Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The minister of agriculture, water, and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, has submitted the proposal to gradually remove the red line.
Introduced in 1897, the 1250 km veterinary cordon fence separates the northern communal farms from the commercial farming areas.
Its gradual removal was announced by the deputy minister of information, communication and technology, Modestus Amutse, on Thursday.
Amutse also announced that Cabinet has approved the construction of new veterinary cordon fences (Red Line) and gates to create new disease-free zones.
‘’Cabinet directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to undertake the following interventions: carrying out a feasibility study over two financial years from 2024/25 to 2025/26. The estimated budget of the feasibility study should be determined and submitted to the Treasury for appropriation during the midterm budget review: the creation of disease-free zones (construction of veterinary fences and new veterinary gates),’’ said Amutse.
He added that the cabinet has also directed the agriculture ministry to recruit additional staff members and construct staff accommodation, as well as other necessary infrastructure, which should commence in the 2027-2032 financial year.
‘’Secured funding for the proposed interventions for the creation of disease-free zones in the identified areas, which includes the Mangetti area: Karikubis in Kavango East region, Tsumkwe Constituency in Otjozondjupa region, Mangetti East Farms in the Kavango West region, Mangetti West and Onalusheshete Farms in Oshikoto Region, Ombuga area in Oshana region, Omutambo Maowe area in Omusati region and Sesfontein area of Kunene region,’’ announced Amutse.
The deputy minister further announced that Cabinet has also approved the expansion of communal areas of Ovitoto, Otjimbingwe and Aminius in terms of the Communal Land Reform Act, 2002 (Act Number 5 of 2002), subject to proclamation published in the Government Gazette and in both print and electronic media.
The removal has been the dream of late president Hage Geingob, who in 2018 expressed the desire to have the red line removed for maximum benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
At the time, Geingob felt the removal of the red line could facilitate Namibia’s beef exports to the rest of the continent.
“Our beef is in demand. But we don’t have beef. We just talk about beef, but we don’t have enough cattle. We have to open up the Red Line so we can have more beef,” he said.
The announcement was welcomed by many who took to social media, thanking Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda, who took the government, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform, the attorney general, and the former Meat Board of Namibia, which has been renamed the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, to court three years ago.
“It has now proven that Professor Job Shipululo Amupanda is capable of leading the country.” – Frans Erastus.
“Thanking Dr. Amumpanda for his initial fight for the removal of restrictions at this colonial red line. You are a good leader and stood by your decisions even when it was not fashionable to do so. True hero of the soil.” – Kay Too YaKangombe
“Professor Job Shipululo Amupanda will liberate this country from colonial bondage, but many do not understand. The man is trying hard to make sure that our eyes are open to being able to see the system that is oppressing the masses of our people, but we are still sleeping.” – Kristian S Ntinda
Others questioned the cabinet’s motive.
“Until I see the commencement of removal of the fence, I shall believe. The current administration is fighting and trying anything possible to persuade the electorate. We’ve seen you for the past 34 years and your regime shall fall come November 27.” – Jo Sef
“Read in between the red line. This will only be a pilot project on the other side of Omangetti Farm. That farm borders Kavango and Oshikoto/Otjozondjupa Regions and it’s a government farm where the Ministry has a farm that was mismanaged 2 years ago. But since then, we used to move those cattle freely with syndicates in the south of Red-line already. Now we are here celebrating as if you will pass down South with your raw meat.” – Gerhard Nautoro
Earlier this month, Amupanda vowed to remove the veterinary cordon fence immediately, should he be elected as the country’s next president.
