and the respect that you have from the people who live there is very evident. As somebody who was involved with the Communal Conservancy Programme from the start, what has it been like for you to see where it is today and its many successes? ML: When I was a bit younger, it felt like it was taking an eternity, like things are just not moving. But when I look back now, I learn that impact doesn’t just happen overnight. I’ve seen the programme that started from nowhere become such a huge programme that has so much impact across the country. We’ve received international recognition for the work that we do, and I feel proud that I was part of that contribution. I can look back one day and say, “Yes, I was there; I’ve done that.” Yes, I’m very proud.
Something very sad for me is that we Namibians don’t travel as much to see what is out there. When I was young I didn’t have money to travel, but once I was out there it changed my whole attitude towards the environment and conservation. MYD: For someone who hasn’t seen enough of Namibia, where should they go? ML: A lot of people go to places they know, but try go and experience things that you don’t know, and you might discover more. Travel around, stay at a commercial farm, go into a communal area, go to Etosha. I’m a desert lover. I like open spaces and I fell in love with the North West. I’m not a very green person – the desert is something that attracts me. Other people might love going to the Zambezi because there is lots of water and they can see a variety of animals. Other people like the south. I also like the south because, as I said, I like open spaces. In our country, because it’s so diverse, you can choose to do whatever you like.
MYD: Absolutely, and you have many reasons to be proud of what you’ve done. What have some of the highlights been? ML: The best moments for me in conservation, but also in my whole life, have been seeing communal people being given opportunities. My highlight was to be recognised as somebody who has made a contribution – I’ve received several awards and for me it was looking back and saying, “I came from nowhere and I made some differences in people’s lives.” But the biggest highlight is seeing that we have so much land under conservation in this country. We fought to get the land protected, to make sure that our kids can see wildlife, can see their environment in a different way – that is the biggest achievement in my life.
MYD: We’re so grateful for the work that you are doing. Before we close, do you have any message that you would like to share with Namibia? ML: As a human being, I love this country and I think we should really cherish what we have as a nation. It’s beautiful, it’s something that I think nobody can take away from us, but we need to work hard for it. Peace and stability is something that you need to work hard for. Never, ever take that for granted.
MYD: What is it like, when you interact with someone from outside Namibia and they hear about our successes in communal conservancies? ML: You don’t understand the impact you’ve made until you have people from outside coming here and saying, “What you are doing here you are not just doing for yourselves but you are doing it for the world, for me to be able to come and see.”
“Peace and stability is something that you need to work hard for. Never, ever take that for granted.” 134