Why Okavango Delta is drying - experts speak

The country's most treasured tourism asset, the Okavango Delta, is experiencing one of the driest periods in its history. As a World Heritage Site, the Delta's drying has stoked fears that Botswana is witnessing the beginning of the end of the magic. Staff Writer, THALEFANG CHARLES, speaks to the experts studying the matter

Exactly 100 years since Batawana’s first relocation after settling in Ngamiland, Maun is staring at the worst drought in recent history. It is not just Maun. The entire south western part of the Okavango Delta is as dry as a bone. 

The annual flood from the Okavango’s catchment was at its lowest levels this year. The low water found empty rivers and it is unlikely that the trickle will reach Maun this year. 

If we were still in the 1800s, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi would be relocating from Maun now.

Historical records show that in 1820 Kwebe, the first capital of Batawana, located on the foothill of Kwebe Hills and peripheries of Lake Ngami, dried up forcing the then Kgosi Moremi to move to Namanyana, which is the current day Toteng.  After Toteng there were many relocations - to Tshoroga, back to Toteng, then Tsau, before a final settlement in Maun in 1915.

These relocations were mainly due to droughts (drying of rivers) and natural disasters involving diseases such as Rinderpest.

Most of the Batawana royal settlements (Mauns) were concentrated on the western part of the Okavango Delta and around Lake Ngami that was fed by the Thaoge River.

Thaoge River is one of the three main splits of the Okavango Delta. Others are the Nqoga – Maunachira – Khwai and the Jao – Boro systems. The Thaoge River flow into Lake Ngami died in the mid-1900s. Is the Jao-Boro system next on the line, especially looking at its current state?  Is the Okavango Delta dying?

Mmegi invited experts, who have extensively worked on the Okavango River Basin to explain the status of the current water levels.

Read more http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=82034&dir=2019/august/02

Human-wildlife conflicts in the Okavango Delta, Botswana: What are sustainable management options?

Joseph E. Mbaiwa

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) threaten natural resource sustainability and livelihoods in Botswana. Using the notions of sustainability, human wildlife conflict and conflict resolution, this paper analyses causes, consequences and management options of HWCs in the Okavango Delta (OD), Botswana. Primary and secondary data sources were used in the study. The results of the study show that there are primary (underlying) and proximate factors that cause HWCs in the OD. The main causes of HWC include crop damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, kudus and hippos. Livestock predation caused by lions, hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs and crocodiles are some of the cause of HWC in the delta. Proximate factors of HWC include increased human and wildlife population (e.g. elephants), policy and institutional failures, livestock diseases and veterinary fences. These result in insecure livelihoods, and negative local attitudes towards wildlife conservation. Policy and institutional barriers increase HWC in the OD. This is reflected by the fact that government policy tends to favour wildlife-based tourism over agro-pastoralism in the OD. The result has been an increase in HWCs and poverty in the wetland. In addition, institutional policies on land use are not harmonized and are top-down to development planning and in the implementation of development programmes. In conclusion, land zonation for land uses and compensation for crop damage and livestock predation are potential options for sustainability and HWC resolution.

Read more http://journals.ub.bw/index.php/pula/article/view/1524

Joseph Matshelo: The walking library: CELEBRATING A YOUNG BRILLIANT MIND

Joseph Matshelo: The walking library: CELEBRATING A YOUNG BRILLIANT MIND: Botswana’s own Gem - Dr Patricia Kefilwe “Finky” Mogomotsi Meet Dr Patricia Kefilwe “Finky” Mogomotsi, a young beautiful and brilliant mi...

CELEBRATING A YOUNG BRILLIANT MIND

Botswana’s own Gem - Dr Patricia Kefilwe “Finky” Mogomotsi

Meet Dr Patricia Kefilwe “Finky” Mogomotsi, a young beautiful and brilliant mind from Molapowabojang in the Southern District of Botswana. Born 30 years ago in Lobatse to Mr Fish and Mrs Deborah Madigele, Dr Mogomotsi is the youngest ever to hold the position Senior Research Scholar (Natural Resource Economics), at the Okavango Research Institute (ORI).

She was promoted to the position after only two years of service. At the time she was only 29 years old. She is currently ORI’s Training Coordinator. Within 43 months after joining ORI, she managed to publish close 30 research outputs, 23 referred journal articles and four book chapters, as well as two conference proceedings. She has made 12 conference presentations nationally and internationally.

Dr Mogomotsi completed her PhD in December 2018 after only 22 months of study at the University of North West, South Africa, a record-breaking feat given she studied on part-time basis while working full-time.

As a result, she was awarded a Golden Key for being among the top constituting 15 per cent of the graduating class of 2019. Only 30 years old, Dr Mogomotsi attained four more qualifications.

She attained Bachelor of Arts [Economics] at the University of Botswana October 2011, Bachelor of Commerce Honours (BComm Hons) in Economics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa in 2013, Master of Economics, Rhodes University, South Africa in 2015 and Master of Financial Management, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India in 2016.

Some of her notable achievements include being winner of Global Development Network (GDN) Award in 2014, received the student of the year award under the category of community service at Rhodes University in 2013, Rhodes University ENREFA bursary for Master of Economics in 2013, North West University PhD bursary in 2017 and was the CODESRIA Economic Justice Institute Laureate Mozambique in 2017. Dr Mogomotsi was also CODESRIA Democratic Governance Institute Laureate in Senegal 2017.

She is married to Mr Goemeone E.J Mogomotsi with whom they have been blessed with a son, Goemeone E.L Mogomotsi Jr.

A hunter responds to Joubert

Derek Joubert’s opinion piece of what he wishes to be referred to as the 'Blood law', the white paper that has been submitted to the Botswana government recommending wildlife utilisation in a series of suggestions, is once again the emotional attack on anything that might aid many of Botswana’s communities and the less fortunate people than his ‘guests and friends’ of Great Plains Conservation.

It might also come to the aid of many species that are dwindling in Botswana due to massive elephant pressure on habitat in a country that does not exactly boast vast tracts of suitable elephant habitat.

l ‘The opening up of the largely condemned hunting of elephants and all wildlife again’

Largely condemned by whom? Those that do not have a dog in the fight, those that are privileged to go to bed each night with a full stomach, those that do not live amongst the ravages of wildlife conflict, those that do not rely on funding from such hunting, responsibly done? If the wildlife that inhabits the riverine along the Chobe had a voice, what would they say to the utter destruction and devastation of their habitat brought on by over populated elephant numbers? This should be enough to convince the world that something needs to be done and that elephants are not the be all and end all of African wildlife species of both fauna and flora.

It is a fact that most of the communities that benefited from hunting whilst it was permitted have suffered hugely due to the lack of what it brought to their lives, employment and finances, they have been spoken to and their voice has been heard in the ‘white paper’. Oh and contrary to the recent comment of feeding communities ‘rotting elephant carcasses’

Read more here http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=79844&dir=2019%2Fmarch%2F01&fbclid=IwAR0Kht0kXjLqFUGY2QVaMHWDf-nmq8N7eYUK4p7sIc5gvFq4wgSQUw-GY5w

Joseph Matshelo: The walking library: Vacancies at ACHAP

Joseph Matshelo: The walking library: Vacancies at ACHAP: We Are Hiring... We are looking to fill the following vacancies... 1. VOLUNTARY MEDICAL MALE CIRCUMCISION DOCTOR (Tenab...

Vacancies at ACHAP

We Are Hiring...

We are looking to fill the following vacancies...

1. VOLUNTARY MEDICAL MALE
CIRCUMCISION DOCTOR
(Tenable in Greater Gaborone
including Kgatleng and South
East)

2. VOLUNTARY MEDICAL MALE
CIRCUMCISION (VMMC)
NURSES (5)
(2 positions tenable in
Mahalapye, 2 positions in
Molepolole and 1 position in
Gaborone)

3. SENIOR SOCIAL AND
BEHAVIOR CHANGE
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
(Tenable in Gaborone)

4. PROGRAMME OFFICER
(Tenable in Gaborone)

5. HUMAN RESOURCES
OFFICER (Tenable in
Gaborone)

6. RECORDS MANAGEMENT
OFFICER (Tenable in
Gaborone)

7. INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
(Tenable in Gaborone)

8. COMMUNITY TB/HIV
SUPERVISOR (3) (Tenable
in Maun, Selebi Phikwe and
Tutume)

For more information, click on the link below.
Closing Date: 07 March 2019

http://www.achap.org/careers.php