Transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) are considered the latest evolution of a more
holistic approach to transnational environmental management that brings together
conservation and development agendas. As part of bio political governance, TFCAs are
ecologically, economically and politically motivated. Using a discourse analytical perspective
of claims advanced for TFCAs in Southern Africa, this study explores how KavangoZambezi
(KAZA) TFCA has been motivated. The study questions the interests of Botswana
government participation in the KAZA TFCA and examines the effects of the KAZA TFCA
on local communities. This study employs a qualitative approach employing triangulation
methods of data collection. KAZA is one of the largest and most ambitious transboundary
initiative in the world that stretches across the political borders of five sovereign states.
KAZA acknowledges that nature knows no boundaries hence conservation corridors should
traverse political boundaries and borders of the state. Against this backdrop, the rationale for
KAZA is to provide the large herds of elephants (approximately 120,000) in Botswana with
access to large area of grazing land. The study demonstrates how the burgeoning elephant
population is inextricably linked with border policing, tourism and conservation. KAZA
considers participation and local community involvement in planning and decision making as
legitimate for sustainable natural resource management. However, the current realities exist
in contrast to these considerations. The study reveals that there is a disparity between theory
and practice as KAZA is yet to deliver its promises to the local communities. The thesis
asserts that it is critical to view KAZA as a complex, evolving and long-term initiative that
will be interesting to follow in the future.