How Landless The Poor And How Lucky The Rich

A shocking event unfolded in Windhoek on the 30th of September 2005.The so-called auction for first-time buyers of land.

Almost 1500 residents of Windhoek queued up to acquire land. I’m wondering whether you have been considerate enough in your dealings with regard the issue of auctioning land for so-called first-time buyers.The City was not clear as to whom they were referring to as first-time buyers.They have built up people’s expectations for nothing.Where on earth could you buy something valued at N$27 000 for N$400 000.Even if it is an auction, is it justifiable, is it fair, do you have a conscience? The Municipality knew ahead what profit they could make from these plots; they planned everything and then they were just fooling us, pretending that they meant this auction for first-time buyers.Everything is falling into the hands of the already-haves, even when it comes to resettling the landless, the qualifying criteria is to fool the illiterates who keep on applying to no avail for the sake of formality.So far, who are those who have benefited from this exercise, the rich and the known? All these things make me so emotional that one thinks that the world is meant for the rich.Only they get richer and so it will be.I fail to understand who are those referred to as the “first-time home owners and buyers”.I believe that the first-time owners are those who have never owned land.Building contractors and developers were there, represented by people whom they asked to buy land on their behalf.They are the ones who have benefited from the whole auction.Namibia is ranked among the world’s most unequal countries and that is just proof that the poor will remain poor and the rich will become richer.The entry requirements are not for the layman to compete at these auctions.So what now? What do you expect from them if you find them stealing and begging? Wake up Namibia, this is very serious, and you need to stand up for your rights.Enough is enough! I want to seriously find out from the big brass in the land management division of the City of Windhoek whether they are serious.Xoxo Windhoek ResidentI’m wondering whether you have been considerate enough in your dealings with regard the issue of auctioning land for so-called first-time buyers.The City was not clear as to whom they were referring to as first-time buyers.They have built up people’s expectations for nothing.Where on earth could you buy something valued at N$27 000 for N$400 000.Even if it is an auction, is it justifiable, is it fair, do you have a conscience? The Municipality knew ahead what profit they could make from these plots; they planned everything and then they were just fooling us, pretending that they meant this auction for first-time buyers.Everything is falling into the hands of the already-haves, even when it comes to resettling the landless, the qualifying criteria is to fool the illiterates who keep on applying to no avail for the sake of formality.So far, who are those who have benefited from this exercise, the rich and the known? All these things make me so emotional that one thinks that the world is meant for the rich.Only they get richer and so it will be.I fail to understand who are those referred to as the “first-time home owners and buyers”.I believe that the first-time owners are those who have never owned land.Building contractors and developers were there, represented by people whom they asked to buy land on their behalf.They are the ones who have benefited from the whole auction.Namibia is ranked among the world’s most unequal countries and that is just proof that the poor will remain poor and the rich will become richer.The entry requirements are not for the layman to compete at these auctions.So what now? What do you expect from them if you find them stealing and begging? Wake up Namibia, this is very serious, and you need to stand up for your rights.Enough is enough! I want to seriously find out from the big brass in the land management division of the City of Windhoek whether they are serious.Xoxo Windhoek Resident