Introduction : a community history -- Namibia and the Nyae Nyae region -- Traditional Ju/'hoan leadership and governance -- The Ju/'hoan People's Organization and their foundation -- Ju/'hoan empowerment from dialogue on wildlife issues -- The lead-up to Namibian independence in Nyae Nyae -- Independence : the years of hope -- The Nyae Nyae Development Foundation of Namibia -- The Nyae Nyae Farmers Co-operative after independence -- Community-based natural resource management and other development -- Models in Nyae Nyae -- Nyae Nyae conservancy programs and the future.