Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma recently in Ndolwane
EFFORTS to curb the persistent human-wildlife conflict in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South, are gaining momentum as local authorities and safari operators step up interventions aimed at improving community livelihoods and promoting peaceful coexistence with wildlife.
Bordering Botswana, the district’s communities have for years borne the brunt of crop destruction, livestock losses and fatal encounters with wild animals, especially during the dry season when wildlife from the nearby Maitengwe Dam strays into villages in search for food and water.
To address these challenges, Bulilima Rural District Council, in partnership with Mvimi Safaris under the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (Campfire), donated two pedigree Brahman bulls to frontline communities as part of an initiative to improve cattle genetics and livelihoods.
The handover ceremony, held last Friday at Matiwaza Hall in Ndolwane, was a major milestone in the district’s ongoing efforts to transform cattle farming while easing tensions between communities and wildlife.
The bulls were allocated to Bambadzi Ward 10 and Makhulela Ward 9, the two key front-line areas adjacent to Maitengwe Dam, which are the heartbeat of the local Campfire programme and a magnet for tourists interested in sport hunting.
The donation comes on the heels of a similar gesture last month when six Brahman bulls were handed over to traditional leaders from other wards across the district.
Mvimi Safaris operations manager Mr Bongani Mathe said the initiative is a long-term investment in rural prosperity.
“These bulls represent more than livestock, they symbolise our shared future. They are an investment in the genetic improvement of local herds, which translates to better-quality calves and increased household incomes. Conservation and community development must go hand in hand if we are to thrive together,” he said.
Bulilima RDC chief executive officer Mr Billiat Mlauzi, echoed the sentiment, saying safari operators have a duty to plough back into the communities where they operate.
“The working relationship with Mvimi Safaris has grown throughout the years and as council, we will ensure that the communities within the district are uplifted by the operations of the Campfire. Mvimi Safaris has donated a consignment of building materials to be rolled out to projects across the district,” he said.
Bulilima Member of Parliament, Honourable Dingumuzi Phuti, commended Mvimi Safaris for their hands-on approach to community development, saying their efforts align well with Vision 2030.
“With previous safari operators in the area, things were not done this way. Mvimi Safaris has come to the rescue of development throughout the district, something which speaks through of attaining Vision 2030 through their operations,” he said.
“It is my plea that they continue doing so and focus mostly on infrastructure development. We have quite a lot of projects that are in progress. Clinics and schools are being built and with their support, we will change the lives of future generations.” —@mthabisi_mthire
