Letters to the Editor 2003

Abstract

VIEWPOINT „ In broad terms, (at Government level), there is no “dispute” per se over ownership (“sovereignty”) of other islands in the Chobe/Linyanti or Zambezi rivers. On the ground, (i.e. at local level), however, this is another matter altogether. Discussions with Botswana citizens in Kasane and Kazangula (as well as Ngoma Bridge Border Post) indicated that individuals and small communities were concerned over access to, and ownership of, resources on islands in the Chobe/ Linyanti system. In particular, three islands (other than Sedudu/Kasikili Island) were cited as ‘points of tension’ where Botswana citizens had been “chased away” by Namibian citizens (Caprivi residents) when attempting to gather reeds and fish. A similar situation was cited to me by residents of Mongu, Livingstone, Kazangula and Sesheke in Zambia, where they had been “chased away” by Caprivi residents when attempting to gather reeds and fish on two islands in the Zambezi River. Thus, whilst there may be no “official” (i.e.

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