ONGWEDIVA – Farmers in Omutsegwonime, Omutsegwombashe, Omutsegwondjaba and Okashandja have expressed disappointment in how the Ondonga Traditional Authority is running land affairs within its jurisdiction.

The leaders stand accused of giving or selling off land to powerful and politically- connected individuals, to the detriment of ordinary farmers and Ondonga inhabitants. It is allegedly also discriminating against desperate Namibians who flock from areas outside of Ondonga in search of grazing at a time when drought has gripped most of the country, with President Nangolo Mbumba already having declared a State of Emergency.

The traditional leaders vehemently deny the claims.

Not true

Authority spokesperson and assistant to Ondonga chief Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, pointed to confusion among the farmers, saying no land is being sold off.

David Kambonde said the area in question is called Oukongo waNehale. It is a reserved place, and only the king has the power to decide who to allocate it to. However, he hastened to say Nangolo appointed a representative in the form of Shikongo Shakandjaba to oversee the area. Despite being appointed by Nangolo, Shakandjaba has no powers whatsoever over the land, as all he does is report to his appointing authority.

“Two years ago, the king of Ondonga, Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, decided to create a garden to fight drought and poverty in Ondonga. The garden produced enough food for the people, bringing joy to both the king and the community members. Consequently, they decided to grant land to individuals who genuinely wanted to cultivate and produce food for themselves.

“So now, the fence that the livestock farmers are referring to is the land that is allocated to individuals across the country to cultivate and grow food for themselves. The authority does not discriminate against non-Oshindonga-speaking residing in Ondonga,” Kambonde went to length to explain.

Allegations

According to the farmers, land under the custodianship of the authority is being sold to the highest bidder. The livestock farmers further claim to have lived there since time immemorial, but are now being pushed out. One farmer said their barn has been there ever since 1998.

Others said they have been having livestock posts there since the 80s.

They have lived in harmony until now, after observing large tracts of land being fenced off, a disturbing trend. “We do not know if the traditional authority is giving land to other livestock farmers, or crop farmers or other personal interests in the area,” one of the concerned farmers said. The farmers furthermore allege that it is rumoured that land is given to people of high positions, and they are buying land from the authority. Three farmers since deserted their posts and left. This, it is said, is because their posts are surrounded by fences, which makes it challenging to manage and lead cattle to the water source. 

Even though some farmers have access to water within their posts, they are alleging that even the water well is now located inside the fence. They are now uncertain if they will be permitted to continue bringing their animals there. 

What is more, some farmers added that they were even questioned if there was no land where they come from when they questioned the status quo. These remarks were apparently made towards Ovakwanyama-speaking farmers, who happen to be most farmers in that area. 

Angolans

Kambonde continued that the Kwanyamas
employ Angolan nationals to herd their livestock, which often leads to disputes. The Angolan herders, it is further alleged, have also started buying cattle and settling in the disputed areas. Only those who settled there dubiously fear eviction, he opined. “If you visit that place, you will find that the majority of farmers are Oshikwanyama and Oshikwambi-speaking people and Angolans who are now speaking Oshikwanyama,” Kambonde said.

He then dismissed assertions that the authority was only giving land to the Aandonga.

“Namibians who are illegal at that place will not be chased, but should visit the office so that they can be assisted properly. Most of the farmers are being assisted already,” he said.

As if this was not enough, it has also surfaced that land is allegedly not just being sold, but it is being grabbed too. The authority is aware of land grabbing, Kambonde conceded.

“I even got a call now to attend to an issue at Oukongo waNehale where individuals grabbed land during the night and it was only discovered when people woke up. People disrespect those in authority; that is why they seize land,” he stated.

Kambonde added: “The authority is also aware that there are certain individuals who are illegally selling land.”

He then urged all livestock farmers and crop farmers to respect and work together in harmony.