Final Land Reform Plan is a Priority
The land issue needs to be resolved urgently and once and for all. Commercial farming in Namibia is under siege due to uncontrolled, erratic and unacceptable behaviour by NAFWU (Namibia Farm Workers Union).
Incidents of this nature are proof of the importance and urgency of a final and sustainable land reform plan, acceptable to ALL Namibians, in order for all stakeholders to know where they stand. The Government cannot afford to drag its feet any longer. Minister Pohamba?s effort to convince commercial farmers attending the recent NAU (Namibia Agricultural Union) Congress that everything is under control and that Government would adhere to the Constitution is contradicted by sporadic incidents of instigators of fear and violence, threatening to take the law into their own hands.
The Republican Party of Namibia has urged the Ministry at more than one occasion to come up with a transparent land reform plan which will leave no uncertainties and no room for terror-like action by unionists and misguided landless or just demanding, ignorant individuals. Unions are supposed to look after the interests of their members. NAFWU represents only a very small percentage of farm workers, and in the case of Okosongomingo, which was targeted over the weekend, Mr Angula arrogantly ignored the wishes of the farm workers to keep out. Instead, he stuck to his guns and went ahead with preparations for his attack.
Code of conduct required
This kind of conduct has to be stopped once and for all through consultation between NAFWU and the Government. Even though the dispute at Okosongomingo was laid to rest through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, this is not binding countrywide. Government must provide NAFWU and the ruling party to which NAFWU is affiliated with a written policy and a code of conduct. Each time a commercial farmer is threatened with forceful occupation the production of that farm is disrupted for weeks and farmers all over Namibia are unsettled and de-motivated to invest and farm productively.
The final Land Reform Plan must be clear, transparent and detailed, leaving no grounds for misinterpretation regarding the rights and privileges of commercial farmers on the one hand and the landless on the other. As long as commercial farmers are living under the sword of uncertainty and being victimised, the economy as well as peace and stability will be undermined. Direct telephone lines and negotiations behind closed doors between the NAU and the Minister, as proudly announced by Min. Pohamba at the NAU Congress are not a sustainable solution and result in crisis management.
The RP believes and trusts that the Government is serious in its commitment to solve the land issue amicably. In order to ensure that the final Land Reform Plan will benefit all Namibians, the RP also trusts that the Government is in consultation with NAFWU. It is therefore incomprehensible / unclear why NAFWU finds it necessary to threaten with forced occupation. Not even peaceful demonstrations should be contemplated if every Namibian was properly informed regarding the detailed road ahead with regard to land reform.
"Mountains associated with baboons"
Government constantly complains that farms on offer are unsuitable for resettlement. On what grounds do they base this statement? The current or previous owners made a living on those farms, without government support. All commercial farms were originally undeveloped land. Does the Government want to allege that the new farmers and the Government for that matter, are incapable of developing undeveloped land or continue farming successfully on so-called "unsuitable" commercial farm land? The statement at the NAU Congress by Hon. Pohamba that the landless are unwilling to accept farms in mountainous areas, because they don?t want to be associated with baboons, defies all reason. Is the Government unable or unwilling to enlighten the landless? Is it really true that the really needy are not willing to accept available land, or is it the new elite who desires luxury farms for themselves?
Government needs to come clear to the Nation, including the landless, about the facts and realities of land reform. The criteria for resettlement have to be spelled out. Government cannot continue putting the blame for the slow progress of land reform at the doorstep of commercial farmers for allegedly being unwilling to part with their farms. Expropriation is not a priority, since there are enough commercial farms on offer. Statistics up to 2001 show, that 756 commercial farms were offered for sale to Government, of which only 94 farms were found "suitable" and were purchased. The other 662 farms were turned down (Melber). Claims of not having enough funds to buy farms are also invalid. Government has not used all funds allocated to land reform.
Continue positively
The Republican Party has already and will continue unremittingly to make a positive contribution in order to find a final solution to land reform through consultation with the Ministry. The RP appeals to all commercial farmers - however difficult it may be - to continue, as in the past, positively and unemotionally in their endeavour to making a positive contribution in order to create a better Namibia for all its inhabitants.
It is extremely important that the Government will demonstrate its commitment to and respect for the Constitution of Namibia in which the right to privacy, including the right to privacy of commercial farmers, is enshrined. Forceful farm invasions are therefore in breach of the Constitution. Minister Pohamba stated his aversion to revolutionary action during his speech at the opening of the NAU Congress, saying that a revolution "has never helped anybody". Therefore we trust that the Government will not tolerate labour unions to incite emotions through illegal action.
Carola Engelbrecht
Secretary General RP
17/10/2004
Incidents of this nature are proof of the importance and urgency of a final and sustainable land reform plan, acceptable to ALL Namibians, in order for all stakeholders to know where they stand. The Government cannot afford to drag its feet any longer. Minister Pohamba?s effort to convince commercial farmers attending the recent NAU (Namibia Agricultural Union) Congress that everything is under control and that Government would adhere to the Constitution is contradicted by sporadic incidents of instigators of fear and violence, threatening to take the law into their own hands.
The Republican Party of Namibia has urged the Ministry at more than one occasion to come up with a transparent land reform plan which will leave no uncertainties and no room for terror-like action by unionists and misguided landless or just demanding, ignorant individuals. Unions are supposed to look after the interests of their members. NAFWU represents only a very small percentage of farm workers, and in the case of Okosongomingo, which was targeted over the weekend, Mr Angula arrogantly ignored the wishes of the farm workers to keep out. Instead, he stuck to his guns and went ahead with preparations for his attack.
Code of conduct required
This kind of conduct has to be stopped once and for all through consultation between NAFWU and the Government. Even though the dispute at Okosongomingo was laid to rest through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, this is not binding countrywide. Government must provide NAFWU and the ruling party to which NAFWU is affiliated with a written policy and a code of conduct. Each time a commercial farmer is threatened with forceful occupation the production of that farm is disrupted for weeks and farmers all over Namibia are unsettled and de-motivated to invest and farm productively.
The final Land Reform Plan must be clear, transparent and detailed, leaving no grounds for misinterpretation regarding the rights and privileges of commercial farmers on the one hand and the landless on the other. As long as commercial farmers are living under the sword of uncertainty and being victimised, the economy as well as peace and stability will be undermined. Direct telephone lines and negotiations behind closed doors between the NAU and the Minister, as proudly announced by Min. Pohamba at the NAU Congress are not a sustainable solution and result in crisis management.
The RP believes and trusts that the Government is serious in its commitment to solve the land issue amicably. In order to ensure that the final Land Reform Plan will benefit all Namibians, the RP also trusts that the Government is in consultation with NAFWU. It is therefore incomprehensible / unclear why NAFWU finds it necessary to threaten with forced occupation. Not even peaceful demonstrations should be contemplated if every Namibian was properly informed regarding the detailed road ahead with regard to land reform.
"Mountains associated with baboons"
Government constantly complains that farms on offer are unsuitable for resettlement. On what grounds do they base this statement? The current or previous owners made a living on those farms, without government support. All commercial farms were originally undeveloped land. Does the Government want to allege that the new farmers and the Government for that matter, are incapable of developing undeveloped land or continue farming successfully on so-called "unsuitable" commercial farm land? The statement at the NAU Congress by Hon. Pohamba that the landless are unwilling to accept farms in mountainous areas, because they don?t want to be associated with baboons, defies all reason. Is the Government unable or unwilling to enlighten the landless? Is it really true that the really needy are not willing to accept available land, or is it the new elite who desires luxury farms for themselves?
Government needs to come clear to the Nation, including the landless, about the facts and realities of land reform. The criteria for resettlement have to be spelled out. Government cannot continue putting the blame for the slow progress of land reform at the doorstep of commercial farmers for allegedly being unwilling to part with their farms. Expropriation is not a priority, since there are enough commercial farms on offer. Statistics up to 2001 show, that 756 commercial farms were offered for sale to Government, of which only 94 farms were found "suitable" and were purchased. The other 662 farms were turned down (Melber). Claims of not having enough funds to buy farms are also invalid. Government has not used all funds allocated to land reform.
Continue positively
The Republican Party has already and will continue unremittingly to make a positive contribution in order to find a final solution to land reform through consultation with the Ministry. The RP appeals to all commercial farmers - however difficult it may be - to continue, as in the past, positively and unemotionally in their endeavour to making a positive contribution in order to create a better Namibia for all its inhabitants.
It is extremely important that the Government will demonstrate its commitment to and respect for the Constitution of Namibia in which the right to privacy, including the right to privacy of commercial farmers, is enshrined. Forceful farm invasions are therefore in breach of the Constitution. Minister Pohamba stated his aversion to revolutionary action during his speech at the opening of the NAU Congress, saying that a revolution "has never helped anybody". Therefore we trust that the Government will not tolerate labour unions to incite emotions through illegal action.
Carola Engelbrecht
Secretary General RP
17/10/2004
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