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This study assesses community awareness, representation and participation within the //Huab Conservancy, with the aim of supporting the development of effective, inclusive management structures for decision‑making and project implementation. Conducted through a household survey of approximately 300 households, the study includes both registered and unregistered conservancy members. Results show that literacy levels in the conservancy are low, with the majority of household members having only primary or no formal education, and unemployment contributing significantly to household vulnerability. Despite these challenges, awareness of the conservancy is high—90% of household heads know about the conservancy, although only 41% are registered members. A notable proportion (27%) of aware household heads have not registered, indicating a need for intensified membership recruitment.
Information dissemination remains uneven. While meetings and the management committee serve as the primary sources of information, 64% of households report feeling neither well nor poorly informed. Most respondents understand that the conservancy belongs to the community and support its conservation objectives. Participation in decision‑making is strong, though nearly half of household heads could not recall key committee decisions. The constitution is widely accepted, with 72% aware of its existence, yet only 41% understand its content and 77% have not read it. Representation gaps exist within the management committee, as members were elected without geographical considerations, resulting in many farms lacking direct representation. Nevertheless, community satisfaction with the committee’s performance remains high. Residents’ expectations focus largely on improvements to boreholes, windmills, fencing, and funding of community projects and conservation activities. Strengthening communication, representation and membership processes is recommended to enhance governance and community cohesion. |
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