No To False Development

I WISH to address a social development issue about the current land conflict in Ndiyona constituency [Kavango] caused by a farm project there. People in the area have been accused of willingly surrendering their fields to pave the way for a 2 000-hectare crop-farming project. The truth is people did not agree to that, hence the conflict. There is no way one can agree in the morning and disagree completely in the evening or in the same time frame. Those in charge manipulated that process.

Since this is cultivation period I believe people would not just sit in their homes waiting to be compensated instead of cultivating their fields. The fact is whether compensation is there or however much money it is it won’t last long enough to keep the lives of these villagers going. What is happening there is nothing other than land grabbing.
The claim is that the main benefit is that the farm will create jobs. The jobs created now will have a negative effect on the youth who are clearing such a vast area with hands and axes under the scorching sun. I am sure by the time the clearing finishes many of them will be weak and injured and that they will not be able to work even in their own fields or work for their families. Is this job creation? Let’s look into what kinds of jobs are created before we talk of reducing unemployment. I suggest the communal land board in Ndiyona should pronounce themselves clearly to everyone on the matter and most importantly to the group of people in support of this project. It is clear that people manipulate others for their benefits. Why is the councillor not listening to the plight and the cries of these farmers? They can be compensated but for how long will the money last? This project also started at the wrong time when some farmers are ploughing their fields and only to be told to halt and surrender the land. The truth is that such ‘development’ will starve and impoverish the inhabitants and benefit the few.

Max
Rundu

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