Community Development

Some 7,000 people, comprising various ethnic groups including the Himba people, live within and on the immediate periphery of the park. Collaborating with these communities is a key focus, and includes engaging with traditional authorities, communities, provincial governments, NGOs and private sector entities.

Working closely with communities is essential in maintaining the functional integrity of the park. Regular community meetings are held with traditional leaders (sobas) to maintain strong relationships with communities, focusing largely on environmental education, the importance of conservation, and matters important to the community. Consultations with community groups where members took part in mapping and discussions around seasonal cattle migration routes, water points, sacred areas and other information supported the establishment of a Land Use Plan.  

Ongoing efforts to help reduce Human-Wildlife Conflict – mainly livestock predation – are aimed at supporting communities while allowing the predator populations to recover. Focusing on improving response efforts, the Community Observer Programme provides a channel for two-way information flow between local people and the park management team. At the same time, trained volunteers have reached over 17,000 people through household visits, an effective method for engaging Iona’s semi-nomadic populations on land use planning and human-wildlife conflict. 

A Grievance and Redress Mechanism (GRM), which includes Rights Observers to assist communities in submitting grievances, ensures respect and promotion of human rights at all times.

As children are traditionally kept home from school to watch over the herds of livestock, the Community Development team has been working with local communities to highlight the opportunities that education offers. To aid this, scholarships continue to be awarded to 20 students annually, and two primary schools are supported with school meals.

School teachers have become increasingly involved in aspects of environmental education, as well as making use of a specially produced Environmental Education Manual. In 2024, three trained literacy teachers launched a pilot reading programme. 

Iona’s Community Development team continues to work with the local semi-nomadic communities to develop sustainable enterprises. Following the establishment of the Community Artcraft Association in 2023, its artisans have been able to produce and sell their handiwork throughout the year, at local tourism fairs and stakeholder events. 

A community Agricultural Association, established in Monte Negro through a partnership with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and support from the Oncócua Directorate of Agriculture, receives training and basic farming materials with which to begin agricultural activities.