TSJAKA – Leader of the Batswana Ba Namibia in Aminuis in the Omaheke region, Andrew Mongwaketsi Kgosiemang says his people need more land as the tribe is growing.

Speaking recently at the Tsjaka Industrial and Agricultural Show, the traditional authority leader said he is ready to advise on the land issue with the country’s leaders and urged them to consider availing more land to the Batswana Ba Namibia.

“I am informed that the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform wishes to revisit the resettlement programme, we are willing to share our experiences when the time is right,” he said.

Kgosiemang further said in the early 1980s, the Batswana administrative authority bought the 10 farms around Tsjaka which were allocated to Batswana farmers and they, according to him, divided it into units.

“Although these farms or units were bought for Batswana, people from other tribes were also included and they are here with us. Programmes were initiated to change the then communal farmers to commercial farmers,” he said.

“Through mentor programmes, I am proud to announce that indeed some communal farmers graduated and some bought commercial farms, and they are still proud farmers,” he added.

The traditional leader said there is still confusion after more than 30 years about whether the area is communal or used for resettlement and this has become a problem as they do not benefit from many projects given to communal areas and resettled farmers.

“This confusion has cost our farmers. I am in contact with the land reform ministry and hope very soon this issue will be resolved. I am requesting [President Hage Geingob] to look into purchasing more farms, because families have grown,” he said.

The chief said land is an issue because even their children who went abroad for greener pastures are coming back to Namibia and they too will need land, thus he also advised those who can, to start buying farms and apply for resettlement farms.

- Nampa