the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

started operating, it generated Pula 2.2 million between 1997 and 2001 (Table 7.10)
(Mbaiwa, 2002).
The direct household benefits in Sankuyo include the construction of 40 Enviro Loo
toilets, and the distribution of Pula 200 to each household in 1997. Shared
community benefits included the purchase of a Land Cruiser vehicle for community
use and the construction of a community trust office and a community social centre.
Out of a village population of approximately 400, around 55 people in Sankuyo were
employed in the community trust in 1998. However, more employment opportunities
and financial gains are expected once the construction of the proposed CBO's
campsite and traditional village is completed. The traditional village, amongst other
things, includes the construction of two safari camps, one in the hunting area and
the other in the photographic tourism area. Once completed, the photographic camp
is expected to provide services to tourists such as accommodation in traditional huts,
traditional dishes, dance and music, while the camp in the hunting area is expected
to provide accommodation and hunting activities only. The move by the people of
Sankuyo to build their own facilities means that in the near future they will no longer
sub-lease their concession areas to safari and hunting operators, but will attempt to
run the tourism business for themselves. This, to some extent, demonstrates the
move towards a culturally and locally controlled tourism industry, as is defined in the
principles of sustainable tourism (Mbaiwa, 2002).
7.3.6.2 The Okavango Community Trust (OCT)
The Okavango Community Trust (OCT) comprises the five villages of Seronga,
Eretsha, Gunotsoga, Beetsha and Gudigwa located within the Okavango Delta and
Panhandle area (see Figure 5.4 in chapter five). The OCT was established in 1996
and was allocated the Controlled-Hunting Areas (CHAs) of NG 22 and NG 23. The
OCT has sub-leased its CHAs to hunting and photographic safari operators, John
Calitz and Machetti Bates Safaris. They obtained Pula 1.5 million (US $ 250 000) in
2001 from land rentals and the sale of their wildlife quotas to these safari operators.
The OCT has therefore followed the DWNP model of implementing CBNRM
projects, which includes the promotion of joint venture partnerships with safari
operators. In terms of employment, in 2001 the OCT was employing approximately
130 people from the five villages (Mbaiwa, 2002; Mbaiwa, 2004).
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