After many years of waiting, the /Khomanin people have finally seen their long-standing aspirations for communal land in the Khomas region come to fruition.
In his handover speech, agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein said: “Today, I stand before you as a proud man, filled with happiness as we celebrate this remarkable occasion, marking a significant leap in our trajectory towards addressing historical challenges in land ownership.”
“I recall the year 1990, when the /Khomanin people demonstrated in front of the gates of the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, voicing their demands for land rights.”
Schlettwein said alongside Libertina Amathila (Namibia’s former deputy prime minister), they were tasked with fulfilling those initial demands.
He said three decades, the government has proudly begun to fulfill those promises.
As the only region without communal land, Khomas had been limited to state-owned and privately held land, leaving many communities without the customary rights crucial for livelihood and dignity, he said.
According to Schlettwein, the legacy of land inequality is a deep scar left by colonial regimes, and as a free and liberated Namibia, the government is dedicated to rectifying the historical injustice.
The newly created communal land is not just a plot of land, it’s a symbol of hope and empowerment, a step toward alleviating the burden of landlessness faced by many communities across our nation, he said.
Schlettwein noted that the resolutions laid out during the second National Land Conference in 2018 serve as a beacon for Namibia’s commitment to land reform.
Among the decisions made were directives to expand communal land areas, create new communal lands and develop these lands for the benefit of all Namibians, particularly the youth and farmers, he added.
“Today, we rally together not only to celebrate this achievement but to reaffirm our dedication to the peaceful reform of land policies.
“It is incumbent upon all Namibians to support these efforts, fostering unity and dispelling remnants of division wrought from our colonial history,” he said.
Schlettwein noted that the handover of communal land to the /Khomanin Traditional Authority sends a strong message that the implementation of land reform is not only an agenda item, but a promise of a better future for the country’s communities.
“Let us embrace this milestone and work toward a united Namibia, one where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”
He said the handover is just the start of a new chapter in the ongoing quest for equality, dignity and respect for all communities, fostering a land that belongs to each citizen of Namibia.
“Together, we will overcome the scars of the past and build a brighter, more equitable future,” he said.
The establishment of /Khomanin Communal Land, administered under the Communal Land Reform Act, is a monumental shift for the Khomas region, which remained devoid of communal land since Namibia gained independence in 1990, Schlettwein added.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
