The Namibian government is moving beyond a narrative of welfare and poverty alleviation for the San community, pivoting instead toward a strategic economic integration model that positions the Hai-//om people as key stakeholders in one of the country’s most lucrative economic zones: the Etosha National Park.
This marked a significant shift in policy thinking, as outlined by Vice President Lucia Witbooi during a High-Level Stakeholder Meeting held here on Thursday. The gathering, which brought together a coalition of ministers, governors, traditional leaders, and technical experts, signaled a departure from traditional social safety nets toward a business-oriented, sustainable development framework aimed at unlocking the inherent economic potential of the community.
The catalyst for this economic re-engineering stems from a consultative meeting convened by the Vice President on February 16, 2026, following concerns raised by the Hai-//om community. The resolution was not merely to provide aid, but to craft a comprehensive “Livelihoods Options and Development Plan.”
“In line with the mandate of the Office of the Vice President for Marginalised Communities, it was resolved that a comprehensive Livelihoods Options and Development Plan be developed to address the socio-economic challenges,” Witbooi stated.
This plan, however, is being built on a foundation of hard data and economic viability rather than sentiment. Over the past week, a multidisciplinary technical team drawn from relevant Offices, Ministries, and Agencies (OMAs) conducted a detailed field assessment across Namutoni, Halali, Okaukuejo, Ombika, and the resettlement farms adjacent to Etosha.
The Economics of Location
The true business angle lies in the geography of the Hai-//om. They are not a remote community isolated from economic activity; they are situated in and around the Etosha National Park—the crown jewel of Namibia’s tourism sector, which generates significant foreign currency and domestic revenue.
During a working visit to Ombika and resettlement farms—specifically Farm Serringkop, Farm Bellalaika, and Farm Nuchas—the Vice President and her delegation witnessed what they described as “considerable development opportunities.”
The narrative presented to the stakeholders is one of resource and economic synergy. The plan is expected to leverage these opportunities to integrate the Hai-//om community directly into the tourism value chain.
During her address, Witbooi emphasized that the evidence gathered from the ground reaffirmed the need for a “coordinated, practical and sustainable Government” response. The language used was deliberate, focusing on sustainability, coordination, and implementation.
“We will produce meaningful outcomes that will significantly improve the livelihoods of the Hai-//om community while reaffirming Government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development, social justice, and equitable access to opportunities for all Namibians.”
Aligning with NDP6
The development model being devised for the Hai-//om community is not an isolated project but a cornerstone of the national economic agenda. The initiative is firmly anchored in the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), specifically under the Human Development and Community Resilience priority area.
“Today’s engagement is therefore not just a consultation, but a demonstration of Government’s resolve to advance inclusive development through collaborative planning, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainable interventions that will restore dignity, strengthen livelihoods, and create lasting opportunities,” Witbooi asserted.
This positions the Hai-//om not as a burden on the state budget but as an untapped human capital asset. By focusing on sustainable livelihood options, the government is looking to transform the community from beneficiaries of welfare into taxpayers and active participants in the regional economy. This economic participation is expected to reduce the fiscal dependency ratio and increase the overall economic output of the Kunene, Oshana, and Oshikoto regions.
The Path to Cabinet
The stakes are high. The outcomes of Thursday’s meeting are expected to formulate a comprehensive plan that will be submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Land and Social Issues. This gives the economic blueprint a high-level political mandate, ensuring that the resources required for implementation are prioritized at the highest levels of government.
The multi-stakeholder approach, involving line ministries responsible for land, tourism, and finance, suggests a whole-of-government strategy to remove red tape and create a conducive environment for investment in the area.
The Hai-//om, historically marginalized, are now being viewed as key economic actors in the conservation and tourism sectors. The approach implies a potential shift in how the government views conservancies and communal land—moving from a purely conservationist perspective to an integrated economic development model where the indigenous population is the primary engine of growth.
Confidence in Outcomes
Vice President Witbooi expressed confidence in the collective wisdom and expertise of the stakeholders gathered. The focus is on developing “practical, coordinated, and sustainable solutions that respond to the realities on the ground.”
While the full plan is yet to be finalized, the tone of the meeting was clear: Namibia is looking to solve a long-standing social issue with an economic solution. The objective is to create a self-sustaining economic ecosystem within the Etosha National Park that benefits the nation, the region, and specifically, the Hai-//om community.
The government is open for business, and the Hai-//om community is being positioned as the lead partner.