The Conservancy Association of Namibia (CANAM) held its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 16 and 17 April in Windhoek. Established in 1996, CANAM serves as an umbrella organization for the freehold conservancies of Namibia, with its main function being to coordinate and communicate conservancy efforts. The AGM began with a Mongolian stir-fry dinner at Thule on Wednesday night, which was attended by various members representing some of the 21 CANAM registered conservancies. Jackie Asheeke, the CEO of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Association (FENATA), who, in her speech expounded on the theme of this year’s AGM – Managing Change, opened the AGM.

Members of the 2008 CANAM Executive Committee, from left to right, Barbara Rogl, Volker Grellmann (co-opted member), Thomas Peltzer (treasurer) and Dr. Laurie Marker (chair) with CANAM secretary Yrida Dainat (back).

The Conservancy Association of Namibia (CANAM) held its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 16 and 17 April in Windhoek. Established in 1996, CANAM serves as an umbrella organization for the freehold conservancies of Namibia, with its main function being to coordinate and communicate conservancy efforts.
The AGM began with a Mongolian stir-fry dinner at Thule on Wednesday night, which was attended by various members representing some of the 21 CANAM registered conservancies. Jackie Asheeke, the CEO of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Association (FENATA), who, in her speech expounded on the theme of this year’s AGM – Managing Change, opened the AGM.
She emphasised the fact that Namibia is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination as it offers a unique wildlife experience for visitors.
With an annual contribution reaching into the billions made by tourism and related sectors to the economy of Namibia, it is important that those in the wildlife industry embrace this opportunity and make the changes necessary to contribute to and benefit from this growth.
Asheeke pointed out that sometimes, in order to reap the rewards, it is necessary to move out of our comfort zones and adjust the way we think and operate, something that many Namibians are wary of doing.
The evening also provided an opportunity to recognize the Black Nossob conservancy for its enthusiasm and active participation in community efforts. Its Chairwoman, Inki Kubish, accepted the first CANAM Conservancy Award.
On Thursday the AGM continued at Arebbusch Travel Lodge. Attended by nearly 50 people from various conservancies, the morning’s open session began with a talk on climate change by Dr. Peter Stoermer, a specialist in the ozone layer, and retired head of Proklima, followed by a talk on managing habitat for wildlife by Dr. Ulf Tubbesing of Rhino Park veterinary clinic and head of Super Game Dealers.
Annual elections for CANAM’s executive committee were conducted, with Dr. Laurie Marker of the Waterberg Conservancy being, once again, elected as chairperson. The committee also remained intact with Henning Schünemann (Hochfeld), Johan Britz (Kalkveld), Wilfried Pack (Seeis), Barbara Rogel (Swakoptal), and Thomas Peltzer (Okawi).
After the official agenda of the AGM had been finalised, members listened to a presentation by Günther Roeber, a farmer training facilitator at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).
Roeber holds training courses for farmers and farm workers at CCF’s facility in Otjiwarongo, teaching about increasing productivity on farms in harmony with the natural environment including wildlife and predator management.
His talk for CANAM focused on the changing attitude of consumers around the world with regards to the meat that they buy, and how Namibian farmers must take consumer desires into account if they want to continue supplying this market with their products.