Thread: Talking about land reform in Namibia

Reading his last contribution; I am not surprised either.

Has this any thing to do with Mugabe's new term as president of Zimbabwe or do i miss the point?

Or do you mean we need Zimbabwe style "land reform policy" in Namibia?

Sorry, I need to stop now or I'll get banned too.

If we dont educate those who `benefit` form Land reform or `Land distribution`, we are sure to end up like Zimbabwe

Originally Posted by tre

If we dont educate those who `benefit` form Land reform or `Land distribution`, we are sure to end up like Zimbabwe

What do you prefer, just be honest with yourself? If you could choose today, what would your choice be?

HARARE -- The Namibian government is tightening legislation to close all loopholes that citizens with excess land are using to frustrate its efforts to redistribute land to the black majority, says Lands and Resettlement Minister Alpheus Naruseb.

Speaking after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Namibian and Zimbabwean governments here Wednesday, he said Namibia was encountering challenges in acquiring land under the "willing seller-willing buyer" arrangement, with land holders increasing prices for speculative purposes.

"Rising land prices by speculative land holders is presenting a hurdle to acquire land at the pace that we want," he said. "We have only managed to acquire 4.0 per cent of the 50 million hectares we targeted to acquire by 2015."

Saying that the process of harmonising laws to close all loopholes was at an advanced stage, he noted that when the country attained independence in 1992, the government adopted the policy of reconciliation to allow blacks and former white settlers to live together harmoniously.

The Namibian government, he said, had expected the minority white settlers to be sensitive to the needs of the previously deprived black people but added: "This does not seem to be happening on the ground."

Following reluctance by the white settlers to relinquish excess land, Naruseb said, the government put in place the necessary legal framework to provide avenues for acquiring land to resettle the people, including amending the Constitution to allow for compulsory acquisition.

"We believe in engaging one another although we can acquire land through expropriation," he said, noting that the experience in Zimbabwe had proved that land reform was effective in acquiring sufficient land to resettle black people.

Zimbabwe attracted the wrath of Western countries when it compulsorily acquired prime land from minority former white commercial farmers for redistribution to black people. The West went on to impose punitive economic sanctions and travel bans on senior members of the then ruling Zanu-PF government.

Naruseb said the Namibian government was determined to implement agrarian reforms to correct colonial land imbalances, and wanted to utilise the experience and expertise of Zimbabwe.

Shortage of money and people to implement various critical tasks was preventing the Namibian government from speedily implementing agrarian reforms, he said, noting that vast human and capital resources were required.

"The land reform and resettlement programme is one of the most important and expensive programmes that a nation can undertake," he said, adding it was for that reason that the country was requesting external assistance to effectively implement the programme.

Under the MOU, which was first signed in 2004 and renewed in 2006, the two countries will strengthen co-operation in the areas of land valuation, surveying and use planning. The MOU also provides for Zimbabwean experts to impart expertise through training Namibians in valuation, surveying and land use planning.

Currently, three Zimbabwean land valuers are attached to the Namibian Ministry of Lands and Resettlement under the agreement.

Zimbabwean Lands and Resettlement Minister Herbert Murerwa signed the MOU on behalf of the government. -- NNN-NEW ZIANA

If the Land Reform Policy can not be implemented to the full, then I have for the new incoming government, regardless of who they are the following proposal, on how to get Namibia out of the current economical crissis situation.

Before they think in terms of spending, they should spent on all voters regardless of political affiliation. Namibia is the people, the government of Namibia is the people of Namibia. This is what all people need who are below the line of a normal living wage as elsewhere in the world.

Namibia Development Plan, as I see it.

This is a proposed plan of Development for Namibia by Namibians. Take from this what suits you and leave the rest. We often change to accommodate the way we developed and would certainly give back where we can.

Thanks Hengari for reflecting what we need in Namibia today.

What has happened to the dream of shaping Namibia into a successful model of a political system, where the Basic Law provided freedom and economic stability to all Namibians? Why should the difference be so big, when we compare living conditions of people throughout Namibia? It is essential that these are determined by social and economic policy. Our government in Namibia should be an administrative system enforces to serve the Namibian population first and foremost.

Ceasar's aim was the conquer the whole world. He went on with his wars and won victory over an usurper in the kingdom of Piemont. He did everything he could to ensure law and order in Rome, which was begining to fall apart after many years long anarchy. In Namibia much less are needed to ensure social liberty and a good life. We have not to fight any wars. Now is the time to invest in the people of Namibia. Are we not the smile on the face of Africa? If so, then it is time to act in this way. We are less then 2 million people in Namibia and we have fishing resources, natural gas, gold, diamonds, uranium, copper, zink, taxes, rates, levies, ect..

Human dignity shall and must be always inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. Other most basic rights such as proper housing (electricity, gas, heating, clean approved running water, proper wastewater system and rubbish removals) should be speedyly implement to save quality human life, regardless of race, sex, oldage and disability.

The Social Security Policies should be reconstructed and Supplemental Security Income disability programs should be establish. What has happened to Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Development and Protection under the Law?

Jobs, benefits, pensions and retirements should no longer be a dream for the mayority of Namibians. Government should get her house in order and do something for the jobseekers or pay them jobseeking benefits to start of with. Benefits advisors should be available for questionnaire to help you find out which benefits and tax credits you and your family may be entitled to, and also if you are entitled to the State Pension. Tax payers money and funding from Government should be ear marked for this purposes. Time to stop the gravy train and time to invest in your most prescious recourse, the
Namibian people as a whole, regardless of age, race, gender and disability. This should become second nature to uphold and respect the human dignity of each individual.

What happened to the Namibian Constitution that promised Child Support Agencies, Disability and Carers Services or is it just one of my many wishes for a brighter Namibia?

Working age benefits, Armed Forces Compensation Schemes, Attendance Allowance, Bereavement benefits, Carer's Allowance, Christmas Bonus, Council Tax Benefits, Disability Living Allowance, Hospital personal allowance, Housing Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, Income Support hospital rates, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Industrial Death Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis and Miscellaneous Diseases Benefit scheme and State Pension, Severe Disablement Allowance, Social Fund, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Sick Pay, War Pensions to all War Veterans regardless of political affiliation,
Widow’s benefits, Winter Fuel Payments, People aged 60 or over, People aged 80 or over, Workmen’s Compensation Supplementation, Extra benefits for dependants, should be for all Namibian people available.

Fixed rates should be implemented for National Insurance contribution rates from employers and employees. Where to get help and advice should not be an issue.Perhaps something in the nature of an economic revolution is required. Our development has been held back for too long by the
colonial-type economy. We need to reorganize entirely, since we fall victim to a catastrophic situation reveals in our reconcilliation process.

Now should be a time to start where nothing has been done. It is time to give back generously to the Namibians. Only then will Namibia be united as a people.

Can we get a vote of consensus on this one please fellow Namibians.
Tax-payers, do not get frustrated, you will get your rosey tune too, because without you, we are nothing.

I think the land issue is more a emotional than a rational issue. Plus the perception is that owing land equals wealth which might not be the case in anyway. The truth however is that we cannot have 65% of the land in the hands of a minority group. And yes I know that I will be criticised for this but it is a simple truth. If you are asking me do I believe in exproprotion of land, it would depend if on the circumstance, and I for one might support it. Specially if someone over values the property and are just stalling to milk the goverment. Problem is that we do not have enough ground for everyone to farm.

Thus we have to start to look at other alternatives. Building perceptions of manufacturing equals wealth and steer people in this direction for instance. In all of this we should remember only one thing: food security for Namibia should never be compromised.