Basketry production is an important informal sector activity in the palm savanna of north-central Namibia, particularly for women. This study assesses the comparative impact of utilization by basket makers and browsing livestock in areas of different human and livestock population pressures on the source of weaving fibre, leaves from juvenile individuals of the vegetable ivory palm, Hyphaene petersiana. Keywords: Hyphaene petersiana, vegetable ivory palm, basketry, Namibia.