Regional governors voice land conference expectations

WINDHOEK, 24 SEP – Several regional governors have aired their expectations of the second national land conference, which they hope will address Namibia’s most topical land issues in a transparent and honest manner.
Responding to questions sent to him by Nampa recently, Kavango East Governor Samuel Mbambo said he expects land to be discussed with maturity and honesty and in a professional manner.
He said the conference must ensure that Namibians who lost land, get it back.
“Namibians cannot become landless in their own land while land is occupied by foreign absentees or dubious owners,” Mbambo said.
Zambezi Governor Lawrence Sampofu’s chief concern, meanwhile, is the exorbitant land prices. He expects land to be made accessible to all Namibians.
“We are expecting that the land conference put up a price of how much is to be paid for land,” Sampofu said.
Also approached for comment, Khomas Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua said she anticipates issues that Government failed to resolve at the first land conference in 1991, to be addressed.
“We want to believe that we are going to resolve issues, have some resolutions that we think will resolve the land issue for Namibians,” she said.
Asked how Government could avoid falling into the same pit that saw many of the 24 resolutions of the 1991 conference fail, McLeod-Katjirua said: “Time has told us that maybe not all resolutions have been implemented. We are saying let’s go and review those we think we were unable to implement.”
Omaheke Governor Festus Ueitele expects the conference to draw up resolutions that are in the interest of the majority of Namibians.
“The people who need land must get land. And the people that have been deprived of land must also get their land. That’s my expectation,” he said.
Erongo Region’s Cleophas Mutjavikua expressed confidence that the conference will reach a consensus on the majority of issues Namibians face as far as land is concerned.
The land indaba is slated for 01 to 05 October.
It will be held under the banner ‘Towards a comprehensive and sustainable land reform in Namibia’ and is expected to address the structure of land ownership in Namibia and debate topical issues pertaining land. – NAMPA