A legacy of conservation, camaraderie and community
For fifty years, the Namibia Professional HuntersAssociation (NAPHA) has stood as a beacon of ethical hunting, conservation and community. This golden anniversary marks a significant milestone on a journey defined by dedication to the land, respect for wildlife and the preservation of Namibia’s unique hunting heritage. From its founding day, NAPHA has pursued a mission far beyond hunting: it is all about stewardship, cultural respect and the profound relationship between people and nature. In conversation with past NAPHA presidents we have unpacked the who, the why’s and how’s of NAPHA’s five decades.
In his celebratory message current NAPHA President Axel Cramer reflects on the association’s core values. “Humans, nature and animals can exist in harmonious balance,” he says, “if we all recognise our responsibility.” This idea of balance – of being guardians, not conquerors, of the earth – has always underscored NAPHA’s approach. From its earliest days the association’s leaders saw hunting as an expression of respect and responsibility, not merely as a sport. The result has been a model of conservation hunting that has shaped NAPHA’s legacy as a respected, conservation-minded organisation in Africa and beyond.
Danie Strauss, one of NAPHA’s former presidents, recalls the early challenges that arose after Namibia’s independence in 1990, when new dynamics and divergent interests threatened to pull the association apart. In a move that would become foundational to NAPHA’s stability, Strauss introduced a more structured leadership model, appointing the association’s first CEO and separating governance and operational management. He believed that NAPHA’s strength lies in unity and open dialogue among its members. “Every member should feel heard,” he insisted, reinforcing an open-door policy that welcomed all voices. It was this commitment to inclusivity and transparency that helped NAPHA grow into an organisation as resilient as much as it is respected.
The road was not always smooth. The ethical principles that define NAPHA today faced serious challenges as the international spotlight turned to issues surrounding trophy hunting. During the presidency of Kai-Uwe Denker, NAPHA had to respond to the global controversy surrounding the Cecil the Lion incident, which cast a shadow on hunting across Africa. Denker led the organisation’s response with calm and deliberate action, ensuring that NAPHA’s stance was clear: hunting in Namibia was – and would continue to be – an ethical, conservation- focused practice. He describes the incident as a defining moment that required a “thoughtful and circumspect reaction.” Under his leadership, NAPHA published a position paper on trophy hunting, articulating its ethical standards and reaffirming its commitment to conservation.
The tension between ethical hunting and commercial pressures has been a recurring theme in NAPHA’s history, one that each president has confronted in their own way. Denker’s stance on resisting artificial breeding and the manipulation of wildlife for “outstanding trophies” encapsulates NAPHA’s insistence on conservation over profit. For NAPHA, wildlife management is not about creating commodities: it is about safeguarding the ecological integrity that sustains both the animals and the communities that coexist with them.
As the world changes, NAPHA has faced an evolving set of challenges, particularly in recent years. Social media has become a powerful tool but also a divisive one. Strauss speaks of the early days when disagreements were settled over coffee or around a table, and his hope that future leaders will return to that “traditional way of talking.” This emphasis on genuine human connection is woven through NAPHA’s culture, from the camaraderie among members to the relationships they cultivate with local communities.
Danene van der Westhuyzen, the first woman to lead NAPHA, expanded this focus on community impact and inclusivity. With a background steeped in hunting since childhood, van der Westhuyzen brought a fresh perspective on NAPHA’s role within Namibia’s broader socio-economic landscape. She championed the involvement of local communities, particularly in rural areas where hunting tourism has a significant economic impact. She saw NAPHA as an essential part of Namibia’s GDP, arguing that it wasn’t enough to be conservationists and hunters – NAPHA had to be recognised as a key stakeholder in Namibia’s sustainable development. She believes in the power of education and outreach to counter misconceptions about hunting. This view continues to shape NAPHA’s advocacy efforts today.
One of van der Westhuyzen’s most lasting contributions was her emphasis on NAPHA’s role in empowering women in the hunting industry. Reflecting on her time as president, she noted that women often bring a unique sense of responsibility and forward-thinking to conservation. This sense of legacy – of building something sustainable for future generations – is a core element of NAPHA’s mission. “We want to leave a better world for our children,” she said, echoing NAPHA’s dedication to nurturing both the land and the lives it supports.
Axel Cramer, the current president, sees this commitment to community as an integral part of the association’s future. “We recognise the immeasurable value of local communities,” he says. Working hand-in- hand with Namibian communities ensures that conservation is not just an external agenda but a shared responsibility, one that brings tangible benefits to the people who live closest to the wildlife. For example, hunting revenues often fund local infrastructure, schools and healthcare facilities, helping to improve lives in some of Namibia’s most remote regions. Danene van der Westhuyzen underscores the importance of these partnerships, noting that rural communities are “the final implementers” of conservation efforts.
For the next 50 years, NAPHA’s leaders envision an association that continues to prioritise ethical hunting, conservation and community integration. The commitment to core values remains unwavering: ethical hunting, conservation-focused practices and community involvement are the principles that guide NAPHA’s decisions. The goal, as Kai-Uwe Denker puts it, is to maintain Namibia as “Africa’s best hunting destination”, not through sensational marketing but by upholding the integrity and authenticity of Namibia’s hunting heritage.
Education, both for members and the wider public, remains a cornerstone of this mission. NAPHA leaders agree that the ongoing threat of international bans on trophy hunting underscores the need to educate local and global audiences about the real impact of ethical hunting on conservation. As van der Westhuyzen observes, “We are the true, real conservationists.” NAPHA is not simply responding to these challenges, it is setting a standard for how ethical hunting organisations can contribute to biodiversity and community resilience.
NAPHA’s legacy, fifty years in the making, is a testament to its commitment to ethical hunting, conservation and community. From the vision set forth by its founding members to the stewardship of leaders like Cramer, Strauss, Denker and van der Westhuyzen, NAPHA has grown into a model of what professional hunting associations can achieve. As the world changes and new challenges emerge, NAPHA’s commitment to nature and Namibia remains steadfast. With memories of the bush, the thrill of the hunt and the bonds formed around campfires, NAPHA’s members and leaders look forward to the next fifty years – united in purpose and dedicated to the preservation of Namibia’s wilderness.
Congratulations on 50 years from our partners
From the 2025 issue of Huntinamibia
Every accolade credited to Africa is well earned. Perhaps William Burchell’s thought most accurately sums them all up: “Nothing but breathing the air of Africa, and actually walking through it, can communicate the indescribable sensations.” Words are a paltry attempt to raise images of buffalo charging out of the reeds or burning sunsets beyond brilliance in the minds of those who have not been favoured to set foot on the continent.
An opportunity arose to hunt a trophy lion in the Torra Conservancy in north- western Namibia. For the past years the lion population had grown in this area and the human-wildlife conflict increased as a result. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism invited professional hunters to the opportunity to hunt these problem animals, rather than taking the risk that entire prides are poisoned by communal farmers who lose their livestock.
Royston Wright, a devoted conservationist and stalwart of sustainable hunting, passed away unexpectedly on 4 February 2024, leaving behind a legacy of education, passion and commitment to Namibia’s wildlife. For over 20 years, Royston made an indelible mark on the conservation and hunting community through his work with SCI International, SCI Alaska, the Namibia Tourism Board and the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA)
