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Community-based initiative
Dune Tannery is a community-based initiative in southern Namibia
involving almost everyone in the village in one way or the other.
Dune Tannery started in 1997, a small-scale business in high quality
chemical tanning based on more than 200 years experience in hand
tanning. The tannery provides vital income to a community otherwise
characterised by high level of unemployment and marginalised groups.
Springbok
Dune Tannery works hand in hand with local farmers participating
in the legal hunting season from May to July. The speciality is
the Springbok, the only gazella in southern Africa, living in the
arid, open plains. It is recognised by its dark red-brown stripe
separating the fawn-brown upperparts from the white underparts,
and by the characteristic habit of giving a series of high, stiff-legged
leaps. Note that no animal is killed for the skin only, the Springbok
plays a central part in everyday life, and the entire animal is
used.
Dyed skins
The Springbok skins from Dune Tannery are of grade one quality,
soft and long lasting. The skins are also dyed, resulting in a stunning
material to be used as it is – or in other products when one
is seeking the effect out of the ordinary.
Ithemba-Isandi is integrating natural and dyed springbok skins in
cushions and other objects.
All export and import permits are acquired.
Respecting sustainable wildlife
Dune Tannery as part of Namibian sustainable wildlife management
Namibia is recognised worldwide for endeavours and achievements
related to sustainable wildlife and natural resources management.
The aim of policy is expressed as follows:
“…maintain and rehabilitate essential ecological processes
and life-support systems, to conserve biological diversity and to
ensure that the utilization of natural resources is sustainable
for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future, as well
as for the international community”. (Mission statement of
Ministry of Environment and Tourism).
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