Introduction

The Bazaruto Archipelago embraces a wide variety of ecosystems e.g. pelagic waters, coral reefs, tidal flats, marine grass meadows, mangrove communities, freshwater lakes, swamp forests, evergreen forest savannah, grasslands and vegetated sand dunes. All of these require careful management for there has been evidence of environmental perturbation.

Local Island Community

The local resident island community is part of the overall Tsonga ethnic group. However the people along the coastal littoral, from Inhambane northwards including the Archipelago, are part of the sub-group Khokha. This sub-group includes Machengua people on the mainland opposite the Archipelago, while the island people have evolved their own dialect, Xitsonga.

Portuguese and multi-secular Asian cultures further influenced local traditions, particularly with the introduction of new fishing technologies and food crops.

Administration of the Bazaruto National park

The administration of the Bazaruto National Park falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Tourism, Department of Conservation Areas and the Mozambique government has been engaged in the formulation of a development plan for the Bazaruto Archipelago, which, based on sound conservation principles, will safeguard the ecological integrity of the Archipelago. Central to the success of any development plan, the interests of local resident communities who traditionally depend on the fauna and flora for their livelihood, should be fully represented and integrated into the overall plan for the development of the park. 

The importance of tourism is not underrated with regard to the role it can play in this regard e.g. creation of employment and income generation. With this in mind came the concept of Khani Kwedho.

Origination of Khani Kwedho

Tourism development first started in 1988 with the establishment of Benguerra Lodge and in later years so more commercial entities arrived which also subscribed to the policy of low environmental impact tourism.

Benguerra Lodge and others have, since their inception, participated in an informal arrangement involving the collection of a park levy from bednights. These funds have been distributed to the local resident communities, which in turn, has led to a local primary school being built with logistic support from the private sector and schoolteacher salaries supported by the cash generated from the levy.

For over a decade this loose association between local resident communities and the private sector has strengthened. Both parties have benefited from the association and. local residents have received support for :

- the procurement, transport and distribution of staple food 
- assistance in transport to the mainland for medical emergencies
- the on going running of the primary school
- logistic, administrative and communication support for development initiatives.
- employment opportunities.


Quid pro quo continues to provide the most acceptable basis for mutually beneficial co-existence.

Recent Developments

The Government of Mozambique has, in co-operation with the World Wide Fund for Nature, recently upgraded and strengthened the Bazaruto National Park administration and management institutions. In November 2001, the private sector operators and the local resident community of Ilha de Benguerra agreed that the working arrangement should evolve into a formally constituted body. This formal body would represent the interests of Government, local resident communities and private sector operators on the Island of Benguerra and ensure the practical delivery of key management plan objectives. These objectives were identified as:

1. Providing a democratic forum for all parties

2. Providing a communication link between the environmental conservation objectives of the Management Authority and the commercial development objectives of the private sector. 
3. Establishing a legally constituted entity mandated to manage funds and resources specifically destined for community development, environmental conservation and protection of Ilha de Benguerra.

The local resident community put forward nominations to represent their interests as did the private sector and the Bazaruto National Park Management Authority.

The formation of Khani Kwedho

The Association born was named Khani Kwedho (translated from the Xitsonga dialect as "our home".)

Agreements have been reached on issues where traditional practices merge with the tourism e.g. the promotion of practices that contribute to increasing the environmental attraction of the Archipelago. 

Conversely tourism activities have been adapted to respect local custom and limit negative socio-economic impacts.

Khani Kwedho, whilst not unique in terms of concept, is nevertheless without precedent in the Bazaruto Archipelago. The successful delivery of the stated objectives of Khani Kwedho will contribute to safeguarding the environmental integrity of this special Island, for the benefit of generations to come. 

If we succeed in our efforts, a major beneficiary will be dugong dugong which depends on wise utilisation of the Bazaruto Archipelago for its continued survival.

MORE INFORMATION

If you are interested in receiving more information or want to become involved in this worthy endeavour please contact.

Khani Kwedho (registered under article 5 da lei no 8/91 of July 18 as a non profit organisation by despach No 296/GCPI/2002)
Casa Wenela
Rua Palacio
Vilankulos

Email benguerra@teledata.mz
Tel/fax +258 (23) 82127