Namibia’s Founding President and Cheetah Conservation Fund’s International Patron, Dr. Sam Nujoma presented the Opening Address, which spoke about Namibia being the Cheetah Capital of the world and reminded all Namibians of their responsibility to care for the earth.

The guest speaker, Mr. Dave Pepler, a well known conservation journalist from South Africa’s popular DSTV programme Groen, entertained the audience with his speech "Celebration of Speed and Elegance: A journalist’s viewpoint"

For the sixth year, the evening pro-gramme included award presentations. Outstanding conservationists are often unrecognised outside their professional field, so every year CCF presents a series of awards at its fund-raising gala dinner to raise awareness of the unsung heroes of conservation.

The 2006 Cheetah Conservationist of the Year Award was presented to Volker Grellmann, the Founding President of NAPHA (Namibia Professional Hunting Association) and the Chairman of the Nagoragombe Conservancy (see bio attached).

The 2006 Cheetah Conservation Farmer of the Year Award was presented to Mr. Johannes Damaseb, of the farm Cleveland, in the Otjiwarongo district (see bio attached).

The 2006 Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Cheetah Conservation was presented to Josephine Henghali, past CCF Senior staff member (seed bio attached).

Special recognition was given to Senior Research Assistant Matti Nghikembua, for recently receiving the Disney Conservation Hero Award from the United States (bios attached).

Guests enjoyed a meal of delicious Namibian beef, donated by MeatCo as a promotion for Cheetah Country Beef - a CCF and Conservancy Association of Namibia (CANAM) initiative which will benefit cattle farmers following cheetah-friendly livestock management methods.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed bidding in a silent auction for a variety of attractive items, including recreational ‘get-aways’ at exclusive tourist venues, artwork, jewellery and Namibian craftwork. The silent auction items were donated by businesses within the business community supporting the gala evening. The wide range of items in the auction brought in contributions of approximately N$55,000 during the evening. The funds raised will assist in supporting CCF’s programmes - all which are supported through donations.

Entertainment for the evening was by Sharon van Rooi and her Jazz Band and the evening ended with dancing to live music by Ingolf and Carla.

His Excellency, Dr. Sam Nujoma (center), along with Honorable Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Leon Jooste (holding cheetah, left of Laurie Marker); Dr.Todd Fuller, Professor from the University of Massachusetts (left and behind President); and Minister of Fisheries, Honorable Abraham Iyambo talk with guests at the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s 7th Annual Gala Fundraising Dinner.