Namibian politicians eye Erindi reserve

Erindi, Namibia’s largest private reserve, has attracted political criticism. Erindi is owned and run by the South African Joubert family.
Member of parliament Johan de Waal, of the opposition party Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), asked government why the 70 000ha reserve, which was owned by foreigners, had been excluded from the land reform debate.
Erindi owner Gert Joubert retorted that allocating the five-star reserve to resettlement purposes would be counterproductive. As a tourist attraction it brings money into the country – using it for resettlement would destroy its commercial value.
Erindi is a cooperative with 20% of the shares divided between staff. The rest of the shares will be subject to an initial public offering when Erindi lists on the stock exchange. “Before I can go public, I need to maximise our potential so the stocks present the full value for our employees,” Joubert said in Die Republikein.
Over the past three years, he has pumped R50 million into the massive estate. Employment is expected to increase to 1 500 jobs in the near future.
Erindi runs some interesting conservation projects like leopard research and wild dog rehabilitation. – Servaas van den Bosch