Namibia’s professional hunting industry has been hailed as a vital partner in wildlife conservation and rural development, reinforcing the country’s global reputation as a leader in sustainable natural resource management.
Speaking at the 51st Annual General Meeting of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), Environmental Commissioner Timoteus Mufeti, on behalf of tourism minister Indileni Daniel, praised hunters for their crucial role in protecting biodiversity, supporting communities, and funding conservation initiatives. This year, the AGM took place under the theme, “Namibia’s Blessing, Our Responsibility – Honouring Stability, Safeguarding our Future.
“Namibia is blessed with extraordinary landscapes and unique wildlife,” Mufeti said. “But these blessings only deliver lasting value when sectors like NAPHA uphold ethical practices, work with communities, and contribute to national development.”
In a firm message aimed directly at the professional hunting community, Mufeti emphasised that the sector’s future depends on ethical behaviour and strict compliance with the law.
“Sustainable hunting remains one of the most important tools for managing wildlife populations and supporting rural communities,” he said. “But it is essential that this sector remains guided by ethical practice, responsible behaviour and respect for the law.”
He noted that stability is not only a political concept, but one rooted in discipline across all sectors interacting with natural resources — a pointed reminder at a time when international pressure on trophy hunting is intensifying.
Mufeti warned that climate change, land-use pressures, poaching and global debates on trophy imports threaten to undermine Namibia’s conservation model. In response, he said, Namibia needs a unified, evidence-based voice that consistently articulates the country’s rights over its wildlife.
“These challenges require a unified voice from Namibia,” he stressed. “They require reliable scientific information and consistent messaging that reinforces our sovereign right to manage wildlife through sustainable use.”
He welcomed NAPHA’s role in responsible communication and in promoting ethical standards among its members, saying the sector’s credibility strengthens Namibia’s position internationally.
Mufeti also highlighted the importance of nurturing young professionals to ensure the longevity of conservation hunting. Training, mentorship and skills development within NAPHA, he said, align with national priorities and support long-term conservation and employment goals.
Calling Namibia’s conservation system “a model that works”, Mufeti underscored the importance of continued cooperation between government, communities, landowners and the private sector.
“To honour stability is to recognise the systems that work and to protect them,” he said. “To safeguard our future is to invest in long-term thinking — beyond election cycles, beyond immediate challenges.”
He urged delegates to approach the AGM with a spirit of constructive engagement, noting that their decisions shape both the sector and the country’s broader conservation trajectory.
Speaking at the 51st Annual General Meeting of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), Environmental Commissioner Timoteus Mufeti, on behalf of tourism minister Indileni Daniel, praised hunters for their crucial role in protecting biodiversity, supporting communities, and funding conservation initiatives. This year, the AGM took place under the theme, “Namibia’s Blessing, Our Responsibility – Honouring Stability, Safeguarding our Future.
“Namibia is blessed with extraordinary landscapes and unique wildlife,” Mufeti said. “But these blessings only deliver lasting value when sectors like NAPHA uphold ethical practices, work with communities, and contribute to national development.”
In a firm message aimed directly at the professional hunting community, Mufeti emphasised that the sector’s future depends on ethical behaviour and strict compliance with the law.
“Sustainable hunting remains one of the most important tools for managing wildlife populations and supporting rural communities,” he said. “But it is essential that this sector remains guided by ethical practice, responsible behaviour and respect for the law.”
He noted that stability is not only a political concept, but one rooted in discipline across all sectors interacting with natural resources — a pointed reminder at a time when international pressure on trophy hunting is intensifying.
Mufeti warned that climate change, land-use pressures, poaching and global debates on trophy imports threaten to undermine Namibia’s conservation model. In response, he said, Namibia needs a unified, evidence-based voice that consistently articulates the country’s rights over its wildlife.
“These challenges require a unified voice from Namibia,” he stressed. “They require reliable scientific information and consistent messaging that reinforces our sovereign right to manage wildlife through sustainable use.”
He welcomed NAPHA’s role in responsible communication and in promoting ethical standards among its members, saying the sector’s credibility strengthens Namibia’s position internationally.
Mufeti also highlighted the importance of nurturing young professionals to ensure the longevity of conservation hunting. Training, mentorship and skills development within NAPHA, he said, align with national priorities and support long-term conservation and employment goals.
Calling Namibia’s conservation system “a model that works”, Mufeti underscored the importance of continued cooperation between government, communities, landowners and the private sector.
“To honour stability is to recognise the systems that work and to protect them,” he said. “To safeguard our future is to invest in long-term thinking — beyond election cycles, beyond immediate challenges.”
He urged delegates to approach the AGM with a spirit of constructive engagement, noting that their decisions shape both the sector and the country’s broader conservation trajectory.
