Land debate - what is there to hide?

So Swapo decided once again to reject a motion seeking to debate the government's controversial resettlement policy. The ruling party has in the past shied away from debating the contentious issue of land in the National Assembly, much to chagrin of the opposition politicians. The motion which was swept off the table this week was moved by Swanu leader Usutuaije Maamberua and also intended to call on land reform minister Utoni Nujoma to give a breakdown of the ministry's challenges and successes in the implementation of the programme. It was not surprising when Nujoma and his fellow comrades in the August House voted unanimously to reject the motion against the 10 opposition members who wanted it heard. It is really unfortunate that Swapo still doesn't have the courage to speak out on this matter 27 years after our independence. In fact, the land reform ministry vehemently refused to release the list of beneficiaries of the land resettlement programme following accusations that it was only benefiting a select few and the well-connected. The mere fact that government has postponed its second national conference should not be used as an excuse not to debate the resettlement policy. Government has self-admitted that it has failed the Namibian people when it comes to land redistribution. So far it has not shown any urgency in dealing and fixing the land issue. There has been no action, only rhetoric, especially when it comes to expropriation of land with fair compensation. As the ruling party, Swapo and by extension the government, must be at the forefront of leading the land agenda by coming up with concrete action plan and policy to tackle the issue. At the moment there clearly appears to be no urgency in dealing with the issue of land reform and there is a lax attitude towards the subject judging from the conduct of the authorities. What is there to hide? Swapo is not dealing with this matter well and these pathetic excuses don't hold water. Land resettlement is a continuous process and many Namibians, including those that gave the ruling party the mandate to lead this country, have an inherent interest in the topic.