Land Grab Is Inevitable In Namibia

THE war of 1904–1908 between Germans and Hereros was caused by the land and cattle grab by Germans which left Hereros without land and poor.

The land was, and is still, the main factor of production without which there will be no production.
It is only when one has land that he\she will realise his\her full economic potential.
It is not possible for one to realise their full potential without the land.
Politically we, as Namibians, are independent but economically we are not independent.
Twenty two years after political independence we, sons and daughters of those who suffered at the hand of Von Trotha, because of our productive land, have not yet realised economic independence because we do not own land.
Our government is not addressing the land issue in a progressive way.
They came up with the so-called resettlement policy that was biased, because they wanted to include ex-Plan fighters, while those who were exterminated and are landless are not a priority.
I am not against our fellow Namibians being resettled but the first priority must be given to those whose forefathers were exterminated for land 108 years ago.
Our land reform policy does not include land restitution, as in the case of South Africa, and our government is not supporting our reparation case against the German government. This is because they are afraid that, when they tell their counterpart to pay reparations, the German government will withdraw their financial aid to our government which it is using to balance its budget.
Therefore, what is left for me and others is to organise ourselves ... in order to address our hunger for land.

Meundju K Jahanika
By email

NB: It is correct to say the Namibian government has not been articulate about the genocide case, but it surely has spoken in favour of reparations by Germany. Editor

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