Auleria Wakudumo

The Ondonga Traditional Authority has finally broken its silence on the alleged mismanagement of land affairs within its jurisdiction. The traditional authority stands accused of giving or selling land to powerful and politically connected individuals to the detriment of ordinary farmers and Ondonga inhabitants. Additionally, it is alleged that the traditional authority discriminates against desperate Namibians who flock from areas outside of Ondonga in search of grazing. On Wednesday, the authority confirmed that it is through its Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo’s directive that they are leasing the contested land. 

However, the authority did not disclose the names of the 54 individuals to whom it is leasing the land. 

Prominent Namibians fingered in the ongoing land disputes in the Okashana Kuukongo waNehale include former Cabinet minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, Oshikoto governor Penda Ya Ndakolo, business mogul Ben ‘BH’ Hauwanga, Swapo Oshikoto coordinator Armas Amukwiyu, Oshikoto Regional Council chairperson Samuel Panduleni Shivute, Affirmative Repositioning movement leader Job Amupanda, Ondangwa mayor Paavo Amweele as well as lawyers Sisa Namandje and Kadhila Amoomo. 

To date, 2 700 hectares have been occupied by the 54 individuals, with each person receiving between 20 and 50 hectares of land.

Response 

Chairperson of the authority John Walenga said 54 farm units were surveyed in the area and allocated to individuals for farming purposes. He hastened to say that this is not illegal. The authority reminded the public that land within Okashana has always fallen under the jurisdiction of omukwaniilwa. In essence, whatever happens with the land is at his discretion. Walenga noted that three years ago, Nangolo “initiated and established an Ondonga community field for crop production in the same area under question, and a successful harvest of maize was already done from this field”.

Upon witnessing the success of crop production, omukwaniilwa “initiated and directed land at Okashana specifically for crop production. This resulted in the engagement of a professional land surveyor to subdivide some of the land into 54 units, which were allocated to individuals who were ready to use the land for crop production for the benefit of the people,” he said. He added that the subdivision of the land into individual farming units was done in such a way that a vast piece of land was still left untouched for common grazing by local livestock farmers.

Fences 

Walenga said people who were officially allocated the farming units fenced off the land to protect their crops once they started producing. “It is obvious that without fencing off the land allocated, their production efforts will be put to waste, as the cattle will feed on their produce,” he stated.

The land had been allegedly allocated to individuals for five years on a leasehold basis, and therefore remains under the jurisdiction and stewardship of Nangolo.

The authority said they held two public meetings to inform people to apply for the designated land.  “The purpose of omukwaniilwa to direct that part of the land in Okashana kUukongo waNehale is to be used for crop and other agro-production. It is a noble one, as it addresses the issue of fighting hunger, and contributes to food security and development in our country,” he added. The authority appealed to Namibians to support this noble development initiative going forward. 

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