Land reform a hot topic at law conference
With an ever-increasing demand for affordable land, stability is threatened and the best course of action is for the law to awaken to the changing times.
During the Society for Law Teachers of Southern Africa conference Namibia’s Chief Justice Peter Shivute highlighted the importance of the ownership of land.
In his speech at the conference in Swakopmund on Wednesday, he said the ownership of land enhanced quality of life and represented a high degree of accomplishment.
“Our constitution provides in Article 16 for the right of all persons in Namibia to have a sense of security by acquiring land or immovable property which they can own individually or in association with others, and which they can bequeath to their heirs as part of their legacies,” said Shivute.
According to him this is an integral component of the fabric of society and contributes sustainably to social development.
The devastating drought which affects nearly 39 million people in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is the biggest threat to our land, according to him.
“This state of affairs severely affects the agricultural output and means of sustenance for both our people and livestock. The need for survival becomes an even greater objective. As we are aware, the fight for survival on land has created numerous disputes, either in the form of livestock owners seeking pasture, or farmers looking for land for crop production,” said Shivute.
He warned that this situation threatened stability and said the best course of action was for the law to awaken to the changing times, “so that we strengthen the enforcement of the environmental laws that seek to preserve our land, one of our greatest treasures”.
“Our policy goals should be directed to preserve the natural heritage, biodiversity and life-supporting ecosystems in Southern Africa. I urge you to champion the cause to protect our environment, our land, so that this precious treasure has defenders for prosperity.”
Shivute said institutions such as law faculties had the power to influence policy, law and strategy, and to generally ensure good governance.
“The biggest challenge we are facing now is the provision of accessible and affordable land to all sectors in our communities. The challenge of landlessness is further interconnected with low income. Urbanisation has created high population densities which are placing greater demand on cities and towns for the provision of basic amenities. Consequently land is now earmarked for city and town expansions coupled with infrastructure development, which is a costly exercise that drives the cost of land to exorbitant prices.
“The growing interest in land investments by local or foreign investors increases the value of land, out of reach of the locals who fall under middle-income to poor communities, and let us not forget that these people make up the majority of our populations,” he said.
According to Shivute there is also a need to inform the public of their rights concerning the registration of land they occupy and the security that lies in that registration.
“It is important for citizens to not only know their rights but also to enforce them, so that we start building a wider reservoir of public opinion. Doubtless, public opinion sways government policies. This in turn paves the way for good governance,” said Shivute.
Professor Lazarus Hangula said in his welcoming remarks that comprehensive and informed debates at the conference would contribute to the improvement of legal education in Namibia and the rest of Africa. He said improving the capacity of legal educators to offer quality legal education would also ensure access to justice for all people in Africa, whether rich or poor.
JESSICA BOTES
In his speech at the conference in Swakopmund on Wednesday, he said the ownership of land enhanced quality of life and represented a high degree of accomplishment.
“Our constitution provides in Article 16 for the right of all persons in Namibia to have a sense of security by acquiring land or immovable property which they can own individually or in association with others, and which they can bequeath to their heirs as part of their legacies,” said Shivute.
According to him this is an integral component of the fabric of society and contributes sustainably to social development.
The devastating drought which affects nearly 39 million people in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is the biggest threat to our land, according to him.
“This state of affairs severely affects the agricultural output and means of sustenance for both our people and livestock. The need for survival becomes an even greater objective. As we are aware, the fight for survival on land has created numerous disputes, either in the form of livestock owners seeking pasture, or farmers looking for land for crop production,” said Shivute.
He warned that this situation threatened stability and said the best course of action was for the law to awaken to the changing times, “so that we strengthen the enforcement of the environmental laws that seek to preserve our land, one of our greatest treasures”.
“Our policy goals should be directed to preserve the natural heritage, biodiversity and life-supporting ecosystems in Southern Africa. I urge you to champion the cause to protect our environment, our land, so that this precious treasure has defenders for prosperity.”
Shivute said institutions such as law faculties had the power to influence policy, law and strategy, and to generally ensure good governance.
“The biggest challenge we are facing now is the provision of accessible and affordable land to all sectors in our communities. The challenge of landlessness is further interconnected with low income. Urbanisation has created high population densities which are placing greater demand on cities and towns for the provision of basic amenities. Consequently land is now earmarked for city and town expansions coupled with infrastructure development, which is a costly exercise that drives the cost of land to exorbitant prices.
“The growing interest in land investments by local or foreign investors increases the value of land, out of reach of the locals who fall under middle-income to poor communities, and let us not forget that these people make up the majority of our populations,” he said.
According to Shivute there is also a need to inform the public of their rights concerning the registration of land they occupy and the security that lies in that registration.
“It is important for citizens to not only know their rights but also to enforce them, so that we start building a wider reservoir of public opinion. Doubtless, public opinion sways government policies. This in turn paves the way for good governance,” said Shivute.
Professor Lazarus Hangula said in his welcoming remarks that comprehensive and informed debates at the conference would contribute to the improvement of legal education in Namibia and the rest of Africa. He said improving the capacity of legal educators to offer quality legal education would also ensure access to justice for all people in Africa, whether rich or poor.
JESSICA BOTES
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