Sustainability at Onguma
- Conservation
- Sustainability at ONguma
One of our major objectives was to create jobs on a large scale for the local Oshivelo community.
Oshivelo Farming - Sustainability and Community at Onguma Nature Reserve
Conservation at Onguma extends beyond the reserve fence. The Oshivelo Farming project, founded in August 2012 in association with Onguma Nature Reserve, is a 500-hectare commercial vegetable farm located on the borders of Etosha, Oshivelo township, and Onguma. It is one of the most tangible expressions of Onguma’s commitment to the long-term sustainability of both the reserve and the community that surrounds it.
The Vision Behind the Project
The Oshivelo Farming project was born from a straightforward but important observation: the long-term sustainability of a nature reserve depends as much on the wellbeing of surrounding communities as it does on wildlife protection. Where economic opportunity is limited, conservation and community interests can pull in different directions. Onguma’s approach was to address this directly, by creating meaningful employment and economic participation for the people who share this landscape.
“Onguma should offer the local community the opportunity of having meaningful and productive lives by allowing residents of the area to economically benefit from operations based on the Onguma Reserve. The main aim is to provide jobs and income, not to act as a charitable institution.”
The Farm
Local professional farmers Jan and Lizette Cronje founded Oshivelo Farming in partnership with Onguma Nature Reserve, developing the property from bare land into one of the top five vegetable producers in Namibia. Today, 120 hectares are under irrigation, supplied by strong boreholes on the property, with plans to develop a further 150 hectares in the foreseeable future.
The farm produces approximately 400 tons of vegetables monthly for the Namibian market. Clients include major retail groups such as Woolworths, Spar, Checkers, and Food Lovers Market, as well as informal traders through a dedicated outlet at Oshivelo.
Current crop range:
- Carrots
- Beetroot
- Onions
- Sweet potato
- Sweetcorn
- Watermelons
- Papayas
Employment and Community Impact
Oshivelo Farming currently employs 180 local people on a permanent basis, of whom 80% are women. A further 100 people are employed seasonally, providing the Oshivelo community with a level of economic stability and opportunity that continues to grow year on year.
Beyond employment, the project has contributed directly to the local community in a number of practical ways, including subsidising vegetables where there is need, assisting the local school with fencing, tables, and chairs, and contributing to the construction of a community soccer field.
The People Behind the Project
Jan and Lizette Cronje’s commitment to Oshivelo goes well beyond the farm itself. Their goal is to meaningfully contribute to the upliftment of the Oshivelo community and surrounding district, and their dedication to their workers, their country, and the quality of what they produce is evident in everything they do. Their belief in the future and in the value of working together is what has shaped Oshivelo Farming into what it is today.
Guests who wish to learn more are welcome to visit Oshivelo Farm and experience first-hand what has been built through years of commitment, hard work, and a genuine belief in the potential of this community.
What This Means for Guests
When you stay at Onguma, you are part of a broader story. The reserve’s operating model is built around the belief that conservation, community, and responsible tourism are inseparable. Oshivelo Farming is one of the clearest examples of that belief in practice: a project that creates opportunity, employs hundreds of people, and strengthens the social fabric of a community that shares its borders with one of Namibia’s finest wildlife destinations.
