Khomas has spoken: McLeod-Katjirua

WINDHOEK, 21 JUL  – The Khomas Region on Friday concluded its two-day consultative meeting in preparation for the second national land conference, refining and adopting the 24 resolutions that were taken at the 1991 conference in the process.
The chief outcome of the meeting was the unanimous agreement by those in attendance for land to be expropriated without compensation.
In her closing remarks on Friday, Khomas Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua indicated that her region had “spoken”.
It is now up to those who will represent the region at the highly anticipated indaba to stand in unison and support its position on land as a collective, she said.
“Who ever is going to be delegated to attend the conference, I am sure that number is going to be limited but please carry the hat of Khomas. Support and defend our recommendations,” said an elated McLeod-Katjirua.
She added that it was only through their support that Khomas’ land resolution will survive the October conference which intends to chart the future of land on Namibia.
The former Omaheke political head further noted that it was of paramount importance that the resolutions taken were done so with the future in mind.
“Let’s not decide for ourselves and then when we are no more, our children will be here complaining, saying ‘by the way, why were they even there?’” she said.
Moreover, it was the governor’s wish that the national conference be a resounding success.
“Khomas has spoken! Expropriation without compensation! We stand by that. We stand by our resolutions and we know our resolutions are going to come out alive and successful,” she said, as the audience nodded and cheered in applause.
Speaking to Nampa shortly after the session was Attorney General, Albert Kawana, who described the public hearing as a success.
Kawana also took time to respond to those who have labelled the land conference a ‘sham and political gimmick’.
“There is nothing predetermined. That’s why the President postponed the conference last year to allow the concerned groups to make their submissions. You saw AR (Affirmative Repositioning), they have written a representation,” he explained, referencing two AR submissions made during the consultation.
The meeting was attended by around 100 residents of the Khomas Region over the two days.
The consultative meetings are being held across all 14 regions of the country.
(NAMPA)