Niël Terblanché
The recently revised National Resettlement Policy in Namibia is geared towards achieving equity in land redistribution to alleviate poverty.
The revised National Resettlement Policy was approved by the Cabinet in May of this year and will be in effect from 2023 to 2033.
It replaces the 1991-2001 National Resettlement Policy and incorporates resolutions made during the second land conference held in 2018, which emphasized the issue of landlessness resulting from dispossession and the inability to maintain resettlement farms due to a lack of resources after acquisition.
Concerns have, however, arisen regarding the criteria for qualification under the program, which some believe may discriminate against those who need land the most.
Joseph Isaack, Chairperson of the Kharas Regional Council, has called for the revised criteria to ensure that previously disadvantaged individuals and communities benefit from the National Resettlement Policy.
He made these remarks during a stakeholder consultative workshop organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to review the policy’s criteria, held in Keetmanshoop.
Isaack urged participants to provide input that takes into account the poverty-stricken and marginalized individuals who currently do not meet the criteria for land resettlement.
He said that while Namibia has programs aimed at poverty alleviation and addressing inequalities, the qualifying criteria often start at a high level, making it difficult for many people to qualify.
“Namibia has good programs to alleviate poverty and redress inequalities. But in our programmes, just like when you apply for a loan at the bank, the qualifying criteria start very high, while the level of our people is down below. Meaning most of our people fall below the catchment area and are disqualified even before the process has started,” he said.
Petrus Nangolo, the Director of Land Reform in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, explained that the conference had resolved to review all policies related to the resettlement program and develop pre- and post-resettlement support programs for farmers.
The conference also stressed the needs of landless Namibians and resolved that land allocation should prioritize dispossessed communities.
Nangolo urged participants to thoroughly examine the draft policy document and seek input from the constituencies they represent to assess whether the proposed criteria will effectively facilitate resettlement for those in need.
The revised policy also takes into account the needs and prioritization of designated groups, including youth, women, marginalized communities, persons with disabilities, and veterans of the liberation struggle.
The new policy additionally provides support packages for resettlement farmers, including training and other resources aimed at promoting successful resettlement and sustainable land use.
