THE outgoing //Karas governor and MP-elect, Bernadus Swartbooi, has called for a law to limit land ownership in the country.
“We should have these limits placed on land ownership,” Swartbooi remarked at a gathering held at Keetmanshoop where the region’s political leadership bade him farewell.
Swartbooi suggested that a moratorium be placed on the development of flats to allow sufficient land that can be given free of charge to people who cannot afford it.
“Some politicians have shamefully and unjustly taken up the economic space and built flats (to rent out). They can call it business, I don’t care,” Swartbooi said.
Swartbooi proposed that land in certain areas should be sold at “highly discounted prices” to those who cannot pay for amenities such as electricity and water.
On Affirmative Repositioning, Swartbooi said these are young people who just want plots to build houses for themselves.
“They are accelerating the demand for land, and are sophisticated, and I believe they will not take land through illegal land grabs,” Swartbooi added.
He advised his yet-to-be-named successor to love his work and all people and not to be too tolerant.
“Too much patience may result in laziness,” Swartbooi warned.
He said that during his tenure he had built a sense of “ownership and self-worth” among the people of the region.
In farewell messages, speaker after speaker thanked Swartbooi for having accelerated economic growth in the region, praising him for his leadership qualities and wishing him well as a parliamentarian.
“Your vision and great dreams for Keetmanshoop and //Karas region are imbedded here and will forever be our vision and dreams for the future,” said the mayor of Keetmanshoop Moses Titus.
Likening the time Swartbooi occupied the governor’s offices to a ship at sea, chief David Frederick, speaking on behalf of the traditional leaders, remarked: “At times we heard the strong voice of the captain encouraging the sailors and the passengers to remain steadfast, and when the ship entered still waters you were there to advise and direct.”
The //Karas police regional commander, Armas Shivute, acknowledged the cooperation and support from Swartbooi.
“As police officers, we are mindful that had it not been for the hard work of the governor who sacrificed his time, we would not be as victorious as we are today,” said Shivute.
Well-wishers showered Swartbooi with gifts including N$5 000 cash, utensils, a stud goat ewe and ram, farming and camping equipment.
luqman@namibian.com.na
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