BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION

The first two (2) cases of COVID-19 were reported in Namibia on the

14 March 2020. Thereafter, a State of Emergency was declared by

President H. Geingob on 17 March 2020 and proclaimed on 18 March

2020. In light of the aforementioned proclamation, NAPHA deemed it

prudent to conduct a survey to establish the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the trophy hunting sector in

Namibia as Namibia’s borders were systematically closed down apart for essential services.

Partial lockdowns ensued for two regions for a period of three weeks with the rest of the country to follow suite.

Pretty much everything came to a grinding halt until the 5th May 2020.

It was during this period that NAPHA, on the 20th of April 2020 distributed the “NAPHA – COVID-19 IMPACT

SURVEY – APRIL 2020” via its WhatsApp platform at which time members were requested to distribute the

survey to engage a wider audience. The impact survey ran for 7 days and closed on the 27th of April 2020. This

quantifiable sampling, we believe, would provide tangible data to assess the situation.

The response was well above what was expected with 132 respondents. This equated to 119 NAPHA

members, representing 35% of NAPHA’s 341 registered members. The remaining 13 respondents were non-

members. A word of gratitude to all those who partook in the survey. Your contribution is invaluable and has

provided valuable information to strengthen discussions with government and stakeholders in our response to

measures post COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION TO NAMIBIA PROFESSIONAL HUNTING ASSOCIATION – NAPHA

With a proud 46-year history, NAPHA has been at the forefront of promoting the sustainable utilisation of our

wildlife resources through conservation hunting and is acknowledged as such by the Ministry of Environment,

Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). With wildlife numbers on the constant rise since the 1970’s, this strictly regulated

sector has continually and significantly contributed towards employment creation, food security and development

in communal areas through the conservancy program, national parks as well as on title deed areas. The

conservation hunting sector in Namibia is completely reliant on international hunting tourists and is fundamental

to support our membership in all possible ways as this will… [Read more]

© Namibia Professional Hunting Association

© Namibia Professional

Hunting Association

15 May 2020

NAPHA NewsletterA compilation of news selected for you by your NAPHA Team

In this edition:

1. Results: Impact due to COVID-

19 related measures

2. FENATA: Recovery Plan for

Tourism in Namibia

3. Hunting School Resumes

4. MET Press Release

5. Big Game Committee

Feedback

6. Food for thought

7. Release of N$30 note

8. COVID-19 Market Blitz – NTB

9. World Bee Day – 20 May 2020

10. In Memoriam

11. DSCF COVID-19 Relief Fund

12. #WeNeedOurPangolinsAlive

13. Is the Animal Rights doctrine

killing Africa's wildlife?

14. The 48 highly invasive /

potentially invasive alien plants

15. Uniquely Sighted!

Issue 18/2020

Results: Report on the Impact due to

COVID-19 related measures

NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020Page 2

Thank you to our

corporate partners:

FENATA: Recovery Plan for Tourism in Namibia

Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations

To: The Minister of Environment and Tourism

Honourable Pohamba Shifeta

Copies to: Minister of Finance: Honourable Ipumbu Shiimi

Minister of Public Enterprise: Honourable Leon Jooste

Windhoek, 12th May 2020

Honourable Ministers,

Re.: Recovery Plan for Tourism in Namibia

This document serves to inform you, Honourable Ministers, as

members of Cabinet responsible for key areas of Government, about

the current overall situation in the wider tourism sector.

On Thursday, 07th May 2020, during a Zoom-Meeting with the

Director of Tourism, the wider tourism community was requested to

make yet another submission to Government, highlighting the current

situation and making proposals for the way forward.

As it seems, some levels of Government have still not realized the

severe predicament that not only tourism, but our entire country finds

itself in and that urgent ACTION is needed rather than more talk.

But following the request, I will herewith, yet again, submit our position

as it is at the current stage, hopefully giving you valuable insight for

your next Cabinet Committee meeting.

Current Situation (Stage 2 of National Corona Crisis

Management):

Most tourism entities are now in their fourth month of low to zero

income, where they need to keep the business afloat by tapping into

their, often very limited, reserves. For most tourism entities, each

passing day is a step closer to permanent business closure, if no

funding can be secured from outside, be it through a Government

subsidy, access to capital from commercial banks at preferred rates,

tax reductions or holidays or any other means of financial support.

The recently published labour directives have now also put even more

severe strain on tourism entities and the economic backlash of this will

haunt us in the months and years to come. [Read more]

In an attempt to gather an understanding from Government on the

impact of emergency situation related measurements, the Federation

of Tourism Associations of Namibia (FENATA) has repeatedly raised

concerns and provided possible solutions to try and limit the impact of

the current measures on the Tourism Sector and the Country.

HUNTING SCHOOL RESUMES

Page 3

Thank you to our

corporate partners:

NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2020 DATES

NAPHA hereby announces the dates for both the PDN (Previously

Disadvantaged Namibian) course as well as the HG (Hunting Guide)

/ PH (Professional Hunter) courses.

In order to gauge the amount of interest in these courses, we kindly

request interested parties to reserve their place on the relevant

course with NAPHA as soon as possible as space is limited.

PDN Course:29 July to 11 August 2020, followed by examinations on 12 and 13

August 2020.

Candidates qualifying for a re-write of the exams will receive

preference and will have the opportunity to attend the entire course

at a reduced rate.

A course can be confirmed with a minimum of 8 candidates and a

maximum of 16.

VENUE: Etango Ranch (diagonally opposite to the turnoff to

Hosea Kutako International Airport).

COSTS: to be advised on 22 May 2020.

HG / PH Courses:The course for aspiring Hunting Guides / Professional Hunters is set

up in 2 options:

a) A short course, where three modules will be offered of 1 day each:

TROPHY: 06 October 2020.

GAME: 07 October 2020.

LEGISLATION: 08 October 2020.

A course can be confirmed with a minimum of 8 candidates and a

maximum of 16.

VENUE: Etango Ranch (diagonally opposite to the turnoff to

Hosea Kutako International Airport).

COSTS: to be advised on 22 May 2020.

b) A longer, 10-day course from 19 to 30 October 2020 (including an

open weekend). A course can be confirmed with a minimum of 8

candidates and a maximum of 16.

VENUE: Etango Ranch (diagonally opposite to the turnoff to

Hosea Kutako International Airport).

COSTS: to be advised on 22 May 2020.

Page 4 NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

Big Game Committee Feedback

on Hunting Concessions

With the closure of Namibia’s borders, the hunting

sector was severely impacted. The resulting loss of

income not only impacts GDP of the country, but

also conservation efforts of our nation.

Hunting concessions in communal conservancies

and on government land, need to be reviewed to

safeguard employment and partnerships as far as

possible.

The NAPHA Big Game Committee was kept busy

over the last weeks with discussions and

consultations with members, stakeholders and

authorities.

A NAPHA letter was submitted to the Ministry of

Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s Director of

Parks and Wildlife and we await a reply from the

Ministry.

It is NAPHA’s express desire that, whilst we await

finalisation of an updated Elephant Management

Plan, stringent minimum requirements for the

hunting of trophy elephant should be applied.

You can read the letter here.

Subject: Hospitality and Tourism Sectors allowed to operate

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism wishes to clarify that as of the 5th May 2020 when the

country entered the Stage 2 of the COVID-19 State of Emergency, all productive activities are allowed to

operate with strict health measures. The tourism and hospitality are included in this category of productive

activities.

Tourism operations, specifically accommodation establishments, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, lodges,

back packers, campsites, restaurants and transport are allowed to operate.

The specific regulations are still to be gazetted, however we encourage the sector to in the main time observe

social distancing and hygiene protocols already in place.

Restaurants and food outlets must not have seating clients but rather take-home orders. In accordance with

Stage 2 restrictions, alcohol may not be served in any restaurant or accommodation establishment. The

opening of casinos, gambling houses and bars is strictly prohibited at this stage since they are contact activities

and contact traceability cannot be guaranteed.

The Ministry understands and recognizes that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism and

hospitality sector has been particularly hard hit. The sector is suffering significant losses in [Read more]

Republic of Namibia

Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism

Press Release14 May 2020

Page 5

Release of N$30 note

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) announced that a N$30 banknote will be available from commercial banks as of

Friday, May 15, 2020.

This note was designed

to commemorate

Namibia's 30th

Independence on

March 21st, 2020.

According to BoN, the

notes will only be

available at counters

inside commercial

banks, not ATM’s.

Collectors can obtain

the note by exchanging

them for notes of equal

value. The N$30 note

may be used for public

transactions.Source: Republikein

NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

Corona in Namibia. Dr Martin Wucher, a Namibian,

has compiled a four-part series on do's and don't’s to

survive a corona infection with confidence.

Part 1 gives background information so you can

understand viruses and what happens if they enter

our body. Have fun, enjoy and stay healthy!

Part 2 gives recommendations on what you can do

at home and for yourself and loved ones to come

through this alive and well. Have fun, enjoy and stay

healthy!

Part 3 deals with specific treatment possibilities in

the case of respiratory distress. Check out the

stunning possibilities that may be helpful and may

even save your life.

Part 4 deals with specific prevention possibilities for

the nation as a whole. Check out the stunning

possibilities that are simple, helpful and affordable

and have the potential to save many lives.

Food for thought: Dr Martin Wucher

Current measures are only part of the solution.

Dr Martin Wucher has compiled current research and

epidemiological models to develop a Namibian

National Supplementation Program. He outlines the reasons and benefits of such an intervention in order to

save the country from endless human and economic hardship. This program will work for Namibia and other

parts of the world.

Have fun, think and enjoy.

In order to be able to feed the world’s growing

population, we need ever more food, which must be

diverse, balanced and of good quality to ensure the

progress and well-being of humankind.

Bees are renowned for their role in providing high-

quality food (honey, royal jelly and pollen) and other

products used in healthcare and other sectors

(beeswax, propolis, honeybee venom). But the work

of bees entails much more!

The greatest contribution of bees and other

pollinators is the pollination of nearly three quarters of

the plants that produce 90% of the world’s food. A

third of the world’s food production depends on bees,

i.e. every third spoonful of food depends on

pollination.Source: worldbeeday.org

Wieviel ist ein Glas Honig wert?

Gespräch mit der Bienenkönigin:

“Erlauben Sie mir einen Wunsch zu sagen.

Ich möcht ein Gläschen Honig haben.

Was kostet's? Ich bin zu zahlen bereit.

Für was Gutes ist mir mein Geld nicht leid.“

“Sie wollen was Gutes für Ihr Geld?

Sie kriegen das Beste von der Welt!

Sie kaufen gold’nen Sonnenschein,

Sie kaufen pure Gesundheit ein!“

“Was Bess‘res als Honig hat keiner erfunden.

Der Preis? Ich verrechne die Arbeitsstunden.

Zwölftausend Stunden waren zu fliegen,

um so viel Honig zu zusammen zu kriegen.

Ja meine Leute waren fleißig!

Die Stunde? Ich rechne zwei Mark dreißig.

Nun rechnen Sie sich's selber aus!

27.000 Mark und mehr.

Hier ist die Rechnung, ich bitte sehr!“

Josef Guggenmos (1922)

Page 6

GERMANY: Opening of borders to be decided soon

• The German Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer wants to decide on the opening of borders before

Whitsun: Until the 15th May, the barriers will remain closed, according to current plans. Although the EU is

planning a uniform regulation, it is likely to be difficult to enforce it according to current knowledge. While

some countries are pushing for timely visits by tourists, other nations do not want to rush things.

• In North Rhine Westphalia, Germany's most populous federal state, hotels will open again for German

tourists on the 21st of May, in Baden Württemberg on the 29th of May and in Bavaria on the 30th of May. For

Hamburg the 18th of May is under discussion.

AUSTRIA: Hoping for German tourists

• Austria has been very openly presenting itself for some time now including the hope for numerous tourists

from Germany. A special regulation for citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany has already been

considered. Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz assumes "that the border to Germany will be opened before

the summer".

SWITZERLAND: Pushing the pace when it comes to relaxation

• The Swiss government is rapidly relaxing one measure after another that it had taken in the fight against the

corona pandemic. From the 11th of May, restaurants are allowed to reopen, and athletes are able to train

again, among other things. But there are also critical voices warning against the potentially disastrous

consequences of the relaxation. [Read more]Source: Namibia Tourism Board

COVID-19 Market Blitz – Namibia Tourism Board

World Bee Day – 20 May 2020

NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

Page 7 NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

In Memoriam

Naftal Aebeb*30.06.75 †14.05.20

Naftal passed away suddenly after an

operation. He was one of the first PDN

students to qualify as a hunting guide in

Namibia even though he did not have any

formal schooling.

Enclosed is a last letter from a long

standing client and friend of Naftal’s.

Ken and Lynda Morris

And the Byseewah Safaris Team

Page 8

DSCF COVID-19 Relief FundAs a part of DSC / DSC Foundation's Hunters CARE

(COVID Anti-poaching Relief Effort) initiative, the DSC

Foundation has unveiled plans for the creation of the

DSCF COVID-19 Relief Fund designed to raise

money in support of critical anti-poaching efforts.

Additional components of this significant and

important effort will be announced soon.

Hunting operators largely self-fund anti-poaching

efforts. Due to the devastating financial impact of the

Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting loss of

hunting revenue used to fund those efforts, the need

for anti-poaching assistance has never been greater.

Poaching has not abated during the pandemic. In fact,

reports suggest it, along with habitat degradation, is

on the increase as poaching syndicates take

advantage of the turmoil. [Read more]

#WeNeedOurPangolinsAlive

This is a pangolin, one of the world’s most threatened

species. Pangolins are illegally trafficked around the

world for their scales leading to a decline in their

numbers.

This little fellow in the picture was confiscated from a

25 year old suspect arrested in the afternoon of 13

May 2020 in Windhoek.

The pangolin was visibly stressed with injuries on its

body. The Ministry took the pangolin to a wildlife vet

for rehabilitation and to later be released in the wild.

In Namibia, possession, trafficking and trade in

pangolins is a crime.

Be reminded that there are rewards for people who

provide us with information leading to the arrest and

prosecution of suspects catching, killing and trading in

pangolins and for information leading to the seizure of

pangolins or pangolin parts and products.

#WeNeedOurPangolinsAlive

Source: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism

NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

© The New York Times

Page 9

Is the Animal Rights doctrine killing Africa's wildlife?Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a wildlife poaching

crisis. Billions of dollars are sunk into ‘development’

aid and innumerable ‘conservation’ organizations

dedicating themselves to saving one species or

another. Add to that the never-ending high-level

conferences that are held to address the issues and,

not forgetting, the ivory-burning fests.

Despite of all of this natural habitats continue to be

destroyed and the wildlife in them annihilated. Why?

Could it be that the people who live with wildlife have

been dispossessed of their right to manage their own

resources? Have Africans bought into the Western-

driven Animal Rights doctrine which has come to

dominate the conservation landscape?

This short video compares the traditional African

Sustainable Use model with the alien, Western

Animal Rights ideology.

Tactical Sports

is open from

08:00 until 17:00

Monday to

Friday.

061 401 447

info@tac-sport.com

Source: The Conservation Imperative

NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

An erect annual herbaceous plant

which reproduces only by seeds. It

produces a tap root and erect, often

branched stems from 0.1 to 2.0 m in

height. The stems are thick and

often ribbed or tinged with red. Its

leaves are alternate, long-stalked,

and ovate to rhombic-ovate. Leaf

and stem surfaces have small fine

hairs. Flowers are numerous, green,

and crowded into finger-like spikes

forming a long, dense terminal

panicle, with axillary spikes below.

The terminal spike is often lax.

Perianth segments 5, lanceolate,

acute, 2–3 mm long, subtended by bracteoles somewhat

longer, about 4 mm, with a long, sharp tip, causing the

inflorescence to feel distinctly prickly. Stamens 5. At maturity,

the entire plant may be reddish in colour. Seeds are round,

dark brown, shiny, somewhat flattened, and 1.0 to 1.5 mm in

diameter. [Read more]

Description

An annual grass native throughout

tropical Africa into Pakistan and

India. It has been introduced outside

of its native range into southern

Africa, North America and Australia.

It is used as a forage and famine

crop but more recently it has been

recognised as an invasive species.

The retrorsely barbed bristles are readily spread in

animal fur and can seriously reduce the value of animal

hides, while the barbs can damage the mouths of grazing

animals. In addition to this, it is possible for this species

to dominate disturbed areas and suppress the growth of

native biodiversity. [Read more]

Page 10

The 48 highly invasive / potentially invasive alien plants

What are Invasive Alien Plants?

Alien Plants are those that have been introduced intentionally or unintentionally to an area where they don’t

occur naturally. Invasive aliens establish, spread and take over from indigenous plant species and some use up

a lot of water. Namibia has recorded 287 alien plant species. We will introduce the 48 most important ones to

you over the next 8 weeks.

Salvinia molesta

Kariba weed

Cenchrus biflorus

Birdwood grass

Pennisetum setaceum

Fountain grass

Pennisetum clandestinum

Kikuyu grass

Amaranthus hybridus

Smooth pigweed

Alternanthera pungens

Paperthorn

Description

Free-floating, perennial

aquatic fern with horizontal

stems forming mats up to

2m thick. Leaves/fronds

successively paired, oval

to almost round, sometimes incised at the tip; surface bristly

due to hair-like strands that join at the tip to form characteristic

eggbeater shapes. A third, hairy frond modified to be root-like

hangs in the water. [Read more]

Description

Large, tuft-forming, sparsely

branched, perennial grass

up to 1 m high. Leaves up to

40 x 3 mm, neither rigid nor

spine-tipped. Flowers carried

on a bristly, feathery-looking,

spike-like inflorescence up to

25 cm long at stem tips,

often flushed purple or pink.

[Read more]

Description

NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

© Wikipedia.org

© commons.wikimedia.org

© Coleen Mannheimer

An aggressive perennial

plant, spreading by rhizomes

below ground, especially by

long runners above ground,

and it also sets seed. It is

native to the highlands of

eastern Africa but has been widely introduced elsewhere

for forage and for soil conservation. In well managed

situations it does not generally spread very far but it is

highly tolerant of grazing and mowing and can steadily

invade poorly managed plantations. It also readily

invades natural vegetation with resultant loss of

biodiversity. [Read more]

A creeping, prostrate

perennial pioneer plant

spreading by seed and

vegetatively, with roots

often developing at the

nodes of spreading stems.

A plant of roadsides, path

verges and waste places (ruderal), it is thought to have come

from Central and South America, and to have become widely

established in Australia and Southern Africa. [Read more]

©Markus Hagenlocher

©Forest & Kim Starr

Page 11

Uniquely sighted

Have you seen something unique?

A breathtaking moment?

Share your pictures with

us for placement in the

Newsletter.

Pictures can be submitted via

E-mail to napha@napha.com.na

or WhatsApp to 081 299 3509.

“Hello. Anybody home?”

4m Python killed a young mountain goat at Otjitambi

Guest Farm

© Charly Schlettwein

© Charly Schlettwein

The veins of a Paw-paw leaf.

© Erwin Schwandt

Rainy season at Erindi.

© Wilfried Hähner © Charissa von Seydlitz

NAPHA Newsletter, 15 May 2020

Namibia Professional Hunting AssociationPO Box 11291

316-318 Sam Nujoma Avenue

Klein Windhoek

Windhoek

11009

Namibia

Telephone: +264 61 234 455

Mobile: +264 81 299 3509

Danene van der Westhuyzen, President: president@napha.com.na

Tanja Dahl, Chief Executive Officer: ceo@napha.com.na

Nicole Schwandt, Executive Assistant: napha@napha.com.na

Carlin Sobotta, Administrative Assistant: info@napha.com.na

Opinions expressed in the NAPHA Newsletter and on our website are not

necessarily those of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association and/or its

members and/or its employees. While care has been taken to ensure that

information contained in this publication is true and correct at the time of

publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact

on the accuracy of this information. Neither the Namibia Professional Hunting

Association and/or its members and/or its employees accept responsibility for

any errors or omissions.