More than two thousand people have signed a petition handed to Industries, Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse by representatives of the Ovahimba and Ovatjimba communities over the proposed Baynes Hydropower Dam.

The communities have lived in the Kunene Region for more than five centuries, with their semi-nomadic pastoral way of life closely tied to the land and the Kunene River.

They are concerned about the potential impact of the project on their ancestral land, cultural heritage and livelihoods.

The petition estimates that approximately 57 square kilometres of ancestral territory could be flooded, potentially affecting homes, ancestral graves, sacred sites, grazing land and water sources.

The representatives also raise concerns about possible damage to biodiversity and riverside ecosystems.

"I thank you very much. That you have reached out to communicate your concerns. We are a responsible government that listens to the people and consults with the people. We are talking about the project, which is a bi-national project between the Republic of Angola and Namibia. So anything concerning this project has to be agreed upon by the two countries. Meaning that then your concern must also be shared without a counterpart; we have to agree and look at things together."

Amutse said the ministry will review the concerns and arrange consultations with affected communities and officials from Namibia and Angola before providing feedback.

The communities are calling for a Human Rights Impact Assessment to form part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

They also want their biocultural protocol recognised and respected.

For the communities, the petition is a call to protect their ancestral land, cultural heritage and future generations.