New rules on fencing off of communal land

A MEETING will be held at Oluno in the Oshana Region tomorrow to discuss the fencing off of grazing pastures in the communal areas.

The Chairman of the Mangetti Farmers’ Association (MFA), Ismael Shailemo, told The Namibian that all communal farmers in the four north-central regions have been invited to attend the meeting. At the meeting, Shailemo said, farmers who want to fence off land for their exclusive use would be asked to fill in application forms.The forms will be submitted to the relevant Traditional Authority and regional Land Board, as well as the Ministry of Lands for approval.According to a spokesperson for the Ondonga Traditional Authority, Boas Mweendeleli, farmers who have already fenced off their farms have to apply in the same way.He said action might be taken against farmers who did not co-operate with the new system.A source told The Namibian that there might be a row between the Mangetti Farmers’ Association and some farmers, especially those who are now being chased out of western Kavango.The source said most farmers in Mangetti, especially those who are members of the MFA, have fenced off large grazing areas, while others have no land for their livestock to graze on.The Mangetti Farmers’ Association is in favour of fencing off of farms in communal areas, because it believes that you can only have a well-organised farming system when your farm is fenced off.Waandja Ndaameshime, one of the farmers who have cattle in western Kavango, is blaming some Mangetti farmers for the shortage of grazing in the former Owambo.Some farmers are also accusing high-ranking Government officials of having fenced off large sections of rangeland.The Namibian has learnt that the Government and the Ondonga Traditional Authority will also be represented at tomorrow’s meeting.At the meeting, Shailemo said, farmers who want to fence off land for their exclusive use would be asked to fill in application forms.The forms will be submitted to the relevant Traditional Authority and regional Land Board, as well as the Ministry of Lands for approval.According to a spokesperson for the Ondonga Traditional Authority, Boas Mweendeleli, farmers who have already fenced off their farms have to apply in the same way.He said action might be taken against farmers who did not co-operate with the new system.A source told The Namibian that there might be a row between the Mangetti Farmers’ Association and some farmers, especially those who are now being chased out of western Kavango.The source said most farmers in Mangetti, especially those who are members of the MFA, have fenced off large grazing areas, while others have no land for their livestock to graze on.The Mangetti Farmers’ Association is in favour of fencing off of farms in communal areas, because it believes that you can only have a well-organised farming system when your farm is fenced off.Waandja Ndaameshime, one of the farmers who have cattle in western Kavango, is blaming some Mangetti farmers for the shortage of grazing in the former Owambo.Some farmers are also accusing high-ranking Government officials of having fenced off large sections of rangeland.The Namibian has learnt that the Government and the Ondonga Traditional Authority will also be represented at tomorrow’s meeting.