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 Gondwana
Concept Philosophy |
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Resting on three Pillars
Gondwanas' Company Philosophy is deeply rooted in the Ecology
and People of the Country.
All of Namibia, but especially the south, is characterised
by ecologically extremely delicate desert landscapes. Rainfalls
are low and annual fluctuations are considerable, while temperatures
are high - and so is evaporation. Large parts of the country
are rather unsuited for keeping livestock because vegetation
is sparse. Even so, settlers have tried their luck with farming
since the late 19th century. |
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More
recently, however, many farmers have branched out into
the hospitality business or changed over to tourism
altogether – particularly after Namibia gained
independence in 1990 and more foreign visitors flocked
to the country. Then it became obvious that –
in suitable areas – more could be earned with
tourism than with farming. In addition, natural resources
were utilised in a more sustainable manner and new jobs
were created.
These are the three pillars which form the basis of
Gondwana's philosophy: nature (ecology), tourism (finances)
and people (social commitment). All three pillars are
essential for bearing the fruit of success. Without
nature, no tourists; without tourists, no nature conservation
and no jobs; without staff and the support of communities,
no hospitality business and no game-keeping. Each pillar
of the Gondwana Desert Collection is represented on
the Board by a specific committee. |
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Host Nico Angula welcomes guests at a sundowner in the lap of nature. Tourism creates jobs and contributes to nature conservation.
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| The company's philosophy has been
applied uncompromisingly from the very start – in Gondwana
Cañon Park, which was established in 1995, and in the
other three parks which joined the Gondwana Desert Collection
in December 2004: Gondwana Kalahari Park (100 km²), Gondwana
Sperrgebiet Rand Park (510 km²) and Gondwana Namib Park
(100 km²). |
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Enviromental
leg
Take Gondwana Cañon Park, for example: from 1995 onwards
farms at the Fish River Canyon were consolidated, farming
activities were ended, internal fences were dismantled and
watering places suitable for game were set up, so that game
animals were able to move about freely again and also find
water. Animals like Hartebeest or Giraffe, which once had
roamed the area, were bought and released. The park has since
grown to a size of 1,120 km². Natural vegetation has
recovered, the number of animals is increasing. Game counts
are carried out at regular intervals to record and monitor
game populations. An experienced park manager is in charge
of caring for the game. Similar arrangements are in place
in the other parks or are in the process of being set up.
Financial leg
The purchasing of farms, the game programme and nature conservation
are financed with funds derived from tourism. All the parks
offer accommodation facilities to suit every budget and every
taste. Guests can participate in hiking tours, scenic drives
and other activities. Only a fraction of each park is used
for hospitality purposes; everywhere water is available in
larger quantities than needed for consumption. Furthermore,
kitchen waste in Gondwana Cañon Park is put to good
use at the Self-Sufficiency Centre. The tiny farming business
takes up less than 0.05 km², but produces enough fruit,
vegetables, meat, cold meats, eggs, milk and cheese for all
the accommodation establishments.
Social leg
Accommodation facilities and activities (the Self-Sufficiency
Centre, too) provide both jobs and opportunities for Namibians
to improve their lives – this can not be taken for granted
at all in Namibia where unemployment is estimated at 30 to
40 percent. The Gondwana Desert Collection boasts a staff
of 200 today, whereas not so very long ago the same total
area employed only a few dozen herders. Gondwana's salaries
enable employees to feed their families and to send their
children to school, too. Employees, for their part, have the
opportunity to make use of an extensive support programme
for further education and training. The focus is on women
in particular, and on Namibians who were disadvantaged as
a result of Apartheid; the programme extends to the very top
level of the company. By including neighbouring communities
in tourism projects, their development of is also supported.
In Aus, for example, a tourist information centre has been
set up which will provide an additional source of income for
local inhabitants. |
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Read more in Media
Releases
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