Church pleads with Govt to show ‘sensitivity’ on land

THE Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia has urged Government to handle land reform with sensitivity, caution and levelheadedness.

In a statement issued on Monday, Dutch Reformed Church General Secretary Reverend Clem Marais described land reform as an “emotional” issue for both the landless and farm owners and said it needed to be tackled in a responsible way. The church said many whites felt threatened, unsure and were negatively inclined towards land reform because of what had happened in Zimbabwe.”Government should take firmer initiatives to make available suitable Government property to black communities as part of an integrated programme of agricultural development,” Marais said.He called for Government support in its policy of tackling the land issue “with soberness and realism”.”To merely dish out as much land as possible to as many people as possible (as is sometimes demanded), will create more problems than solutions.It is a misconception that distribution of land as such will either create wealth, or combat poverty.World-wide it is only the most competent and committed farmers that survive,” the statement said.The church said only the maintenance of a strong commercial sector in agriculture would ensure the ultimate success of land reform.According to the Church, white farmers have assisted emergent black farmers although farming was becoming more demanding.”Land reform should not be a political puppet,” Marais said, adding that should the redistribution of land be misused for political purposes, it would result “in a ticking time bomb as is happening in Zimbabwe” and be a “catastrophe”.The Church also proposed the application of sound judicial principles in dealing with reform.”Corruption and nepotism should be avoided at all times.” Marais said.The Church called for reasonable and market-related compensation and an acceleration of the programme.”The slow pace at which the programme for land reform is progressing, is a major bottle-neck.To date, Government was not able to transform the policy – on which there is wide consensus – into workable projects,” the Church said.The church said many whites felt threatened, unsure and were negatively inclined towards land reform because of what had happened in Zimbabwe.”Government should take firmer initiatives to make available suitable Government property to black communities as part of an integrated programme of agricultural development,” Marais said.He called for Government support in its policy of tackling the land issue “with soberness and realism”.”To merely dish out as much land as possible to as many people as possible (as is sometimes demanded), will create more problems than solutions.It is a misconception that distribution of land as such will either create wealth, or combat poverty.World-wide it is only the most competent and committed farmers that survive,” the statement said.The church said only the maintenance of a strong commercial sector in agriculture would ensure the ultimate success of land reform.According to the Church, white farmers have assisted emergent black farmers although farming was becoming more demanding.”Land reform should not be a political puppet,” Marais said, adding that should the redistribution of land be misused for political purposes, it would result “in a ticking time bomb as is happening in Zimbabwe” and be a “catastrophe”.The Church also proposed the application of sound judicial principles in dealing with reform.”Corruption and nepotism should be avoided at all times.” Marais said.The Church called for reasonable and market-related compensation and an acceleration of the programme.”The slow pace at which the programme for land reform is progressing, is a major bottle-neck.To date, Government was not able to transform the policy – on which there is wide consensus – into workable projects,” the Church said.