The Otjimbingwe Farmers Association (OFA), which represents close to 3 000 farmers, has petitioned the office of the Erongo governor to allocate the resettlement farm Neu-Schwaben near Karibib to them.
OFA leader Rudolf Kahingunga says providing land and water resources for sustainable development in the region is vital.
However, the association has expressed frustration that their latest petition, delivered to the governor’s office last week, seemed to have been ignored.
They say Erongo governor Neville Andre has proceeded with meetings with the Erongo resettlement committee of farm Neu-Schwaben without acknowledging their concerns.
“We are farmers who reside and work in the pre-colonial village of Otjimbingwe, which has a rich history and culture. We want to contribute to the village’s sustainable development because we are proud of our history and our role in the growth of our nation, and we can only do this if fundamental resources like land and water are made available,” Kahingunga says.
He says the farmers and their communities are subject to poverty and hardship due to the compressed grazing space caused by the “colonial regime with their Odendaal Plan”.
The situation has been worsened by the high youth unemployment rate, leading to increased poverty and crime.
The farm Neu-Schwaben, known in Otjiherero as Onguruveza, has been a point of discussion for the Ovaherero Traditional Authority since 2021, but, according to the farmers, they are being sidelined.
“After several consultations, the farmers’ community sought the support of the communities to let them know publicly we are not considered in this independent Namibia, and that we are regarded as second citizens of Namibia,” he says.
“The Otjimbingwe community is faced with serious challenges that threaten our livelihood and that of future generations.”
The petition, which was received by Annelie Tjimbandi, the governor’s representative, addressed issues such as limited grazing
land and water resources, overcrowding, competing for scarce resources, and an increasing farming population due to migration.
It also raises concerns over the introduction of a limit on grazing space of 20 square metre per household.
The OFA has recommended postponing the Neu-Scwaben resettlement procedure until talks with the minister of agriculture, water and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, have been finalised.
They also propose transferring the ownership of farm Neu-Schwaben’s unit B to the OFA to be used as a conservancy.
Another suggestion is to expand the village’s boundaries by allocating unit A of the farm to the village of Otjimbingwe.
The OFA is demanding that the governor respond by today, or they will engage the president.
In a recent government notice, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform announced the availability of several farming units for allotment across various regions under the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act.
According to the notice, two farming units within the Erongo region are now open for allotment.
Located in the Karibib district, portion 2 of farm Neu-Schwaben No 148 consists of two units, A and B, that offer land and water resources to prospective farmers.
Unit A measures 3 329 hectares, with three functional and two non-functional boreholes, while unit B covers 3 366ha and has two functional boreholes and one non-functional borehole.
Both units are suitable for large and small-stock farming, as well as game farming, providing diverse options for agricultural entrepreneurs.
While not mentioning the specific situation, Schlettwein, during a strategic ministareial workshop held at Swakopmund this week, called for the timely acquisition and allotment of resettlement farms and providing for targeted post-resettlement support within the framework of the recently approved revised resettlement policy.
“Particular attention must be given to the resettlement of special groups in line with the second land conference resolutions,” he said.
Attempts to get Andre’s comment were unsuccessful by the time of going to print.
A senior representative from the office said the governor was in a meeting with the resettlement committee on the matter.
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