RUNDU - The Kavango East Regional Farmers Union has welcomed the new Namibia National Farmers Union head Kuniberth Shamathe (38), who reported for duty this week.

The union believes the new chief executive officer (CEO) will take the federation to greater heights. 

“The Kavango East and West Farmers Unions would like to congratulate Mr Shamathe for his appointment as CEO of the NNFU,” said KERFU chairperson Adolf Muremi, who noted that the executive committees of these unions expressed their excitement and confidence in the new boss.

“We are in full support of Mr Shamathe. He is the right candidate for the position, given his skills, positive attitude and knowledge in the agriculture industry.

We know it’s a challenging position, but we believe Mr Shamathe has the ability to take the NNFU to greater heights”, Muremi added.

The new CEO told New Era that he was indeed looking forward to working with all regional farmers’ unions countrywide.

“I pledge to provide leadership to the NNFU that will benefit all communal farmers. Cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders is needed in order to achieve significant improvements in communal farming,” he noted. 

“I acknowledge that communal farming is the most challenging farming system in Namibia. But I am ready to work with regional farmers’ unions throughout the country to provide the needed support to address and improve the farming plight in communal areas,” Shamathe continued.

The NNFU is a national federation of regional farmers’ unions aiming to increase food production for household security, enhance the marketing of farming products to increase household incomes, increase participation and recognition of women in farming, contribute to environmental protection and to ensure the sustainable utilisation of natural resources.