FIVE months since we unleashed our radical program to solve the land crisis – brought by years of systemic irresolute, zigzagging and lukewarm approach to the land question – we remain resolute in our strong conviction that if we do not stand up for our generation no one will. Given the gross violations of our generation, if we did not stand up the status quo would remain and our generation will be told of “peace and stability”.
From 9 November, 2014 to date, in our struggle for land – against elitism, cronyism, corruption, nepotism and capitalism – we did not have power, money and institutions to assist us. All we had, and we have, is our hearts, spirit and convictions. We continued, facing the powerful knowing well that we are sacrificing, possibly our lives, for the good of our generation.
The powerful again came out with their power towards the 27 February 2015 Nationwide Mass Action using Paul Joseph Goebbels propaganda tactics. Firstly, the powerful claimed that the mass action was illegal. Our people did not fall for this. Then they started claiming that we are disturbing “peace”, a claim again rejected by the masses except a few zombies. When this failed the powerful began claiming that we have a political agenda against the ruling party, a claim which again failed.
The powerful, we are alerted by close sources, have gone back to the drawing board to devise what they are calling the “Lethal Strategy” reportedly similar to something that happened in history called “Final Solution.” We are not scared, we will still soldier on. If the powerful cut our lives short – for speaking truth and standing up for our generation – history will absorb us, our families will bury us proudly and our generation will continue the struggle. Be that as it may, our people came out in large numbers for the biggest civil action in post-independence Namibia. We hereby announce confirmed final figures and analysis of the Nation Wide Mass Action.
FINAL FIGURES AND ANALYSIS
Walvis Bay 9547, Swakopmund 3756, Arandis 95 Gobabis 224, Grootfontein 78, Otjiwarongo 1846, Okahandja 3788, Rundu 398, Kurenkuru 34, Tsumeb 1426, Karibib 210, Usakos 20, Ondangwa 2306, Keetmanshoop 528, Luderitz 108, Oranjemund 93, Ongwediva 2230, Oshakati 2523, Outapi 520, Okahao 131, Omaruru 138, Okakarara 700, Helao Nafidi 121, Eenhana 510, Henties Bay 128, Katima Mulilo 720, Ruacana 45, Omuthiya 111, Mariental 51, Outjo 26, Oshikuku 241, Kamanjab 24, Opuwo 1, Bethanie 3, Witvlei 20, Bukalo 4, Otavi 22, Karasburg 170, Rehoboth 400, Windhoek 2800.
In the preliminary results, we stated that the total number stood at more than 35 000. The final confirmed figure now stands at 36 098. Given the parallel campaign by the powerful to prevent the masses from launching their applications with their respective local authorities, this number can be characterized as those who overcame the fear of the powerful, defied intimidation and stood on the side of principle. Had there been no parallel campaign by the powerful, the number could’ve surely been different.
If the mass applications of 21 November 2014 (14 059) is added to those of 27 February 2015, the total applications submitted stands at 50 157 applications. There are at least more than 25 000 people who were unable to submit their applications due to a number of reasons. As such, the number of people in need of land should be seen as way above the total figures of those that managed to submit their applications.
Misdiagnosis of the land crisis
We have seen at least three misdiagnoses on the land crisis and our struggle; the first misdiagnosis is Farm – House Dichotomy. When asked by journalists to comment on AR and the land question, the powerful responds by referring to farms and whites who were born on those farms. This is a serious misdiagnosis of our struggle. We do not want farms, not yet. Our fight is not for farms, we want a place we can call home. We want houses not farms. The story of farms has nothing to do with us and our struggle. What we want is land for houses. In fact none of the 50 000 landless applicants applied for a farm. We acknowledge that poverty is a serious issue and we agree that it must be a priority. But to claim that the land crisis was brought by poverty is a misdiagnosis. The land crisis is brought by greed, elitism and corruption. Councillors, over the years, gave 90% of land to developers who built flats and sold them at exorbitant prices. They also exclusively gave land to their families, kids, concubines and so-called “special people” further leaving the masses without land. That caused the land crisis. The prices of houses were allowed to escalate to the level of being the second highest in the world. That caused the crisis and not poverty. To shift blame to poverty is oversimplification, revisionism and reductionism. As poverty is blamed by the powerful for the land crisis, we are showered with a deep silence on other aspects. The powerful are silent on high rental prices that are ever increasing; they are silent on the regulation of housing prices (general cost of housing) and the tyranny of developers. That is the third misdiagnosis.
Land will be occupied in the Antagonistic Episode
Instead of telling the people how they will solve the problem, we see the powerful telling people that “no one will grab the land” and that “land will not be grabbed.” This is not only a wasted opportunity to tell the masses what they will do, it is also a bluffing and intimidation tactic that will not work. We have given the authorities a total of 9 months from 21 November 2014 to 31 July 2015. They have enough time to address the crisis. We care enough to give them nine months. If our objective was just to occupy the land we could have given them 2 weeks. Let’s be very clear, we will occupy the land if it is not given to us by 31 July 2015. We are ready and have nothing to lose. Jail or death, we will not retreat.
Any talk and intimidation of “no one will grab the land” is mere talk from comfortable people who will be found in parliament and restaurants when we occupy the land. When we pay rent, when we are evicted and when we are living in garages, they are nowhere to be found. If “no one will grab the land” means they will solve it by then – we will love them. If they mean we will do nothing, even after they do nothing, then lord have mercy on their souls. We are not joking around.
Programs in the
Cooperative Episode
In the cooperative period, the period from November 2014 – July 2015, we are prepared to engage with the powerful on how best to solve this crisis in the best interest of all parties involved. We are not allergic to engage both the Land Reform and Urban and Rural Development ministries and the local authorities. We believe that there should be ways of solving this crisis in a cooperative manner. If these efforts fail, we will be left with no choice but to go directly into the antagonistic episode where we will occupy the land that is available in abundance. In April, we will also announce a Mass Action Program that will take place in that month as part of the many programs that will be happening before 31 July.
• Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, George Kambala and Job Amupanda are land activists.