Rudolf Gaiseb

Land and social justice activist Shaun Gariseb has raised concern over water supply at communal land recently handed to the /Khomanin community.

The land reform ministry recently handed over two combined farms (portion 1 of the Farm Groot Korasieplaats and the remainder of the Farm Groot Korasieplaats) to the community. 

The land reform ministry acquired the two commercial farmers to be converted into communal land for the community, located 140km northeast of Windhoek on a B6 road from the city, and then turn in the M53 road to the farm. 

At the /Khomanin national census and congress at Groot Aub last weekend, Gariseb registered his disappointment. 

“Before they bought the farm for N$33.8 million, did they do due diligence regarding the water capacity and water potential of the farms? We know that the farm has challenges with water. That is why the two previous owners sold the farms. The ministry’s reasoning is to resettle a community on these 8000 hectares.

 Now, if the farms’ capacity is not enough for one farmer and one household, how is it going to be enough for a community?” he asked.

Deputy executive director of land management within the ministry Alfred Sikopo said “We have a department of water affairs within the ministry. This department was expected to come and fix the water for the two farms, but if it has not been done so far, I am going to take it up with the department.”

Moreover, he said the ministry’s main purpose is to establish communal land in the Khomas region, among others.

“This is to ensure that the residents of the Khomas region who do not have land are provided with land/commonage for settlement and grazing purposes,” he asserted. -rrgaiseb@gmail.com