Ancestral land: Nujoma makes U-turn
After earlier ruling out ancestral land rights claims, the minister of land reform this week indicated that such claims may be discussed at the second national land conference.
Land reform minister Utoni Nujoma appears to have made a dramatic U-turn on the issue of ancestral land claims.
The minister had earlier indicated that the government would not entertain any talk about ancestral land, arguing it would promote Bantustans and tribalism.
Nujoma was, however, singing a different tune during a consultative workshop held in Windhoek ahead of the second land conference slated for September.
At Monday's meeting, Nujoma welcomed a debate on ancestral land, saying it was people's right to make such claims, and that the government had an obligation to look after the interests of all Namibians.
He said the issue of ancestral land rights had been raised from time to time and that some people claimed that the government was responsible for the loss of ancestral land.
“The Swapo government fought for the independence of this country but decided this issue should not be discussed at that time,” Nujoma said.
Ancestral land rights were not entertained during the first land conference held in 1991 and that is why there were no resolutions taken.
Given the complexity of the ancestral land rights claims and possible restitution, the matter was thought to be impossible to attain. However, these rights and possible claims will be looked at during the second land conference.
An attendee at Monday's discussions suggested that a tribunal be established in this regard and there was no objection from the panel.
The workshop in preparation of September's land conference is an open platform where everybody is welcome.
The workshop discussed the 24 resolutions that were taken during the 1991 conference, which at the time resolved that something practical must be done to rectify injustices done by colonial land acquisition.
On Monday, Nujoma told attendees that his ministry would appreciate any inputs.
Members of the public, across the country, were being engaged on the matters to be discussed in September, he said.
The objective of the second land conference is to review progress on the implementation of the resolutions of the first conference, take stock of and address challenges encountered, discuss emerging land-related issues and come up with strategic resolutions informed by the identified challenges and future aspirations of the Namibian people.
The minister further explained that the purpose of his ministry holding the conference was not to defend themselves, but to listen to the concerns of the people and to find ways how their problems could be solved.
Nujoma urged the nation to be open and listen to each other and, most importantly, come out of these discussions with concrete resolutions on land reform.
He acknowledged that the land question was a political, social and economic issue.
According to him it is about addressing dispossession, equity and promoting productive and sustainable livelihoods through implementing programmes targeting poverty eradication.
He stressed that his ministry found it important to once again regroup, consult and give Namibians a platform on the direction that the current land reform process should take.
“This call is made to all stakeholders to review the progress made, challenges encountered and propose ways to expedite the land reform programme,” Nujoma said.
He said this time they were also guided by and would make reference to their experiences as Namibians on what has worked, what has not worked, what needs to be adjusted, fine-tuned or totally discarded in terms of the land policy and legal framework.
FRED GOEIEMAN
The minister had earlier indicated that the government would not entertain any talk about ancestral land, arguing it would promote Bantustans and tribalism.
Nujoma was, however, singing a different tune during a consultative workshop held in Windhoek ahead of the second land conference slated for September.
At Monday's meeting, Nujoma welcomed a debate on ancestral land, saying it was people's right to make such claims, and that the government had an obligation to look after the interests of all Namibians.
He said the issue of ancestral land rights had been raised from time to time and that some people claimed that the government was responsible for the loss of ancestral land.
“The Swapo government fought for the independence of this country but decided this issue should not be discussed at that time,” Nujoma said.
Ancestral land rights were not entertained during the first land conference held in 1991 and that is why there were no resolutions taken.
Given the complexity of the ancestral land rights claims and possible restitution, the matter was thought to be impossible to attain. However, these rights and possible claims will be looked at during the second land conference.
An attendee at Monday's discussions suggested that a tribunal be established in this regard and there was no objection from the panel.
The workshop in preparation of September's land conference is an open platform where everybody is welcome.
The workshop discussed the 24 resolutions that were taken during the 1991 conference, which at the time resolved that something practical must be done to rectify injustices done by colonial land acquisition.
On Monday, Nujoma told attendees that his ministry would appreciate any inputs.
Members of the public, across the country, were being engaged on the matters to be discussed in September, he said.
The objective of the second land conference is to review progress on the implementation of the resolutions of the first conference, take stock of and address challenges encountered, discuss emerging land-related issues and come up with strategic resolutions informed by the identified challenges and future aspirations of the Namibian people.
The minister further explained that the purpose of his ministry holding the conference was not to defend themselves, but to listen to the concerns of the people and to find ways how their problems could be solved.
Nujoma urged the nation to be open and listen to each other and, most importantly, come out of these discussions with concrete resolutions on land reform.
He acknowledged that the land question was a political, social and economic issue.
According to him it is about addressing dispossession, equity and promoting productive and sustainable livelihoods through implementing programmes targeting poverty eradication.
He stressed that his ministry found it important to once again regroup, consult and give Namibians a platform on the direction that the current land reform process should take.
“This call is made to all stakeholders to review the progress made, challenges encountered and propose ways to expedite the land reform programme,” Nujoma said.
He said this time they were also guided by and would make reference to their experiences as Namibians on what has worked, what has not worked, what needs to be adjusted, fine-tuned or totally discarded in terms of the land policy and legal framework.
FRED GOEIEMAN
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