

"There is likely to be more convergence, especially with the white farmers. Next month, we will be meeting with them to discuss various concerns and hopefully find a way forward.

"After all what we need at the end of the day is sustainable use of our resources," Mr Chadenga said.

This failure must be a direct result of colonialism.

"Invest" must mean something different in Zim. Maybe it means rape, rob, pillage, and plunder.

Just like investing money in a Rock that produces Diesel. By that fine gentleman of high standing Bob.
Try this link Mugabe
Now look at the URL

Invest means giving them something for nothing, like a 51% ownership interest.

quote:

Originally posted by David Hulme:
This failure must be a direct result of colonialism.

Tiger walks by & sees bait. Sniffs and grimaces as it recognizes trouble. Does not bite!

Nice try David! By the way thanks for the reply, I am sure we will make good friends.

India beat Australia in Test cricket yesterday!

How many generations of living in ZIM or Southern Africa must one have to be "indigenous"?
The blacks and Hispanic and Irish and Scots and Italians here are now indigenous with one or two generations....
If my Boer Friends from Zim and RSA were to relocate to US, would they be African-Americans??? Oh wait, they are white and cant get a visa....