Land not a popularity contest

The land issue has sparked, and rightly so, emotional debates ahead of the second national land conference. Various stakeholders, including opposition political parties, the church and non-governmental organisations have come out strongly with position papers highlighting the plight of landless Namibians, while also offering advice to government on how best to deal with this thorny issue. Given the chaotic planning surrounding this important gathering, it is not surprising to read about imminent threats of withdrawal by NGOs such as the Non-Governmental Organisation Forum (Nangof) and other pressure groups that are championing the cause of landless Namibians. For a conference that was billed to take place two years ago, it is unacceptable that we still find ourselves in this situation. We have allowed the land issue to be politicised at the expense of vulnerable Namibians, who had expected their political leaders to take the lead on this crucial discussion. This approach again shows there is no urgency when it comes to dealing with and fixing the land issue, and subsequently improving the lives of thousands and thousands of Namibians. The constant moaning and bickering has also created a really negative atmosphere in the build-up to this important meeting. Instead of preoccupying ourselves with notions on how restorative justice can be advanced in the best interest of the country, the critical urban land crisis as well as addressing the issue of having thousands of black farmers crammed together in less fertile areas, the build-up has now been reduced to a popularity contest with no real battle of ideas. For real land reform to happen in this country, sober minds must prevail. The land conference must unite every single Namibian, including the white minority who still control most of country's productive land. There is no need for political opportunism; the bottom line is that the land must be equally be redistributed.