The Spanish government funds several projects on the farm.

A visit to Queen Sophia took place on August 8 where matters of concern to all parties involved were discussed.

The delegation also drove around the farm to assess the situation.

The issues raised by neighbouring farmers and project beneficiaries were illegal hunting with dogs, rifles and snares; illegal slaughtering of game; workers of outside charcoal contractors and strangers harboured on the farm; the poor condition of fences and roads; preparatory measures needed to prevent veld fires; the maintenance of infrastructure; good neighbourly relations; the water supply problems experienced by the project, which have led to the neglect of the community garden; the absence of rangeland management and financial management practices.

According to last Friday's newsletter of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the delegation consisted of Hannu Shipena, Under Secretary in the Lands Ministry, Samuel Shihepo, Chief Development Planner in the Ministry at Otjiwarongo, an official from the Agriculture Ministry's Rural Water Supply Department for the Oshikoto and Kunene Regions, Police Sergeant Kahuure, Unit Commander of the Stock Theft Unit in the Kunene and Otjozondjupa Regions, Horst Hobohm, a neighbouring farmer, Frans Michael, a foreman of another neighbouring farm and three members of the Queen Sophia Project Management Committee.

The meeting resolved that the Ministry of Lands would take responsibility to appoint a project co-coordinator for Queen Sophia, and that the Ministry would also address the water issue with the Department of Rural Water Supply.

The maintenance of the farm fences was regarded as both the Government's and the neighbours' responsibility and the clearing of firebreaks will be the responsibility of the project beneficiaries and the neighbours.

"The meeting took place in a very calm, organised and structured manner where all parties concerned were given an opportunity to voice their concerns," the NAU reported.

"All participants expressed their gratitude towards the Under Secretary of Land Reform and Resettlement, Hannu Shipena, for taking the time to come and assess the situation and committing to address these burning issues."

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