STAFF WRITER
Former Cabinet minister Calle Schlettwein has called on government to go further in removing concession restrictions in national parks, saying access rules should not only be changed in Sossusvlei but “everywhere similar exclusions exist.”
His comments come after the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) announced a reversal of earlier access restrictions at Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei, allowing both self-drivers and Namibian tour operators to once again enter the area under revised arrangements.
A concession is a right, privilege, or property granted by a government or entity (like a landowner) allowing a party to operate a specific business, use land, or provide services, often for commercial profit.
Schlettwein welcomed the decision but said it exposed a bigger policy problem in how concessions are structured in protected areas.
“It is with appreciation that we note the reversing of the decision to disallow self-drivers and Namibian tour operators from entering the Sossus and Dead Vlei areas. Great, and thank you MEFT,” he said.
But he did not stop there.
“Please do the same for other areas where Namibians, whether self drivers or tour operators, are still excluded,” Schlettwein said.
He said that concessions in national parks must be fair and balanced, warning that some current arrangements benefit a single operator while placing financial pressure on the wider public.
“A concession in a national park, i.e. an exclusive right of access thereto, must take into account the consequences of both affected and affected interests,” he said. “In the Sossusvlei and similar concessions, one has one individual who gets the total financial benefit of access to the park, whereas the rest of the citizenry, including tour operators and tourists, are financially burdened.”
Schlettwein added that government must ensure it hears all stakeholders before making such decisions, questioning how earlier restrictions were justified.
“The government in its decision-making process is obliged to hear both sides. It would be interesting to see what considerations convinced the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to take such a one-sided decision,” he said.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare also weighed in, saying Sossusvlei should remain open for broader public benefit.
“Sossusvlei must be open for unrestricted use, firstly by all Namibians, and secondly by international visitors,” Ngurare said, adding that the line ministry will continue to administer the relevant regulations.
The MEFT has since confirmed the updated arrangement for shuttle services between the Sossusvlei 2×4 parking area and the 4×4 section leading to Dead Vlei.
In a notice issued by executive director Sikongo Haihambo last week, the ministry said only two categories of operators will be allowed to provide shuttle services from 01 May 2026.
These include Grow Namibia trading as About Adelt Sossusvlei Management, as well as tour guides employed by lodges within and around Namib-Naukluft Park who are registered with the Namibia Tourism Board and transporting their own clients.
“All visitors to Dead Vlei will be required to use authorised shuttle services, and self-driving beyond the 2×4 parking area will not be permitted,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that the arrangement forms part of its concession agreement aimed at controlling access to the sensitive desert environment.
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