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Issue 00536 |
September 20 - 26, 2008 |
issn 0856 - 9135 |
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Mailbag |
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Write to: The Editor, Arusha Times, P.O. Box 212, Arusha. E-mail: arushatimes@habari.co.tz
Thomson Safaris: ‘Newspaper articles failed to reveal the truth’ Dear Editor After reading the Arusha Times article, “Former TBL farm brews new crisis”, dated August 9-15, 2008, Thomson Safaris, Ltd. would like to respond not only to that piece but, in general, to grossly misinformed coverage about our company. Thomson Safaris has operated and invested in tourism and people for nearly 30 years in Tanzania. In 2006, the owners of Thomson Safaris made a legal and transparent transaction for the former TBL Sukenya farm in Loliondo. Thomson Safaris and its owners continue with their original vision to transition the use of this land for community-based tourism and philanthropic development. Unfortunately, there have been a few newspaper articles that have failed to reveal the truth about this transaction and the current state of relations with Thomson Safaris and our neighbors around the farm. This has led to a vast number of people being misled. We can only speculate as to the motivations of a few specific persons who have subverted the truth by helping to spread hearsay, rumors, and, at times, intentional and malicious untruths. Thomson Safaris refutes any and all such untruths. We first ask to tell the real story of the farm’s more recent history. In 2006, the bidding process for the farm was originally advertised and publicized in both government-owned and independent publications, including your newspaper. The bidding process went through several stages, in which at least one initial bidder won, however, proved unable to meet the legal and financial requirements by the allotted date. Eventually, the owners of Thomson Safaris won a later round of the process. From the beginning, Thomson Safaris consulted and has had outstanding relations with the vast majority of our neighbors, including Maasai elders, village council members, and everyday people. We currently have a core team of eleven people to prepare this land for community-based tourism. The land is subject to Tanzanian law just as any other area. Almost all of the men are from local communities around the farm. They represent all of the three Maasai clans of Loliondo — the Laitaiyok, the Loita, and the Purko. Even the minority tribe of the area, the Sonjo, is also well represented in our workforce. We believe this to be a note of importance because one of our priorities is to assist all local communities. Tourism should go hand in hand with sustainable economic and social development and cultural and environmental conservation. Once fully engaged in tourism activities, the farm will be a part of that tradition and balance. Thomson Safaris’ mission is to increase opportunities for local employment, development, and cooperation among investors and communities. Thomson Safaris and our guests have already begun to support local communities, including the donation of a maize grinding machine to a Maasai women’s group, the development of a bore hole and water well near the Sukenya sub-village and Soit Sambu village, financial support for a local primary school, and further exploration of opportunities to support local education and communities. Through the assistance of the Soit Sambu Village Council, a committee has also been formed to act as a liaison between Thomson Safaris and communities. Pastoralists do have the opportunity to approach the committee concerning any issues that they might have. As Thomson Safaris continues to work side by side with our neighbors, it is our greatest hope that community-based tourism will result in more people in Loliondo being employed and more local community projects being initiated for generations to come.
Managers of Thomson Safaris, Ltd.
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