Renthia Kaimbi
Chief Sakarias Seibeb of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority has accused tourism operator Ultimate Safaris of charging “illegal” fees and interfering in conservancy governance by erecting two toll gates at the entrance to the Goantagab mining area in the Sorris Sorris conservancy.
The company charges foreign tourists N$100, Namibians N$50, and N$150 per vehicle entering the Joint Management Area (JMA) as a “conservation fee”.
Ultimate Safaris operates the Onduli Ridge lodge in the Uibasen Twyfelfontein conservancy.
Seibeb said he is considering withdrawing the Sorris Sorris conservancy from the JMA, which borders the Uibasen Twyfelfontein and Doro !Nawas conservancies.
“We have previously raised numerous concerns regarding the interference of tourism operators in this area. What they want are exclusive rights to solely operate in another conservancy while not even having a leasehold or Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). They don’t even have jurisdiction over the Sorris Sorris conservancy for which I am the custodian,” he said.
The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has already found the JMA to be illegal, citing exclusivity clauses that block other tourism and economic activities.
Its legality is still under review by the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism and the NaCC.
The toll gate signage has also drawn criticism for omitting the Goantagab mining zone, which has been active since the early 20th century and continued operating until 2019.
Mining advocates say this reflects efforts to erase mining’s history and economic role in the area.
Tensions have grown as mining companies seek to revive the Goantagab tin mine.
Mining claimants Timoteus Mashuna and Ottilie Ndimulunde, supported by Sinco Holdings and Birca Mining, want to restart operations, promising over 100 jobs and local economic benefits.
Andrada Mining Ltd, which signed an ore supply deal with Goantagab Mining, has urged balance.
“Mining and the environment are often seen as being in conflict, but they can coexist if approached with care,” said Andrada’s head of exploration, Timothy Marais.
He noted that 75% of Namibia’s mining revenue comes from operations within protected areas.
“Namibia has shown that coexistence is not only possible, it is feasible. The key lies in responsible practices and embedding sustainability at every stage.”
Rhino threat warning
Tourism operators, however, warn of damage to rhino habitats. Ultimate Safaris secured High Court interdicts in October and December 2024 to halt mining, arguing it would threaten endangered black rhinos and harm the tourism industry.
Four black rhinos were translocated to the Sorris Sorris conservancy under the Black Rhino Custodianship Scheme between 2005 and 2010, while another operator held a mining licence in the same area until 2019 without facing court action.
Ultimate Safaris has repeatedly blocked mining activities.
In May 2025, the company stopped a tipper truck from loading mining stockpiles for transport to Uis.
In a letter to Mashuna’s lawyers, the company insisted that “while the interdicts are in place, no activity of any kind, including the uploading and removal of mining material from the site, is allowed on the mining claims or in the area.”
Mashuna rejected the claims, citing the B2Gold Mine near Otjiwarongo, which he said had not driven away rhino populations.
He also referred to a 2024 inspection report by environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti, who found mining activities “generally compliant” with the Environmental Clearance Certificate, with only minor issues noted.
“We intend to employ up to 150 young people from the local community. Our mining claims cover only a small area of about four square kilometres hidden in the mountains, while the rest of more than 2,000 hectares remain available for tourism activities. I don’t see how we can’t co-exist,” said Mashuna.
The conflict has divided communities and traditional authorities. The Daure Daman Traditional Authority supports mining, while the Aodaman Traditional Authority and its conservancies oppose it.
The dispute over toll gates, mining rights, and rhino protection continues to fuel clashes between conservation and development in the Kunene region.
