Where was the political will?
As former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba touted some truly radical solutions to the country’s ongoing land redistribution fiasco on Monday, the irony should not have been lost on those attending the opening of the second national land conference.
After all, it was these two gentlemen who collectively presided over Swapo-led governments for 25 years.
And yet in all this time, with their hands firmly on the levers of government power, they never displayed the political will to do what they now so radically suggest.
Among their suggestions is that a public vote or referendum be held to consider constitutional amendments that will pave the way for the state to take away land from absentee landlords.
The two statesmen were also in agreement that foreign-owned land should be expropriated.
Pohamba believes fair compensation should be paid for infrastructure investment, while Nujoma wants expropriation without compensation.
The founding president also dismissed concerns that taking away land from foreigners would be detrimental to the country’s economy.
Both Nujoma and Pohamba suggested that all land should belong to the state, so it can be redistributed equitably, despite an admission that government resettlement criteria has not been followed to the letter.
Although President Hage Geingob welcomed discussions on ancestral land rights and restitution, Pohamba bluntly rejected the issue, saying it was counterproductive and could lead to civil strife.
Nujoma also agreed that ancestral land restitution is impossible and that the matter should not be entertained.
Yet, it has only been during Geingob’s first term that pressure groups have vociferously emerged to push these agendas.
What now lies undiscussed in the debate on radical solutions is why these two statesman chose to pump billions and billions into tenders, rather than push restorative land justice during their successive terms as head of state.
It is this lack of political will that has come back to haunt Namibia.
And are we to believe that Nujoma and Pohamba are now on a Damascus road journey?
After all, it was these two gentlemen who collectively presided over Swapo-led governments for 25 years.
And yet in all this time, with their hands firmly on the levers of government power, they never displayed the political will to do what they now so radically suggest.
Among their suggestions is that a public vote or referendum be held to consider constitutional amendments that will pave the way for the state to take away land from absentee landlords.
The two statesmen were also in agreement that foreign-owned land should be expropriated.
Pohamba believes fair compensation should be paid for infrastructure investment, while Nujoma wants expropriation without compensation.
The founding president also dismissed concerns that taking away land from foreigners would be detrimental to the country’s economy.
Both Nujoma and Pohamba suggested that all land should belong to the state, so it can be redistributed equitably, despite an admission that government resettlement criteria has not been followed to the letter.
Although President Hage Geingob welcomed discussions on ancestral land rights and restitution, Pohamba bluntly rejected the issue, saying it was counterproductive and could lead to civil strife.
Nujoma also agreed that ancestral land restitution is impossible and that the matter should not be entertained.
Yet, it has only been during Geingob’s first term that pressure groups have vociferously emerged to push these agendas.
What now lies undiscussed in the debate on radical solutions is why these two statesman chose to pump billions and billions into tenders, rather than push restorative land justice during their successive terms as head of state.
It is this lack of political will that has come back to haunt Namibia.
And are we to believe that Nujoma and Pohamba are now on a Damascus road journey?
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Namibian Sun
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