Expropriation of farms

THIS reader appreciates the repeated statements of Prime Minister Theo Ben Gurirab that land expropriation will be done according to the Constitution and in compliance with the law.

Therefore, please allow me a question: Is it compliant with the law

that a farmer should be expropriated because there has been a

labour dispute on his farm? Surely there are regulations with which

to punish those found guilty of breaching the labour law.

Up to now, I understood that farms that were under-utilised

would be expropriated.

 

It would be in the national interest if such expropriated land

would then be managed in such a way as to support more people than

at present.

 

What has happened to farm employees living on farms that were

bought by the state for resettlement purposes? Where do they live

now? How do they make a living? Having lived on such a farm for

most of their lives, such former employees know the land, the

vegetation and climatic conditions and could provide very valuable

inputs to those wanting to manage the place in future.

 

Where is a report on the productivity of farms that have been

resettled?

 

I am NOT advocating that farms should not be resettled.

 

However, one of the most pressing needs of Namibia is the

alleviation of poverty.

 

The mere fact that one has access to a certain piece of land in

no way means that one will derive an adequate income from that

land, let alone make enough money to be able to pay taxes.

 

Therefore resettlement should be well-planned and executed in

such a way as to really provide the people concerned with a

reasonable livelihood.

 

Otherwise they will turn to the state for help with providing

water, transport, health services etc.

 

That would not be a way to counteract poverty and need.

 

Luise Hoffmann

Address supplied

 

Up to now, I understood that farms that were under-utilised would

be expropriated.It would be in the national interest if such

expropriated land would then be managed in such a way as to support

more people than at present.What has happened to farm employees

living on farms that were bought by the state for resettlement

purposes? Where do they live now? How do they make a living? Having

lived on such a farm for most of their lives, such former employees

know the land, the vegetation and climatic conditions and could

provide very valuable inputs to those wanting to manage the place

in future.Where is a report on the productivity of farms that have

been resettled?I am NOT advocating that farms should not be

resettled.However, one of the most pressing needs of Namibia is the

alleviation of poverty.The mere fact that one has access to a

certain piece of land in no way means that one will derive an

adequate income from that land, let alone make enough money to be

able to pay taxes.Therefore resettlement should be well-planned and

executed in such a way as to really provide the people concerned

with a reasonable livelihood.Otherwise they will turn to the state

for help with providing water, transport, health services etc.That

would not be a way to counteract poverty and need.Luise

Hoffmann

Address supplied

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